Eliza brought Anna to a chair. “My dear, what’s happened?”
“Pray, do no not fuss over me.” Anna gestured in the air, as if all her efforts to ease her fears had not failed. “I am well, I believe I have simply forgotten to eat today.”
Her spirit groaned at the veiled truth. These women were sincerer and more worthy of her trust than anyone, and yet she feared revealing herself to them. For what they might think of her, aye, but more, for the consequences unknown and how the revelations could change everything.
A mug of amber liquid filled her vision and Anna looked up to Kitty. She took the drink and smiled. “Thank you.”
Kitty’s face beamed and her blue-green eyes smiled. “A woman must keep up her strength.” She offered Anna a still-steaming slice of bread. “There is plenty more if you would like.”
The tantalizing scent of the yeasty bread made Anna’s mouth water. Her stomach growled and she chuckled before the melancholy returned to her spirit and chased away the mirth. She looked down at the white, fluffy piece and spoke in deep earnest. “I thank you.” More than I can say. She picked at the bread and took a sip of drink. “I am looking for William. Has he been here?”
The girls looked at each other then Eliza spoke. “We haven’t seen him. But Thomas is at the shop, perhaps he has. You could go into town and ask—”
“Nay.” She answered too quickly. “I mean, ’tis not urgent.”
“Of course.” Eliza’s eyes searched as if she were unsatisfied with the answer, but chose to postpone additional questioning. “Once your strength is recovered, we would be more than pleased if you would stay.” Eliza looked behind from her position near the fire. “There is plenty to be prepared for tonight’s celebration, and a third pair of hands would be of great help.”
“I’d be delighted.” She finished the food and drink, breathing deeply to quiet the few quivers that remained. Finding a spot to stand beside the littered table, she sighed, forcing serenity into her voice. “I didn’t remember tonight’s meal was a celebration. What’s the occasion?”
“Eliza?” Kitty said, stirring something in a large pot hanging over the flame. “I believe you should have the honors of explaining.” Kitty looked back at Anna with a sprite spark in her expression. “She tells it best.”
“Oh?” Anna answered with a laugh.
Eliza peered up from the table, her fingers covered in dough. “Today marks the day we first came to Sandwich.”
Anna grinned, her nerves beginning to ease. “When was this?”
“Two years ago,” Eliza turned back to the pastry. “Each day has been a joy ever since.”
A curt laugh shot from Kitty. “Well, you remember things a mite differently than I.”
Eliza glanced behind again, a flash of warning in her eye, but it vanished the next instant. “Life provides trial, but that is to be expected.”
Kitty’s cheeks reddened as she lifted a cast-iron pot onto the hook above the fire. “Well said, Liza. I suppose I need to improve my outlook.” She smirked at Anna. “You should tell her about how you and Thomas met.” Kitty pointed to the carrots. “Anna, would you be willing to chop those?”
She nodded, infused with a kind of exotic excitement. She’d never chopped carrots. William had harvested a few of theirs, but she’d yet to use them as he had already hauled them to the cold cellar. Not knowing what to do with them, she’d left them there.
Anna moved to the table and retrieved the knife. “You weren’t married when you came here?”
Eliza’s face bloomed. “Nay, we hardly knew each other.”
“She was love-struck from the moment she saw him.” Kitty leaned over the table as if she were tattling. “I knew they would be married.”
Eliza’s brows shot up then instantly plummeted as a happy-irritated smile graced her face. “You did not.” She reached over and flicked flour from her fingers at Kitty’s face.
A giggle shot from Kitty’s throat. She looked at Anna, pointing an accusatory finger at her sister. “You see how I am treated?” She kissed Eliza on the cheek.
The strings around Anna’s heart loosened as she watched the sisters banter. How genuine they were. She’d been so surprised by their kindness at her and William’s wedding. It seemed unreal that a person could show so much love to a stranger. Yet here they were, including her in such an intimate way.
To have friends. A smile warmed from within. A joy she’d never truly known.
“Well,” Eliza said, “if we are speaking of who was love-struck I think it only fair to say you were purely besotted with Nathaniel.”
Kitty’s mouth scrunched as she looked upward. “’Tis true, I cannot deny it. Though I did try to suppress my feelings, it was all in vain.” She returned her smile to Anna. “Now, you must tell us…how are you enjoying married life?”
Putting her attention back on the carrots, Anna shrugged a single shoulder, fighting the sudden and alluring fog of memory. His scent, his tender hands, the husky sound of his voice. How he’d nearly touched his lips to hers…
“Anna?” Kitty asked. “Everything is well I hope?”