A/N – Thanks for the comments! I'm glad you are enjoying this one.
Chapter 4
Liz handed Johnny another herb. "As I recite the spell, you need to sprinkle this over her."
"Okay."
Jason attention goes to the window and the eerie darkness that now surrounds the house.
Elizabeth recites the spell as Johnny sprinkles the herb and the stone begins to glow as Georgie's body twitches here and there. By the time she finished, Georgie's body lifts at her hips and then falls against the bed and the stone shatters.
Johnny cleans up the mess and then touches Georgie's forehead. "The warmth has lessened."
Elizabeth breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank heavens."
Jason takes the book from her and lays it on the table with the box perched on top.
"I shall make us something to eat and then we can take turns staying awake," Liz said.
Johnny retrieves some more water and wipes Georgie down again. "Thank you for going back. Elizabeth explained your situation to me on the way here. You were lucky to survive. I believe the witch who took you is named Faith and is very dangerous. Is she still alive?"
Jason shook his head.
"Good. That is one less thing we'll have to worry about."
Once dinner was finished, Elizabeth took the first shift and then right before Jason relieved Johnny, he took the book and the box and went outside and brought a lantern with him which he used to find his way across the property and bury the items, so no one can use them for harm. Once the task was completed, he returned to the house and climbed into the loft to catch a few hours of sleep.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Georgie's eyes blinked open and locked on the man who is sitting next to her. Immediately, fear paralyzes her for several moments and then she pushed herself to ask, "Who are you?"
Jason pointed to his mouth and shook his head.
"You can't speak?"
He shook his head.
"Where am I?"
He points to Elizabeth and Georgie slightly smiled.
Jason got up and got her some water and helped her drink it, pulling the cup away when she would try to drink too fast.
Johnny peeked over the edge of the loft. "Georgie?"
She smiled. "Where are you?"
He climbed down and Jason retreated.
"I'm right here. You gave us quite the scare."
"How did you get me here?"
"I used the cart. Jay is Elizabeth's friend and he found some magic and we used it to cure you."
"Wow. Thank you."
Jason nodded and then his attention went to Elizabeth who is stirring. Her body jerked and forgetting she is lying on a bench, she starts to fall as she stretches and Jason catches her and sits her upright.
"Thanks."
Georgie, who had been watching, leaned closer to Johnny. "Are they together?"
He smirked. "No, but I think they are on their way. He's nice."
She smiled. "This is wonderful news. However, the details will have to wait because I am still thirsty and famished."
He laughed. "I shall go fetch some eggs."
After he left, Elizabeth took his place and embraced her.
"You had me so worried."
"I'm sorry. Do you know what happened to me?"'
"No, but I'm so happy you are healthy now."
"Me too. I missed you."
They hugged again.
"Is Johnny okay?"
"I have a feeling he is letting out his emotions right now. He was scared. Oh, Georgie, he loves you so much."
She blushed as she grinned. "Aye, and I love him right back. I can't wait to be joined in the spring."
"I am looking forward to it as well."
Johnny returned with the eggs and Liz cooked them a fine meal. There is a loud knock on the door and Liz jumps up to get it.
"Hello, Mrs. Jones."
"Where is she?"
Liz stepped backward and Felicia ran inside with Frisco hot on her heels. They fussed over their daughter for a few minutes before turning their attention to Elizabeth.
"What happened?" Frisco said.
"Well, we were at the market when we received word that Georgie had taken a turn for the worse, so we ended up bringing here for treatment and eventually got the fever down."
"Thank heavens," Felicia said.
"She's much better today."
"Well, I don't know how to thank you. Georgie means the world to us."
Liz slightly smiled. "I know you would have helped me just the same."
"We would." Felicia perused Jason. "Who is that?"
"That is Jay. He is a friend who helped with Georgie."
Felicia stood and then held out her hand. "Thank you."
Jason shook it.
"He can't speak, but he has been a huge help to me."
Frisco eyed him suspiciously. "Where did you meet?"
