Forced into Love

Chapter Eight

 

Late Friday Afternoon

Liam glances over from his desk to the table in the corner. He can tell just by the way she is scrunching up her nose that she is trying to makes sense of the scrawl that Riley substitutes for handwriting. He cannot help but smile at her.

It has been almost two weeks since she offered to help and she has spent a total of five days trapped in this office with him. He is almost saddened to see the stacks of shipping manifests disappear as they are recorded and boxed up. Although they have worked in near silence, he has become attached to the quiet companionship. He is not looking forward to the lonely days to come.

He shakes the musings from his thoughts and returns to his own stack of frustrating papers.

Buffy closes her eyes and gently rubs them with her fingers. Trying to make sense out of some of the pages is nearly impossible. She glances over at Liam to see him slumped over his own work. She is pleased he has accepted her help. She cannot tell him how wonderful it feels to be needed. She knows that they will be done by sometime next week and she is actually disappointed. She even begins to worry he will tell her he can finish alone.

She turns back to the journal in front of her and begins to record the details of the shipments. She is shortly pulled from her task by his deep voice.

Liam: Buffy?

She looks up at him.

Liam: It is getting late. I think we should be going home. We can work on these next week.

Buffy smiles and nods. They both close their journals and Buffy straightens the papers on her table as Liam begins to close the large wooden shutters that cover his windows.

Liam: There is a ship coming in.

Buffy scurries over and glances out.

Buffy: It’s the Joyce Marie. Father is home.

Liam glances down at her and takes in a subtle change in her demeanor.

Buffy: I should get to the house and prepare for his arrival.

Liam: Alright.

He finishes closing the shutters and locking the office before escorting her to their buggy. She sits twisting her ring around her finger as they move down the street. Liam finds himself glancing out of the corner of his eye at her pensive face.

Liam: Is the ring bothering you?

Buffy glances down at her hands and stops.

Buffy: No.

Liam: You still are not use to it?

Buffy: I guess.

He pulls up in front of the house and helps her to the ground.

Buffy: You better get back.

She moves toward the front door.

Liam: Buffy.

She looks back at him.

Buffy: Yes, sir?

Liam: I am not sure how late we will be. Please do not wait to eat.

Buffy: Are you sure?

Liam: Yes.

Buffy: As you wish.

Liam watches as she stands quietly looking at her hands.

Liam: You should get inside.

Buffy turns and walks quietly to the front porch. Liam does not divert his eyes until she is safely inside. He climbs back into the buggy and glances once more at the silent windows before heading back to the docks.

 

 

Later that evening

Buffy sits in front of the fire with Willow, when they hear the sound of horses. Willow stands and looks out the front window,

Willow. It is your father and Master Liam.

She moves quickly to open the front door as the two men carry in Hank’s well worn trunk. Buffy hurries to the kitchen and retrieves a fresh pitcher of warmed water and carries it toward her father’s room. She nearly collides with Liam in the hall.

Liam: Sorry.

Buffy: I should have been watching. I will bring you water in a moment.

Liam: I need to tend to the horses first.

Buffy: Let me know what you may need.

She carries the water into her father’s room.

Buffy: Welcome home.

Hank: Buffy, I need you to wash and mend all my clothes tomorrow. I want to be able to set sail on Monday.

Buffy: Yes, sir. Do you need anything else?

Hank: That will be all. As soon as Liam is finished in the stable, we will be ready to eat.

He turns his back on her and she heads back to the kitchen. Willow is filling a basket with warm biscuits. Buffy stirs the pot of meaty stew on the stove as Liam enters the back door. Buffy catches him out of the corner of her eye washing his hands at the kitchen basin. He creeps up behind her and glances down into the pot.

Liam: Smells good.

Buffy: It’s lamb stew. You go and sit and I will bring it to you.

Liam steps into the dining room and looks at the two places set at each end. He looks up to see Hank enter from the living room.

Hank: Buffy.

She hurries in.

Buffy: Yes, father.

Hank: You seem to have only set two places.

Buffy: Yes, sir. I have already eaten.

Hank looks at her sternly.

Hank: You did not wait for your family?

Liam: I told her not to. There was no need for her to wait. There was no idea how late we would be.

Hank: I prefer our family to eat together.

Liam: Buffy, would you please get our supper.

Buffy looks at Hank a moment before stepping from the room. Liam focuses on Hank.

Liam: If you do not agree with my decisions you need to speak to me.

Hank glances over as Buffy and Willow walk in carrying plates of stew, the biscuits and coffee. Once the food is served and the women have left Hank looks over at Liam.

Hank: Buffy knows I like her to wait for me.

Liam: And I don’t want my wife waiting to eat when I do not get home at a reasonable time.

Hank stares as the younger man begins eating his meal. He glares for a moment before picking up his own spoon. Silence is only broken by the occasional clink of dishes.

After both men have eaten dinner followed by desert, Hank moves into the living room and begins filling his pipe. Liam watches him for a moment and then strolls into the kitchen. He watches as Buffy places a cup in the cabinet before walking over and gently taking her hand. Her eyes widen at his touch but follows him as he draws her out the back door and down to the river’s edge. He drops her hand and looks out over the expanse of water. She watches him patiently. He continues to look at the river as he talks.

