Je Suis Prest – Clan Fraser
Breakfast was managed. The bottomless pits as Claire laughingly referred to Murtagh and Jamie were sated. A dozen eggs, a slice of ham each, a wedge of cheese, half a round of bread and jam, some home jarred peaches she'd found in the pantry and a pot of coffee. Claire set the platter full of food on the table and had barely gotten her hand out of the way, unscathed. She sat back in her chair quietly nibbling on a piece of bread, drinking her coffee and watching the carnage with eyes wide open. She'd never seen men eat like that, not even during the war. There was such single mindedness, mixed with determination and little to no conversation. Like they had not eaten in a week. Suddenly... it all made sense to her.
"I'll be along in just a moment, Murtagh" Jamie said as he set the dirty plates on the counter next to the sink. "Let me just say goodbye to Claire" and he captured her in his arms from behind as she washed the dishes. He stepped tightly to her, trapping her between the sink and his body. His groin pressed firmly against her arse so she could feel his need.
"Aye" Murtagh grumbled. "Just do'na be all day expressing your goodbyes. Yer just go'n te do chores no sail te Paris." Murtagh stated. "The p'ur lass will no be able to walk by nightfall at the rate you are chase'n after her. All night and all day? Be think'n 'bout Claire, Jamie. She has more to do than be bend'n over a table every time the urge fills ye. We have a full day's work te do and Claire has chores of her own, ye ken, as well as dinner te prepare. I want ma rabbit stew fer supper. I caught the damn things so I could." Murtagh closed the door, loudly, when he left.
The moment the door clicked closed, Jamie began kissing Claire's neck and slid his hands from her waist to behind the bib front of her overalls. He pulled her shirt up from it's tucked position, and to his pleasant surprise, cupped both bare breasts and began to roll her nipples. Claire dropped the dish she was scrubbing, sighed audibly and pushed back into Jamie. Her head rolling against his shoulder as he sucked and nipped at her neck.
"Jesus H..."
"Damn Jamie..."
"Oh, gods that feels so..."
And then her breath caught as his hand skimmed under the waistband of the overalls and discovered, with his long fingers, that besides no wear'n her tiny breast corset, she was no wear'n any panties either. Better still, he found she wanted him, was already prepared for him to take her. He growled in her ear. There would be no way he was leaving her unsatisfied. No matter how much Murtagh would berate him later.
"Where Claire" he demanded huskily. "I need you. Now. The table?"
She somehow managed to turn around and face him. She pressed her mouth to his and used her tongue to pry open his mouth. He moaned. Loudly. Repeatedly. She fumbled with the strap loops and freed the bib front. Jamie stepped back allowing the bib to fall away. With her shirt lifted, he sucked her entire breast into his mouth.
"Aahhhh" was all she could manage verbally as her knees gave way and she had barely enough presents of mind to grab the edge of the sink behind her to keep herself from falling to the floor.
"Floor" was the only word she could manage to croak out. Her senses were so over stimulated, she was barely coherent. She hardly had thought, let alone words.
"Naked" Jamie managed to demand before he ate her other breast.
"ooohhhh" Claire responded and fumbled for the buttons on the sides of the waist. "Fuck Jamie..." and her overalls dropped to the floor.
Jamie heard Claire's breeks hit the floor. He released her breast, turned her to face the sink and lifted her so her hips rested on it's edge, her feet dangling. Jamie's one hand pushed her forward so she was leaning over the sink full of dirty dishes which lifted her arse into the air. This presented him with quite a breathtaking sight; Claire's lovely round arse, in all its beautiful, porcelain white glory, ready for him to take.
Claire quickly grabbed for the back of the sink to brace for what she knew was coming, to prevent herself from pitching forward into the water, most probably knocking her face in the process.
With his free hand, Jamie lifted her right leg so that the knee now rested on the edge of the sink beside her hips. He had a opening and he took it. He skewered her. Fast and hard.
"Oooh"
Slam
"Jamie"
Slam
Slam Slam
"Damn Ja..."
Slam
"Claire"
Slam
"Oh God Claire"
Slam, slam, slam
Slam
Honk Honk HONK HONK HONK...
Jamie stopped moving.
"oh no. no. No. NO NO NO! please..." Claire begged.
HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK!
Scrambling noise. "What the fuck is that? A Goose? They have a bloody attack Goose?" and the sound of more frantically scrambling feet.
"Watch out John. Stay in the car. I will find Jamie to come catch the fucking beast then we'll get you inside." And the front door opened. Steps were heard in the entry and then the door closed.
