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McKnight Family

Date: 02-24-09
Poster: Donovan McKnight
Post # 1

A New Start in Life

Donovan had spent most of the day seeing to supplies and orders since the day was not one of his usual hectic ones ... rare in that there weren't a lot of animals in need. He had spent some time at the docks and had checked up on one patient, a overweight cat owned by an elderly widow. The cat was not happy with his diet but he was more active and no longer wheezed like an old man. He decided dinner at the tavern was in order and after, sat before the fire in one of the wing backed chairs. Eyes were closed as he dozed while Alex busied himself at the bar.

There was a thump thump thump THUMP followed by a spew of words in Portuguese. Best that way as the lad wouldn't understand. Though he was trying his best and a little overloaded as she carried two bags as well. They had been dropped on the porch as she rushed down to help the lad up that had fallen backwards, missing the first step for the larger trunk he insisted on carrying for her. For a coin of course, for she insisted she pay him or she would not let him help. He was the cabin boy of the ship she came in on and tended to follow her around the whole trip to these lands. She didn't know his name even though she was sure he mentioned it, probably a few times, Joe, Joey, Joel, something like that. Joel was red faced when she helped him gain his feet mumbling excuses and apologies as he hurried to get the trunk up to the porch then get the door. Lizabet stood there a moment, hands on her hips shaking her head a moment. Watching him from that safe distance for he seemed to fumble a lot.

It was the thumping that had him waking up, blinking as he sat up straight and looked toward the bar. Alex had paused to look at the door but was back to work again, perhaps preparing for the newest visitor. Pushing to his feet, Donovan walked to the window and tried to look out. Even wiping off the moisture didn't help much, but he could make out images. Someone fumbling with a large trunk. He moved to the door then, opening it to see if the person struggling needed help. The heavy sweater over a poet's shirt and dark woolen pants would keep him warm and his boots would keep out any snow. "Do you need help?" He knew there was another standing there but hadn't looked that way yet.

Her head was covered by the hood, half shadowing her face as she watched the moment and started for the steps to help the lad the rest of the way. Feet barley landed on the second step when the door opened. The form half shadowed with the light behind but she knew that voice! "Donovan," a little high pitch as she rushed up the last few steps, nearly knocking the lad over as she accosted her brother in a hug. Squeezing kind as eyes watered, the hood sliding back with the rushing as she looked up. A moment of fear, if by some small chance she had been wrong and a stranger's startled look would be there instead. But.. it was him! Oh how she smiled.

For a moment, he thought perhaps he was still asleep and dreaming but then he was nearly knocked over after hearing that lovely voice, even if it was a little higher than usual. Though he felt sorry for the lad, he was laughing as he hugged her in return, lifting her from the ground and spinning her around. "Lizabet! My irmã ! What are you doing here? It's good to see you too but let me help the boy with that trunk." He placed a kiss to the top of her head before releasing her and moving to help the lad who seemed to be stuck on the steps.

"Meu adorado irmão," eyes becoming more watery as her heart warmed finally seeing Donovan again. It had been six years or more? She lost count as time flew but now it was as if yesterday. Except, "you have grown a beard. It becomes you." There was also a few silver strands at his temple and his hair receded just a touch? He had grown into a mature man. Not the more boy that she last saw. Joel, on the other hand had bolted soon after Lizabet was in the arms of a man, then that man coming towards him. Fear had showed in his eyes figuring he was her husband or beau and he'd be in trouble for his obvious adoration. Not that Lizabet was aware of any crush. Lad was only thirteen, they didn't notice girls yet! Let alone one much older than him. "I have come to help you with the animals. Kate is taking care of mother." She was around to at least get the smaller two bags. "It is good I already insisted the lad take the coin before we got here." She would be clueless in how to get it to him otherwise, not an expertise at tracking down lads.

He wouldn't be able to tell her either. Keeping track of time wasn't one of his stronger points, especially when Kat had left. "It helps to keep my chin warm." He teased as he headed down the steps to collect the trunk. It was heavy but lifted easily enough and he carried it inside. "Was he one of the boys from the docks?" They hung around there when ships arrived, hoping to earn some coin. "How is Mother, and Kat? How was your journey? If you are  hungry, I'm sure there is something good in the kitchen that is hot and filling too." He placed the trunk down and smiled. "Ah, Lizabet, you are so bonito. A sight for sore eyes."

