“Bine took his things and walked into town after Winifred left. That leaves Zerek in the workroom, creating more window coverings, and the rest went to see if the man at the yard needed more help. What needs to be done around here?”
“Well...” I thought about it for a moment. The pile of wood outside was impressive. They had long rows stacked high with logs driven into the ground to hold everything up. And with Zerek working on the windows, I was less concerned about freezing this winter. I was still worried about going hungry though.
“If Leif has time, maybe he can show us what to collect to make baskets. While we’re out there, we could weed the garden and get a really good look at what we have.”
“I’ll talk to Leif while you finish eating,” Gregory said, standing.
“We’ll leave for the marsh when you return,” Thomas said with a nod.
I was excited to get out and do something active. I quickly ate my eggs and pretended not to notice when Mary stole a small bite.
Hours later, I sat down in the chair with a groan. My lower back didn’t just ache; it burned from the strain of the hours I’d spent pulling weeds and picking reeds. Pain radiated from my hips to mid-back. I just wanted to lie in my bed, but it seemed too far to walk.
Mary sat next to me with a grunt and set her armful of cattail leaves on the table. Gregory and Thomas were making another trip back to the marsh for the rest of the cattail leaves we’d harvested.
“You need better ideas,” Mary said, leaning back.
“I thought werewolves were all tough and strong.” I couldn’t even lean back. My spine was set to forward only. I rested my face on the table.
“Weeds will kill us,” Mary said. I snickered.
The main doors opened, but I didn’t look up. I couldn’t.
“How did the gathering go?” Leif asked.
I reached out a hand and lifted a frond.
He chuckled.
“Does this mean you won’t want to start working on baskets today?”
“Nope. No basket weaving,” Mary said for me. I heard her stand. “Will you help me pump water?”
At first, I thought she was talking to me but then Leif answered, “Yes.” With relief, I stayed at the table a few more minutes before I struggled to my feet.
“I’m going to lie down,” I said.
“You sure? They’re bringing back fish for dinner, and I have water heating for a bath.”
I smelled like marsh and sweat but didn’t care.
“I’m sure. Tell Thomas to let me sleep. Even if it’s through dinner,” I said shuffling to the door. “And if he lays his head on me tonight, he’ll lose it.”
She snorted a surprised laugh just before the door closed behind me.
I trudged my way upstairs, stripped from my smelly clothes, and feebly dressed myself in my shorts and shirt. With a groan, I sank onto my mattress. Typically, I slept on my back. However, when I tried to lie that way, it hurt too much. Lying on my stomach hurt even more. So I curled on my side and tried to relax.
Heat pressed against my lower back in rhythmic sweeping moves. It ached, but in a good way. I let out a sigh that was a half groan and snuggled deeper into my pillow. The pressure increased on my back, easing some of the soreness. I curled up more, bringing my knees level with my hips. The warm sweeping pressure continued, undisturbed by my movement.
I sighed and drifted back to sleep.
I woke with a confined stretch. Something wrapped around me. A blanket. I untangled myself and slowly sat up, not opening my eyes. My back cracked in several places. It was still sore, but nothing like it had been when I’d gone to bed.
I stayed there, sitting on the mattress for several seconds as I debated if I wanted to open my eyes and officially wake up, or if I wanted to lay down and try to go back to sleep. My head hit the pillow. However, lying on my back wasn’t comfortable. I rolled to my side. My shoulder hurt a little, and I guessed I’d spent a lot of time on my side last night.
Fingers gently dug into the muscles of my lower back and startled my eyes open. I twisted in bed and saw Thomas sitting on the edge of the mattress.
“You slept a long time,” he said, keeping his eyes on my exposed back.
I glanced at the window and noted early morning light. I felt his concern. This time it was my turn to send out some reassurance. If only I could figure out how. I settled for words.
“I’m thinking about sleeping longer,” I said, relaxing my head against the pillow. “Especially if you keep doing that.”
With my face pressed against the pillow, I smelled marsh and wrinkled my nose. On top of an already sore back, I would need to do laundry.
“Hmm. Does that mean I should tell the new family what room to pick?”
I sat up quickly, dislodging his attentive fingers. “New family?”
“Yes. A Mated pair and their cub. A little boy about two.”
I was up, out of bed, and frantically searching for clothes. A family. It was a start to what I saw this place could be. Hope and excitement filled me, along with Thomas’ amusement.
“They’re eating oatmeal in the main room. Come down when you’re ready,” he said, standing.
I nodded and with clean clothes in my arms, shooed him out the door.