And Those Who Trespass Against Us by Helen M MacPherson Page B
Authors: Helen M MacPherson
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target. Catriona casually laughed with the rest of the men, about her poor aim. When she laughed her face altogether changed, and her eyes took on a completely different light. She had such a natural beauty. Katherine felt it such a shame that she chose to live her life without someone close to share it. Bringing herself back into the present Katherine decided to occupy herself in a more practical manner.
Rather than waste the time of one of the men, she set out the lunch, which was more than an adequate fare for the seven of them. Catriona was right. Mrs. Connor had prepared a number of sweet and savoury pastries which were easy to eat on the run. With the tea Mrs. Connor had also provided, it reminded Katherine of the ploughman's lunches she'd often eaten in Ireland.
Unlike Ireland in late October, the sun was hot, and her woollen habit wasn't helping matters. She placed the back of her hand to her face and felt even more heat, only imagining what her face would look like by the time she got home. Maybe I should swallow my pride and wear that hat after all, she concluded. When the men and Catriona finished their work, she motioned them over for their meal.
MR. CONNOR WIPED his hands together. "That was lovely, even if I do say so meself."
Katherine placed the remainder of the lunch into a wooden box the Connors' had brought it in. "And all thanks to your wife. How is she faring?"
"After six children she's well and truly got this child bearing thing down pat. She's fine or at least she looks like she is."
"If you don't mind I might pay her a visit, to see how things are going," Katherine said.
Mr. Connor stood, his sons following their father's action. "I don't mind at all Sister Katherine, and I'm sure the missus will be happy for a break from the young-uns." He held his hand out to Catriona and she took it. "Thanks again, Catriona. Let me know when you want a hand moving your cattle. I'll send one of the boys down."
"Not a problem." Catriona picked up her water bag. "We better get going. I've still got business in town."
THE RETURN TRIP to the homestead was quiet and especially strained when they once more passed by the trees in the distance. Catriona again concentrated on the task at hand rather than acknowledge the copse. In truth, she was lost in her thoughts of her time with Adele and her newfound friendship with Katherine. Things were so difficult at the moment and she was slowly losing the fight over her feelings for Katherine. She wanted Katherine to stay with her. But seeing her everyday created such a painful wound. For all the pain it caused, she knew she wouldn't have it any other way.
Katherine held on as Catriona crossed the entrance gate to the property and turned the wagon toward town. "That was a lot of heavy work today. I expect you're grateful for the assistance you received."
"I appreciate it very much. I know Alexander and I could've managed it between us, although it would've taken much longer. I wonder, sometimes, if it wouldn't be just as easy to employ permanent workers. But in truth I enjoy the solitude being out here provides me."
Katherine placed her hand on Catriona's arm. "Sometimes there's more than physical assistance you can ask for. If there's ever anything you want to speak about, you can talk to me. What we discuss will remain private."
Catriona looked at Katherine's hand resting on her forearm. "Thank you, I'll keep it in mind. For the moment I think I better concentrate on the trip to town or we may not get there. We'll be stopping at Susan's store. Is there anything you want while we're there?"
"I'd like to check with Susan on when the books will be arriving. I can't wait to see the look on the children's faces when they get the opportunity to read something different than rain calendars and agricultural manuals. What are you picking up in town?"
Catriona smiled as though she had a secret. "Nothing much. Some farm machinery and a parcel Susan has for me. It'll be a
Rather than waste the time of one of the men, she set out the lunch, which was more than an adequate fare for the seven of them. Catriona was right. Mrs. Connor had prepared a number of sweet and savoury pastries which were easy to eat on the run. With the tea Mrs. Connor had also provided, it reminded Katherine of the ploughman's lunches she'd often eaten in Ireland.
Unlike Ireland in late October, the sun was hot, and her woollen habit wasn't helping matters. She placed the back of her hand to her face and felt even more heat, only imagining what her face would look like by the time she got home. Maybe I should swallow my pride and wear that hat after all, she concluded. When the men and Catriona finished their work, she motioned them over for their meal.
MR. CONNOR WIPED his hands together. "That was lovely, even if I do say so meself."
Katherine placed the remainder of the lunch into a wooden box the Connors' had brought it in. "And all thanks to your wife. How is she faring?"
"After six children she's well and truly got this child bearing thing down pat. She's fine or at least she looks like she is."
"If you don't mind I might pay her a visit, to see how things are going," Katherine said.
Mr. Connor stood, his sons following their father's action. "I don't mind at all Sister Katherine, and I'm sure the missus will be happy for a break from the young-uns." He held his hand out to Catriona and she took it. "Thanks again, Catriona. Let me know when you want a hand moving your cattle. I'll send one of the boys down."
"Not a problem." Catriona picked up her water bag. "We better get going. I've still got business in town."
THE RETURN TRIP to the homestead was quiet and especially strained when they once more passed by the trees in the distance. Catriona again concentrated on the task at hand rather than acknowledge the copse. In truth, she was lost in her thoughts of her time with Adele and her newfound friendship with Katherine. Things were so difficult at the moment and she was slowly losing the fight over her feelings for Katherine. She wanted Katherine to stay with her. But seeing her everyday created such a painful wound. For all the pain it caused, she knew she wouldn't have it any other way.
Katherine held on as Catriona crossed the entrance gate to the property and turned the wagon toward town. "That was a lot of heavy work today. I expect you're grateful for the assistance you received."
"I appreciate it very much. I know Alexander and I could've managed it between us, although it would've taken much longer. I wonder, sometimes, if it wouldn't be just as easy to employ permanent workers. But in truth I enjoy the solitude being out here provides me."
Katherine placed her hand on Catriona's arm. "Sometimes there's more than physical assistance you can ask for. If there's ever anything you want to speak about, you can talk to me. What we discuss will remain private."
Catriona looked at Katherine's hand resting on her forearm. "Thank you, I'll keep it in mind. For the moment I think I better concentrate on the trip to town or we may not get there. We'll be stopping at Susan's store. Is there anything you want while we're there?"
"I'd like to check with Susan on when the books will be arriving. I can't wait to see the look on the children's faces when they get the opportunity to read something different than rain calendars and agricultural manuals. What are you picking up in town?"
Catriona smiled as though she had a secret. "Nothing much. Some farm machinery and a parcel Susan has for me. It'll be a
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