Chapter 2 Stalled infatuation

The next day Olivia stepped out from the stables and wiped her forehead before walking over to get a drink of water.

“Madame are ye almost done with the mucking?” Ask Elliot McTavish the stable man. He new little Miss Macdonald was a handful. She could ride and climb better than any boy. He admired her for being a very capable lass at the youthful age of 9 years. Her mother could ride too. She was the spiting image of her mother.

“Almost Mr. McTavish. I have one stall left. “ she said with a grin. “Father could have pick something worse for me to do.”

“I,, he could have. I think he was giving some leeway while trying to tame ye..” he laughed.

“I have to go meet the farrier at the other end of the field for the lame colt. You should have it done by the time I get back, so get to it..” He winked with a rueful smile.

Olivia turned to go in the barn a few minutes after Mr. McTavish left to see Graham and Rory Gordon starring at her with mischief in their eyes. . They were a year older than Olivia. They love to give her a hard time .

“Hey Graham do ya smell something? “ The two boys laughed as they stood at the fence and watched Olivia.

“Yeah smells like horse dung Rory!” Olivia rolled her eyes at the two boys as they laughed.

“You think your funny don’t yah. Well we can settle this right now ye weak knee frog.” Olivia stepped up and through her gloves on the ground. Gazing at them with contempt. These two think they are going to bully me.

Olivia got a few good wallops in and clawed Rory arm. As the boys were older than her they over powered her and drug her into the barn to lock her in the grain closet. Olivia was trapped in the tiny room that stored the feed and grain for the livestock.

As the time went on and she yelled for help and no one came tears flowed down her face from her frustration and anger. Then they were tears of fear and sadness.

She began to think back to before her mother passed away. Oh how beautiful her mother was. Her beautiful figure moving about the house with authority and kindness. Her mother always knew how to make her smile. She was her anchor grounding her daughter abilities. A smile that could set anyone at ease.

“How I miss you mother. Why did you have to go so soon? Mother I will be strong like you. Maybe this will be my time to die and I will see you soon.” She thought in despair as she was ready to go to heaven.

When a muffled thump came from the other side of the door Olivia jumped lost deep in thought.

“Hey why did you do that?” Said Rory with a tone of fear in his voice.

“Let her out ya wee bugger. Why can’t ye pick on someone ye own size?” Came another voice that she knew as sweet as honey to her ears.

As the door finally opened Olivia was covered in sweat, dust and tears. It was hot in the room with fresh air finally rushing in. The rays of sunlight showed around a figure that she knew so well. Johnathan had saved her from certain death her young mind thought so dramatically.

“Oh Johnathan, my savior. Thank ye ever so much.” She fell into his arms gasping the fresh air and coughing.

Johnathan helped her up and frowned at her appearance and teased. “Why ever should you be out here in the first place?” He knew full well it was repercussions from the scene the day before. Her father ordered her to muck out the stalls and apologize to old man Henry McAllister.

Johnathan was a beautiful dark haired young fella with marvelous green eyes. He was the son of the neighboring clan. Johnathan Campbell was the eldest son out of four siblings to Douglas Campbell.

At the age of 13 he was 4 years older than Olivia. Olivia frustratingly said “I had to ummm. I had to help with the care of the horses today. These idiots put me in the feed closet and left me there. You saved me.” She gushed as she clung to him again.

Johnathan was a little agitated by how clingy Olivia was but he defended her all the same. “ You wee scoundrel’s get ye to ya parents before I beat you to a pulp.”

The two ran off in a hurry. Johnathan walked Olivia back to the house and saw Mrs. McGill was out in the yard beating the rugs. Seeing Olivia she rushed over“Child what happened to ya?”

Johnathan spoke up“Rory and Graham locked her in the feed closet. She had been in there for a while when I came up and heard the two sitting in front of the barn laughing and carrying on about it. I deck Rory and made Graham unlock the door. They ran off in search of their parents. ”

“Oh my child come here. Thank ya young master Johnathan. There is a savory treat for ye in the kitchen. “ as Mrs McGill escorted Olivia up the steps towards the main house. Olivia eyes followed Johnathan till she stepped in the house.