"In the forest; he was hurt and we became fast friends."
Frisco's eyes snapped to his wife who is clearly as worried as him. "Elizabeth, you must be careful who you bring back here due to your status."
"I know. Trust me, I didn't do so without thought. He's harmless."
Johnny chuckled. "I don't know about that. I think he was about to deck Lucky."
Frisco rolled his eyes. "Was he sniffing around again?"
"Unfortunately, his obsession is still in full force."
"Some people just don't get the hint."
Felicia dug into her pocket and handed Elizabeth a trinket. "You can at least take this and put it into one of your candles."
Elizabeth grinned. "This will do nicely."
"Now, we must leave so we can get home before dark."
"I'm so glad I got to see you," Liz said before embracing her again.
"You are always a highlight of my day when I get to lay eyes on you," Frisco said before hugging her. He picked up his daughter and they went outside and he laid her on a wagon bed. Johnny secured his horses to his and gave Elizabeth a warm hug.
"Thank you, Little."
"Your welcome, you big lug."
He laughed and then moved in front of Jason, holding out his hand. "Thank you again for saving my betrothed. She means everything to me."
Jason shifted awkwardly due to the praise.
"Take care of Little, she means the world to me too."
Jason nodded.
They waved as the caravan left and then tended to the animals before going inside.
Elizabeth handed him a sweet cake and Jason smiled.
When she bit into and moaned, he could feel it throughout his body.
"That is just sinful," Elizabeth said. "I must learn to make them. Perhaps I can bribe the widow Bromley into telling me her secrets."
Jason chuckled.
She smiled wickedly. "Or perhaps, we can use your good looks to help during questioning."
He is slightly shocked that she finds his looks pleasing.
Noting his expression, her jaw dropped.
"Jay, you don't know that you are beautiful to gaze upon?"
He slightly blushed and then shook his head.
"My Gods, how is that even possible?" She lifted his chin. "You are one of the most handsome men I have ever laid eyes on."
He held his breath, her touch sparking something deep inside him.
Her hand retreated. "Now don't let that make you strut around and act pompous."
He slightly smiled at the thought.
"Now, where was I? Oh yes, the widow Bromley and your wiles."
He shook his head at her antics.
"Now, onto more serious topics, winter will be here in no time. That means we will need to stock more wood so we can stay warm. You'll also have to gather more hay." She made sure she chopped wood all year round to prepare. Johnny had come over a few times to help.
He nodded.
"I will help of course, but I will also need to gather the extra blankets from the barn and do my best to preserve the harvest. I still have some of my father's winter clothes, so they should fit you well enough because you will have to make some trips to the barn for eggs and such. I have some grains put away in there as well and I bought some dried meat." She had also made some salted cheeses for protein.
Her family had taught her to sleep a lot during the winter as a way to quell her appetite.
"Jay, I'm not sure how to approach this with you, but if the cold is particularly overbearing, we may have to huddle together to stay warm."
He averted her gaze, wondering how he will control his body should that occur.
"I don't want you to feel embarrassed. We are adults and will make the best of it."
He nodded.
"There is a small cold cellar beneath the kitchen. It's nothing fancy. Father just dug a hole and lined it, but it serves its purpose. We have pickled vegetables, fruit, and dried meat in there as well." It will be plenty for them to survive on, especially if they are frugal.
Jason set about to do his chores and decided he'll dig up the witches box and book just in case one of them gets ill and put it in the cabinet with James's tools.
For the next month, they busied themselves with preparation. The first snowfall was light, but it brought the cold and it was the first night that Elizabeth invited Jason into her bed.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Elizabeth watched as Jason blew out the candles and then lay on his side facing her with the wall behind him. After watching him chop wood shirtless, it was hard for her not to reflect on it often. He is an amazing man and she had started to fall for him, especially due to the reverent care he frequently showers her with. They are both wearing a ridiculous amount of clothes, so she leaves her nervousness behind and edges closer until they are touching. Jason pulls her even closer so she can absorb his heat. He'd give anything to soothe her with words, but that is not an option. Carefully, he pulls up the blankets to they practically cover every inch of their bodies. Part of his head is still exposed, but Elizabeth had insisted that he wear a hat, so he's not cold at all.