Jamie slipped out, carefully helped Claire get her feet under her and turned her around. "I am so sorry Mo Neighan Donn" and kissed her softly. He picked up her overalls and held them as she stepped into the legs. While she tucked in the shirt and buttoned the straps and the sides, Jamie attempted to smooth the front of his kilt.
"Claire?" came the voice from the entry.
Jamie smoothed Claire's wild hair without much success. He tucked a curl behind her ear.
"Claiiirrre? Jamie" the voice inquired loudly, again.
Jamie kissed her softly on the forehead. "Tha gaol agam ort, Mo Neighan Donn." (I love you)
"Is anyone home?" the voice fairly shouted.
"Frank" Claire said in a croaked whisper and then tried to clear her throat.
"I'm sorry Sassenach te leave ye so unsatisfied." Jamie said as he turned to find Frank.
Claire reached up and touched Jamie's shoulder. He turned back.
"Don't be" she said. "I'm not. I only wish we had not been interrupted." and she slipped her hand into his. "I love you too, Jamie."
Jamie sighed and then called out "We're in the kitchen Frank." They walked together, hand in hand, to find Frank.
Jamie helped John into a chair in the kitchen while Claire fumbled with the tea kettle to make him some tea. Frank parked his car and brought in his overnight bag, a brown bag containing the essentials Claire had purchased for John, and his Bible.
"You should have phoned ahead, so I could have had your room ready for you, John or I could have waited and traveled with you today." Claire touched a hand to his forehead. No fever but his skin was clammy and he looked exhausted. "How do you feel? Are you hungry? Shall I make you some lunch? Some soup or a soft boiled egg?" She took his wrist and felt for a pulse. Rapid. Not good, but then considering Jenny's greeting, it could hardly be unexpected. She would wait and check it in 10 minutes.
"Just the cuppa, Claire. That would be nice" and he smiled weakly at her and took his hand back. The trip with Frank had knocked the wind right out of him. Driving in that infernal sports car, with no roof and the wind wiping him in the face. He'd drink his tea then have Claire take him upstairs to his room for a bit of a lie-down. He'd be right as rain by supper.
"Toast, John? How about a nice piece of oven toast with some jam on it? Or a biscuit. I'm sure I brought some biscuits with me... let me look..." and she turned to check the pantry.
Jamie gently touched Claire's arm. Claire took one look at Jamie's face and stopped. "I just wanted..."
I ken, Claire" and he placed a hand on her cheek and stroked it softly with his thumb. "So does John. Give John his tea and let him settle. If he needs anything, he kens you are here and he will ask. Why don't you sit and have a cup with John and Frank and visit. Maybe put a wee whiskey in it for them."
John and Frank both smiled at the thought.
"A pot of tea then Claire. Why don't you use the bonnie teapot in the cabinet? The bright yellow one." He turned her around and gave her a gentle push toward the scullery. He turned and looked at John and they both nodded to each other.
Frank sat silent and watched the wordless communications going on around him.
"I'll be off te find Murtagh and finish my chores then, John. Sorry about Jenny but the goose makes a good sentry. Noth'n comes to Lallybroch that she does'na let me ken. I think she's a wee bit fond of scare'n folks too, if ye ask me." He smiled as he squeezed John's shoulder.
"Jenny is it?" John inquired looking up at Jamie.
"Yes, and Ian is around somewhere as well, though apparently he is the strong, silent back-up with a bum leg, rather than an over-protective mother warrior goose." Claire called out with a laugh.
John smiled and winked at Jamie.
"Am I missing something?" Frank chimed in.
"I'll explain over tea, Frank." Claire responded.
"I'll come in after ye've had a bit of a rest and we can go into the study and have a talk, if yer up to it." Jamie said. "I'll go over what Murtagh and I have been work'n at and show ye the books. I have a couple of ideas on how to help Lallybroch earn ye a fair bit of coin I'd like to discuss with ye as well."
Jamie started to walk away and then turned back. "John, I've arranged for Tom Macvey, his wife and brother te come for supper tonight. He's in need of a birthing shed for his coo's and the town has organized a gathering of sorts tomorrow and Saturday to aid in the building it. We are meeting over supper to go over the plans. Is that alright with ye or would ye prefer I move it te The Lost Lamb?"
