Mira proudly handed her pouch to Jack as soon as they reached home.“You should keep it.” Jack pressed it back into her hand. “It is the wife’s job to take care of these affairs.”“Really?” Mira asked skeptically.“That’s how my parents did it.” Jack shrugged as a matter of fact and then pulled his pockets inside out “I don’t have any money now. But when I do, it will be yours to keep.”“I made you a pauper, didn’t I?” Mira lowered her head guiltily. She knew he had to take out all his money and also take a loan to buy this place.“I think it is a good thing.” Jack held her waist with one hand and with the other, lifted her face with a cheeky smile “Don’t we have our love nest ready for us?”“You… you…” Mira pouted as she gently hit him with her fists on his chest.“Let’s make the most of it.” Jack chuckled as he lowered his head and captured her lips. He deepened the kiss and ravished her senses, riding the storm with her all the way from the front room to their bedroom. Jack pulled
“What were you doing?” Mira asked curiously as they sat for breakfast.“You’ll see …. Soon.” Jack smiled as he poured her hot water.“Alright.” Mira didn’t ask further. She would wait for him to show her.“What should we eat for dinner?” Mira pouted as he nibbled the meat bun in relish.“What do you want?” Jack raised his eyebrows.“Can we go fishing?” Mira asked with an expectant sparkle.“Um” Jack nodded.“Then you finish what you are doing, and I will prepare some stuff for the fish.” Mira cleared the table as she spoke.“Um” Jack nodded as he walked out the door.An hour later, Mira had finished the preparation and also packed a basket with dinner which was a pot of tea, boiled eggs and a few slices of bread when Jack walked in “Wife, come take a look.”Mira followed him curiously.In the second bedroom was a beautiful stand with the height of a slightly tall table, her slate frame resting on it in a perfect fit.“Good Lord.” Mira shrieked in excitement as she circled inspecting t
“Aunt, I am home.” Jack stood at the door and announced.Unlike the last time they came, everyone was home today except for uncle and second brother. Farm hands at the Slegh estate had to work 6 days a week. Second brother was working as the blacksmith’s apprentice and also had to work 6 days a week.Anne-Marie the youngest came running as she heard her favorite brother’s voice. She moved back shyly as she saw Mira. She knew this big sister didn’t like them. Mira smiled sweetly at the little girl, but it didn’t have much effect, the damage from her previous vicious behavior was too deep.“Come in… why are you standing there?” Oden pulled the door to open wider.“This will always be your home.” Oden added as he saw Jack’s hesitation. “You left on your own, no one sent you off.”Oden wasn’t wrong. It was Jack who insisted on moving and never came back. None of them had seen him these 3 months. Actually, that’s not right. Beth did tell them about Jack’s visit 5 days ago, but no one bough
“What is it?” Mira asked curiously once she couldn’t see the horse cart anymore.“Must be tools.” Jack guessed as he opened the sack.Sure enough, the sack had 4 spades of two different sizes each, 2 hoes, 2 rakes and a pitchfork.“This….” Mira had a conflicted expression as she looked at the items. This would cost more than 10 gold coins.“Like Dad said, we must repay this kindness with our actions.” Jack knew there was no point in being conflicted. He swore inwardly to return this kindness when he had the ability.“Umm.” Mira nodded with determination.“Wife, has the fish soup finished?” Jack asked with regret as he saw the empty bowls on the table.“No. I have left a tiny portion for you.” Mira giggled as she took the bowls to the kitchen to wash.She bought a bowl full of the last portion of the fish soup after washing the bowl
Jack walked around for a while before he returned back home. The walk cleared his head and there was a smile dancing on his lips as he entered. Mira was waiting anxiously, she kept pacing back and forth in the front room.“Jack” Mira’s voice was strained as she rushed to him. She was stepped back in confusion as she saw his smile. She knitted her brows with a pout.“Wife, you are right.” Jack chuckled as he gently knocked on her forehead.“I know I am right.” Mira pouted as she rubbed her forehead “What are you talking about now?”“That you were too stupid.” Jack chuckled as he embraced her.Mira pursed her lips into a resentful pout as she gently fisted on his chests.“Do you want to hear what I figured out?” Jack tapped her nose with an affectionate gaze.“Um.”“Do you remember saying that you thought I stormed out of the room because I overheard your conversation?”“Um…mm” Mira nodded confidently.“That’s why I said my love is too stupid.”“Huh??”“Think about it…. you told me what
The next few days were without events. Mira completed all the embroidery work that she had bought home by the time Jack returned home on Thursday.“I will come to the city with you tomorrow.” Mira informed Jack as they sat for supper.“So fast?” Jack raised his eyebrows “Didn’t your Madam give you 10 days?”“Um” Mira nodded “But I finished them early.”“Love don’t tire yourself. I will work harder.” Jack frowned. He knew she was straining herself too much.“Not hard.” Mira smiled “The stand you made for me is too good. I don’t get tired that easily. We need to pay our debts and get better.”“I will make those stands.” Jack pursed his lips “Let me do the hard work.”“We will work together.” Mira smiled sweetly as she leaned onto his shoulders.“Um” Jack nodded with determination. He would work harder so that his wife didn’t have to tire herself.“The seedlings have all grown.” Mira remembered as they laid down.“Um” Jack nodded. “I will go to Godfather’s to pick up the horses for ploug
Mira was so happy, she literally skipped all the way to Almera’s shop. “Someone’s very happy.” Almera spoke with a lopsided grin. “Your brother called you a dragon.” Mira giggled and whispered. “And he’s the baby dragon.” Almera scoffed. “What are you going to do with this?” Almera asked curiously as she saw Mira playing around with the cloth, she took from the rag section. “I was still thinking.” Mira kept fiddling with the cloth before asking with a curious expression “How long does it take to make a neckerchief normally?” “Varies on the pattern and experience.” Almera shrugged “My most experienced worker might take a day for a complex pattern with embroidery. The less experienced can take 2 days.” “Um” Mira nodded pursing her lips. “Do you embroider?” Mira asked curiously. “Yes… but only my own clothes.” Mira nodded as she carefully took the watch pendant Almera gave her, like a precious treasure and opened to look at the time. It was getting almost 2 pm. She decided to sl
Jack hurried over to Uncle Harry’s place. He wanted to get back to his wife quickly. He saw Uncle Harry loading sacks on to a cart. Jack rushed over to help. “Godfather” Jack called out as he bend down to pick a sack and load it. “Jack…” Harry laughed “I thought you guys have forgotten when I didn’t see you yesterday.” “That…” Jack scratched the back of his head; his face filling with an unnatural color. How could he tell Godfather that he forgot time staring at his wife? “Ha….ha….ha….” Harry laughed even louder without giving him any face. “Godfather, can I borrow the plough horses again this week?” “Yes… yes… I have got everything ready for you.” Harry pointed at the cart that was loaded. “This….” “It is the manure that you need. I had to go to Larkin’s and got it along the way.” Harry lied with his eyes wide open. “There’s 10 bags of cow manure, sheep manure and hen manure. You have to mix it properly before spreading it.” Harry started to explain but soon sighed shaking hi