Music Inspiration: Two Steps from Hell- "Color the Sky"
Wedding Bells
Caroline was walking on air after the proposal and could not stop smiling at her new ring. It was small and dainty, suiting her personality perfectly! She had insisted that a wedding band would not be needed after the ceremony, only her little ring. Ratonhnhaké:ton was relieved and proud to hear her approval since he had given his best to sketch the design of her ring. Part of him wondered if it was too petite for her fingers or plain but she adored its simplicity.
They had returned home after their trip and Caroline had prepped her bags before seeking his cabin. She requested his presence in announcing their engagement to her parents to continue the jovial mood and he agreed. The new year had brought them happiness so far and he hoped to continue that well into the next year. He could only wonder where their lives would be in 1778 but he would live in the present.
Their town was covered in snow as winter lingered but green fields would return by mid-April. He had insisted on her wearing layered attire when disembarking but Caroline was fine with a wool coat, cap, mittens, and a scarf. Anything more than that would send her tumbling down a snowy path like a bale of hay. She had pulled his white hood over his head before running down the boarding platform to head home, echoing laughter left in her wake. His worrywart nature over her was endearing but he couldn't protect her like glass.
Being an assassin adept to the cold winters, he had caught up to her with ease while holding a lantern for light. The summer did away with their need for light as the clear skies allowed the moon to provide illumination on the road. Winter, however, shrouded their town in complete darkness and lanterns were required for travel away from home. If a blizzard or snowstorm was inbound, a place to hunker down was critical for survival during the night. Caroline muffled laughter when his arms wrapped around her waist to avoid jostling the lantern and she teased, "The mighty assassin caught his mark."
"You would never be my target" he chuckled softly to her little joke and grasped her right hand into his to continue their walk. Their footsteps crunched the snow under their boots as the chilly wind whistled through the trees but the couple's laughter mixed in to drive away the tendrils of cold. She squeezed his hand affectionately with a soft laugh as they walked through the winter wonderland together. Onboard the Aquila, they maintained a strict professional relationship and she had to wait late into the night to offer a hug or kiss on the cheek. Now that they were done with their mission, they could return to their romantic relationship.
While his manor was on the tallest hill in Davenport, hers was on the second smallest hill as they passed the large home. The lanterns from the community glowed brightly in the darkness as they entered the heart of their town. Eager to see her family, Caroline picked up her pace to close the distance to her picket fence as the warm lights beckoned her home. He was close on her coattails since the snow had become slippery ice but they managed to find their way to the base of the small hill. Their steps were quick to finish the last incline to find warmth within her home and chuckled as their travel packs jingled against their backs. Caroline knocked on the wooden door with a perky tap as she announced her arrival with a cheery, "Hello, family!"
They heard the door unlatching from inside before it opened to reveal Martha, who carried a frying pan in her other hand. Caroline sighed to her paranoia since it was the middle of winter and nobody would be traveling through their town at that hour that didn't belong there. Stepping aside, she allowed the two to enter the cozy home and their skin was struck with heat immediately. Her siblings were gathered by the lit fireplace to stay warm and Caroline hoped her own home was filled with laughter one day, spotting her parents at the table.
Her mother had been occupied by a book while her father polished his leather boots for work the following day. The two removed their packs by the door as they used an old linen curtain to wipe the soles of their boots free of snow. Catherine abandoned her book after spotting them, ordering their siblings to setup a plate of food and a hot drink, as she hugged them both. Squeezing her daughter's shoulders, the coldness of the wool coat led her to rushing them to the fireplace, "Go gather some warmth in those bones."
"We're fine, mother, but thank you" she chuckled softly to her worry as she removed her gloves to set them on the table. Simply finding refuge in her home was enough and rubbed her hands together for heat. Her partner agreed as he lowered his hood to enjoy the heat from the fireplace, smiling with gratitude when Samuel handed him hot coffee in a tin cup.
"You came just in time for bedtime stories!" he cheered with delight to hearing about their recent adventures at sea. The winter left him at home with numerous time to spare and nothing much to do which left him curious to their trip.
"Sure, but we have an announcement to make" Caroline replied to his enthusiasm for seafaring tales and would let her partner handle that portion. She was liable to slip a cuss word or a violent re-enactment that would have her mother lecturing her. Before all of that happened, she wanted to share her news before it slipped into town through the notorious gossip chain.
Alice ruffled his hair to nudge him away from the couple as she took his place to hug her sister around the waist. Caroline returned it with a fond smile since her littlest sister worried over her return more than anything else. Her brunette sibling was bundled up in warm flannel clothing and she wondered if the cold was harder to bear that month for her. Brushing back locks of loose hair behind Alice's ears, Caroline pressed a kiss to her forehead and Alice chuckled, "I'm glad you're home."
Amelia noticed the rosy cheeks of her sister, along with a bright glint in her eyes, and mused aloud with a smile, "Carrie, you're practically glowing."
Her oldest sister scoffed to brush off that she appeared different but she felt like a million gold coins on the inside. She looked to Ratonhnhaké:ton with a modest smile and his own freckled cheeks darkened as they arrived to the moment of truth. Godfrey, however, caught their bashful lovers gaze and clapped his hands with a jolly laugh as he stood up with a smile, "By the way your eyes are shining, he must've asked!"
Martha caught sight of the silver ring around her sister's left hand when she looped it through Ratonhnhaké:ton's. Knowing the meaning of the small jewelry piece, she gasped and announced, "Carrie's getting married to Connor!"
Gasps of unison echoed from her siblings as they stared at the couple with wide eyes of expectation and Caroline nodded hastily with a happy smile. Her sisters burst into happy giggles of joy as they darted forward to peek at the ring. Ratonhnhaké:ton almost lost his intended within the small group as they circled her with curious questions erupting in a rabble. He was happy to see and hear the positive feedback as Burnett siblings hugged their delighted sister. Caroline's heart felt lighter than air and ready to burst at being engaged to him.
"Is it true?" Alice asked him cheerfully since her sister carried a silver-tongue and fibbed like the best salesmen in the cities. Ratonhnhaké:ton smiled modestly before nodding silently to let her know it was true. Being honest by heart, Alice believed him instantly.
Caroline wrapped an arm around her lean shoulders to pull her close and revealed proudly, "He asked me tonight under the stars."
"How romantic" Martha sighed softly, touching her cheeks to the marvelous thought of being asked herself. Walter was modest in demeanor, similar to Ratonhnhaké:ton, but she had dropped hints about being ready for a proposal. She had wondered who would be the first to pair off and it was fitting that her eldest sister would be the one.
Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips as she stood in the center of their circle and scoffed, "Not in the midst of battle against pirates?"
"No, she would've flung me overboard" Ratonhnhaké:ton replied earnestly because he would've likely ruined their relationship if he dared. What kind of engagement memory would he leave her with? He wanted her to be happy above all else after the turbulent years they'd shared.
"Leave the man alone, he's tying the knot" Patrick laughed to the rabble that had bombarded the poor couple and while Caroline reveled in it, Ratonhnhaké:ton was looking to step back. The redhead held out a plate of hot food to the naval captain since the man had likely not eaten since departing their last location. The native grabbed it with grateful thanks to the delicious smell of potatoes, eggs, and ham, and Caroline batted his lower backside to guide him to the closest chair.
"Eat all you want, m'boy, you've earned it" Godfrey chuckled as the men sat down at the dining table to let the women gush over the engagement. Samuel was stuck between asking both parties questions but finally decided to sit down next to his future brother-in-law. Ratonhnhaké:ton reached into his coat pocket to reveal a gold coin he swiped on a previous trip to gift it to his little adventurer friend.
"You're the best!" Samuel declared gratefully to his first treasure and held the coin between both hands to study it. He'd never seen such a thing! Sure, stories were one thing but the imagination never prepared him for the real thing.
"Best save it for a rainy day so keep it safe" his father advised to instill good money skills in his children and his son nodded quickly with agreement. He'd never let it escape his grasp! He would make a little lock box to guard his newest treasure! It would stay in his possession for as long as he lived and would pass it off to his kids one day. Who else would believed his story if he didn't have proof?
Caroline groaned with embarrassment but laughed when her mother hugged her to sigh gently with lament, "My first little bird to leave the nest and make her own."
"It won't be soon, mother, it's still winter" she chuckled with burning rosy cheeks to the thought that she would run off with him within the week. They hadn't even built a homestead yet. Now that they were home, the multiple buildings that would begin construction would have her home added in. With Ratonhnhaké:ton investing his money into all of those ventures, she hoped he would have enough without losing heavily or going into debt. She had suggested staying in the manor but Ratonhnhaké:ton wanted privacy and a peace of mind with their new marriage.
"How pretty" Amelia smiled widely as she angled Caroline's hand to see the metal glint against the lanterns. The engagement had been expected by her family and she was happy for her sister. For their family, seeing the cultural significance of his ring to her increased their already high respect for him. Any other man would have forged a simple wedding band and she complimented, "I can't believe he had a gimmel ring made."
"Big Dave is quite talented" Ratonhnhaké:ton informed them of the gifted artisan because he'd gone past his expectations. The fact that Caroline could not stop smiling at her ring verified his choice in design and its maker. The man was skilled to design a multitude of metal items and he would always give him his business due to his dedication. Caroline, on the other hand, would be sending a few treats and a thank you card for his work.
"It's finally coming true!" Samuel exclaimed happily as he raised his hands over his head to rejoice. A wedding would now be inevitable between the two and that meant dancing and free food. Plus, he would achieve his dream of earning a big brother. Being the only son, he was waiting for the day when he would get a brother-in-law or two. Pretending to wipe tears of joy from his blue eyes, he sighed dramatically, "I've never been so happy in my life."
Caroline laughed to his cocky grin as he swiped one of Ratonhnhaké:ton's potato wedges and teased, "Goodness, you sound as if you're marrying him."
"I'm finally gaining him as my brother, that's been my dream for ages!" he declared ecstatically as he tried to refill his friend's plate like good brother but Ratonhnhaké:ton declined. The hot food was more than enough for the rest of the night and he still had to return to the manor. He offered his plate to Caroline since she hadn't eaten anything and she leaned over to grab a leftover potato wedge, prompting him to begin making a plate for her. She blushed to his caring mannerisms, remembering the days when her parents did so for her, but he never hesitated to fetch something for her. Samuel tapped his fingers on the table as he promised his older friend, "You won't regret this! I'll be the best brother there is!"
"You're already my brother" he chuckled softly with mirth, grateful that his adoptive family was ready to welcome him officially. Standing up to offer Caroline his seat, she waved a hand and sat down to his left to let him mingle with her little brother. Samuel had never stopped admiring him since childhood and she doubted it would finish when adolescence struck. Biting into a warm potato wedge, she wagged her eyebrows at her partner with amusement to their conversation.
She almost spit out her bite, however, when Samuel piped up excitedly, "Does this mean I can sail with you once you're married to Carrie?"
He hesitated on how to answer that minefield of a question but Catherine saved him by stating, "That's for us to decide."
Caroline laughed to his pitiful groan and Ratonhnhaké:ton told her parents with sincerity, "You always made me feel a part of this family, despite all of the conflict between our peoples. As a young man thrown into this strange world with nobody to turn to for advice, you helped me without question and that is something I will never forget."
Catherine waved a modest hand to dismiss their coddling since he'd won a spot in her heart when he'd admitted his origins. He had eluded them with his solitary nature after their arrival but she managed to reel him in with hot fresh food. Godfrey was in similar agreement as he chuckled heartily and his wife squeezed her husband's shoulders with a fond smile, "We always dreamed of a large family."
Ratonhnhaké:ton was grateful in a way that no word was suitable for the kindness they shared. They had sheltered, taught, and fed him, leading him to the one he loved. His modest smile widened at seeing Caroline devour her meal, causing her to blush with modesty to her eager bites, and he remarked, "You raised a wonderful daughter who quite frankly, I should've married years ago. I will protect and love her with the same strength you have and do not worry, we will never leave Davenport."
They had invested too much time and labor into the town to simply leave it for another. Their family and friends were there and after being one of the first to arrive, it was fitting for them to raise their own family. His culture was matriarchal and he was humbled to join Caroline's family after the care they had shown him before he had even fathomed falling for her. He would never worry about leaving their future children in their care since the future Burnett grandparents carried an axe and shotgun, respectively.
"I have asked for her hand in marriage but . . . there is something I must tell you before our wedding occurs" he explained hesitantly with regret because although they were eager to start a life, her family deserved the truth. They needed to know the dangers he would place her in if the Templars ever found out about him. His conscience would not rest easy if he kept the truth from them and something happened to either of them. Remembering how upset Caroline had been, he wanted to do it right this time. Looking to his partner, who had finished her meal and was quickly wiping her lips with a napkin, he sighed, "I have to tell them, Caroline."
