“I do not have the money for them.” Bree scowled at Sophia. “Drop it Sophia.”
Sophia grinned. “She shows some spirit. I was beginning to think she would be a scared, creeping mouse forever.”
“Sophia, enough my love.” Avery said quietly. “Bree, you can’t go without boots.”
“I can and I will.” Bree replied.
“Tristan will not let you learn to use a sword without wearing boots.” Avery said simply.
Bree sighed and looked at the floor. “I do not have money for them.” She repeated quietly.
“How will you travel to Vanden if you have no money?” Sophia asked suddenly.
Bree flushed. “I thought I might see if there is a family in town who is looking to hire a housekeeper.”
Sophia frowned. “This is not the city Bree. People here still use slaves.” Her nose wrinkled with distaste. “You will not find a family who will pay you to work for them.”
Bree could feel the tears threatening to fall. She had come up with her plan on the ride to town, and had been proud of herself for devising a way to make some money. She was anxious to return to Draken’s home and save her brother, but after some time to think on it she had realized she could not make the journey without money. Although she was worried for her brother, she knew that Draken would not kill him. By now Kaden would know she had escaped the Lycans during the hunt.
She sniffed and blinked rapidly. She suddenly missed Kaden so much it was a physical ache in her belly. She wished there was a way she could tell him she was safe. He would know she had escaped the beasts, but he would not know if she had survived beyond that.
“Bree?” Avery’s arm was suddenly around her. Without thinking about it, Bree turned and hugged the redhead. She buried her face in Avery’s neck and breathed deeply. Avery rubbed her back and kissed the side of her head.
“What is wrong my love?”
“Nothing.” Bree whispered. “I just – I miss my aunt very much.”
“Of course you do.” Avery answered, stroking her hair lightly. “We will hire you to work in our household. A few months and you will have the money you need to visit your aunt.”
Bree leaned into Avery. Warmth was radiating through her entire body and she already felt better. “You said you had no need for more workers.”
Avery put a hand under her chin and tipped her head up gently. “Aye, but I bet Marian will disagree with me. She will be more than happy to have help with laundry and cooking, and other house duties.”
“Mama – “ Sophia began but Avery gave her a look that quieted her instantly.
“Now,” Avery wiped away the tears on Bree’s cheeks with her thumbs, “you must go and pick out some clothes that fit. Pick out some pairs of pants, and a few shirts and a dress or two. We will take these boots and find you a pair of shoes as well.”
Bree opened her mouth to object and Avery pressed her hand gently over her lips. “You can pay me back with your first week’s wages. Deal?”
“Deal.” Bree smiled happily at her before crossing the store to the shelves piled high with clothing.
“Mama, you said earlier that you don’t believe she has an aunt in Vanden. Why are you pretending otherwise?” Sophia asked once Bree was out of earshot.
“She obviously needs money for something. And there must be a reason she has asked to learn how to fight with a sword. Perhaps with time she will trust us enough to tell us the truth, and allow us to help her.” Avery replied.
“James likes her.” Sophia said suddenly.
“Aye, he does.” Avery smiled fondly at Sophia. “Do me a favour my sweet Sophia, and do not tease him about her.”
Sophia grinned at her. “Will you ask Nicky the same favour mama?”
Avery returned her grin. “I already have. He has promised to be on his best behaviour.”
* * *
“Bree! Look at what I can do!”
Bree turned from where she was hanging the bed sheets on the line, and watched as Leta did a cartwheel. She clapped loudly and the girl bowed deeply.
“Well done Leta!”
“Thanks. Sophia showed me how to do it last week, and I’ve been practicing every day.”
The little girl watched as Bree continued to hang the sheets on the line.
“Do you like it here Bree?”
“I do.” Bree smiled. “Your family is very kind.”
“Do you like me?”
“Very much so.” She winked at the little girl.
She pinned the sheet carefully to the clothesline and began to hang the next one. Over the last four weeks she had grown very fond of Leta and the rest of her family. She snorted softly. Fond was an understatement for how she felt about Avery. She was fooling herself if she tried to pretend that she didn’t love the Red.