Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“Why did your brother leave her care?” Terese asked.
“We don’t know. We can only assume that he has good reason for not returning home.”
“His wounds,” she reminded.
“Oh yes,” he said and thought a moment. “I believe Zia said he suffered damaged ribs, a leg wound, a severe shoulder wound, and his face had been badly beaten.”
“How awful,” Terese empathized. “Someone recovering from such wounds I would have remembered. But I do not recall such a man seeking our help.”
“But a band of mercenaries do frequent the area?”
“Yes, so we have been told,” she said.
“And not once have they crossed any of the sisters’ paths?”
Terese shook her head. “Such news surely would have been shared, but you are free to ask the others, if you wish.”
“Perhaps Piper, with all the time she spends in the woods, would know something?” he suggested.
“As I said you are free to ask.”
“You are generous and patient with us, Sister Terese,” he said, suddenly feeling as if he and his men were imposing on her and the other sisters.
“Not at all,” she argued with a bright smile. “We are here to help and be generous. It is what we do. And you have seen the fruit of our labor, which is why I am sure the church will want us to continue our work here.”
He almost grabbed his gut, feeling such a sharp stab of guilt. Here he was sabotaging their plans, while she offered him help. Another reason for him to burn in hell…lying to a nun.
Sister Terese resumed planting, her foot easing the rich soil over the dropped seeds.
“You do not mind such a lonely existence?” he asked as he continued alongside her.
She laughed softly, never disturbing her rhythmic motion. “It is far from a lonely existence. The sisters and I have each other for company and we are constantly busy, as I’m sure you have noticed. Then there are the farmers we visit and those who come to see us. It is a good life.”
“You don’t find it confining?” he asked.
“How so?”
“You mostly work.”
“And pray,” she reminded him.
He nodded, though had to ask. “Work and prayer are enough for you?”
She stopped, looked at him and spoke bluntly. “You wonder why I chose this life over one with a husband and children.”
“Forgive me, but I am curious why you chose to commit your life to the church rather than a husband.”
Her blue eyes burst with brilliant color and she grinned. “For the very same reason you presently enjoy your life.”
He stared at her confused at first then asked, “Freedom?”
“Precisely, I have more freedom here at Everagis than I would ever have with a husband.” She laughed. “And don’t try to debate the matter. You’re well aware that a certain amount of obedience is expected from a wife, and no doubt you will expect it from your own. And as a husband you will have the last say in all matters.”
“It is the way of things.”
She shook her head. “How easy for a man to say that when life favors him.”
“It is a good exchange between husband and wife. For her obedience I will take good care of her, provide for her and see her safe.”
“So it is a bargain you will strike with your future wife,” she said. “Love will not enter into the agreement?”
He rubbed his chin then turned a disarming smile on her. “I think I would rather wed a best friend then pledge an undying love.”
“Why?”
“You do know you ask why much too often,” he chuckled.
“It is the only way to get an answer”—she grinned—“which is what I’m waiting for.”
“A best friend is always there for you, accepts you as you are, confides in you, laughs with you, cries with you, fights with you, but always—always forgives you, whether right or wrong. Love, on the other hand, can be unforgiving.”
Her grin faded and she nodded slowly. “How right you are.”
She continued her planting only this time he didn’t follow alongside her. He stood watching her and couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps she spoke from experience.
Chapter 5
The next day the sisters had a couple of the men move tables from two other buildings outside. By early afternoon they had dressed the tables with fresh blue cloths and began adding platter after platter of scrumptiously scented food. To it they added pitchers of cider and mead.
The men stared from where they worked on the shelters, most wiping sweat from their brows. They were all hungry, since their first meal of the day hadn’t been nearly sufficient enough, but they had yet to receive an invitation to join the sisters.
Terese corrected that as soon as she walked out of the common shelter. She approached Lachlan with a smile, noticing he already wore one. There were few times he didn’t, though in those times, she caught a glimpse of the warrior within him.