"I . . . I understand" she agreed solemnly to revealing that in the midst of their engagement and hoped it went well for all their sakes. She would hate for a brawl to break out or for her parents to recant their approval. They were already pushing boundaries with an interracial union but one that brought in assassins and ancient technology pushed it.
"Although Caroline and I have traveled on adventures, there is a reason for that apart from trading and helping the Patriots in this war" he began slowly to piece together the most concise and easiest way to reveal the truth to avoid confusion or misunderstanding. Keeping them bound to his words for hours would not do with the late evening upon them. With winter in full blast and the sun setting early, the town residents headed to bed early to stay bundled and warm. Taking a deep breath, he hoped for the best outcome and looked to his partner for support, "I have no qualm telling your parents and your sisters but I am not sure if Samuel and Alice are ready to grasp it."
Alice's brown eyes darted between the two as she covered her mouth to whisper meekly, "Is it bad?"
"I can take it!" Samuel exclaimed bravely with a thump to his chest as he proved the opposite of his older sister. The serious expression on the couple's faces were not filling him with confidence as Caroline shook her head. He was still a young boy and she didn't want him pulled into their grim world. There was still innocence in his eyes and despite his eagerness to step into adolescence, she was determined to protect her youngest sibling. Pouting dejectedly, he appealed to her good side by reminding, "What about the bedtime stories?"
"To your rooms" Catherine ordered gently as the mama bear to shoo her two youngest to their beds. Alice listened without a peep while Samuel groaned the whole way to his bedroom, his miserable pleas echoing through the hallway. Patrick and Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh to his dramatic protests but quieted when Catherine cleared her throat. Turning to her unofficial child, she acknowledged their undivided attention, "Go on, dear."
Martha and Amelia stuck close to their mother while Elizabeth found a seat between her sister and Patrick at the table. With the whole Burnett family present, minus the youngest, Ratonhnhaké:ton began carefully, "Well. . . there is another war raging between two secret factions. . ."
"Did I just hear all that?" Godfrey asked with sheer disbelief to what had been revealed about the secret order of assassins. His neighbor had been a part of it since meeting? The quiet young man that lent everyone a helping hand was in the middle of a secret war? Even old man Achilles? He found it hard to believe but the serious expression in Ratonhnhaké:ton's eyes told him otherwise. The man had yet to lie to anyone and doubted he would begin now.
"Just when you think he can't be any more heroic, he blindsides you!" Elizabeth exclaimed proudly as she raised her arms to praise her friend, smiling brightly. She just knew he was more than a simple native exploring the world and living day by day. Her sisters sighed under their breath with embarrassed expressions to her reckless enthusiasm as she failed to capture the danger. The young redhead nodded to her eldest sister with approval to compliment, "You picked a good husband."
"Only you would feel that way, you scamp" Caroline chided gently as she smacked her sister's knee playfully to settle her giddiness. Elizabeth stuck out her tongue briefly but withdrew it when she spotted her mother's glare, choosing not to egg her on. The last thing they needed was an angry mother bear that grounded everyone. The older redhead shook her head because her little sister held a heroic view of jumping into danger while Caroline had experienced it firsthand. It was not all glamour and courage, leading her to admit, "It takes a while to absorb the whole forced world order battle."
"I think it's fitting" she retorted to protect her friend since she'd always fight in his corner.
"Only because you haven't been out there" Caroline pointed out firmly to have her understand the seriousness of fighting a secret war you never knew existed under your nose. Her little sister walked the same footsteps of her youth but had yet to grasp the ugly truth of adventuring. Recovering from lacerations or internal bruising, dodging incoming bullets, dry tasteless food, lack of hygiene, and endless work to survive were just the basics when starting out. She was lucky to have Ratonhnhaké:ton now as her captain and confessed, "I was like you once and that naivety leaves when someone's brandishing a gun or sword at your face. It isn't all fun and games, Eliza."
Catherine smacked her eldest on the arm, drawing her attention away from a pouting Elizabeth, and she chastised, "Only you would find yourself in a secret war spanning generations."
"I'm not even in the Order!" she insisted helplessly under the sharp motherly gaze and flashed her an innocent smile to boast, "I'm a prospective conscript."
Patrick burst into laughter to her bargaining chip and burst her bubble by reminding, "You're marrying the leader, it's practically official."
She waved his rationality away with both hands to shut it down and shot back, "But not confirmed."
Godfrey cut their humorous banter by reaching over the table to grasp his eldest's hand. She had been a tiny baby in his arms years ago and although he knew one day he'd have to let her go, he wanted it to be to a safe home. He didn't want to outlive any of his children and knowing her penchant for risky adventure, asked carefully, "You want this lifestyle, Caroline?"
"I want a safe world for my family" she answered earnestly because her father had brought their entire family to live in a safe place. War was raging in multiple communities and that didn't bode well for her, her family, and any future one of her own. She would follow Ratonhnhaké:ton in his fight to bring justice and peace to their colony, even if it meant upsetting her loved ones. Her family always came first, even if they didn't agree, and she pointed out quietly, "Connor's the one risking his life more than me. I simply tag along to watch his back, that's all."
"I would never put her in harm's way" Ratonhnhaké:ton assured her concerned father because he understood their protectiveness for their children. Despite only experiencing that bond with his mother, he would never seek to damage Caroline's. He respected her family too much to cause them harm or emotional hurt.
Godfrey knew he could take on a small militia after hearing his friends at the Christmas party. Still, he was placing his daughter's safety in jeopardy if either missed incoming danger. His daughter had survived her travels so far but would her luck run out? Although he could ban her from venturing out, he couldn't stop her from running off with him. She wasn't like Alice or Amelia that obeyed and he sighed softly to inform them, "I can accept this on the condition that you will keep her safe and if you ever have children, she stays here-"
"Boban!" Caroline objected quickly because her heart would follow his in any dangerous situation. Was she expected to abandon him simply because she'd given birth?
"Carrie, it's one thing when it's you and him but creating a family means the children come first" her father pointed out firmly because he sacrificed days alongside Catherine in order to put food on the table for their children. He loved his wife immensely but once their children arrived, they were the primary focus and he hoped the same would apply to the young couple before them. Meeting her reluctant gaze, he drove his main point across with fatherly advice, "Priorities change with marriage, especially when children are brought into it."
