Paranormal Fiction Book Series Set In 18th Century Scotland
Elspeth by Sue Mydliak
Series Excerpt
Days passed, like a slow river. Never rushing, just there.
“The Autumn Equinox is finally upon us.” Mother said. “It is when God gives his Spirit into the vines, which are now his blood.”
The look on my face must have expressed her cause for clarity.
“It’s merely symbolic, nothin’ more.”
I nodded in relief, but still didna like the idea that what we drink is blood. Spiritually or not.
“There is much to do today. Mabon is here, and the house is not ready. I need ye to collect leaves, flowers if there are any. Berries and vines too. Also, acorns, oh, and corn. They’ll look perfect on the door. Take a basket, there on the table. Be sure to put your shawl on and bonnet too. There’s a chill in the air.”
“Aye.”
I sat, thinkin’ about how my day will be. The thought of goin’ outside thrilled me. It’s spendin’ the day with the Goddess. Everythin’ she has made and done for us is everywhere. Such a blessing.
It brought me out of my thoughts as my father nudged me. A memory floated back into my head when I was younger and I’d run over to him and make myself small enough to hide within his arms. I craved his warmness, like a butterfly in its cocoon. Fathers are good in that way. He’d ask, “What no whisker rubs?”
“Hmm, what?”
“I said, no whisker rubs or are ye getting’ too old for them?”
Whisker rubs are the best.
When I’d rub his beard with me hands and sometimes with my cheek, I feel as though I’m rubbin’ a piece of me into him so that wherever he goes, he takes me with him. One thing I learned, is that when ye rub downward, they’re like feathers on a duck, soft. Rub upward and it’s rough, it tickles. The best part if I say so myself.
I looked up over at him. My face brightened up as a thought came to my head.
Father’s eyes popped.
“What’s this? Are ye going to start somethin’?”
Without a single word from me, my palms were already rubbin’ his beard.
“Hey, now, so this is …”
He pulled me into him and held both my hands in just his one and gave me a rub burn on my cheek.
Within minutes I ran out of breath from the chucklin’ both of us were makin’.
“Oh, so you dinna like my beard no?”
“Stop! Stop! I do …” more laughter followed, “I do!”
Squirmed as I may, I couldna escape. He kept on going and I, fully exhausted, could hardly talk anymore.
“All right, ye two, enough. Elspeth will be so tired, she’ll no want to help me out. As for ye, dear husband, ye yerself have much to do. Off wi’ ye now, before I start in on you!”
He got me to settle down and finish eatin’, then continued, “Oh, see ye like my beard too? Want to try it out?”
I noticed he winked at her. I couldna help but chortle a wee bit, but then I saw the expression on my mother’s face and hushed myself.
“Are ye daft man? Go now! Out wi’ you!”
Father got up before he kissed my forehead and went over to her. His hands went around her waist and pulled her into him. I wasna going to stick around for the mawkishness and went to my room to change.
I heard Father leave just as I put on my last sock and entered the sitting room.
“Father left?” I asked.
“Aye, he did. Ye ready to start your work?”
“Aye.”
“Don’t take your time either, we have lots to do.
“I will hurry. Be back soon.”
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