ROCKED BY THE WAVES (12 page)

«I’d do anything for you! Anything! How can you ask that?»

«Would you sleep with someone else?»

«What... why are you asking me this? I don’t even consider sleeping someone else. I love you».

He was angry and tired but the thought of something stuck me.

«Sam... what if the letters had been written by a woman?»

He turned to me.

«Why?»

I was unable to answer.

«I don’t know... but a woman would never catch the attention. She writes intimate stuff...»

I was still thinking about that, when I said: «We must find out what she’s after. She might have been abandoned by someone... she might have been betrayed. Her man might have chosen another woman! She might live nearby... and she might have heard of us...»

«This doesn’t make sense».

«It does! You didn’t read the letter! She’s a psycho!»

He hugged me.

«I will figure something out», he whispered. «You’re the only one for me...»

I looked him in the eyes.

«Please, don’t you ever leave me here...»

He looked at my belly.

«Sam, next time you go to the village, I’ll come with you».

I was resolute. I had made my decision and wouldn’t step back. Being with him in Nova Scotia had changed me.

«Will you love me forever?»

«Forever and ever».

«We’ll find out who she is...»

I was scared and excited. Why was she after me and why?

On the day after, we woke up early. We set up the table and Rhona took care of the food. Sam remouved the snow over the door. He fed the horses and checked on the stable.

Bruce McVey, Rhona’s husband, helped Sam.

At lunch time, the guests arrived: Bruce McVey, Muireall e Calum McFadden with their sons, Peigi and Fergus Murphy, Keir and his three brothers, Logan and Douglas McNutt, Eoin and his brothers.

Once reunited, we were twentyfour.

We sat. I was sitting next to Sam. Bruce McVey sat at the edge of the table.

«I hope I’ll marry a woman as beautiful as your wife, Mr Campbell», said a young and pleasant man. He was tall and charming, pale-skinned and red-haired.

«Keir!», said his father.

«That’s fine, Fergus. Your son is right», Sam  said in a bossy voice. Everyone shut up and the boy turned pink.

Sam was their leader.

I recalled what he had told me. He had been a rebel. He had been offered a job by Alexander. He had killed people, stolen things and spied on me. I was only able to see how kind he was.

We had lunch. Lilias, a red-haired child, sat on Sam’s knees. She kept punching the other children from her privileged position.

«Mom! Lilias is punching me!», said Aidan, her brother.

«Lilias, don’t!», said Logan, her mother. She then looked at me and laughed. «Males are the weak ones, you know. Lilias is the boss. She’s never scared. Her husband will have to behave!»

Sam was surrounded by children. They were climbing on top of him.

«Guys, please... why don’t you have a biscuit? Let’s let Claire tell you a story. Come on, guys... if you behave, I’ll give you your presents!», Sam said.

The children screamed.

«Let’s go then», and he smiled at me.

«Your husband can surely deal with children», said Peigi.

«My husband is always protesting when I ask him to look after them!», said Muireall.

«Mr Campbell is very kind to the Lady», added Rhona.

«He is. He’s a good husband», I said.

They all looked at me. We were an awkward couple, I believe. Not every husband would listen to his wife and treat her properly.

I help the ladies and then went to check on Sam.

«I’m a human, just like you. Many years ago, in these woods, I’ve been kidnapped by the Queen of the Elfs. I was feeling tired and fell asleep. When I woke up, I was with her. Since then, I’ve been taking care of the forest. I must go back to the Queen at night, though. I wish someone helped me break the spell!»

He was telling them a tale. He was good at it. Twelwe children were looking at him. They were all speechless. They were eating their biscuits and enjoying the show.

Sam would be a good father.

I looked at Keir, Fergus’ son. He was a good-looking green-eyed boy. He must have been sixteen or so, but he was tall. I was sure he had a crowd of young girls to choose among.

Eoin was Douglas McNutt’s son. He had golden eyes and brown hair. He was small and very thin. He was fourteen, maybe.

«Tam Lin stayed with Janet, they got married and they lived happily ever after», claimed Sam. Then he looked at me. «Let’s go check on your presents, guys».

They all run to the tree.

«Was I good?», Sam asked me.

«You were».

«Now, let’s go!»

He gave the kids the presents. Everyone enjoyed the moment and laughed at the childrens’faces.

At the end of the day, I was exhausted.

«
I’ll massage your fee
t»
.

And so he did.

«
Do you think I’ll be a good father
?
»

«You’ll be great».

«I want a big family».

I looked him in the eyes.

«I can picture you being a father. I like the idea».

We kissed.

«Let’s go get some sleep», he said.

«
Sleep
?»
I replied and hugged him.

The days flew by.

One day, Sam came home overexcited.

«
I’ll be building a new stabl
e»
.

There was room, so he could do that easily. Our horses were in the stable on top of the hill, next to Bruce’s house, and it would be useful, to have them nearer. It was a good idea, so I smiled at him.