"This is nice," she said as she moved her legs to entwine with his.
He doesn't understand how she survived on her own. The winters can be brutal, and he ponders if she brought the animals inside to help keep her warm. Slowly, he succumbed to his exhaustion and they slept well into the next day. Upon rising, he realizes that he is hard as a rock and almost groans when she moves and rubs against it.
Elizabeth's eyes popped open when she felt his hardness and she wondered if she should move or had she done anything to cause it. This is one area that she has no reference for, aside from gossip, but the idea that he could be turned on by her greatly pleases her.
When she starts to move, he grips her, stopping her motion. The covers had slipped, and their gaze connects.
"Did I do that?"
He shrugged because they never discussed a maybe answer.
"Does it hurt?"
He almost groans, but shakes his head as he turns beet red.
She touches his face. "This will probably be something we have to deal with. It's okay. I am a little curious though."
His brow raises.
"Well, I didn't have brothers and know very little about, you know."
He is clueless regarding the act but does know other things. There is just not a way to give a full response.
Sensing his hesitation, she presses on. "Have you been with a woman, Jay?"
He shook his head.
She is shocked. "She never tried?"
He nodded, making her frown.
"Well, then how did you avoid—oh." She's getting the picture that Faith just didn't arouse Jason and blushes in response. "I see." She dropped her hand. "I'm going to move away from you, okay?"
He nodded and then slightly whimpered when she got a little tangled in the blankets and brushed against him again.
"Sorry."
She got up and hurried to put wood on the fire as Jason sat up. After a few minutes he stood, and she handed him some mint which they promptly chewed on to freshen their breath and then he opened the door to see what they had to deal with. There are about three inches of snow on the ground, so it isn't so bad. He trudged to the outhouse to go to the bathroom and then came back and Elizabeth took her turn.
"My heavens it is cold out there."
Jason made her sit on a chair near the fire to warm up. He had put on some tea and sat next to her.
"Jay, can I ask you a question?"
He nodded.
"Do you fancy me?"
Jason blushed and averted his gaze but nodded.
"I guess that is good because I fancy you as well."
His head jerked back towards her to find her face flushed.
"Is that okay?"
He smiled, and her heart just about melted.
"I'm glad that we agree."
They drank their tea and then Elizabeth made some bread, making sure to make a smaller amount so none went to waste, and they ate it with some cheese.
Once they were done, Elizabeth read aloud from her father's diary. Jason enjoyed learning of his travels and hopes that someday, he'll be able to make several journeys as well.
In the afternoon, Jason checked on the animals and brought in some eggs which Elizabeth carefully stored.
Later, Elizabeth tripped and Jason caught her and pulled her onto his lap.
"Thank you."
Their lips are so close and they long to kiss. Jason locked his gaze on her and then slowly moved his head closer. Elizabeth, who had been biting her lip quickly freed it and then his soft lips pressed against hers several times before he retreated.
She smiled. "I will always treasure our first kiss."
His fingers brushed down her face, tucking a few stray curls behind her ear. There is so much that he wishes he could say to her.
She senses his frustration and holds his hand against her cheek.
"I imagine you are feeling like me. My heart is beating a million miles a minute and even though cold exists all around us, I only feel your warmth." There is no shyness from her when expressing her feelings, because she was never taught to do otherwise. Maybe if she had been around boys more often or was around people who court, she would realize that her boldness would probably be frowned upon, but James taught her to speak her mind and never be ashamed of it.
He nodded.
"Have you ever kissed someone before?"
Sadness fills his eyes.
"Oh, Jay, was it the witch? Did she force you?"
He nodded.
"Did she force you to do anything else?"
He nodded again.
Her eyes pricked with tears. "You really never had relations?"
He sighed. How could he explain without words or showing her?
"Yes or no?"
Unsure of what to do, he averted his gaze.