Page 7 of The Witch's Cottage
“He’s a very large human,” he says to me.
I don’t respond. Only I can hear what Harrison says; everyone else just hears a chorus of meows.
“These floorboards could use replacing. As could that doorframe.” Alden juts his chin toward the door that leads out to the garden on the side of the house.
I hadn’t noticed before, but he’s right: the frame is giving way in places, the wood deteriorating, probably from rain and snow leaking through.
Without another word, he moves past me and Lydia and climbs the stairs to the second floor. We don’t follow.
“Sorry about him,” Lydia says, voice low. “He puts off a rough exterior, but he’s got a good heart.”
Listening to Alden’s boots cross the floor above me, I step into the kitchen and fetch a mug for Lydia from the shelf. “Are you two...?” I ask, glancing back at her as I pull a few dried mint leaves from a glass jar and drop them into her mug.
A look of confusion crosses Lydia’s face, and then she gasps. “Oh, goodness no!” She laughs and covers her mouth with a hand. “He’s my older brother. Sorry, I should have explained.”
For some reason, hearing that makes me a smidge excited. I’d assumed they were husband and wife, but now that I know they’re siblings, the resemblance makes sense.
“Sugar in your tea?” I ask, and Lydia nods. I pour hot water from the kettle sitting over the crackling fire in the kitchen hearth, then add a spoonful of sugar and stir it in well. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” She accepts it with a grateful smile, and then we both take a seat at the wooden table. Harrison hops down and trots off, perhaps to see what Alden is up to.
“Careful, the table rocks a bit,” I say, and Lydia laughs.
“Alden can help with that too.” She casts her gaze around the kitchen, gaze becoming a bit dreamy. “It’s been years since I was last in here. Your aunt used to have me over for tea and biscuits sometimes. She was a good woman.”
A mixture of love and sadness swirls in my chest. “She was. I miss her very much.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Lydia offers me a hand, and I reach out to take it, appreciating the warmth radiating from her tawny-brown skin.
“Thank you.”
As Lydia takes her first sip of tea, boots sound out on the stairs, and I turn in my chair to see Alden step through the doorway into the kitchen. His dark eyes meet mine, and a rush goes through me. With the sun streaking through the freshly cleaned kitchen window, I notice how deep thecolor of his irises is, like the richest earth mixed with tiny flecks of gold.
“The roof will need patched, but the floor is sound. The window frames need replacing in both rooms as well.”
For a moment, all I can do is stare at him. Why didn’t I realize yesterday how...prettyhe is? Probably because I was so nettled by him. I’mstillnettled by him. But maybe just a smidge less so.
His bushy brows pull low over his eyes.
“Aurora?” Lydia says.
I snap out of it, tearing my gaze from Alden’s. “Sorry, just lost in thought. Um...” I put a hand on the kitchen table to stand, and it rocks suddenly, spilling Lydia’s tea. “Oh! I’m so sorry.” I hurry across the kitchen and grab a cloth from beside the basin. “I told you that table wobbles.”
Lydia laughs as I mop up the spilled tea. Still standing in the doorway, Alden crosses his massive arms but doesn’t say anything. Once I’ve got the sugary mint tea cleaned up, I ball the cloth in my hands and turn to face Alden.
“I’d appreciate your help around here, if you’re available.”
Alden reaches up to scratch his scruff again, just like he did yesterday, but this time it makes me wonder what his beard would feel like if I were to run my fingers through it.
“I’m available.”
I perk up. “Oh, thank you! I’ve got eldertokens, and I’ll pay you well for all your help.”
“Oh, don’t you worry about that,” Lydia says, standing from the wobbly kitchen table. “Alden is happy to help our new neighbor. Right, brother?”
The crease in Alden’s brow hints otherwise, but he doesn’t say anything.
“When can you get started?” I ask.
