The Highlander's Secret(6)
She had felt self-conscious being the center of attention and having all the grownups look at her. She hadn’t understood the language they were speaking, and everything happened so fast Jain barely had time to process what was going on. Moira had scrubbed Jain’s hair, skin, and nails clean and presented her with a brand-new tunic. Thinking about it now brought a smile to Jain’s face. Moira still thought it was important to make a good impression. Eamon had knelt beside her and beckoned to Aileen to come to them. As the little girl approached she dropped her gaze towards the ground to trace a circle with her foot.
They had been the kindest people Jain had ever met. They welcomed her into their home like a daughter and treated her like family. On the day she’d met Aileen, Jain was curious to see another little girl but very nervous and a little scared.
Aileen had dark brown hair and eyes and she walked over to them with a dimpled smile. Eamon took Jain by the hand. He spoke to her in their strange language, while tears pricked at the corner of Jain’s eyes. She turned away from them embarrassed.
The dark-haired girl had gazed back at her confused when he’d finished speaking and asked something in a tiny voice that was completely undiscernible. Jain hadn’t understood what they were saying, but Eamon gave her a nod of encouragement.
All the grownups had smiled at them in the firelight and ushered them away. Aileen took her by the hand and guided her off into the corner where a box of toys was waiting.
Jain remembered glancing back over her shoulder as Nora sat down at the table next to Eamon. They had the same coloring and dark brown hair, though hers was pulled back into a veil. The resemblance was so striking that even then Jain couldn’t help but wonder if they were related. It turned out, her assumption had been correct; she later found out Nora was his sister.
The adults watched them go and released a happy sigh.
Aileen handed Jain a rag doll and placed it in her arms like a baby while humming a lullaby. A laugh had bubbled up from Jain’s lips when she listened to the girl’s song as they sat there together and played. It was the first time she had laughed since they brought her to Elign.
That was the moment Jain knew everything would be alright.
Jain shook her head and smiled at the memory while mixing the dough with her hands. Aileen still had the same dimpled smile as back then, but they’d both grown up somewhere along the way. Jain had always admired Aileen’s patience and detail with the ornate needlework. Her hands were tiny and more skilled with delicate work like sewing. Jain found her own skills lay elsewhere.
She blended herbs and cheese into the dough, then separated it into three equal parts and braided them together with bits of dough and flour still clinging underneath her fingernails. With the colorful dusting of herbs and unique pattern, it looked fine enough for the king himself.
Jain looked up from her work as Aileen tied off the thread and cut it before holding it up to give inspection. “There.”
Moira bustled inside with a basket full of eggs and a dead chicken resting on her arm. “We’ve lost two more chickens. It must have been a fox who killed more than he could carry because he left this one, but there’s blood and feathers everywhere.”
Jain put her hands on her hips, leaving traces of flour on her tunic and let out an exasperated huff. She knew perfectly well they couldn’t afford to lose any more livestock. “That’s the second time this week. How are they getting into the coop?”
Moira sighed and shook her head, saying, “I have nae idea, child. I’ll ask Uncle Bruce if there is anything that can be done. He might be able to build a sturdier gate to keep them out. Yer da’s cleaning it up right now. He should be finished soon. In the meantime, I’ll make the best of our loss and turn it into a tasty stew. How does that sound?”
“That sound lovely, Mam. Let me know if I can do anything to help.”
She set the basket on the end of the table and started plucking out the feathers on the chicken before turning to Aileen. “How is the mending coming along there, love?”
“All finished,” the girl responded, setting the bit of fabric aside and placing it in her lap.
Moira nodded in approval. “Good work, my dear. The stitches are nice and even. I can tell ye’ve been practicing. Then ye can help Jain with the cooking. The lads will be here soon, and they always come with empty bellies.”
Jain looked at her and said, “I dinnae ken we’re expecting anyone.”
“Aye, Alan and Rodrick are coming by to fix the thatching on the roof. We have to get it secured before the winter.”
At the sound of Rodrick’s name, Aileen’s eyes widened and she burst into a glorious smile. She made no secret about her fondness for the handsome stable hand and Jain knew Moira found many occasions to have the two of them cross paths.
Jain pursed her lips, trying to conceal her own grin, but said nothing. She nodded in acknowledgement. The roof was in desperate need of repair and it was kind of Alan and Rodrick to lend assistance. Eamon and her mother did the best they could, but it was hard work better suited to younger men.
Her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Alan because he was always teasing her. Ever since her uncle Bruce had taken him on as an apprentice, they had the chance to see each other often. They’d known each other for years, ever since Eamon brought her back with him to Elign. At times, Jain felt like he was the only person who truly saw her. Whenever she spoke, Alan was the one who listened. He knew her likes and dislikes, and they’d spoken at length about her dreams of travel while she visited him at her Uncle Bruce’s smithy.