"I don't plan on ever tearing her away from our family, this is my fight" Ratonhnhaké:ton promised because he would never leave any children from their union alone without either of them. Caroline moved to object but he shook his head, grasping her left hand into his. He would protect her as fiercely as any future children, aiming to keep them safe from the Templars. Releasing a small sigh, he told them the endgame of his mission, "It ends when I kill Lee. . .and my father."
All their faces shifted between confusion and bewilderment to his declaration, leading Caroline to chuckle awkwardly to reveal, "Did he mention his father is the biggest evil villain in this?"
"Your father? Did you meet the lout?" Godfrey questioned defensively because he'd heard enough from the mild-mannered native to know he deserved better. Abandoning your child and ignoring their existence was the biggest insult to parenthood, angering the Scotsman. He couldn't imagine doing the same to his children and Ratonhnhaké:ton was a kind person that warranted an honorable father figure to watch over him.
"Unfortunately, last year when I was incarcerated by his doing" he admitted with reluctance to the first true meeting with his father. He had barely acknowledged his existence and was more driven to see his life extinguished to save his allies. He shouldn't have cared after being ignored for most of his life but it hurt to be discarded like a stray dog of no concern. As a man, he swallowed the truth bitterly but as an orphan, it simply solidified that the only parent who loved him perished long ago. Caroline drew him out of his rumination with a gentle squeeze to his hand and he cleared his throat to grudgingly confess, "It was not a kind reunion. It's not every day you order the execution of your child."
"He kept you in prison?!" Godfrey exploded angrily because he'd heard about the ordeal from Catherine once he realized their three daughters were missing. He had been ready to head out himself when the girls returned and Caroline told him the uncensored truth late at night when everyone had gone to sleep. If his innocent son had been placed in jail, he'd do everything in his power to free him- not convict him. He clenched his fists as he felt his inner rage surfacing onto his face, reddening his fair cheeks, and sputtered, "If I ever . . . what kind of father- ah!"
Amelia switched out his ale mug for a cup of water and shushed gently, "Calm down, boban."
The Burnett family was protective of Ratonhnhaké:ton and to hear that revelation about his paternity was disturbing and discouraging. He had been nothing but a good friend and neighbor to them which was why Catherine coddled him into the family. Godfrey grabbed the cup to take a quick sip to calm himself and muttered grimly, "He might have had a hand in creating you but he's no father."
"I hoped he'd turned tail and sailed across the ocean, not became your enemy" Catherine sighed with disillusion to hearing that and rested her hands on her husband's shoulders. He wasn't vocal about his affection but Ratonhnhaké:ton had grown up like a son to them. They didn't want him to be mistreated by anyone, much less his own father, and she lamented sympathetically, "I'm sorry, my dear."
Ratonhnhaké:ton had grown painfully immune to the setbacks of his young life but refused to let them knock him down. If anything, they served to fuel his resolve for justice in the world. He wasn't meant to have a happy life, not with his origins, and whispered, "I am . . . I've accepted the hardships of my life."
Caroline squeezed his hand to remind him that he wasn't alone anymore in his road. She would be by his side for good or worse to protect him from harm. Martha crossed her arms as she tried to process the information and gazed at Amelia to ask quietly, "Did we step into a fantasy book?"
"I'm still trying to grasp the secret assassin part" Amelia answered frankly because she never expected to hear anything like that. Due to the engagement, she had expected to hear that the two would move elsewhere to be closer to his village. Instead, she'd heard about a secret war. Their friend had always been rather sharp and wiser than her siblings so she suspected he had a secret job years ago. When it was revealed that he captained the Aquila, she assumed that was it until now. Meeting Martha's uncertain gaze, she murmured faintly, "It does explain certain things."
"Let me put out some coffee, this sounds like it'll be a while" Catherine announced quickly since the cold bite of nighttime would soon be upon them. The burning fireplace and hot coffee kept the cold at bay and with the recent news, they needed clear heads and open hearts. Spotting Elizabeth's sneaky smile, she wagged a motherly finger to deny her more energy, "None for you."
"Aww" Elizabeth frowned with disappointment because she enjoyed the hot bitter drink. She looked to her sisters for a freebie sip but all three shook their heads. Blasphemy.
Ratonhnhaké:ton took a deep breath to conclude his story on the assassins and explained, "My father is the leader of the Templar Order and I lead his enemies, the Assassins. When I end him, the northern colonies will be free of the Templars and my mission will be complete."
"Another friend of ours is handling the southern resistance" Caroline added in helpfully since his plan was to drive them out of the north. With Aveline leading the south, she could scatter and hunt down the remaining forces and finally extinguish the Templars. It was a chess game with each calculated move claiming either a win or loss for them and now, both sides were eerily calm.
"You know a lot for a mere recruit" Martha remarked suspiciously to her intricate knowledge of a secret order. Her sister had never been a dunce so she highly doubted that she only knew a few tidbits about her fiancé's secret life. Her memory quickly flew to their trip to New York and wondered if she'd known about him back then as well.
"I learn quick on my feet?" she offered innocently to her grasp on certain topics and chuckled awkwardly. She could fib to strangers with a straight face but she couldn't do it to her family. Her life had been tightly intertwined with his, accidentally tripping into his secret life until he could no longer avoid it. Shrugging gently, she sighed under her breath to admit sheepishly, "I've been doing this since 1774-"
"What?!" her mother interjected with wide eyes because that was around the time she disappeared. Ratonhnhaké:ton had been completely distraught and she had ruled him out as being part of her runaway plot. Had they been working for the same group without knowing?
"I accidentally boarded an Assassin allied ship" she justified carefully because she didn't know anything until last year. She had simply assumed her life was on the riskier side due to the adventure and cargo carrying ships. When boarding the Aquila, she hadn't batted an eye at it either. With all eyes focused on her, she felt cornered for clarification and explained hastily, "I met Duncan and Aveline onboard then the rest was history. I mean, I didn't know about their lot until last August so I was also in the dark."
Elizabeth tapped the table with her fingertips before leaning closer to ask Ratonhnhaké:ton, "Can she truly fight or is it all bluff?"
"Eliza!" everyone groaned to her breaking the ice as she smiled impishly to hear more about their adventures at sea. With Samuel tucked away in his room, she was the only one with access to this juicy secret.
He deliberated on how to answer that question because his partner was a force now that she had found her confidence in navigating. She had started out as a modest scout on the crow's nest but first-hand experience and reading boosted her out of that shell. Her willingness to learn was her best asset which is why he found her a suitable candidate for his order and replied carefully, "She can . . . she's one of my top officers onboard the Aquila."
