Chapter 8


I watched as Pete headed back to the Orchard, I turned back to the gruff foreman "Righty ho then. Shall we?" Artie opened the door and allowed me to enter first. After the door was shut we both were met with Icy glares. Myka's family was gathered around the dining room table, books and papers tossed haphazardly about the place. Mr Bering and Kevin both stood up, to shake Artie's hand.

"Glad to see you." said. Artie moved over to the only small clear space, dropping his large, black leather bag on the table. Mr Bering turned and led me over to a chair next to the foreman. "Ms Wells, how is Myka? Is she.. When can I see her."

I took his hand in mine, giving it a slight squeeze, "she is very ill Mr Bering, but the doctor is with her now, I am sure Vanessa will come speak to you about visiting her."

He gave me a small nod, "Call me Warren Ms Wells."

I responded in kind, "You may call me Helena." the man's eyes were sincere and filled with worry.

Kevin stood back from both of us "So it's Helena now is it?" He sneered, "I for one will never trust that woman, she's a damn Wells."

Warren spun around on his heels, his face mere inches from his son in law, "Listen up boy, she has been welcomed into this home with my blessing, you see that mess on that table you made? 'She' is here to straighten that up, and 'she' is here to care for Myka…."

Tracy stood up,taking her husband's arm "Come now Kevin, you said you would take me into town so I can get a new dress for the harvest dance, and I won't be settled until I know I have a decent one."

I growled at their antics, waiting until they left to mutter, "Selfish little twit." Truly all she cares about is a new dress? What about her sister? I scanned over the books and papers, "I think the first order of business should be figuring out the order in which all these belong."

The foreman and I spent the next hour going over the account books, and ledgers making decisions, such as which portions of the orchard should be harvested first and how to organize the extra hands for picking, driving the carts and caring for equipment at the end of the long days.

We were going over the finances of the house when Vanessa came in, "Mr. Bering, Myka is awake now. I understand you wished to see her as soon as possible." He jumped to his feet, ready to head out the door.

Arthur put a halt to their departure with a quiet cough, "How is she doing Vanessa? Um, doctor." I chuckled at his stutter and he gave me a stern sideway glance.

"She is still very weak Mr. Neilson. As serious as this is, most people I would recommend a month of rest and retreat, perhaps a visit to the hot springs, but this is Ms Bering." Vanessa smiled weakly, "I doubt she will tolerate more than a week at the most."

They quickly made their escape, and I smirked at Artie, "You two seem very fond of each other."

"That is absurd. I have work to do." The foreman stormed out of the room.

I looked back to the books with a sigh, and rubbed my aching temples. My mind wandered to Myka. She was amazing, her books and notes were meticulous, every penny accounted for, her eye for detail was astounding. I truly hoped that my slip up would not cause her any kind of real harm. With a small prayer under my breath, 'Please let her heal.' I went back to work.

I was called from my task by a loud knock on the door. The housekeeper answered and shouts were traded. I stood quickly from my desk, and set aside the books, prepared for all hell to break loose, when Claudia entered the room. A true blessing and curse walked toward me. "Mummy!"

Claudia held my dear girl in her arms, and Charles was a step behind them."Sister dear, look what I brought for you." Claudia shot him a dirty look and I knew it had been her idea to come. "Sister dear, I know you must be going insane without any servants here to help you, so," He paused for dramatic effect, "I have brought Chr…Mary...Sally, umm; The servant girl here to help you out." A big grin spread across his face, as if he had just delivered the Pope himself at my feet with an eloquent speech.

Looking over his shoulder, the poor girl seemed to be attempting murder by staring daggers at his back."Claudia, let me have Christina. Charles be a dear and go drive the buggy into the loch." A loud snort escaped Claudia, as I reached out for her hand, "Come my dear, I need you to fetch some things from town for me."

I walked past Charles, my fingers coming up under his chin, to lift his slack jaw back up, "Appearances dear brother. We must keep them up no matter what." The sweet taste of those hated words was something I would savor. It was what he had said everytime I refused to do something he wanted. Wearing dresses for instance.

Claudia,Christina and I left him behind to fetch Tilly. "Claudia, I abhor asking you this, but I am in need of your help. We.. I.. Myka… There are some clothes and bedding that need tending to. I also have a list of things I need from the market."

Christina swung between us, clinging to our hands to keep her feet off the ground. "Claudia, some of the things may be hard to find, the doctor informed me that Myka needs to be on a special diet, and I'm not sure you'll be able to find it all."

Claudia smiled at me, "Don't worry, I know just the place. The warehouse. If Mrs F can't find it, it doesn't exist." I handed Claudia the list, and hugged my little girl while she read. Oh how I had missed my Christina. I peppered her with kisses.

Christina giggled up a storm and blurted out, "Mummy, can I see ?"