Liam: Do you trust me?

Buffy: Of course I do.

Liam: Then please tell me what is wrong.

Buffy: Nothing is wrong.

He turns and looks down at her. He reaches over and with the tip of his finger tilts her chin up to look in her face.

Liam: I may not know you completely but I have spent enough time to know when you are bothered by something.

Buffy: I’m not.

Liam: Is it your father?

Buffy steps back and looks down and brushes her skirt of an invisible spot.

Buffy: I love my father.

Liam: I know you do. But you prefer when he is not around.

Buffy: Why do you think that?

Liam: Buffy, please trust me.

Buffy walks over and stares at the river. He steps behind her and gently places his hands on her shoulders.

Liam: I want to be your friend.

Buffy: Angel, you are. It’s just hard. I know my father loves me and I love him. He just is…..

Liam: Demanding?

Buffy: I guess.

Liam: Can I help?

Buffy: You do. Just having you to talk to now helps.

Liam: I am always here.

Buffy. Thank you.

She glances at the house.

Buffy: We both have long days tomorrow.

Liam: You go on in. I will be there shortly.

Liam watches as she walks toward the outhouse. He leans against the nearby tree and slides to the ground. His thoughts wander to his overwhelming need to protect Buffy. He has never felt like this about anyone besides his mother and sister. In so many ways Buffy reminds him of them. He regrets he never was able to intervene with his own father. He realizes he can’t be there for them but he is determined to do better for Buffy. He continues to watch the water current race by until he feels his eyes threatening to close. Liam rises to his feet and make his way quietly into the house and to the bedroom.

 

Early Saturday morning

Liam opens his eyes and glances over at the empty space beside him. He lumbers from the bed and quickly dresses. He stops and glances out the window. In the pale early morning sun he can see Buffy tending a small fire under a large pot. She uses her arm to sweep a few loose tendrils of hair off her face. He frowns and walks away from the window.

Willow is standing over the stove cooking, when Liam walks in.

Willow: Good morning, Master Liam.

Liam: Morning.

Hank walks in and glances around.

Hank: Willow, please tell Buffy we are ready for breakfast.

Liam: I’ll tell her.

He saunters out the back door and over to Buffy.

Liam: You are getting an early start.

Buffy: I have much to do.

Liam: Well, I think Willow has finished cooking.

Buffy: Alright.

She wipes her hands off and glances up at him.

Buffy: I know you prefer a light breakfast but father is used to more.

Liam: And that is his choice.

He quietly escorts Buffy into the house and to the dining room. He helps her sit and takes his place beside her. Hank settles down at the other end. Willow places large cups of steaming coffee on the table with cream and sugar. She serves a plate of sausage, eggs, and biscuits before Hank.

Liam: Willow, I will have just the biscuits.

Willow: As you wish, sir.

Buffy smiles at him.

Buffy: As shall I.

Willow: Very well, madam.

Willow steps out of the room.

Hank: You cannot function on so little.

Liam: It is all I want this early. A big meal is too heavy.

Hank: Buffy?

Buffy glances at Liam and catches his smile.

Buffy: I also prefer a light breakfast, Father.

Hank stares at the young couple and frowns. He picks up his fork and begins attacking his plate of sausage and eggs. No one speaks for a few minutes.

Hank: Buffy, I need you to clean and prepare the guest room this week.

Buffy and Liam look at him.

Hank: I saw Riley while we were in New York. Seems his wife’s widowed sister she was living with is marrying a widower. I told him she was welcome here.

Buffy: To live?

Hank: Yes. Until Riley can set up their own house. He does not want her alone now with the baby coming.

Buffy: When will they be here?

Hank: Sometime this week. I know you will enjoy the company of another woman with your mother gone.

Buffy swallows and nods.

Hank: Liam, if you are finished, there is much work to do.

Buffy and Willow clear the table as the men leave.

 

Late Saturday night.

Buffy, Liam, and Hank sit in the living room. Buffy is quietly mending the laundry as Hank empties his pipe.

Hank: I will say good night.

Buffy: Good night father.

Hank saunters on out.

Liam: What do you say to following his lead and maybe read a while?

Buffy: Angel, you go ahead. I want to finish this shirt first.

Liam: Then I will see you soon.

He heads to the bedroom and strips down to his long shirt and underdrawers. He picks up his novel before climbing into the bed. He adjust the lamp and begins to lose himself in the story.

Liam never realized when he had succumbed to sleep. It was not until hours later when he woke to the painful jabbing in his cheek that he knew he had fallen asleep with his tome. His eyes opened and because of the bright glow of the lamp he first assumed it was morning. He quickly focused and saw the lamp burning brightly and further examination showed him alone.

He places the book on the nightstand and pads in his bare feet down the hall to the living room. He stands in the doorway and watches the small fingers dart over the cotton cloth in her lap.

Liam: Buffy?

She startles and turns to his voice. A soft blush colors her cheeks as she looks over his semi dressed appearance.

