- Miss MacBride! - said Professor Kaiser when he passed me in the hallway. - Is everything okay? Do you need help?
Kaiser was a very nice and helpful man. We had stayed friends a few nights ago, when I decided to sit on the clothesline and watch the movement on the street. He sat next to me and we talked for hours. Kaiser had told us that he was a teacher who taught daughters of lords how to read, but who had long since given up this profession and started teaching in the village for poor children. This had occurred after being rescued from an attack by some mercenaries. He was on the verge of death and wandered the road until he found the village. Abby and his aunt healed him and gave him shelter at the inn.
- Thank you, but that's not necessary! - I answered smiling.
- How's your friend? - he asked with a smile of sympathy.
There was contact with the Kaiser about Bruce and our attack. He had been surprised and shocked at the same time to discover that the Black Knight was staying at the inn. You knew that information was supposed to be confidential, but what was wrong with saying that to a teacher?
- He'll be fine. - I responded by faking enthusiasm. - It is recovering well, thanks to the valerian that I have ministered and other herbs that I use for dressing. Soon we'll be able to continue our journey.
- That's good news. - he said stopping to open the kitchen door so I could get through. - I have to go now, because I'll be teaching at the church today.
- Sure! - said settling down. - Have a nice day!
- For the lady too!
I sighed when I leaned against the counter and crossed my arms. The memory of Bruce's lips about mine took over my thoughts and I grunted, returning to occupy myself in order to try to forget. The day was slow, so was the week. Abby had agreed to take food to Bruce, which made it much easier for me to keep busy with the other guests at the inn, who were not many. Every time I had to go to him to cleanse and redo the bandage, I ignored Bruce and spoke only what was necessary. That was enough to piss him off, but I didn't care. All I wanted was to stay away from him and get out of that place as soon as possible.
Bruce MacCalister was the kind of man I hated. Arrogant, self-centered, bossy. Like every Scotsman, he didn't hide his stubborn, brutal side. Every time I thought about that damn kiss, I remembered the sensation it had caused and caught myself sighing. It made me very angry because I thought I could feel something for that idiot.
I looked at the children who were having fun in the snow, now not as intense as when we arrived. The blizzard will diminish greatly and now the snow will fall softly. The road to the border was still closed and some villages were isolated. It was the case of Sgurr, where we were a few hours ago from Dunhill. At the end of the day, instead of going to my room and staring at Bruce's grumpy face, I would sit on the balcony and read a book that I borrowed from the teacher. That distracts me until bedtime. When I walked into the room before I went to bed, I checked in on Bruce. He was like a bull. It didn't look like he was shot a few days ago.
- Good night, Miss MacBride! - said Kai, the stable boy. - Tonight is colder than the last one.
- Good night, Kai! - I answered smiling. - Yeah, that's right!
- Do you need a coat? I can get one, if you want.
- Thank you, Kai! I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay.
- Would you like to come with me to the tavern?
- I'm sorry, but I'm very tired. - said smiling. - I'd rather stay here and read a book.
- All right! All right! Have a good night!
- Thank you!
Kai nodded before going to the tavern, where he spent his nights. He'd been a great friend, besides Abby. He had red hair and a freckled face. His eyes were as green as those of my sisters. It must have been sixteen. Every night he would invite me to the inn and he wouldn't get tired of hearing no answer. A noise scared me and I turned around in the chair to see what it was. I smiled when I saw Abby approaching.
- He doesn't get tired, does he? - she said with an air of discouragement. - I wanted him to look at me the way he looks at you.
- Don't be sad, Abby! - said by patting his hand. - If he still doesn't realize how special you are, he can only be a fool. Why don't you tell him how you feel?
Abigail made a face sitting