Caroline smiled proudly but before hearts filled her eyes, her bubble burst when her father questioned, "Are you two running off anytime soon?"
"Not unless a nearby trade route at sea needs supervision" Ratonhnhaké:ton answered truthfully because he didn't want to undertake long voyages for the first half of the year. The town would be at work building the new school and general store so he needed to be present to lend a hand. Although he loved the calmness of the bay area, he wanted to stay home to also begin planning his future with Caroline. That is, if her parents didn't kick him out after tonight.
"Next time you head out, you let me know" Godfrey ordered with a fatherly wag of the finger at the young couple before informing, "Because I'll be tagging along."
"Boban!" Caroline yelped with embarrassment to having him onboard supervising their work. Did he not trust them to make decisions? They came back safe and well from every trip! Her cheeks burned red to the thought of her father inspecting her work and his, imagining the laughter that would hound her from the crew.
Godfrey shook his head because his concern as a father won out this time and he explained firmly, "I didn't fight you when you ran off last year to the Arctic of all places but this time, your old father needs to see what he's letting you do out there."
She buried her face in her hands to the thought of Ratonhnhaké:ton and her father onboard the Aquila. She could already imagine the sarcastic jabs from Robert or the Clutterbuck brothers. Had a navigator ever flung themselves into the ocean to escape mortification by their father? Ratonhnhaké:ton shocked her into silence when he nodded beside her, "Agreed."
"Connor!" she exclaimed shrilly to having their privacy infringed upon because the Aquila was meant to be their escape. When they were unable to find time to themselves in the forests of Davenport, his cabin on the ship or shore leave in another colony gave them space for a retreat. She loved her father immensely but she didn't want him invading their workplace.
Elizabeth whistled with a shameful flair before turning to her sisters to comment, "Uh-oh, she used his stage name."
Ratonhnhaké:ton did not want to end up in the figurative doghouse with Caroline but he also couldn't disrespect her father. A simple trip around the bay where Caroline could display her abilities would be simple enough for him. He didn't want to jeopardize his future with her and if they needed to endure a day without privacy, he would agree. His gaze met her embarrassed eyes and he spoke gently for her understanding, "I will do what I need to for your hand."
With a deep sigh, she nodded reluctantly because she trusted his judgment. Godfrey did not want to be the bad guy in the situation since he sought the safety and happiness of his children. His daughter had retreated from the conversation out of mortification while Ratonhnhaké:ton tried to reach a compromise for all parties. Catherine nudged her husband's back to remind him to not be overbearing and he stated calmly, "I'm not stopping your engagement or stomping into your work but I need to know what my kids are doing out there."
"She's quite talented, she has a few special skills that I didn't expect" Ratonhnhaké:ton told him to vouch for her abilities to defend herself and others. She had been a child eager to explore the forest for years until the thirst for adventure began. He had never expected her to undergo the changes she had but it only brightened her appeal to him.
"Apparently, seeing in the dark is a trait from our weird ancestors" Caroline muttered dryly to the insights she had discovered at his side. She hadn't expected to inherit anything related to a dead race but her life had tumbled off-course from the logical world into a mystical one. The ability certainly came in handy in the dark and wondered how many other people had that rare trait.
"I can't see in the dark" Amelia disagreed since the night left her as blind as a bat without a lantern at hand. Caroline had always managed to avoid crashing into their trunks or a wall during the night in recent years. Her assumption had been that her coordination had gotten better due to life at sea but apparently, it had been due to a change in sight.
Martha agreed with her sister by nodding and pouting lightly in disillusion, "Me either."
"Oh! Me! Me!" Elizabeth called out giddily as she raised her arms in the air for recognition. Patrick placed a hand on top of her head to keep her contained in her seat as she began to resemble a groundhog leaving its burrow. The smaller redhead was ecstatic to hear that she shared a similar eyesight trait with the two since it had surfaced only recently. Waving her hands frantically, she looked to the couple with optimism as she beckoned, "Pay attention to me!"
Caroline exhaled a sigh of disbelief before laughter passed her lips to the situation. Her little sister had always been hot on her heels and it was apparent that their similarities were more than skin deep. Brushing a hand over her head, she chuckled under her breath, "Why. . . why am I not surprised?"
"I am" Ratonhnhaké:ton confessed which led Caroline to shooting him a bewildered expression. Had he not seen her little minion of a sister following them for the past two years? It had been more of a coin toss when it came to her siblings and he'd expected either Elizabeth or his other choice. He shrugged slightly to let her know of his wager, "Frankly, I expected Samuel."
"You are too adorably innocent sometimes that it hurts" she laughed softly to his betting system as he lost to her and he frowned slightly to the remark. As he grew older, he wanted her to see him as anything but cute. It had worked when their affection was fresh and innocent but he sought to be her protector and husband. Surely that meant he was handsome and brave instead of cute? Her boot tapped his own to brush away that pout with a playful action and it was hard to say no, returning the tap.
"Can I be an Assassin?" Elizabeth broke in to burst their covert moment as she moved her chair closer to the couple. Her eyebrows wagged in emphasis for them to agree as she smiled hopefully for the chance. They could be in the same select group! Caroline and Ratonhnhaké:ton shared an apprehensive look on how to approach that minefield of an answer. She was young enough to begin training but her impulsive and short-tempered nature could hinder her success.
"Eliza, to your room!" their mother ordered swiftly to end any wide-eyed dreams, taking away the decision from the younger couple. As long as her children lived under her roof, she would protect them until they were ready to fly off. Her little redhead was smart but she was also brash which could end in disaster.
"You're still rather young" Ratonhnhaké:ton discouraged gently because his focus on training was Caroline. Divulging the truth to the family was done out of respect and currently, he wasn't looking to add her siblings as recruits. Maybe in later years when Elizabeth's headstrong nature calmed and Caroline had a good grasp on their order, they could teach her together. He understood she was eager to see the world but-
"You were fourteen so by training standards, I'm a year late" she piped up matter-of-factly as she shot him an innocent grin because that specific fact was important. If he could become an assassin at that age, why not her? Her sister might be teetering in uncertainty but a secret order excited her. She could travel the colonies on missions for her leader/friend/brother-in-law and waved a hand at her sister to jest, "Carrie's way overdue."
