As always, thank you!

Chapter 8

"You have a letter," John said, reaching out the weathered envelope toward Anna. She had been sitting in the rocking chair next to the window fixing a hole in Declan's shirt.

Since his arrival back home and Mr. Matthew's death, Anna seemed even more withdrawn from him. She was back to rarely speaking and hiding away most of the time while he was at the cottage.

It even seemed that she was less herself around Declan. She still cared for him and treated him well, but she wasn't as hands on as she had been before. Her eyes were almost always misty and her hands shaky.

Anna took the envelope from John and then turned away from him, before she began to open it. He didn't want to pry, but he was curious about the mail she had received. John knew that she only had a living sister and Anna hadn't spoken about any other relatives or friends that may have written to her.

Stepping back, John still glanced over his shoulder a moment or two, hoping to see who had written her. But Anna was curled over, reading it quietly to herself. Finally, moments later, she closed the envelope and stood from the chair, tucking the envelope into her dress pocket.

"My sister says she and her husband would be glad to have me," Anna told John. Her hands were held tightly in front of her and her eyes were settled on the wall behind him. He missed her eyes.

"That's wonderful, Anna," he sincerely told her. Anna nodded.

"She said they have small children that I can help around the house with. I believe they have six now, though the letter didn't say."

"Six children?" John asked, flummoxed. He could barely handle his one. Though he knew people had many children, it was still hard for him to wrap his head around it. He had been an only child and now his son was an only child. "Well, how wonderful for them."
"Yes," Anna agreed. "Hopefully, they'll still want me next year."'

"They will," John assured her. "You are her sister."

Anna's lips curled downward, but she nodded. John felt he should ask her more about this situation and if it was truly what she wanted. However, he didn't.

"I've finished Declan's top," was all Anna stated a beat later. Handing him the cloth, Anna walked over to the stove to begin her nightly cup of tea. It was one of the few moments of the day John could count on. Anna might change up other parts of her routine, but never this one.

Once the kettle was warmed, she poured herself her tea and allowed it to seep. Like always, she quietly asked him if he wanted any. And he always said no thank you. She would then take her cup upstairs and he wouldn't see her again until the next day.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

When Anna reached her room, she put down her cup of tea and lit the light next to her bed. As she sat down, she pulled the letter out of her pocket to read over it again. She hadn't spoken with her sister for years. This had been their first form of communication since her sister wrote to tell her about the birth of her fourth child. After that, the letters stopped. Anna always assumed it was because they were oceans apart. Anna had sent her a letter from time to time since, so she had been worried she wouldn't hear from her now.

Dearest Anna,

I am so sorry to hear about your husband. I didn't even know you had married or decided to move back to the countryside. Jacob and I have spoken. We would be pleased to have you come and stay for a little while with us while you get yourself back on your feet. Though, we have a very full and busy household. We will need your help with the children. There are two more than when I last spoke with you.

You have made an arrangement to be sent here in a year's time? Well, I hope it pans out. Please let me know when you'll be arriving. By then, we may have another little one to our batch. It will be nice to have more hands.

Much love,

Amy

Folding the letter, Anna sighed. A lot of small children and her small baby. Her sister was also practically a stranger to her. It had been over a decade since she had seen her last. New tears slid down her cheeks. She knew she should be grateful. She would need a place to live, to survive. Once this year was over, she couldn't do this on her own. Nowhere would hire her with a small baby to care for.

She felt trapped.

She knew that she needed to tell John about the baby and that she couldn't keep pushing it off. Eventually, her belly would start to grow and he would find out then. She just couldn't find the words to say it out loud. The fact frightened her and what it meant for her future. But she also loved the baby fiercely already. Her hand would often land on her belly and she would think about how the baby might look like Lou and how Lou's memory had survived.

Anna closed the letter again. She placed it in the drawer and began to drink her tea, hoping to settle her stomach so she would be able to sleep.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Mr. Bates, how is Anna?" Mrs. Hughes questioned him, as he took a seat at the table for lunch. He smiled. It seemed Mrs. Hughes had warmed up to his new roommate. She almost asked about her as much as she asked about Declan.

"She's surviving," John honestly answered. "Over the past weeks since Mr. Matthew's death, she's drawn herself away more. I think the loss has stirred up her own memories."

"Well, of course, it would. Poor dear. She had overrun herself the day I went to check on her. The poor girl slept nearly five hours straight," Mrs. Hughes commented. "You are making sure the neighbors check in and that she doesn't overdo it?"

John chuckled. "Yes, Mrs. Hughes. Today I'll be heading home early, though I'm afraid I won't make it until after Declan is asleep. But I want to talk with her and make sure she's not feeling overwhelmed with this arrangement. I worry I am getting the better deal of this bargain. She does everything around the house, cares for Declan, and has even made my home warm and inviting. What am I doing for her?"

"Mr. Bates, you have provided her with a home and stability. Don't discount that."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna checked in on Declan to make sure that he was asleep. She smiled as she saw his little foot dangling over the edge of his bed.

Then she closed the door quietly and made her way downstairs. She had been wanting to work on some of the weeds out in front of the house. During the day, she found it too warm to work in the garden. Plus, Declan often wanted to play when they were outside and it was hard for her to focus in one spot.

Anna kept the front door partially ajar so she could hear Declan if he were to call out. But he played hard and so he slept hard, which made it highly unlikely it would happen.