"No, no Jamie. Do'na change anything. I'd like te hear 'bout the plans myself and I truly do'na think I'll be up for go'n out this evening so keep the dinner here. If I feel up to it, and Claire here will let me, I'd like te go and help tomorrow too. It's a wonderful thing you are do'n for Seamus and Flora's lad. Seamus has been a deagh charaid for most of my life." (good friend)
Jamie nodded and made his way to the scullery door. He whispered to Claire as he passed, gave her a chaste kiss and left to find Murtagh. Claire leaned her forehead against the cabinet door for a moment after closing it. How could she miss him already, she thought to herself. If Jamie had wanted to, he could have finished what they had started, right then and there, with John and Frank just on the other side of the wall, and she'd have happily let him. Relished it. Explode from the very touch of him. Somehow she knew that he knew it too. She pushed the image from her mind and took a deep breath. She turned to the stove with teapot in hand, to remove the whistling tea kettle from the flame.
John assured Claire that the hospital had, in fact, released him and that he had not, in fact, slipped out while Mary had been busy with another patient. Frank's timing had been perfect. Doctor Whitney had released him that morning so Frank had gone home, gathered his things, come back and picked John up and had driven straight to Lallybroch.
"Frank made good time," John commented. "Drove like a man on a mission."
Clair laughed but Frank shifted a bit uncomfortably in his chair.
"So you know the Macvey family well?" Claire asked.
"Aye," John replied. "My Angus would have been a couple of years older than Tomas but Flora and ma 'Becs were the best of friends. We all grew up together. Our parents grew up together and so on. Matter of fact, my da's bull was bred to Seamus' da's heifers for years. Only the maidens, mind you. The bull, Ferdinand, had a way with the ladies, ye see. He always got the job done, without hurt'n or harm'n them. Always strong, healthy calves come Spring too. The coos were always ready and will'n after that if auld Ferdinand had been their first. Funny, my mam would always make him a wreath of lavender to wear around his horns when he went court'n to the Macvey Farm. Maybe that's what did it..." John chuckled. "Funny the things ye remember..."
"They have just the two sons then?" Claire asked. "Tomas and Rabbie?"
"No, no" John said shaking his heid. "Lets see... Hugh first, then Davie, Annie, Tomas would be the middle bairn, then Jane, ah, she's a beauty she is. All the boys chase'n after her. Her da and Tomas have a hell of a time. Then Rabbie, Rabbie, mind ye, no to be confused with Mary MacNab's wee Rabbie. Though Mary's Rabbie is only 12 years of age and Rabbie Macvey must be at least 18. How many does that make Claire?"
"Six total" Frank piped in.
"Weel, they have seven total so who's miss'n. Ah, and Wee Fred brings up the rear. He's a late in life baby. He's only 10 and so Flora would be 40 when she had 'em." John said and silently looked to the floor and shook his head.
Claire knew instantly something was left unsaid concerning this Wee Fred. John would tell the tale in his own time. She would wait him out.
"Now Hugh and Davie were both killed in the war," John began again and took a sip of his tea after he poured a hefty dollop of whiskey in it. "So Tomas is in charge of Iòn Cluaran (Thistle Pond). The day to day stuff anyway." John began. "Seamus still handles the breeding, selling the milk, cream, butter and such and Flora does the bookkeep'n, I ken. Annie, she' married and lives in Inverness. To Hugh's charid. (friend) Graham, I think the name is. He's got a good job work'n for the power company. Don't ken what he does. He survived the war because of it though. He was too important to be sent to the front. Was stationed in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. Bletchley, as I understand it. Won't talk about what he did there. All hush hush. Spy stuff maybe, aye?" and he winked at Frank.
Frank shuttered. He knew about Bletchley. He had been assigned there as well, for a short term. How the hell did Murray know it was an intelligence operation there, he wondered.
"Anyway," John continued. "Graham's mother works for the local Presbyterian Parrish. Wakefield, I think the priest's name is. Reverend Wakefield, that's it. Thistle Pond will become Tomas' responsibility eventually and I think the hope is Rabbie will help with the farm. Thomas can'na run the farm alone. I think Rabbie Macvey is in University in Inverness and comes home on weekends. He's live'n with Annie's family and study'n Animal Husbandry or some such nonsense. Do'na need school fer that. Spend time on a farm, that'll teach ye everythin ye need te ken. He's pretty wild right now. Annie's have'n a hell of a time with him. Gott'n in te some wee trouble, made some bad choices and is hang'n with a bad crowd."
"And Jane?" Claire inquired. "Is she still on the farm as well as Fred?"
"Aye, Jane still lives at home. Fred is no quite right ye see. He's twelve years younger than Jane and eight years younger than Rabbie. Flora fell while trying to get the coos into the barn during a storm. Twisted her leg pretty bad and could'na walk. Took 'em hours to find her. She had gone into labor and give birth to Fred 'oot in the field, all alone and in the cold rain. Dr. Moss said there was noth'n she could have done. The cord wrapped around the bairn's neck, ye see, no enough air or some such. So Jane will stay. Never leave. Flora needs her too much. Such a shame, really."