I shook my head, looking into my little girls eyes I replied, "I am sorry darling, but Myka is too sick. Too sick to see a rambunctious little girl. Maybe in a few days." Claudia left for her mysterious warehouse, and I set about teaching Christina the proper physics behind a quality pillow fort. Occasionally I left her for a few minutes to deal with Arthur, and his annoying attitude. Something for which I felt extremely guilty, leaving my girl to deal with someone else's mess. Were it not for my admiration of Myka, and her dedication to this place, I would have let it rot.

It was during one of these brief stints away that I was greeted by a winded Claudia toting the packages I asked for. I grabbed a few of the bags for her, and together we entered the house once more. The first sight to meet my eyes was Charles preparing Christina to leave. She ran into my arms for a hug goodbye, and I caught her, whispering in her ear, "Be good darling, as soon as Myka is feeling better, you can come visit her."

My little girl begged me with pleading eyes, "Promise Mummy?"

With a kiss on her forehead, I nodded, "Yes my darling I promise." Charles stuck his hand in my way, taking Christina out to the coach. Damn him for wanting everything to fit his perfect banker's schedule.

When they disappeared from view, Claudia and I set to work cleaning all the clothes and linens in the cottage. "You can stay in the farmhands quarters nearby." I informed her lightly as we spread new sheets on the bed. The red-head let out a huge puff of air, and stared at me. "My dear, would I truly send you into that Lion's den?" I chuckled, she was so gullible sometimes.

Claudia smirked "Gee, thanks. I have no idea how my sister can stand sleeping under the same roof as them."

I raised an eyebrow, "Your sister?"

I heard a cough and shifting on the couch, Myka sat up stiffly, rasping out, "Charlotte, the housekeeper, she is Claudia's sister."

Claudia rushed over to Myka, wrapping her up in a big hug, "Hey, how are you feeling?"

Myka coughed some more, her hand braced on Claudia's shoulder, and I wasn't sure if she was pushing her away, or using my nanny for a crutch to help her sit up. "Not too good, I'm afraid." Myka turned back over, settling further into the blankets and fell back into a fitful sleep.

"Claudia, why don't you take out the laundry and hang it up on the line, and get settled in. I will see you in the morning."

The next two days were spent getting the harvest going, organizing the town into manageable teams, and sending them across the huge orchard that was Myka's inheritance. Every able-bodied and willing man was brought in to help, creating a chaos one can only experience for themselves. Constantly people were slamming the door, tracking dirt, carrying bushel baskets of apples, and begging for advice on what to do next. Like a parade led only by children.

The perpetual traffic made my job of pouring over the books quite difficult. I would jump to help just to escape the imprisoning walls of my desk chair. Pete taught me the different whistles they used, my days were a blur of activity, and impatience.

Nights were much the same as well. Myka's fever would spike, the two of us in the tub to cool her struggling body. She clung to me, begging me to stay by her side. I Woke to the same tangle of limbs and sheets because she refused to sleep without me.

On the fourth night, we were in the tub again, this time in our knickers. Myka had gotten strong enough that I could at least help her out of her outer garments when the fever had taken hold. It was simple to tell when her temperature had gone up, she would violently protest that she did not need any kind of help from me. Right now however, she was stroking my cheek, and mumbling some kind of nonsense song.

It was sweet, and insanely comforting, listening to her voice with her hand on my face. Her fingers were calloused with work, but far softer than any man's. Myka turned up to look at me, and I had to remind myself she was delirious. She seemed so warm and enticing, even as she leveled me with an innocent smile.

"How are you feeling Myka?" I murmured, smiling back at her with a prayer to whomever was listening that she was getting better.

Myka ignored my comment in favor of an observation, "You are very nice Helena, for taking care of me. No one else cared. I'm glad you aren't like your brother. He's horrible." I stroked her head gently, humming in agreement as I tried to ignore the bees in my stomach, making a roiling mess of everything. Of course I cared for her, she saved my daughter, kept this town in shape, and gave her all for a family that despised her. How could I not? It was extremely difficult keeping a level head with her very attractive body against mine.

Before it hadn't bothered me much, but now, all I could smell was lavendar, wafting around Myka's thick curls, and her warmth against me spoke of an intimacy I could only dream of. Sophie and I never had a chance to couple, and I would never have stood for that bombastic fool of a husband to come near me for anything other than my duty as his wife. Sitting her with Myka, it would have been so easy to take advantage of her, corrupt her the way Sophie had me, but she was worth more than that.

I will not be the one to put the idea in Myka's head. She looked up at me, smiling as if the sun had come out after a winter's doldrums. There was intent behind the fingers stroking my cheek now, and Myka slipped her fingers around the back of my head.

Please, to any of the gods listening, give me strength, and for the love of all that is holy, don't let her-

Myka's soft lips brushed over mine as lightly as a feather.