Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 215

Chapter 215: Housework
Mia took a couple of slight detours through the sitting room as she helped clean and tidy the house and do her other chores. She didn’t strictly need to pass through there, but the pull of her magic continued to draw her towards Ford.

She couldn’t explain why.

She avoided looking directly at him, but she felt his dark eyes follow her every time she passed.

His gaze left her flustered, and she felt like a foolish child unable to bear the gaze of a man. He didn’t even look as if he liked her. That seemed unfair.

Hadn’t she found him, invited him for breakfast, been the catalyst for him having clothing and a place to stay? Didn’t that deserve his gratitude, not his ire?

And yet, she felt nothing but distaste from him.

During the heat of the day, after taking lunch to the men in the field and serving it at the house, the women settled in for the less vigorous tasks of the farm. Mia was repairing ripped clothing, while the older women worked on chopping and simmering rhubarb for preserves to last the coming year.

“Go sit down with our guest,” Sarah encouraged. “He’ll likely be bored after sitting alone all morning. If you need anything, we’ll be able to hear.”

“Oh,” Mia lowered her voice. “I don’t think he likes me at all.”

“He seems like he’s lived a difficult life,” Grandma’s eyes softened. “People who have been badly hurt take more time to trust others. Like your Aunt Annie.”

“Aunt Annie?” Mia repeated curiously.

“She was very hurt when she first joined the family, but it didn’t take too long for her to warm up to us,” Sarah smiled. “Ford might be the same. Or he might just be a grumpy person. Either way, everyone deserves a chance for friendship.”

Mia considered the words dubiously, but agreed to take her basket of sewing out to the sitting room. Her mother and grandmother would be able to hear if she stuck her foot into her mouth too badly and needed rescuing.

When she walked in, Ford’s eyes pinned her once again. She was startled by the depth in them, and cleared her throat.

“Grandma and Mama thought I should come keep you company for a while,” she explained, trying to emphasize that it wasn’t her idea to bother him or annoy him.

The magic pull remained, despite his cold attitude. She really needed to think of something specific to look for so that she wouldn’t drift towards him unconsciously.

“I see,” He responded a little flatly, but he shifted on the sofa and changed his expression slightly. She sat down in the furthest chair, semi-facing him, and began organizing her projects for the afternoon.

“Do you need anything before I get started?” She paused. “Some water?”

“I don’t need anything, thank you.” His voice was a little strained, but at least his words were polite. She snuck a glance at him, and he watched her openly.

“Have you had a pleasant day so far?” Mia tried to be conversational.

“I don’t like being still,” He frowned.

“I could help you move to the porch? The rocking chair would provide a little movement, and a view of the fields.” She suggested.

“No, here is as good a place as any,” Ford responded, and Mia sighed and got to work. Her fingers moved quickly, if a little more shakily than normal. She threaded her needle and worked to repair each of the tears, split seams, and fraying hems.

He was still watching her.

“It’s a bit rude to stare,” She kept her eyes on her sewing, but Ford shifted uncomfortably. She smiled, finally glad to have the upper hand, if even for a moment.

“How long do you work?”

The question perplexed her. “What do you mean?”

“You haven’t stopped doing things since I arrived, and you were doing things before I woke up. How long do you keep it up?”

“Keep up… doing things?” Mia tilted her head. “Mama says a farmer’s work is never done, but sundown keeps him from making any more progress.”

“So, until sundown?” He questioned.

“I suppose, but often we sit around the fire when it’s chilly, and I sew or crochet while Grandpa reads to us or has the crickets play songs,” She smiled.

“It is a strange magic,” Ford’s brow knit together. “I’ve never heard of a power like that.”

“They’re all different,” Mia shrugged, continuing to look at her sewing.

“You mentioned an uncle.” Ford prompted, “Two magic users in one family seems unusual.”

“Two? Try five,” She chuckled lightly, and almost missed a stitch. Was she saying too much? Mama hadn’t seemed to want her to talk about it, but it wasn’t a secret. If Ford went to town and asked, he would find out as much.

“Five??” He blinked at her, bewildered. “What can they do?”

“It’s all different,” Mia was glad to have his sincere attention. The irritation in his gaze had faded into interest… at least, that’s what she hoped. She didn’t want to stare at him long enough to figure it out, and accidentally invoke his dislike once more.

“But five?” He asked, his voice turning skeptical. “You can’t all have been born with that. It seems impossible.”

“Think what you want,” Mia threw him half of a smile. His eyes narrowed.

“You can’t be serious. You’re toying with me.”

“I am not,” She shook her head.

“It can’t be true.” He tried again, and she shrugged. “What can they do?”

“Uncle Trace has power in dreams, Grandpa, you’ve seen in action, Grandma has some control over sound, and one of my cousins… well, he’s still fairly young, so it’s a bit hard to explain without seeing. It has to do with recreating things he has seen.”

“That’s only four,” Ford pointed out.

Mia hesitated. She finally looked up at the young man sitting across from her.

“My magic is not very interesting,” She responded quietly.