"Oh, I am so sorry." Claire said.
"Don't be lass." John took her hand in his and smiled weakly. "The whole town looks after the lad. He's well loved. Got himself a shiny new blue bicycle for Nollaig, last year. (Christmas) The whole town chipped in and bought it for him. Seamus and Flora did'na even ken. Rides it everywhere, he does. Got a bell on the handle bars and Brom, his pup, rides along in the basket or at least he did. The pup might be too big for the basket now, ken. Had feet like frying pans, he did. He'll be a big 'un. Met them a couple of days before I had the chest pains, when I was in town. People say they are never parted, the two of 'em. Ye see one, ye see'm both. You'll meet him tomorrow and see for yerself. Fred'll steal yer heart, he will."
John set his cup down. "I think I'd like to go upstairs te my room now. Take a bit of a nap. Seems I'm a little tired after all. Will ye help me get settled then Claire?"
"Yes John. Absolutely." And she took his cup to the sink. She turned to Frank and said, "I might be awhile. You can take your bag up to the room you and Murtagh shared the last time you came or you can wander about. The Laird's study does have some lovely old books you could peruse. If you go outside, stay away from the paddock. There is a large, black horse that makes the goose look like an amateur. Get Jamie to show you the bite he received this morning."
John chuckled. "Jamie met ma beast has he? No surprised the yearling got the drop on him. He's a crafty one, he is. If Jamie can break him, Lallybroch will make some coin from the sell'n of him. But ye got to get near 'im, to break him and that is risk'n life and limb."
She and John left the kitchen and climbed the stairs with John still laugh'n. At the top of the stairs they turned left instead of right. John had the room on the left. The Northwest corner of the main house. The Lairds room was to the right. The southeast corner.
"Why do you stay in this room, John?" Claire asked. "It's the smallest of all the rooms."
'' 'Tis is the room I've always had. Since I was a wee bairn. Becs and I shared this room the whole time we lived here together as well. I guess I could just never change. My da and mam moved to the Lairds room after my Grandda died. My granny moved to the room across the hall, see'n as she liked to look over the farm. My William had the room that Murtagh and Frank are sleep'n in. Those were his beds too."
"How did you know which room they are in?" Claire asked.
"'Tis the only room with two beds." and he laughed at her.
The room John used was the one Jamie had said had been used for company. He and Willie had shared the room Murtagh, and now Frank, slept in. If he had ever received his pardon and returned to Lallybroch, he would have moved into the Laird's room, he'd thought. Jenny's room had been the the other room with the southern exposure. Claire opened the door. It was little stuffy, so she opened the windows a bit, to let in some fresh air. She'd close them before she left. The fireplace needed to be cleaned and a fire started. The sheets looked like they needed to be changed. The whole room looked like it needed a good cleaning.
Let me go downstairs and get some wood and get a fire going, while you use the loo. I'll be right back. Claire went back downstairs and out the scullery back door. There was the woodpile. She took several split logs and went back inside. She went back up the stairs and deposited them on the floor next to the fireplace. She went back downstairs and repeated the process until she had eight split logs, kindling, some newspaper, the ashcan and shovel. She scooped up as much of the ash as possible and then wadded newspaper and stuffed it up under the grate. She placed a layer of kindling and small pieces of wood then stacked 4 piece of the split wood. It was nice and dry. She reached up to make sure the flue was open then lit a match, and starting in the back, lit the paper on fire. By the time John came back from the bathroom, she'd have a good fire going. She stood up and...
"Lass, I din'na ken ye could build a fire."
Claire screamed and jumped about a mile in the air, turning around as she did, in a sort of poorly executed pirouette. There was Murtagh standing there with about 6 more split logs and kindling to boot.
"I'm sorry Lass, I thought ye heard me come'n." A red faced Murtagh said, after he cleared his throat. "Jamie saw ye carry'n firewood and we figured it was for John's room. We were no sure ye ken how to start one, so I came te help. Jamie wanted to come himself, but I ken I'd no see him again until supper, which would no be rabbit stew, because he have no let go of ye long enough fer ye te make it. And I'd really like te have the stew fer ma supper."
Claire said nothing but did manage a smile as she was still trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. It was pounding through her chest from the fright.
John walked in. "Murtagh. How good te see ye again. Yer look'n well."
"Aye, 'Tis all the clean air, now we're out'a Inverness. Glad te have ye back. Jamie says ye'll be go'n with us to help with the calf shed then."
"Aye, I hope, if ma nurse here, lets me" John said as he winked at Murtagh.
