Chapter 6
-The morning after-
Emma Archer awoke with a start, heart racing and sweat pouring down her back. Another nightmare. She was tired but she knew there was no going back to sleep. The pre-dawn light was already filtering into her room. Time to get something to eat.
The kitchen was always warm as the fires in stone ovens were never extinguished. It was why she'd always slept in the adjacent rooms. She padded into the kitchen in her tank top and pajama bottoms, not bothering with slippers.
She was stretching up for a bowl on a high shelf when Daryl spoke up. "G'mornin'" he said quietly. He had been sitting in the corner by the window.
Archer jumped, gasping "You gave me a heart attack."
"Waz just sittin' here."
"Sure." Like a ninja, she thought. "You have breakfast yet?"
Daryl shook his head and got up from his seat.
"Sheila usually leaves something on the hearth for the early risers." She turned back to the shelf, and tried stretching up for the bowls, they were piled high and just out of her reach. She was about to look for the stool when Daryl came up behind her.
"Lemme help." His warm hand rested on her hip, touching the bare skin at the hem of her shirt as he gently nudged her aside. His other hand brushed absentmindedly up her bare arm as he reached for the bowl, his hip briefly pressing into hers. "Here." He passed two down.
"Th-Thank you." She stammered, the scent of him filling her nostrils. He smelled of pine soap and leather. "Sheila usually leaves something for the early risers." She grabbed a ladle and headed over to the cauldron sitting on the hearth.
"Yeah, you mentioned that." Daryl smiled and leaned against the counter. She could feel him watching her.
"I did?" She did. Damn, he was distracting. "Looks like oatmeal." She ladled out two bowls and brought them to the long table with a couple spoons.
She filled a cast iron kettle with water and set it on the top of the iron stove. "Do you like Coffee or tea?"
"Coffee."
She grabbed a couple of mugs and dug through the large armoires that served as their pantry. "Instant ok? It's all we have."
Daryl shrugged. She dropped a few spoonfuls into each cup and set them aside. There was a pitcher on the counter, she sniffed the liquid inside. "Care for some cider?"
"This a bed 'n breakfast?"
"Shut up." She poured two glasses and set them on the table. She sat down cross legged on the bench at the table. Daryl sat across from her.
"Why are you up so early?" She was the first one to break the silence. "Were you on watch again?"
"Used to gettin' up early t'hunt." Daryl shrugged. "'Cept here I'm not s'posed to leave."
"That's just temporary. Once you've been here a little while you can come and go as you please." She noticed Daryl had finished his bowl. "Do you want more?"
"Don't seem fair ta eat it all."
"Breakfast isn't for a little while yet. Sheila and whoever's on breakfast duty will be around soon. This is just here for people coming off watch. There's plenty, help yourself if you want more."
"Think I will."
Daryl was getting himself a second helping when Sheila came in. "Good morning!" She chirped. "Oh good, you found the oatmeal. I forgot to tell you lot to help yourselves."
She hung her coat by the door and rolled up her sleeves. She surveyed the room, looking Archer up and down. "Em are you on kitchen duty? 'Cause if you are you really ought to put some shoes on."
"Sorry Sheila, I'm supposed to clear with Guy and Jean this morning. I think Joel's on today."
"That boy is always late." She muttered with a frown.
"I'll help." Daryl offered.
Sheila smiled "Aw, aren't you a sweetheart! Come over here and I'll show you how to start the bread."
Archer placed her bowl in the wash pile and noticed the unused coffee cups still waiting for hot water. She left them for the others and headed into her room to change. As she dressed her thoughts lingered on the memory of Daryl's hand on her hip.