«But... are you able to do that?»

He looked at me.

«Well... no. But how hard can that be? I’m sure I can make it».

I laughed.

«When will you start?»

ABEGWEIT

It was February and I was five months pregnant. I was feeling much better and I was really willing to do something. It was then that I felt something moving inside of me.

I wanted to call for Sam. It was out baby! He was moving! But I decided not to. He had already woken up and had much work to do. We had a very big estate to run, so he was always busy with this and that.

I enjoyed the moment and treasured it.

I started thinking of all the people I had left in London. Alexander was among them. I had never really loved him and we had never really got on. He was charming but selfish. To him I was a prize.

I recalled our wedding day. I had been very happy during the ceremony. He was the most charming man I had ever known. But it all went to pieces in Carcassonne.

And then... then Sam had become part of my life. A huge part.

He was... different. And I was too. When I was with him, I felt strong and peaceful. I was his everything and we got on perfectly well. I was in love with him and didn’t care about anything else. We used to share everything.

When he approached the bed and kissed me goodbye, I didn’t tell him about the baby.

«I want to go to the village today. I want to get some books».

He caressed my cheek. «What books?»

«Something telling the tales of the island. Tales for the kids... maybe even some books about agriculture and farming. I’d like to get to know the plants a bit better...»

He was staring at me.

«I’d like to have my own garden, you know».

«If you want to go, I’ll come with you. What about... in two days? I should be going to the village anyway».

He shouldn’t. But I liked the way he had said that.

We kissed.

«I love you».

He left.

As we were getting ready to go to the village, I was feeling overexcited. I knew it was not as huge as London. But I also knew I needed to see people and breathe some fresh air. The snow was beginning to melt and we would ride to the village. I dressed up properly, though, because it was still pretty cold.

My belly was prominent by then, so I wore a cloak and a hat.

On the way, we bumped into a bunch of Mi'kmaq.

They were natives. They had been living there for centuries and they had lived peacefully with the French. But when the English came along, they were forced to leave. Few remained, though.

There were five man, two women, four dogs and Keir, who seemed to get on pretty well with them. They spoke English and Gaelic.

Keir introduced us.

«These are our neighbours, Mr Campbell. But they won’t be for long».

«Why not?»

Keir explained us the Mi'kmaq were nomads. They moved according to the season. During the winter, which they called kesik, they hunted in the woods. During nipk, the summer, they moved next to the coast. Young men hunting big animals were automatically considered adults from then on. I was stuck and charmed. Were they our friends?

They didn’t seem to care much about us. They were getting ready for a hunt by then. They wore leather clothes and they all got arch and arrows. A young dark-haired woman was looking at me. She had dark skin and a nice face. She was wearing a hat. She was holding a basket filled with herbs. She must have known their healing powers, I thought. I would have liked her to teach me that.

We said goodbye and told Keir not to stay out late.

We bought things for my garden, but I could find two books only. They were children’s books. Sam stayed with me the whole time.

On our way home, it was windy and cold. I was really shaking. I took off my hat, fearing that it would be carried away by the wind. My hair was wet. When we got home, I was in desperate need of something warm to wear.

«I’ll help you dry up and then you’ll go to bed», Sam said.

«You’re wet as well».

«I’m not pregnant, though».

He had a point.

«I need to take a bath anyway», I said.

«Okay, I’ll help you».

He looked for soap and perfumes. He opened the water while I undressed. He suddenly screamed: «I found it!»

I turned to him. He was holding a jar.

«What’s that?»

«Got it from Rhona. It’s a liniment. It’s made of camphor, thyme and eucalypt. I must massage you with that».

«And?»

«It’ll prevent you from catching a cold».

I was not convinced of that, but I got into the bathroom.

He sat on the edge of the bath.

«I’ll wash your hair».

I closed my eyes and relaxed as I entered into the hot water. I liked being touched by Sam.

«Are you cold?»

«Not at all».

He washed my hair and spoiled me massaging my shoulders. He dried me up and caressed my body with the liniment.

I was unable to resist him. When he was finished with the liniment, I hugged him.

«My dear, you must go to bed now», he whispered, but I kissed him.

«My darling...»

He tried to resist me, but failed. He took me to the bed and hugged me close.

When we got downstairs for dinner, Rhona had already left. The house smelt like camphor.

Two days later, Sam went to see Fergus Murphy.

I was reading a book, when I saw Keir approaching. He had a bag.

«May I come in, Madame?»

«Of course, Keir. But Sam’s with your father. He’ll be back any second, anyway».

He looked at me, then he seemed to relax.

«I was looking for you, Madame»

«Me?», I was taken aback.

«Nipniku’s has given me something for you. Remember the lady I introduced you to? Her name means summer moonlight».

I stood up.

«Let’s sit on the sofa».

He was a charming young boy. He might just become as tall as Sam. I sat and so he did.

«There are herbs, Madame. She noticed you looking at them».