"I agree with mother, to your room" Caroline relented with a shake of her head to her insistence and pointed to the hallway. Alice and Samuel were quietly tucked away and Elizabeth would soon join them based on her curiosity. Her little sister pouted with disillusion to being ignored, especially when their mother shooed her towards the hall, and Elizabeth stood up with a disappointed sigh. Caroline didn't want to reject her sibling but it was a delicate subject, leading her to say, "We'll talk later."
"I never get to do anything" the redhead sighed sullenly but obeyed her parents to return to her bedroom. When would it be her time to shine? Closing the door to her room behind her, she kneeled on the floor to hear through the crack under the door.
"It appears the special sight runs in your family" Ratonhnhaké:ton explained carefully to the generational trait of that ability. He hadn't expected Caroline to have it and surprised him while exploring the dark dilapidated manor in the Caribbean. The family shot him another look of confusion to that reveal and granted them another tidbit of information, "Given that they were also Assassins."
Looking to Martha and Amelia, he informed the puzzled women with a kind smile, "On your maternal side, Blackburne's were in the Order. One captained the Aquila while Achilles fortified the Order before it slipped back to Mr. Faulkner."
"My namesake?" Catherine blurted with alarm because this was the first time she was hearing all of this. Her family had been nothing but hardworking farmers rooted in family and religion. They had never ventured past Scotland or traveled far until it came to her generation. By his description, his order was nomadic and her family stuck to the plains of home. Shaking her head, she didn't believe it and wondered if he'd gotten the wrong family, "But we're humble folk, we'd never-"
"We can be quite discreet as you can see" Ratonhnhaké:ton pointed out gently as he pointed to himself because nobody believed him. Caroline had left upon his reveal while her family tried to absorb the information as best they could. He sympathized with them because he'd been in their shoes when Achilles accepted him and parts of it sounded like a farfetched fantasy. Still, he carried on with his goal to be rid of the Templars.
"See, we're meant to be part of it!" Elizabeth's muffled voice echoed from the hallway and the entire family turned to see it empty. Even from her room, she was a regular in conversation despite being shut away.
"How can she hear from that distance?" Amelia asked with surprise to her sister's uncanny nature to meddle into everyone's business. It wasn't out of malicious intent but humorous purposes since it occupied her free time at home. She loved her horses and they took a lot of dedicated time but Elizabeth had energy large enough to fit two grown adults.
"I swear that girl hears through walls" Godfrey sighed under his breath to his wildest child now that Caroline had settled down. Two out of six wasn't too bad though and it humored him that they were his daughters instead of sons. His comment broke the tense air as the table burst into laughter to their resident redhead. Taking a sip from his hot coffee, he asked awkwardly, "That's not a thing too, is it?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton shrugged half-heartedly because his own senses were sharp and Caroline muttered, "You're not helping."
"Are we sure he's not a witch?" Elizabeth called out again to jump into the conversation, alluding to recent history. Everyone had heard about the Salem witch trials and they hoped to never have anything like that near their town. They were god-fearing people, along with Ratonhnhaké:ton respecting nature with his own spirituality, and nobody sought to harm each other.
"Do you see him flying on a broom?!" Martha blurted with astonishment to her accusation and wished she were present to smack her over the head. What would compel her to say such a thing? Amelia placed her hands on her little sister's shoulders before she darted into the hallway, keeping her in place. The brunette crossed her arms to calm herself and straightened her shoulders to declare, "Honestly!"
"Arm the witch!" their little sister retorted back with an impish laugh that almost made them consider she was one. Caroline buried her face in her hands with embarrassment because this was showing Ratonhnhaké:ton what kind of family he was joining. Only her family would joke about him being a witch. Her next words caused the whole family to sigh with aggravation, "I shall be a loyal minion!"
"Eliza!" Caroline hollered with burning cheeks because this wasn't how her engagement announcement was supposed to go. Well, she didn't know exactly how they normally went due to being the first of her siblings. What other girl in the new colonies would present her native fiancé and have the conversation twist into secret factions at war and apparently, witches?
"They fly on brooms?" Ratonhnhaké:ton asked with confusion because he'd heard the stories. However, that was one piece of information that was new to him. The more he heard about witches, the more fictional they sounded. Had innocent people been convicted for something unsubstantiated like witchcraft? Looking to his partner for answers, he added in with uncertainty, "How do you fly on a broom?"
Caroline laughed aloud, quickly covering her mouth, to the image of him flying off into the night sky. Her sister had an unrealistic imagination but it worked to settle her nerves. Witches were the last thing on her mind right now. Ratonhnhaké:ton was boggled completely while she controlled her laughing fit to exhale, "Thank you, I needed that joke."
"I expected a proposal celebration, not the revelations of a secret order, a dead race, and strange abilities" Godfrey laughed with disbelief to the night's events since the celebratory mood had turned down a darker road. The celebration drinks had turned to coffee and the congratulations had faded. This was the strangest engagement he'd experienced and he looked to his wife to double-check, "I'm not dreaming, am I?"
"Do not tell anyone about this, I can't stress that enough" Ratonhnhaké:ton reminded carefully because it was a secret that could kill someone. Anyone associated with his order could be targeted and he wanted to keep everyone safe. He couldn't let her family be in the dark about his life if his road ended tragically and also to inform them of Caroline's future. Leaning forward, he clasped his hands over the table to inform grimly, "Nobody else in town knows."
The family nodded slowly as they accepted the gravity of his situation and Catherine asked gently, "Will you tell them one day?"
"I. . . In time" Ratonhnhaké:ton hesitated because it was a delicate situation to handle. The bright side of that was that their town was tightly-knit and their secrets stayed in the town. Achilles would disagree with that thought and he'd likely be upset when he realized he'd told the Burnetts but they were his family. He would not have that burden on his shoulders and he stated quietly, "Right now, you are the priority."
"Carry on with your work but protect my daughter if you're pulling her into that world" Catherine warned carefully as her motherly concern flared, especially after the tumultuous years of Caroline's adolescence. The concern when she had left for her adventures always plagued her mind but Ratonhnhaké:ton had promised to always return her. She placed an immense trust in him and now that they intended to marry, the weight of that promise doubled. He would be her husband and entitled to the care of her oldest child for the rest of her life, even when she and her husband would no longer walk the earth. As a mother, the love for her children would never fade and she pointed out firmly, "You brought her back to me, don't take her away one day. My children are my world."
