Oh! - said Veronica surprised.
Connor in confusion stood silent and then passed her by. Afterwards he approached the railing and lean on it. He seemed to be thoughtful and Veronica noticed that something is bothering him. She closed to him and waited until he will be ready to start speaking.
- I want to apologise you - said Connor, doesn't looking at Veronica.
- Apologise? For what? - she asked.
- It is my foult that you was captured and you got through such a pain - said Connor with raising anger in his voice. - I showed you how to help people, because of me you joined the Patriots, but I did nothing to secure you from our enemies!
- Ratonhnhaké:ton listen to me - replied Veronica. - You have nothing to do with this what Templars did. It all was my decision. You gave me a warning that it is dangerous, but I was certain I wanted to do this no matter what...
- Wait. You know who Templars are?
- Yes, Ratonhnhaké:ton.
- But it doesn't change anything. You was the weakest link in the chain. The Redcoats noticed this and they took the chance. It was obvious. And I could have prevent it.
After a second of silence Veronica told Connor:
- I took the risk. Maybe I wasn't cautious enough, but it wasn't absolutely your fault. You can't protect everybody Ratonhnhaké:ton. Don't blame yourself, because I was wholly aware how it can end.
Connor didn't say anything for a longer while, but finally he replied:
- Perhaps you are right.
- You have done your best. We can't predict what will happen. We can only took a lesson from what has happened and I'm sure we all will.
- I am grateful you see it that way.
- It is nothing...
They barely visibly smiled to each other and then sensing the scent of a dinner they got inside the house.
When both of them went downstairs to the living room they found Achilles sitting behind the table with bowl already filled with soup. Connor and Veronica joined him and they also started to eat.
After a while Achilles asked Veronica:
- What are you, girl planning now? You will return to Boston?
- I think so. I don't see any other option.
- What?! - shouted Connor. - You cannot go back to Boston!
- I don't have any other place to go. You know that nobody of family does live here.
- Yes, but the Redcoats did not forget what you have done. It is impossible.
- You have something to propose? - spoke up Achilles.
- I could speak with Corine. Perhaps she and Oliver could employ you...
- I don't want to obtrude, Ratonhnhaké:ton... - said Veronica.
- Leave it to me - Connor replied.
- Alright... - she sighed.
A few days later Connor got into the mansion announcing that he managed to convince Corine and Oliver. They accually didn't have to be convinced, because they knew Veronica since they had been working in Boston, and lately they started to need somebody who could help them with running the inn.
Veronica was very happy about that. She could live close to nature, in a place full of tranquility.
The atmosphere in Mile's End was great. It was a place where nobody could get bored. Familiar faces and also travelers were frequently visiting that place.
The only thing she regreted was that she couldn't be close to the people in need in Boston. But now she had different tasks associated with the Patriots' cause. She were exchanging letters with revolution participants from other cities and in that gathering information.
After the change of living place Veronica had more time to herself. Sometimes she was spending it with Connor, who was helping her in writing letters, whenever he could. They became true friends, but they were rarely seeing each other for the reason of his missions. From time to time she was visiting Achilles in the mansion or other Homesteaders, but the most she liked long outings into the forest, where she could breath fresh air and forget about all troubles.
Since some time Veronica started to have strange thoughts which were snirling in her head repetitively. Thoughts about having a partner, somebody with who she could share her time. A little surprasingly they mainly regarded Connor. She thought that's because she began to feel lonely and he was one of the few people who really understood her.
In the Boston's tavern she got use to having William as the only friend, because she was busy whole day and she hadn't time for thinking too much. But now, after her work, she felt worse and only person she could talk freeheartedly with was Connor, who was mostly outside the Homestead.
Veronica realised she feel something to him. He wasn't only her friend, she really cared about him. Sometimes she thought she also wasn't indifferent to him, but she couldn't be sure. She couldn't talk with him about this directly, for the reason of her shyness, and Connor seemed not to think of being in a relationship with a woman. Veronica understand it, but it didn't make her feel better. This impasse made her feel sad and depressed. She was trying to find any method to solve this problem, but inefficaciously.
A few days later, in the evening after hard working day Veronica was asked to clean tables and close the inn. She didn't see Connor since a longer time, she didn't even know how many days have passed from their last meeting. Regardless her confidence in his skills, she was worried, because she felt that he has very hard and dangerous mission.
Then she heard something coming from outside. She assumed it were footsteps, but very odd, as if somebody was limping. Veronica approached the door and slowly opened it. The sight was so shocking to her that firstly she couldn't believe her eyes. In sickly light of a lantern she saw Connor. Surprising was not only his new haircut (a mohawk), but most of all that he was weakly standing on his shaky legs, keeping a hand on the right side of his stomach, where was a terribly large blood smear.
His eyes were barely open and he looked faintly. Veronica was fighting with her not to start crying, but after a moment she pulled herself together and she did her utmost to help him get inside the inn.