Walking around to the side of the cottage, Anna bent down and began to tug the weeds from the ground. They had gotten out of control and she should have begun this task a while ago. Even though John hadn't specifically asked her to do it, she felt she should. The upkeep of the house was her job now and she couldn't risk losing the home over her head right now.

She didn't think John was the type to just throw her out with nothing; Anna had learned a long time ago that people were not always as they seemed.

Shaking the thoughts of her stepfather away, Anna tugged another patch of weeds out of the ground. A prickly part scratched against her arm and she frowned. Her eyes fell on the blood of her skin and she sighed. She would need to go inside to get a rag.

As she stood, she was surprised to find a man standing at the edge of the cottage, basically blocking her path back to the front door. He was leaning against the wall of the house and he had a look on his face that made Anna feel uncomfortable.

"May…may I help you?" Anna puffed up her chest and tried not to show that he was making her feel unsafe.

Instead of responding, he stepped forward, his lips curling into a sly grin. Anna stepped back slightly, turning her head, but knowing that there was a fence that would keep her from going anywhere. Her heart began to hammer within her chest.

"I…I really need to get by," Anna told him, trying to keep her voice steady. "My little boy…" The man placed his hand on the wall right in front of her and he moved his face up to her face. Anna was accosted by the smell of smoke and alcohol on his lips. "Please, let me by."

"I've heard of your…little arrangement," he slurred his words, his eyes now scanning her up and down.

"What…I don't know what you're speaking about."

"Arrangement?"

"With John Bates," he spat. His face was so close to hers that she could feel his hot breath against her cheek. "You're not really married. Not in a way that matters. How about I show you what a real man is like?"

"John and I are married. Please, leave." She was attempting to remain composed, but she felt like a trapped bird with a cat ready to pounce.

"No." His hand came up to brush against her cheek and she flinched. "You're mighty pretty. I promise I'll make you very happy."

"Please, leave me alone," she tried again.

When it was clear that this man had no intention of moving, Anna tried to make her way around him. He moved faster than her, however, and blocked her path with a menacing laugh. She let out a low scream and stepped backwards. He just stepped closer to her again and bent down his head, almost touching her cheek with his lips.

She tightly closed her eyes, frightened. But his lips didn't touch her. Instead, she heard a loud commotion and reopened her eyes to see that John had grabbed the man by his collar and was pulling him back onto the ground, his fist connecting against the man's jaw.

"Don't get near my wife again!" John warned the man, letting him go. The man stumbled as he tried to stand up, pressing his hand against his now bruised jaw. "Go now!"

Anna watched as the man scrambled to get away. She was shaking, still overcome by what had just happened.

"Let's go inside." John's voice was low and full of anger. Anna just nodded and followed him.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

He was seething. What did Caleb Brown think he was doing at his home trying to assault his wife? He had always known that farmer was a piece of work, but he had never thought he was a danger to anyone in his family.

He had a right mind to go to his farm, tell his wife what had happened, and threaten to spill all his dark secrets to the entire town. Caleb had a long history of dark dealings with others and stealing money. But this was a new low.

Pacing the room, he found that his mind was spinning. What if he hadn't gotten here in time?

"I….I'm sorry. I…I was just trying to clean the weeds while Declan was asleep. I…I didn't know…"

John only halfway heard what Anna was saying. How could he feel safe leaving his son and Anna home now?

"I…I know you're angry. I…"

"Yes, I'm angry!" John nearly boomed. He hadn't realized how his reaction was impacting Anna until this exact moment when she burst into tears. He paused his steps and turned to face her. Her entire body was trembling and she was hugging herself with her arms held tightly across her chest.

"I…I'm sorry," Anna cried. "I'll…I'll pack and leave. I didn't mean."

John's face immediately softened and he shook his head, stepping closer to Anna.

"No, I'm sorry, Anna. I am not angry with you. You did nothing wrong," he tried to assure her. Her head was bent down and she was crying hot tears. He felt like a jerk. He had been so angry at Caleb, that he forgot how Anna might feel in this moment. "He was the one who was wrong, Anna. Not you. I am angry at him."

Anna slowly glanced up. This time when her eyes met his, he had been unprepared for the fear within them.

"You're not mad at me?"

His lips curled up slightly, as he shook his head. "Absolutely not. Please, sit, let me make you some tea. I'm sure you're shaken up."

John was glad when Anna took his suggestion and sat down at the kitchen table. He quickly made her some tea, ignoring the pain in his hand.

As he sat down the tea in front of Anna, she gasped. Her hands touched his and she twisted her lips. John's heart nearly stopped at the feeling of her hands against his. Her fingers were so soft.

"Your turn to sit," she simply told him, standing from her chair. He did as he was told and waited while Anna went to grab the kit with bandages.

Reaching him again, she bent down onto her knees and took his hand back into hers. With gentle fingers, she put ointment on his bleeding knuckles and then placed a light bandage over them.

"There," she whispered, getting up and retaking her seat. She took a slow slip of her tea. Then she murmured, "Thank you for saving me."

"I won't leave you and Declan here alone with him snooping about now," John promised her. "Tomorrow, you both will join me at the Abbey until I can figure out what we do with him."

Anna nodded.

"Alright. I think I'm going to go to bed now. This has all worn me out. Have a nice night. Goodnight, John."

"Goodnight, Anna."

To be continued...