"I promise" he agreed without question because her safety was his priority. His life was in his control but he wouldn't pull Caroline's into any reckless actions that could harm her. He would be ashamed and disappointed if he failed her, making it a point to reinforce the crow's nest for her safety after the battle for the Belladonna.
"I will marry him, mother, regardless of where my life leads" Caroline vowed firmly because she hadn't fought tooth and nail to simply give up. They already faced a society that discriminated against interracial marriage and wouldn't let his secret life keep them apart. She loved her family and understood their concerns but at the end of the day, her heart belonged to him. Her blue eyes dulled solemnly as she informed her parents, "My life will be here but who knows if we will journey across the Atlantic or pioneer out west one day. No matter where I go, it will be with him."
Ratonhnhaké:ton released a long breath as his shoulders relaxed to unwinding that baggage. Caroline patted the center of his back as the couple stood on the porch of her home after finishing the news and revelation of his work in the Order. He had never expected the conversation to twist down multiple roads but he survived the ordeal. Still, his heart had been hammering as he hoped nobody chased him out the door.
"Did we fare well or not?" he asked with confusion to her family's opinion because his scenarios didn't play out. He hadn't been chased out by Godfrey and only Elizabeth had clapped happily for his secret work. Caroline had been furious and walked out on him but then again, her discovery had been unexpected.
"Time will tell" Caroline sighed softly since her parents were simple folk and didn't expect to hear about ancient beings and artifacts of technological power. This was far beyond any of their basic knowledge of the modern world. Shrugging casually, she painted a good image by stating confidently, "But I figure we did because boban would've grabbed Charlotte if he disagreed."
"I never want to have your father pointing Charlotte at me!" he exclaimed in a loud whisper to being chased away from her and Caroline covered her mouth to laugh. His alarmed expression was too much for her, adoring him even more. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she squeezed him close with a fond smile.
"It's Scottish tradition to have it done at least once!" she grinned cheekily to make light of their evening's events and he sighed softly with dismay. He was a pacifist by nature and being chased by her parents with a gun would terrify him. Kissing his cheek, she squeezed him by the shoulders to joke gently, "Kidding. You looked like you needed a joke."
"That's not. . ." he muttered flatly because his emotions had been on a swing from the moment he escaped the cave in Oak Island. Proposing to her had been nerve-wrecking after courting her for five months but thankfully, he was ready to take that walk into marriage. Revealing his secret life was only the cherry on top of that stress cake.
"Fine, I know you're not a barrel of laughs" she chuckled fondly as she released him to let him calm down, smacking his bottom with a giddy laugh. He gaped in shock to her daring move, disbelieving it happened, but Caroline pulled him by vest to kiss him on the lips. As if his heart wasn't beating fast enough already, her behavior doubled its beating into a frantic drum.
He backed away from her attempt to kiss him to avoid being discovered through the windows and hissed worriedly, "What if your parents see and they chase me? Or worse, forbid-"
She grabbed him by the hand to intertwine their fingers and ran downhill with a grin, "That's why we sneak away, silly."
Days later, Caroline would be glued to the crow's nest to avoid her father for the simple route down the Atlantic coast. Samuel had begged to follow along, which Ratonhnhaké:ton was open to due to the short trip south, but Godfrey wanted to focus on one child instead of two. Being a lumberjack, he was comfortable with two feet on the ground and the rocking ship unsettled him. Remembering the voyage to the New World, he had only wanted to experience it once and today was similar. He had to admire the young couple for managing to lead a team efficiently and Robert's compliments on the two calmed his heart that the two knew what they were doing. Despite their young age, they were wise and level-headed as he saw Ratonhnhaké:ton captain the ship with the navigation orders hollered from above by his daughter.
"Are you all right, Mr. Burnett?" Ratonhnhaké:ton asked carefully when he noticed the Scotsman hugging the banister beside him. Caroline had teased her father that he reminded her of Myriam but quickly shut up to the fatherly look of reprimand from below. He had not wandered far from his post since leaving Davenport and the calm bay had given way to the rocky waves as they headed into the sea.
"Not used to the open ocean" he answered carefully since he was accustomed to large plains and forested areas. The empty and endless sea was a different entity but he counted his blessings in being able to explore the world. Coming from a humble and poor background, he had been able to experience different lands unlike his ancestors and he had gifted the same opportunities to his children.
Ratonhnhaké:ton did not want him to become sick at sea and offered calmly, "We could start heading back-"
"Already?" Caroline's voice hollered with disappointment which caused Robert to burst into laughter. She had been the most eager to return so he couldn't determine whether it was genuine or an act. The young woman had become good at acting while his captain still stumbled in keeping up a fake identity.
A large wave lurched the ship upwards and Godfrey shook his head to admit with reluctance, "I give you kids credit. I couldn't do this all day and that's without some lout shooting at me."
Robert raised his alcohol flask to show off his friend at sea and laughed to offer a recommendation, "An ale or two calm the mind and stomach."
"And here I am thinking I'd worry about these two" Godfrey sighed at realizing the young couple would be fine without his interference and decided home was the best place for him. Being out at sea was not in his future and commended the two for handling the rough waves without a flinch. His daughter was more than happy at her post, whose height was daunting to him, and could hear her whistling a peppy tune into the wind. He had raised resilient children that didn't need their hands held anymore and he accepted that fact.
Ratonhnhaké:ton would be the one caring for his daughter once they married and decided to trust his judgment on their life decisions. His daughter was no longer a child that chased after him, choosing to ride the wind currents and waves with the young captain instead. Godfrey sighed softly under his breath to releasing his first little bird into the air and waved a hand to tell Ratonhnhaké:ton, "Let's go home before I hurl my breakfast."
"I will purchase a new one at the Mile's End if it happens" the young man joked gently as compensation and tried to detect the easiest current to guide the Aquila into to make the return trip easier. He respected Godfrey's concern over them but he would do his best to impress and receive his blessing. He had been the first resident that he had invited to make a homestead in Davenport and that meeting tied them together for life now that he would marry Caroline.
"Can I get a meat pie?" Caroline called down with eagerness to a fresh meal shared between the three, remembering the one from Amelia's test day. They had shared a myriad of memories since 1770 and there were more on the horizon for their family.
Ratonhnhaké:ton chuckled softly to her automatic order and gazed up at the crow's nest to holler back with a smile, "Whatever you want."
Godfrey sighed to the young couple's enthusiasm while he tried to constantly maintain his balance. Approaching the front banister that peered over the top deck, he leaned against it before glancing at the captain to request simply, "Just take care of my daughter, will ye?"