"Ye look much better than when we last saw each other. Hospital it was. How do ye feel?" Murtagh looked genuinely concerned. "Is there anythin'n I can get ye?"
"No. no. I'm fine. I just... well the man, Frank, quite honestly, his driving scare't me half te death. Speed'n someth'n fierce." John whispered. "Though I can'na complain too much. He got me here in a third of the time it normally takes me."
"John is just going to lie down for a little while" Claire told Murtagh as she closed the bedroom windows and drew the drapes. "I'm going to go downstairs to get him some water, if you wouldn't mind staying up here and talk with him for a few minutes." She went back downstairs to the kitchen and finished clearing the table and set them in the sink, which still had the breakfast dishes she had never finished. She made quick work of doing the dishes and left them to dry. She got a small pitcher from the scullery and filled it half full with water from the kitchen tap. She grabbed a glass and headed back upstairs. She tapped lightly on the half closed bedroom door and entered. She found Murtagh sitting on the edge of the bed. John was in the overstuffed chair by the fire, already asleep.
"He no sooner sat down than he was sound asleep. I was afraid I'd wake him up if I put the quilt around him." Murtagh whispered.
Claire set the pitcher and glass down on the table by the bed. She took the quilt off the bed, gave it a quick shake out the window and then draped it over John. She placed the screen in front of the fireplace. John was close to the fire and its sparks could easily reach the quilt or the carpet. No fires please, Claire said to herself.
She motioned for Murtagh to follow her out of the room.
"I'm going to change his bed sheets and try to wipe the room down. There's dust everywhere and it won't do him any good to breathe that in. Then I'll make lunch and start the stew. Will that work for you?"
"That'd be fine lass. Is there anything ye need me te do, before I head back out to the barn? Jamie and I are trying to repair some broken boards around the goat and pigs pens. Would ye like me te start a fire in the large sitting room before I go back out? It will take a while for a fire te warm a room that size." Murtagh offered. "I think that's where Jamie wants to hold our meet'n tonight."
"That would be wonderful. I would never have thought to do that, I'm just so used to central heating. Thank you." She said. "Is Frank outside with you and Jamie?"
"I have no seen Frank. Is that who brought John back to Lallybroch? I wondered. He does no look so good Claire. You sure he's alright?"
"I don't know Murtagh. John says he is. I guess we will have to take his word for it. In the mean time, I think we need to keep a careful eye on him."
"I'll see if I can'na find Frank, he can help me with the fire. Maybe after mid-meal, he can give Jamie and I our first drive'n lesson" and he turned and walked down the stairs. Claire went to the linen closet, found what she needed and made her way back to John's room.
She managed to change the sheets and wipe the room down while John slept in the chair. She closed the windows, gathered the dirty linen and placed the items to be washed on the large table by the wash tub. She needed to get lunch and the stew started then she could figure out the wash. Maybe John would be up by then and could at least explain the basics of the machine. She had never owned one. Currently she took larger items to the dry-cleaner's and hand washed the rest in the sink in her flat. While she lived with Lamb on a dig site, there were workers that were hired to do the wash and the cooking, but she had knelt in front of a wash tub or a stream a time or two in her day and cooked over an open fire as well.
Claire, once again, went out to the garden and found several few late carrots, a dozen small potatoes, an onion and two turnips and went inside. She found a large cast iron pot in the bottom of the pantry, filled it with water, placed it on the stove and lit the burner. She pulled the 4 fair sized rabbits Murtagh had caught from the fridge. Murtagh had already cleaned and gutted them so all she needed to do is cut off the heads and feet, separated the meat from bone and cube the meat into bite sized chunks. When she finished, she placed the meat back in the fridge. She placed the bones in the now boiling water and let them cook until after lunch. She found a piece of butcher paper to wrap the feet and head in and set it on the back stoop. Dare not throw anything away, least Jamie needed the feet for some good luck fob for his sporran. The heads she could bury, later, in the garden for fertilizer.
Now she needed to work up something for lunch. There were four hungry men to feed. She opened the fridge. Nothing but eggs, butter, some bacon and she smelled the pitcher, maybe milk, that was starting to sour. It could not be a full fry-up again. Alright then, she knew what she had to do. She placed another large pot of water to boil and went back outside and marched to the chicken coop. She caught two of the hens, broke both their necks and carried them to the barn. She found Jamie and Murtagh working on one of the stalls gate. Both looked startled when they saw her standing in the doorway with a dead chicken in each hand.
"Where is Lallybroch's butchering shed?" She asked.
