Rossiath awoke the next day feeling lethargic, and rubbed her chin which still throbbed. She squinted her eyes and got out of bed with a groan.
The parade of neighbors, most of them bearing wild tales of what had occurred, had left her antsy and restless. To get away from them she'd gone for a walk to tire herself out. It didn't work and, feeling more restless, she'd returned home to seclude herself in her room.
After throwing on her clothes, Rossiath went in search of her parents and realized how long she'd slept when they were not to be found. Frustrated at the loss of time, she gathered some supplies and headed outdoors. 'Might as well go wash my hair. The cool water will help wake me at least.'
Under the large willow at the bank, Rossiath watched men work on the Molyneux house as she rubbed soap sand into her wet hair. The work had progressed quickly and, as she began rinsing her long hair, she imagined what it would look like complete. The thought had her grinning and she grabbed the drying cloth to wrap it around her head.
A man cleared his throat nearby and she jerked her head up, her eyes going wide as she shaded them to see who it was. “Oh, Mister Gillis,” she said and reached back to keep the towel from sliding from her head.
Gillis crouched down and took Rossiath's chin in his hand, causing her to yelp in pain. His lips set in a grim line, he studied the cut and shook his head. “I should have been there,” he muttered angrily.
“Don't be absurd! There's no way you – or anyone – could have known that ...” Rossiath started to speak, but flinched as his hand tightened on her chin.
Realizing what he was doing, Gillis dropped his hand. “Sorry,” he said abashedly and stood up to pace. As he began pacing, he clenched his hands and muttered to himself, the words harsh but too low for Rossiath to hear.
Rossiath scrambled to her feet, the towel haphazardly wrapped around her head and she held it in place as she looked up at Gillis. “It's truth though. And getting upset about it won't change anything. Besides, if I'd not been there we might have lost a lot more than a few coins.”
The sharp glare Gillis gives her has Rossiath stepping back in surprise. “And if you hadn't been there, you'd not have been in danger at all!” he bit out, and stepped forward. He grabbed Rossiath's shoulders and struggled not to shake her soundly. “A lot more than just a few coins could have been lost yesterday.” Swearing, Gillis resumes pacing as Rossiath watches, her eyes wide.
“Still and it's done. Nothing can be changed about it now.” Rossiath turns to look over at the mill-house, uncomfortable with Gillis' restlessness. “The house is coming along nicely,” she nods over the stream as she begins drying her hair.
Gillis turns to watch Rossiath work the towel through her hair, his anger giving way to a glint of amusement. “Changing the subject Miss Rose?” He chuckles mirthlessly, then rakes a hand through his hair as he looks over at the house. “Yes, it's coming along just fine. Had a couple of small delays when a supplier came short on some of the materials I needed, but I've time.” He steps forward and shades his eyes to watch as his uncle barks orders to a small group of workers. “Would you like to see it?”
Rossiath turned, her expression warred between wariness and curiosity. Finally a smile played on the corners of her lips and she nodded. “I can't say I'd mind. Been wondering how it's coming along.” She dropped the towel and finger combed her still damp hair into a manageable tangle.
“You're welcome to come by anytime,” Gillis replied and motioned Rossiath forward. “I'd be more than glad to have your opinion on things.” They walked together and, rounding the bend to the property, Rossiath paused.
“It's more done than I'd even noticed!” She looked up at the house, the walls almost fully up now. Men worked to set the steps for the porch, and the sounds of hammers and saws competed with bird song for attention. Gillis' uncle, seeing them approach, broke away from the workers and headed their way with a heavy stride, his face a scowl as he saw Rossiath, but he nodded politely. “Good day t' you miss,” he managed before turning to Gillis. “The shipment of mortar hasn't arrived yet. Be needin' someone t' go t' town later and sort that out.”
“Alright Cale. I'll send someone out later, or I'll go myself if need be. We'll have those nails in plenty of time.”
The older man nods and, glancing down at Rossiath's chin, scuffles his foot on the ground. “Sorry t' hear 'bout what happened,” he said gruffly. “Not right a person can't be safe in their own home.” Nodding to her, he turned and strode back across the yard, yelling out “stop acting like you're at a damn tea party an' get back t' work!” Several men, who'd been staring at Gillis and the pretty young woman, suddenly found something to do.
Gillis chuckled and pointed up towards the stairs. “Come on inside, such as it is, and I'll show you around. You can tell me what you think so far.”
The sun was high in the sky by the time Gillis had finished showing Rossiath around, the conversation about the house having been lively. Despite the fact that the house was still half-finished, Rossiath could imagine what it would look like. The kitchen would be large and inviting, the living area warm and comfortable, the baby's room … baby's room? She had blushed and was glad when Gillis didn't seem to notice, and shook her head to rid herself of the stray thought.
As the two made their way back to the gate, Rossiath opened her mouth to thank Gillis for the tour. “Rose! There you are!” a voice called, and Rossiath turned to see her father hurrying up the path.
“Father,” Rossiath called out, and leaned up for the kiss he planted on her cheek. “Gillis was showing me the house, it'll be lovely when it's finished.”
Tallandan looked over at Gillis, and studied the younger man shrewdly, then nodded before turning to look down at his daughter. “Well, your mother's been looking for you, so it's best to get home to her before she decides to call the watch out.”
Rossiath turns to Gillis and grins ruefully. “I had best get back. Father's only half kidding. But I enjoyed seeing the house.” She waves to Gillis and heads back up the road.
Returning the wave, Gillis watches Rossiath head up the road and calls back, “Feel free to come by anytime.” Distracted by the girl, he doesn't notice Tallandan's eyes narrow as he sizes the man up, before turning to follow his daughter home.