I gave me the bag and our hands touched for a second. I felt like his hand was exhitating.

«She is a good observer. Tell her I said thank you».

I was feeling awkward.

«Is there anything else, Keir?»

«Do you know how to use these herbs, Madame?»

I didn’t.

«Not really. Would your friend teach me?»

«I would».

«You?»

«I’ve been taught by them».

I didn’t like that. He was too near and I wanted him to go away.

«Thank you, but I’d love her to teach me. I have other questions that I’d love to ask her». I opened the bag and had a look inside. Sam got in the room.

«Keir! Out!»

Keir stood up and left. Sam looked at him.

When he turned to me, I could see he was angry. He took his jacket off.

I was embarrassed. I hadn’t done anything wrong.

«What happened, Sam?»

«You tell me! Am I old fun to you?»

«Sam... he just brought me some herbs».

He shook his head.

«What shall I do?»

«Sam, I’m interested in meeting his friend. The female friend. I don’t care about him».

«So you are sort of using him?»

«Well, he can speak their language...»

«Do as you please. But I’ll talk to him».

«But...»

He stopped me.

«Claire, I can’t stand that. Men keep looking at you... I hate that».

I hugged him.

«You’re the one I love, Sam».

And I kissed him.

When I met the girl, I noticed her long hair. She had a leather clip. She was wearing a very nice dress and boots. She was smiling and her teeth were incredibly white.

I liked her. Maybe I needed a friend more than anything else.

Sam had taken her into our living room, then he had left. I was holding the leather bag and was unsure about how to start a conversation with her.

«My name’s Nipniku’s», she said. 

«Mine’s Claire».

She took the bag and we both sat. She opened it.

«Joe-Pye is for your loins. A-ma-me-li-de is for children’s skin. Sasso-fra-sso is for your blood. Sam-ma-cco: fever. That’s good», she kept on like that.

«You teach me English. I teach you plants».

I was happy with that.

«May I call you Moon?», I asked.

She smiled. «You born when?»

«On March».

«I call you Siwkewi».

A Londonese and a Mi’kmaw.

When Sam and I were left alone, the air still smelt like herbs.

«How did you like your new friend?»

«She’s great! Interesting, independent... she knows so many things!»

«Independent? Isn’t she married?»

«I mean that she’s a free thinker. She’s like me. I have a man like you, Sam, but I’m lucky. Most of the women don’t have husbands like you».

«You really think so?»

«I do. Let’s go to eat. I want to tell you everything».

I was sure he liked me for who I was. But was scared of me as well.

Spring blossomed in. I liked the colours and the sounds of the spring, the birds and the flowers. It was amazing. The leaves were getting greener and greener. I could see the river flowing to the sea. It was so blue and pure. I could smell the woods. I could smell the ocean. I was enchanted. I belonged there.

Moon came to see me two or three times a week. She sometimes stopped for the night. I enjoyed her company and she was a good English learner. We talked a lot. And my belly kept growing.

Sam was building his stable and in his spare time he taught rugby to the kids.

I was huge. I couldn’t sleep nor breath. But I was happy and I had fun.

Moon and I were sitting on a bench. Sam was playing with the kids.

«Good husband», she said.

I looked at him. He was covered in mud.

«The ball’s mine!», the kids cried.

«You guys should catch the ball! You can’t climb on top of me!», Sam protested.

I was happy.

«He’s awesome».

«Loves you. You changed his life. He strong man, but not always been like that».

«How do you know that?»

«His soul. I can talk to it».

«What does mine say?»

«Good person, passionate, brave. You run away from man. He loved you much».

I turned pale.

«You friend. I won’t tell. Secret».

She had seen through me. She had something special.

I suddenly felt a deep pain.

I covered my belly with my hands.

«Next full moon, baby be born».

It was the end of April. I was worried. I was pale and I started panting. I closed my eyes.

«Claire, what’s wrong?», Sam’s voice asked.

Moon wasn’t there anymore.

«Where’s Moon?»

«Making you a tea. Are you okay, Claire?»

«I am. Moon says in two weeks I’ll be giving birth».

He looked at me.

«I’ll be with you. Don’t you worry».

He was always right beside me. He was becoming more and more caring. He was getting ready, I could tell that.

Moon handed me a cup of tea. I felt better. I relaxed.

When I was left alone, that night, I stared at my garden. It was the sunset.

To the Greeks, Eos was a new beginning and the departure of the day altogether. It was Emera at sunrise and Espera at sunset. Eos was a divinity for the Romans too. I enjoyed the show that Eos was offering me. It was peaceful. At night, darkness would take over. But now, now it was the moment of colors. Golden and blue. It was the moment when people came back home.

I was daydreaming, when Sam hugged me.

«What are you thinking about?»

Nothing. Everything. Fears and dreams.

«I like living here. I love my life. I like the people».

He kissed me on the cheek.

«And?»

«And I love you. I love everything involving you».

I knew that. We both did. But we kept telling each other.