'Tis the building on the far side of garden," Jamie answered as he stood. He walked toward her and held out his hand. "Give them te me te dress, Sassenach. I'll bring them up to the house as soon as I'm finished."
"No, thank you Jamie. I should be just fine," and she turned and walked away.
Claire knew exactly what building Jamie was referring to. She opened the door and stepped inside, intentionally leaving the door open; the one roomed building was stuffy. There was a large wooden table in the center of the room with large metal trash cans at either end and several metal pails stacked against the wall next to the door. She grabbed two empty pails and set one down on the counter next to the sink. She noticed a rope hanging from one of the rafters. She set one dead chicken on the table and tied the other so that it hung upside down from the rope. She set the other empty bucket underneath it. The far wall of the stone shed had quite a selection of knives, of various shapes and sizes as well as two axes, several saws, a scythe, a machete and a hatchet. Claire walked over and selected two knives. There was a leather strap nailed to the wall and within minutes Claire had both knives honed to her satisfaction. With the smaller knife, she carefully cut the bird's throat and allowed it to bled out. When the first bird was done, she placed it in the sink and repeated the process with the second bird. She then rinsed both chickens in the sink and set them in a clean pail.
She cleaned and dried the knife she used and then hung them both back on the wall, grabbed the bucket and headed for the door. So deep in thought, she did not see Jamie and Murtagh standing there watching her until she almost walked into Murtagh, leaning against the door jamb with Jamie standing right behind him. Both with huge smiles on their faces.
"Now just where did a lass like you learn to do that?" Murtagh asked as he tugged on his beard to keep himself from smiling too grandly. He was bust'n with pride for the lass. That she could do such a thing with nary a drop of blood on her and no be squeamish about it ta boot. His godson's choice surprised him every day with how strong and capable she was. She was truly Jamie's match. When was the lad going to let Claire to come live at Lallybroch for good. Why was he sending her back with Randall on Sunday?
"I know how to do a great many things you may not be aware of Murtagh." She said with confidence.
"Weel lass that is becoming clearer to me every day," he said as he took the pail from her hand and started back into the shed. But ye did'na finish the job. Ye need to gut them. Here" he said as he set the pail down on the table. "Let me show ye how."
Claire had followed him to the table, and when Murtagh turned to pick out a knife, Claire picked the pail back up and said firmly, "I know. I just prefer to pluck mine before I gut them. And if I set them in warm water, which I have sitting on the stove in the kitchen at this very minute, it will make plucking them much easier. Then I will gut them, quarter them and cook them for your lunch." She turned and walked through the door as Jamie quickly back out of her way to let her pass.
Murtagh looked at Jamie and raised an eyebrow.
Jamie laughed. "Are ye com'n back te work or go'n to watch?"
"No, clearly the lass has everythin'n under control. Ye ken she had the fire in John's room roaring to life when I got up there te help her. Tell me again how ye found her..." He scratched his heid as he followed Jamie back to the barn.
Claire got the chopping block, two knives and another piece of butcher paper and set them on the counter when she returned to the kitchen. The water was warm enough to submerge one of the chickens. She also added a couple of soap flakes to the water. It helped to soften the feathers, but also keep the smell down. After a minute or two, when she could pull a feather out without any effort, she removed the bird and replaced it with the other.. She also checked the stew water. It had reached a rolling boil. She turned the heat down and placed the lid on. After lunch she would start the stew.
Once the feathers were softened on the first bird, she placed it on the cutting board and place the second one in the hot water. It only took a matter of seconds to remove the majority of the feathers and set it in aside to gut. She removed the second chicken from the water and removed the majority of it's feathers as well. She then carefully removed the heads placing them on the butcher paper and the feet, which she pealed, rinsed and placed in the stew pot. She then gutted both, saving the livers, hearts and gizzards (after cleaning them) and placed the rest on the butcher paper. As with the rabbits, she wrapped the butcher paper tightly and set in on the stoop. She then carefully cleaned each bird, making sure to remove all the feathers, even the tiny pin feathers and then quartered them. She placed the backs in the boiling stew water and set the chicken quarters in a large casserole pan. She drizzled a little oil over the quarters and seasoned each, with the herbs that were still available in the garden, Rosemary, basil and thyme and added dried mustard, paprika, salt and pepper she found on the pantry shelf and a small amount of water to cover the bottom of the pan, then placed the dish in the pre-heated oven.
That should be ready in an hours she told herself. Time to work on the mashed potatoes. She carefully cleaned the cutting board and the soapy water pot. She filled it, once again with water and set it to boil. She cleaned, pealed and cut up 8 of the dozen small potatoes and placed them in the pot to cook. They would need a half an hour to cook.
