A/N: Hello, just wondering if anyone is still reading my story? What do you think? Please let me know ;-)

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Jamie decided to postpone his trip for a few days to Wilmington to make sure the adjustment with Ellie went smoothly. They enjoyed breakfast together until Claire broke the news to Ellie that she wanted to work on reading, writing and math with her each day.

"I can do all that," Ellie complained as she helped Claire carry their dishes into the kitchen.

"I'm sure you can, but it won't hurt to continue learning," Claire replied firmly.

"For how long?" Ellie grumbled.

"We'll work on lessons for an hour a day and then you'll have an hour of independent reading to do," Claire replied.

"Uhhhh….reading," Ellie grumbled.

"It will be fun," Claire replied optimistically.

"Sounds like a blast," Ellie replied with sarcasm to her voice.

"And ye will be responsible for chores each day," Jamie chimed in.

"Uhhhh, chores? What are those?" Ellie whined.

"They're jobs you'll be responsible for each day….cleaning, caring for the animals, working in the garden…it could be anything Jamie or I need help with you," Claire explained.

"You guys are killing me," Ellie sighed. "I mean, there's nothing like laying down the law right away…uhhhh!"

"It will keep ye out of mischief," Jamie replied. "And I promise it willna kill ye." Jamie smiled and pat her on the head. "Ye can start by helping Lizzie with the breakfast dishes." Ellie rolled her eyes with disapproval.

"Well, I have an appointment to get to," Claire said as she hurried from the kitchen.

"Ah'm going to check on how the new families are adjusting," Jamie said. Tom Christie and many new tenant families had just moved to Fraser's Ridge and were working on building their settlement. Jamie was the proprietor of the land and monitored the activities and settlers there.

"Are there kids?" Ellie asked excitedly.

"Aye," Jamie replied.

"Can I come?" she asked excitedly. "I can do the dishes after. Please Mr. Jamie." Jamie looked toward Claire and she nodded her head in approval. She thought it would be good for Ellie to get to know her way around the ridge.

"Aye, ah'll have a horse saddled up for you," he replied.

"Ummmm….I don't know how to ride a horse," she replied worriedly.

"Ye can learn," Jamie replied. "After ye help with the dishes, we will leave." Ellie was nervous and excited as she headed out to the barn with Jamie. Jamie's horse was saddled and waiting, as well as a small chestnut mare with a white blaze on her face. "This is Gretta," Jamie announced as he handed her reins to Ellie. "Ye can lead her outside." Ellie took the reins nervously and walked forward with Gretta. Once outside, Jamie taught her how to get into the saddle. Once she was settled, Jamie mounted his horse and explained the basics to her. Excited, Ellie followed Jamie at a walk. As they walked, Jamie explained the different gaits to her, but said they would only walk today.

After about twenty minutes, they arrived at a small church that several men were working on. Jamie dismounted and then helped Ellie down. A small, portly man approached them. "Hello Jamie," he greeted.

"Tom," Jamie replied. Ellie could immediately sense the tension between them. Tom's eyes immediately went to Ellie.

"Who is the lass?" Tom questioned.

"This is Ellie, she'll be staying with us," Jamie replied. Tom's eyes met Ellie's and it made her uncomfortable. She thought he was a creepy looking man.

"You can stop staring now," she snapped. Tom's eyes widened with surprise. He looked up at Jamie with disapproval. Although Jamie appreciated her assertiveness, he knew he had to correct her for her disrespect toward her elders. He took her arm and led her away.

"Ellie, ye cannae speak to adults like that," Jamie stated firmly.

"He's creepy," she responded. "I didn't like the way he was looking at me."

"Ye let me worry about Tom," Jamie assured. Ellie walked around with Jamie and waited while he talked with the settlers.

"How do ye ken Mr. Fraser?" questioned a voice from behind her. Ellie spun around to find a pretty girl with long, black hair and dark eyes. "Ah'm Malva Christie, ye just met ma father, Tom," she said.

"Oh hi, I'm Ellie," Ellie responded. She wasn't sure how to respond to Malva's question since her and Jamie never talked about it. She glanced around quickly for Jamie but couldn't find him.

"Are ye related to Mr. Fraser?" Malva questioned.

"Now I ken how ah recognize ye!" boomed Tom's voice as he appeared behind Malva. Ellie's heart began to race. "Ye are the little thief who stole our food!" The settlers became curious and gathered around them. He reached down and grabbed her by the back of her dress. "This is the thief!" he announced to the settlers. "Ah recognize her eyes!" Ellie frantically tried to release herself.

"Take ye're hands off of her Mr. Christie, now!" ordered Jamie's voice. Tom released her and Ellie flung herself toward Jamie and hid behind him.

"She's a thief," Tom Christie announced. "The lass should be horsewhipped!"

"Thief, thief, thief," chanted the settlers. Ellie was terrified and was shocked that Tom had recognized her when she didn't even recognize him.

"Mr. Christie, this is ma land and ah will decide what happens to this child," Jamie stated firmly. Jamie looked around at the settlers. "Ye all have ma word that this lass willna be stealing from ye again," Jamie announced. "Ah'm sorry."

"If ah catch this lass around ma belongs again, ah will take matters into ma own hands Mr. Fraser," Tom Christie threatened.

"Ye willna," Jamie ordered as he took a step closer to Mr. Christie. "If ye ever put a hand on her, ah will make sure ye never do it again. Do ye understand, Mr. Christie?" Mr. Christie turned and walked away without responding. Jamie could feel Ellie's small hands clutched onto his waist. He took one of her hands and gently pulled her in front of him. Ellie threw her arms around him frantically. "T'is ok lass," he said gently as he stroked the back of her hair. "Mr. Christie willna be a problem." He could feel her shaking and lifted her into his arms and carried her over to their horses. "Ah think we should go back home," he said gently as he lifted her into the saddle. Ellie gathered the reins and glanced around at the settlers. They were all still staring at her. She was worried that they all hated her and wanted revenge.