Liam: What are you doing?

Buffy: I need to finish this. I thought you had retired.

Liam: I had. You need to come to bed.

She shakes her head.

Buffy: I have to get this done before he leaves and there will be no time tomorrow.

Liam strides into the room and takes the clothing from her. He drops it into the basket and holds out his hand to her.

Buffy: Angel, I need to finish.

Liam: You need to sleep.

He takes her hand and helps her to her feet.

Buffy: But Father needs his clothing mended.

Liam: That is not my concern. Or yours at this hour.

He tugs her with him to the bedroom. After closing the door behind them, he strides over to the dresser and opens three different drawers before finding what he wants. He turns and hands her the sleepwear. She takes it and then glares at him. She does not move but stares into his face.

Liam: Please change for bed.

Buffy: I will once you turn around.

Liam looks contrite and turns around.

Liam: Sorry.

He stands staring at Mrs. Gordon perched on the top of the dresser.

Buffy: Father will be upset.

Liam: That is not your worry.

Buffy: You can turn around.

He turns and smiles softly before walking over to the bed and folding back the covers. She climbs in like an obedient child and lies down. He pulls up the covers before walking around to the other side. He snuffs out the lamp and climbs in the bed. He lays quietly staring at the ceiling in the dark.

Liam: Buffy, please do not be upset with me.

Buffy: I’m not. I just hope you know where you are treading.

Liam: I do.

 

 

Sunday Morning

Liam moves quietly as he dresses and opens the door. He glances once more at the serene face on the pillow before leaving and closing the door behind him. He walks down the dark hall and into the living room. He picks up the basket of clean laundry and stalks to Hanks bedroom door. He softly knocks and waits for the door to open. Hank looks at the basket and then into Liam’s face.

Hank: What is going on?

Liam: I think these are yours.

Hank: Yes. If Buffy has finished mending them then she can fold and put them in my trunk.

Liam: No.

He walks past Hank and drops the basket on the bed.

Liam: Just so that you will know. I will not be denied my wife’s presence at night.

Liam turns and stalks out of the room and to the kitchen. Hank stands staring at the empty doorway and then at the large basket. He walks over and picks up the items and looks at each one. A frown creases his face as he closes his door.

 

Later

Liam stops the buggy across from the church and helps the two ladies to the ground. Hank moves to pick up the reins as Liam climbs back up.

Hank: What are you doing?

Liam: Going home. I will be back after service.

Hank: Pardon?

Liam: I’m not much for preaching.

Hank: You don’t go to church?

Liam: Not generally. Are you going?

Hank just nods and steps to the ground. He glances over his shoulder as he trudges toward the church. He watches the buggy disappear. He moves toward Buffy but sees she and Willow are talking to the owner of the stationary shop. Hank detours over to a group of farmers.

 

Late morning.

Liam halts the horses in front of the house.

Liam: Hank, Buffy and I are going for ride.

Hank glares at Liam but drops to the ground and assists Willow. Liam smiles at Buffy’s confused face as they move on down the street.

Buffy: Where we going?

Liam: I thought we deserved a little fun after all the work in the office.

He nods at the basket at his feet.

Liam: I threw together a little picnic.

Buffy just stares at him as words fail her.

He maneuvers the buggy down the quiet streets until the houses give way to fields and then to patches of pine trees. He finally pulls off the road and into a small meadow. He jumps down and ties the horse to a tree before helping her alight. She watches as he takes a quilt and the basket from the buggy. She takes the basket and he spreads out the blanket. She sets the basket down and he helps her to sit.

He flops down beside her and begins to pull apples, biscuits, cheese, butter, salted pork, and a bottle of wine out.

Buffy: You did all this?

Liam nods and smiles. Buffy smiles back and brushes his hands away.

Buffy: Then I get to serve.

Liam: Alright.

He lays back and looks up at the sky.

Buffy: Did you do this to get me away from my father?

Liam: Partly.

Buffy: And the other part?

Liam: To get me away from your father.

Buffy: Do you hate him?

Liam: No.

He rolls onto his side and props his head up with his hand. Buffy sets a plate of food in front of him. She begins to struggle with the wine and he sits up and takes it. He easily pulls out the cork and she holds out two crystal goblets.

Buffy: I see we are using the glasses your family sent.

Liam: I thought we should try them out.

She smiles and hands him a glass as he sets down the bottle. Liam looks at her and smiles. He holds up his glass.

Liam: To a lovely day and a beautiful woman to share it with me.

He moves his glass and gently taps it against hers as she sits stunned. Liam smiles at her a moment before turning to his food.

They both sit eating in a relaxing companionship. Each is seemingly lost in their own thoughts until Liam slips his hand over and swipes a slice of apple off her plate.

Buffy: Hey.

Liam: What?

Buffy: You had your own.

Liam: But they are sweet.

Buffy: You and your sweets.

She picks up another slice and looks at it then holds it out to him. He leans over and takes it into his mouth. He lays back and again stares at the sky.

Liam: Look at that cloud. It looks like a rabbit.

Buffy glances up and smiles.