Chapter 1
Change bean to creep into the new Mr. and Mrs. Eaton's newly found predictable lives. Ever since they had gotten married Kit and Nat had been working hard in a town that Kit once loathed and now could not see her self anywhere but dreary Wethersfield. She had been teaching more at the dame school than ever even giving private lessons to children like Prudence, the girl who had saved her very life. While Nat was busy working on other "manly" activities in which to bring in revenue such as selling fire wood, to those who live in town and own no land, or fixing a roof from time to time. Either way the newlyweds where very busy, each planning to use their new found money to make a new beginning for one another and hiding a little from the other for special things.
"Fifty four, fifty five, fifty six….fifty seven, Fifty seven pounds is my revenue how much did you fare love?" Nat asked peering across his aunt-in-law's kitchen table toward his wife. How weird that sounded to him wife even in his thoughts it sounded well…different. He liked that word though; to him it meant a happy ever after filled with love and joy. As such you find in a fairy tale except altered to fit him. She returned his charming smile with one of her own.
"Well dear I have forty eight pounds. So all together we have a wonderful total of one hundred and five, let's add that to the money we have saved up…" He watched as that pretty little head of hers turned away so she could work out the math. She looked so cute when she was thinking.
"We have a grand total of one hundred and sixty four." He whistled at the grand sum of money they now had to their names. "How much closer are we to our goal love?"
"Well dear if I counted this right, which I am sure tis' all true, we should be able to start immediately however you, my dear, will have to build it from scratch unless you would want us to work more. I do not mind the extra sweat."
He bit his lip examining Mrs. Eaton. She may believe that she could take more insane hours of embroider and babysitting little monsters which drains her so. No matter how many times she claims she is fine and enjoys the "extra sweat." He remembered when Mrs. Brigham came over and ordered forty three handkerchiefs as favors for her daughter's wedding in New York by sundown on Tuesday which was two days away. She didn't eat or sleep until the order had been filled and she received one pound per handkerchief which was nice he thought but not worth the energy and fatigue that was wasted on favors that would most likely be stained and soiled. That had only been a few days ago and she still had not recovered from that sleep deprivation. Her skin was pale nearly florescent, huge purple bags stained the skin under her bloodshot eyes. She had even lost a pound or two. It killed him to see her in such dismay. No! He would not let her give another excuse about her love of "extra sweat" she didn't have to be so strong for their sake. He was a man, a lover, a husband no less. One of which whom would not let his wife; his beloved Katherine even shed a single droplet of sweat until she was well rested and renewed of body and soul. "No my love I will not hear you mention any more of "extra sweat" no matter you plead your love and enjoyment toward it."
Kit sighed she knew that it had been hard for the both of them so far. Things were getting difficult but she would not let herself get in the way. "Nat…" she began but quickly stopped when she looked into those blue eyes of his sparkling with determination she was not going to be able to stir him from from this thought stirring in him. She would not be able to win this battle, at least with such little energy and the effects of fatigue warring down harshly upon her. She would just have to wait for their next battle to truly put up a fight. "So," she began trying to change subjects "where should we put down roots dear? Any place in mind?" She saw him smile a conniving grin reaching all the way to his eyes. "I do my love I do; however it is a surprise…" Nat was cut off by a beckoning call from Kit's cousin, Mercy. "Kit! Oh there you are Kit." Mercy, such a frail, kind, soul but strong none the less one that Kit admired and cherished dearly no matter her cripple. Kit smiled at her cousin signaling Nat that this conversation, about her well being, was over. "What can I do for you Mercy?"
"I'm sorry am I interrupting something?"
"No,"
"Well you see tis' Judith she, she needs our help immediately. Kit I-I-I think the baby is coming, but I have no idea how to birth a babe. I remembered you did when you helped Mrs. Wilfred when the doctor left town but ooh he isn't back yet so I-I-I…can you help." Mercy's face had gone awfully pale as she tried to explain her problem to Kit. She could tell that this was only the tip of the ice berg, as the English put it. "Come on let's go…we must hurry Mercy!" Kit wobbled a little, and nearly fell over with weariness however she would NOT fall in front of Mercy or Nat.
"Kit…" he called trying to reason with her. She did not turn around to answer him and instead stood up straight and ran while Mercy waddled quickly behind her. This was not going to end easily, Nat thought.