"Always, Mr. Burnett" he promised with a firm nod to the number one person he would cherish above all. He would abandon assassinating a threat for the welfare of his future wife and cast away any technology from the ancients if it meant her safety. That was one vow he would not break for his sake, her family's, and Caroline herself.
A/N: As promised, the next part of the engagement celebration. Just writing about winter makes me feel cooler while enduring scorching temperatures in my city for two weeks straight. Anyway, their engagement is official despite the hiccups and with Connor being an honest and honorable lad, he wanted to let her family know exactly who he was. The next chapter will see the two traveling to Boston, Amelia's new school, and another engagement in Davenport as spring is in full bloom.
Thank you to my readers and last chapter reviewers:
taylor115: Thank you, they grew up from those awkward kids in chapter 1 to being engaged adults. I researched the ring as much as I could and actually found it fitting for those two, given how close they are at work and home. I honestly did think about keeping them in the manor but this period in the story is also that turbulent time period between him and Achilles about their ideals before he runs off to Valley Forge. Also, I imagine the two would like their privacy as a new couple but I see the two overseeing or staying in the manor during winter in Achilles' later years.
Chriswill02: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it- especially the sympathy booze, haha. Haytham's death will definitely be covered since I plan on writing out the entire game for the story. I feel Caroline would understand there was no other alternative in that attack but she'll lament, similar to Connor, not being able to bridge peace in their relationship. Haytham saw his father die in front of him and he's being placed in a similar scenario where he would have to kill Connor and leave his child orphaned, repeating the cycle all over again to serve the Templar cause.
East Coast Captain: Ezio was a beast in being able to fight at that age and Connor has a stronger physical appearance than him so maybe he would be able to fight as efficiently. I can see him trying to tackle problems and fights while his kids tell him to sit down and read the newspaper. You brought up a very good question with the Trail of Tears. I haven't decided how far I'll take the story after the main story game-wise ends, I'll leave it up to the readers. Haha. I could always end their story and continue it by generation.
danelleprae: Thank you for coming back to catch up, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'll take a look at the repeat chapter, thank you for the heads up. The funny thing about the Kenway name is by paternity, Connor has it but he would never take the name- which will be seen when Haytham enters the story. Also, with him being from the Mohawk people, they are matrilineal which means Connor would take the name of his wife's family- hence, another interesting conversation with Haytham. He'll definitely be around when kids come into the picture which is another 'come to the dark side' talk.
Faron Oakenshield: I can't agree more! It's time the two have a happy reprieve before more drama unfolds- Haytham drama.
Stuff539: Thank you very much, especially about the action because I feel it doesn't carry enough yet. Lol. I always love hearing that readers love my fictional characters! I would love to read a book one day but have no idea on what genre.
Next Chapter Excerpt:
Caroline shut the door behind her as Ratonhnhaké:ton slipped inside their temporary home. She dropped her travel pack on the floor as the two entered her father's second floor of the Boston lumber office. Their recent engagement had been gossiped through the town and they had received offers for food from the innkeepers, attire from Ellen, rings from Big Dave, and even a gold nugget of luck from Norris. The two had been happy and relieved to see the positive remarks about their union, even more certain about building their home there.
Their current trip to Boston had been unexpected since she was scheduled to drop by later that week. That was, until Ratonhnhaké:ton managed to create a quarrel with Achilless and he asked to accompany her. He dropped his own travel bag beside hers and she teased gently as she poked his right shoulder, "You have to stop engaging Achilles in quarrels."
"I simply stated the truth" he reasoned simply as he stretched his shoulders from the ride there. Godfrey had entrusted the next load of orders with his wagon and Ratonhnhaké:ton drove it from Davenport to drop off the inventory. It had been the first time he had helped transfer goods from the mill and felt humbled that Godfrey trusted him with his business.
She shook her head to his stubbornness, unaware to why it kept lashing out towards the old man. Regardless, she didn't want him wandering somewhere unsafe to cool his head and offered her father's new apartment to him. She would rather have him somewhere safe than out in the wilderness where dangerous men could sneak up on him. The newly furnished living space held two separate bedrooms and a main room for leisure with a sofa and dining table. Her father had turned the building into a business with an apartment floor on top which increased its value and appeal to Caroline. She had joked to Ratonhnhaké:ton that they could set up base there but he had laughed since they were private people that preferred the outdoors.
Patting the sturdy walls of the place, she grinned confidently to reassure, "You're welcome to stay here until you two make up."
"Thank you and I am sorry if I'm inconveniencing you" he apologized because he did not want to pull her into the middle of his quarrels with Achilles. They had separate ideas when it came to handling the Templars and he'd begun to feel suffocated during the late winter.
"Nonsense" she dismissed with a scoff and leaned over to hug him around the shoulders. He smiled with appreciation to her endless affection and help, returning the embrace tightly. Her voice tickled his ear as she pointed out cheekily to her flexible lifestyle, "Seeing as the Aquila's docked and Templars are lying low, I'm free to roll into Boston to run the shop on the weekends."
"It will be a short stay, I simply need to clear my mind" he promised earnestly to prevent hindering her work or risk Godfrey knocking on the manor door. Caroline never complained but she would smack him over the head when he was stepping into something without a clear mind. Releasing her, he touched his forehead to hers to admit quietly, "I am realizing that I need my own space at times despite the large manor."
Achilles and Ratonhnhaké:ton had begun clashing recently as the revolution reached its height. The tension in the home often led him to wander out during the day but it was too cold to camp outside. Caroline had sent him packing when he'd asked to stay in the family barn and he had reluctantly rented a room at the inn. Although she was excited to begin building their home, he was looking for an escape and had become more proactive with the plan. She was almost curious to whether he'd speed up their estimated month for the wedding.
"Should we begin building our home?" she suggested helpfully with a wide smile to begin on their homestead. They had not sketched out their ideas yet but her father had offered his help to designing and building their first home. She was ready to begin the process and flicked her thumb towards the floor to offer, "We're already here, we could pick out lumber and order."
He nodded with agreement to that idea because the town was currently underway with the schoolhouse. The general store had reached completion and Walter was awaiting his goods and furniture to begin setting up shop. With the town being busy, he decided to begin their own work and suggested their treat for the evening, "Dinner at Stephane's?"
Caroline skipped in place with glee to seeing their friend and hugged him once more to declare with affection, "The man of my heart."
Thank you for reading!