Now a vegetable. Two canning jars of beans, from the looks of it, on a shelf in the pantry. She found a sauce pan and emptied both jars. They could wait until the last minute to heat.
Bread... She found flour, butter, baking powder, sugar, salt and of course the sour milk. In a large mixing bowl, she sifted the dried items together, then cut in the butter into small cubes and cut it into the flour. She then stirred in the buttermilk in until it incorporated the flour mixture. She then rolled it out on the floured counter, folded and repeated 6 times then cut the dough into biscuits using a floured glass and placed them on a baking sheet. She melted enough butter to spread over the tops of the biscuits and set them aside. She pulled out the golden brown chicken and set it on the trivet. She placed the biscuits in the oven. And turned the flame on under the beans.
She drained the water from the potatoes and added salt, pepper and butter. Using the masher, she made quick work of the potato chunks, added some of the soured milk and mixed. She transferred them to a serving bowl and placed a dinner plate over the top to keep them warm. She set the bowl on the kitchen table. She plated the chicken and green beans and set the platter on the table as well. She took the pan the chicken cooked in, added butter. When it was completed melted, she added flour and made a roux. Taking a whisk, she incorporated some milk until it was a creamy texture. She poured it into the gravy boat and added it to the table. She set 5 plates, knives, forks and spoons. She took the biscuits from the oven and moved them to a basket lined with a towel. She folded the towel over to keep things warm.
Frank poked his head in. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Yes, please call Jamie and Murtagh in from the barn. Tell them lunch is ready. Then if you would be so good as to run upstairs and check on John. I'd like for him to come down and eat something as well."
"Certainly Claire. I'm on it." and he crossed the kitchen and left through the scullery door. Claire checked on the stew stock and found it was doing quite nicely. She added the chopped onion and the diced carrots and replaced the lid. She filled the potato water pot with clean water, adding soap flakes to it then submerged all the cooking utensils in it to soak while they ate.
She was just opening bottles of beer for everyone as Jamie and Murtagh entered along with Frank.
"I'm going to fetch John" Frank said as he crossed the room. Just as he reached to open it, John appeared. "Well, that saved me a trip."
"Looks like my timing is good," John said. Where do ye want me te sit Claire? I've already washed up."
"Where ever you normally would sit," Claire said. "We will arrange our seating around yours."
John sat on the right side of the table, closest to the fire. In the second chair. Claire sat next to him, with Jamie at the head of the table and Murtagh on his left, across from Claire. Frank sat next to Murtagh. John raised his beer and said "To Clan Fraser. May you always find a place at this table and may the Laird always sit at the head."
"What a lovely thing to say, John. Thank you" she said as she clinked his bottle with hers and kissed his cheek. She turned and smiled at Jamie and clinked his bottle along with Murtagh's at the same time. "Together, Clan Fraser." and took a sip.
The dinner went well, she supposed. Tomas, Evey and Rabbie arrived promptly at 5. Claire served cold beer to everyone and had a tray of crackers and cheese for people to snack on. She had to hold Jamie's hand several time to prevent him from eating the entire plate. She should have thought to feed Murtagh and Jamie a sandwich or two prior to dinner so they would not be quite so hungry.
It had been decided earlier that they should avoid certain topics, such of those about driving lessons as well as opinions about the war. The Macveys might be surprised to hear neither Murtagh nor Jamie could drive but would be upset to know that Jamie had not participated in the war, while being both of age and able bodied. They would have to come up with answers for those lines of questions, for at some point, someone would ask. For tonight, however, they would just focus on the Calving Shed.
Tomas brought a rough drawing of what he thought they should build and knew where he and his da had decided it should go. Jamie and Murtagh offered suggestions. A great deal of give and take went on over drinks and continued in dinner. Notations were made and the sketch was honed. John and Rabbie mostly listened and nodded heads in approval. Frank honestly did not have any information to share, and had the good sense to sit quietly and sip his beer.
Claire and Evey had short bursts of conversation at first. Claire asked about teaching, her students and the school which broke the ice and Evey became chatty for a short time. After an awkward pause, Claire then asked how she and Tomas had met. Evey was happy to speak of the courtship and wedding. She seemed more than content to answer any questions Claire had concerning herself, family or farm but asked nothing of Claire in return. Evey made it clear she had not interest in learning anything about her nor hearing any of Claire's opinions.
Exhausted from the effort, Claire excused herself and went to the kitchen to finish the dinner preparations. Evey did not offer to help. Ten minutes later Frank showed up, donned an apron and told Claire to put him to some use. Claire had set the table earlier so that was done but she had him fill the water glasses and opened the wine. He carried the tureen containing the stew and the bowl with the bread.
