Chapter 20
POV: Sorsha?
I was still reeling, unable to picture so much money. Even the ten crowns he gave me were a fortune.
My father and Ryan must have been beyond ecstatic. No wonder they had new clothes and boots. And yet, he couldn’t spare more for a decent wedding dress—just one that was probably on sale, miles too big.
Well, at least it wasn't threadbare with holes.
The trip to Mount Pinnacle had opened my eyes in more ways than one. Callum carried his own cross, something inside him he couldn’t control.
I knew what that felt like—living without control. But those days were over. The way Callum treated me gave me confidence.
I wasn’t useless, even though the thought popped into my brain often enough. Once I learned to read, I’d be on par with everyone else.
A giggle escaped me. Callum thought I was good at numbers. If my mother had been able to read, I’m certain she would have taught me. But she’d been crushed under her father’s rule even worse than I had.
Falling pregnant had been her only escape from a bad situation. Except hers hadn’t improved. For a fleeting moment, the thought crossed my mind that the same might happen to me.
But I wouldn’t let it.
If that did happen, I had money, and I knew where my papers were. But first, I would learn to read.
I hid the money in a pair of shoes beneath my underwear. Not the perfect hiding place, but it would do until I found something better.
Walking to the market no longer felt like a chore. I quickly bought everything we needed—bread, meat—and ordered ice blocks for delivery.
I wandered into Nora’s, just to waste time and build courage before facing Edith. A lovely woven shawl caught my eye, matching my cardigan perfectly, and after much hesitation and encouragement from Nora, I bought it and slung it around my neck.
Even though I’d told Callum I could handle Edith, I was a little intimidated but also stubborn enough not to back down. I held my head high and began browsing.
Edith stood behind the counter, rigid and still, her expression anything but welcoming.
My heart raced, but I kept strolling until I found the paper Callum had described. One sheet cost half a crown!
But Callum said we needed one.
Rolling it carefully, I carried it to the counter. “Is this the correct price, or do you have a different one for me?” I asked.
She pursed her lips and held out her hand. Instead of placing the coin in her palm, I set it on the counter, then turned and walked out, pride swelling in my chest.
Behind me, I heard her curse. “Dumb bitch,” she hissed.
I walked home swinging my basket until I saw a well-dressed gentleman carrying a bunch of wild flowers. Only when he was closer did I realize who it was.
Ryan!
Completely amazed at the transformation, I looked him up and down. His hair was cut, and his clothes were clean. He looked handsome and decent. I waited to speak to him, but he crossed to the other side, avoiding me.
I watched his receding back, completely astounded that he hadn’t dared to say one word to me. Was he adhering to the contract? And where was he going with those flowers?
When he was a good distance away, I followed, hiding behind trees so he wouldn’t see me. I couldn’t stop the gasp when I saw him go into the General Store.
What was he up to?
Was he seeing Edith?
Were the flowers for her?
It couldn’t be. Edith thought we were trash. I was sorely tempted to sneak closer, but I’d have to be right at the door to see anything.
I walked home deep in thought, wondering who was using whom.
Callum was in the forge, hammering at something, and I crept closer to see what he was making.
“Knives?” I asked.
I circled the forge and promptly tripped over something on the floor. The basket went flying, but before I could fall, a steel-strong arm caught me.
“What is this?” I asked a little breathlessly, staring at the square box that I’d just tripped over.
“It’s a sandbox for you to practice your letters,” he explained, steadying me before letting go.
He picked up the basket and gathered the scattered items, as well as the sandbox, while the paper had floated further away, half against the door.
“Nooo,” I said, snatching it up. “What do we need this for if I’m going to practice in the sandbox?”
“It will be the master copy. I’ll write all the letters here, and you can always refer to them while you practice.”
Ah. That was clever—especially since paper was so expensive.
I followed him into the kitchen, still feeling the heat from his arm around my waist, even though he no longer touched me. I liked it when he did. Humans need affection, and Mabel, though a horse, became my surrogate for it, until now.
“And? Did Edith give you a hard time?”
I shook my head. “But I saw Ryan on my way, and you won’t believe this. He was nicely dressed, carrying a bunch of flowers, and he went into the general store… I think to meet Edith, although she hates us and thinks we’re trash,” I rattled out in one breath.
Callum frowned. “Well, your brother was popular with the girls in school.”
“Really?”
“Hm-mm. And if you’d gone to school, you would have been even more popular,” he said, flattering me.
He took the sheet of paper and smoothed it flat on the table.
“Please. I’m not pretty like Ryan is handsome.”
“Go and look in the mirror. You’re gorgeous.”
He stepped closer, tipping my chin up. His eyes searched mine for a heartbeat before his mouth brushed against my lips—soft at first, then lingering. The warmth of his lips deepened, coaxing a shiver through me, and he drew back only far enough to whisper against my mouth.
“Totally kissable.”
I felt heat rush up my neck and smoothed the paper flat just to give my hands something to do.
“Do you have time to write the alphabet for me?” I asked.
“I’ll make time,” he said with a grin. “Let me fetch my fountain pen.”
This was it—I was finally going to learn to read.
Callum returned with a small tray holding three fountain pens.
“Right. I’m only going to write the first four letters, and you can sound them out while practicing in the sandbox, okay?”
“Okay.”
I moved in close beside him, watching the steady movement of his hand as he formed each letter. Aa, Bb, Cc, and Dd. His script was strong, deliberate, and it didn’t look too hard.
He explained how to pronounce them phonetically, but I already understood. It all clicked—and I couldn’t help but let out a little laugh of excitement.
“Okay, practice for an hour or so, and then we’ll have lunch, agreed?”
I nodded and pulled the sandbox closer, eager to begin.
“Hang on.” He darted out the door and came back seconds later, handing me a steel pin shaped like a pen. “This is your pretend fountain pen. Here’s how you hold it.”
He slipped it into my hand and adjusted my grip, his warm fingers guiding mine into place. His chest brushed my shoulder as he leaned over me, and my breath caught. He lingered a moment too long, only letting go when I shuddered.
Then he closed the door and removed the pair of scissors hanging there and hammered in two nails at the top, and hung up the paper.
With a wink, he left me to it.