Claire announced dinner and everyone found their own seats. Tomas and Rabbie chose to flank Jamie, with Evey electing to sit next to her husband. John sat next to Rabbie and Murtagh next to John. Claire did not feel like she wanted to sit next to Evey and struggle through more conversation with her so she elected to sit at the other end of the table facing Jamie. Frank sat next to her. Two empty chairs separating Frank from Tomas' wife.
At first Claire tried to show an interest in what was being discussed. She had, after all, lived in rural communities throughout the world, growing up. She had some knowledge of animals and farms. Had seen first hand different construction designs and how cultures chose to raise the same animals differently, with different levels of success in all types of landscapes and climates, even different elevations. Several times she tried to interject a thought to the conversation. She flatly failed. Everyone would stop and look at her like she had three heads as she spoke. The second she finished, they all turned back to Jamie and the conversation continued as if Claire had never said a word. Claire sighed as Frank patted her hand. Finally she got up and left for the kitchen, taking the empty bread basket and her own bowl of barely touched stew with her. When she came back with the basket refilled, Rabbie reached for it, offered a piece to everyone, except Frank and set it on the table. No one even turned to acknowledge her presence, let alone thank her. She turned right around and left, going back to the kitchen. She grabbed a handful of sugar cubes and the rest of the carrots from the fridge and headed out the back door.
She stopped on the stoop and took a deep breath. And then a second one just like the Tibetan monk had taught her, all those years ago. She repeated the breathing until she felt the anger in her slip away. She rolled her shoulders, stood a little taller and walked to the paddock where the midnight black horse stared back at her with watchful dark eyes. She stopped just out of reach of the horse's teeth.
"Alright Donas. Jenny and I have reached an understanding. I give her extra feed and don't steal her eggs and she does not try to scare or bite me. You and I must find a way to reach the same accord. I will always bring you a carrot or a sugar cube if you will never bite me. Do you agree?"
Donas looked at her and stretched his neck further in an attempt bite her in response.
From her apron pocket, Claire held a carrot up so that the horse could clearly see and smell it. He turned his head and flipped his lips in an attempt to steal it from her hand. She raised her other hand and between two fingers she held a single sugar cube. Donas' interest peaked at the sugar's appearance. He leaned hard against the paddock rail as he desperately tried to gain the extra inches needed to reach her fingers. The look in his eyes told Claire if he thrust out far enough to take it, he'd lay hold of her fingertips as well and that would not end well for her hand. Such anger in such a beautiful animal. What had someone done to to the horse before John had acquired him.
Claire backed up an arms length away to which Donas snorted and stamped his hoof. "No. I want a truce. You may have the carrot, if you promise not to bite me. If you do not attempt to bite me when I feed you the carrot, I will reward you with a sugar cube. Do we have an understanding?"
Donas looked her in the eye and stamped his hoof again. He suddenly lunged against the railing. Claire almost jumped, which was exactly the response the horse was looking for. She bravely held her ground. "No Donas" and she put both items back in her pockets and turned to walk away.
The horse lunged again and stamped and snorted. He became enraged.
Claire stopped immediately and turned back around. "Oh my. That's what someone did to you? Teased you. I am so sorry Donas. I will never do that to you, I promise." She took the carrot from her pocket and held it out so that the horse could easily reach it.
The horse looked at her, then snaked his head out and grabbed it. She let it go and the horse devoured it in three quick bites.
She repeated it with three carrots. By the fifth one, Donas was taking it from her as any normal horse would, knowing she would not taunt him by pulling it away at the last second.
Now for the true test, Claire told herself. She placed five sugar cubes in the palm of her flattened hand. She closed her eyes, knowing that she would flinch if she watched the mouth full of teeth inch toward her fingers, and extended her hand to the horse's waiting mouth. First there was nothing. Then she felt the horse's breath and the whiskers of his muzzle as he smelled her hand. Suddenly the horse gently scooped the sugar off her hand with his lips. She opened her eyes when she heard him chew.
"I promise never to tease you, Donas. You have my word."
In her latent shock that the horse had not bitten her, Claire had failed to retract her extended hand. Donas placed his nuzzle against her palm in search for more sugar. Finding none, she clearly expected to be bitten but was pleasantly surprised to find the horse simply retracted his head and walked away. He even allowed the other two horses to approach without retribution. Claire gave them each a carrot and two sugar cubes, rubbed their foreheads then walked away down the path that lead to the cows and the field of lavender.
She did not come back until she saw Tomas's truck drive down the road and Jamie call her name.