She had the door wedged open as both her hands now were occupied with the two bags. "Cabin boy from the ship. Everywhere I went, there he was." Or so it seemed. "He insisted on carrying the trunk which I argued was too heavy for him but he wouldn't take no for an answer so I insisted I pay him. He tried to refuse that too but I said he would not at all then, so he accepted." Once he was in, so was she to set the bags down then see to closing the door quickly. She gave a roll of her eyes with the compliment, "say that to the Count of Aveiro, he would disagree," not adding after she flipped her drink into his face. Better subject was family as she quickly went there. "Mother still complains I am not married but it is getting less and less. I think she is finally giving up, or more, turned her focus on Kate when she returned." Such a sly grin with those words. Kate was dear to her but she so enjoyed her on the marital hot seat than herself. "Perhaps the Count of Averio will like her better. I'm sure mother will arrange it." Removing her cloak as she spoke then hung it up where appropriate over one of the pegs. The gown she wore was of a deep blue, near black, trimmed in a faded pink lace. "Now, where is your wife, surely you have one by now or at least an eye on a lady. You always had at least an eye on one even if you never found the time."

He frowned at mention of the Count, a man he considered less than a man for many reasons. "Lizabet, what did you do?" If Kat was introduced to him, and then engaged, Donovan might very well travel. "And if you have read any of my letters, you would know I am not married, nor am I seeing anyone. I am the only veterinarian in Heathfield and her sister realms though there are others who treat animals without any degrees." He chuckled as she hung up her cloak too quickly for him to offer help. "And I take care of the race horses now as well. The only reason I am here is the weather keeps the animals and their owners inside."

"Oh, you would not mention such in a letter if you were just seeing someone or noticing someone. You know that would have you written off and mother making wedding plans for you." Laughing as she passed it off while heading for the bar, "what do you suggest for a good drink with enough of a kick but tastes good?" He knew she was not a heavy drinker, usually a wine or brandy but tonight she was willing to try something new in celebration of their reunion. "Don't tell me you don't notice a pretty face anymore? I will have due concern you have not turn to noticing men or your animals.." oh, she was teasing him good with a serious face to go with it. "You will no longer have to be the only veterinarian in the lands. I am willing and feel qualified to become your trainee while helping you." That was a very large task he had taken on and certainly the lands could use another qualified. The last had her pause. "Race horses?" Eyes lighting up for the finest of the equines.

"You can try the potcheen punch or, go with the pure potcheen. It is the strongest there is." He stopped to stare at her, giving her a look briefly. "There are many pretty faces here, my spitfire of a sister. But they do not care for one smelling of horses or cows." Teasing right back. "And I will not be surprised if you take notice of the men here. I will be honored to teach you." He chuckled at the look in her eyes. "Race horses and I believe there are none finer anywhere, but I have become prejudiced."

Smile quirked curling the edges of her lips and that spark in golden brown eyes fired up. Hands resting to her hips as she waited on placing her order as she addressed her brother. "Are you saying that you no longer wash after tending the animals?" He was not getting off the hook so easily. A dip of her head to the side with that light still in her eyes turned on Alex. "A sweet punch as suggested." Not having any idea of what the potcheen was like as she was quickly back to face off her brother like old times. He might well sense she was enjoying every bit of this. "If I take notice the man would have to be rare indeed." Chin lifting in solid defiance of men in general. She never had answered his question on the Count on purpose for she knew her brother had a temper as well in certain matters. She also knew, she'd have to be honest.

He had a glass of potcheen already, so she could taste it if she wished. He had retrieved it from the table by the hearth. "Oh I wash, but it takes a good long bath to soak out the smell and I don't always have time before I'm rushing off to tend to another patient." He affected a lazy air but was enjoying this as well. It had been too long since he had been involved in such banter. "You will find the men, like the women, are extraordinary here, my darling Lizabet. If not in looks, then in wit and temperament. Still, you will have to see for yourself." He had often heard the young women here speaking of the men while having stars in their eyes. "But now that I have said so, you will be even more stubborn in not looking." He chuckled softly, studying her. He noticed she had not answered him, but was certain their Mother would tell him in her next letter.

"Ah, but if you were to be seeing someone, you would be sure to smell good." She collected this punch, red in color and by the smell it was raspberry. "See, without a wife to tend to you, at least you have a sister to make sure you don't smell like the cows in front of the other women. Although I don't give massages nor scrub backs." Least not a brother's but she didn't add that. She was over to take up a seat near his as it was getting late and there were some serious things to discuss, well, serious enough. "I was told I can stay here indefinitely as I do not know if your home is big enough or more, you might like to have your privacy than a sister around in case you have a lady friend over." Giving him a wink with a sweet smile before taking her first sip of this punch. Brows arched, "this is good. Enough punch in the punch." She gave a half gesture of her hand in dismissing about men being any different here than anywhere else. "I will see for myself but I don't expect it to be much different." Almost warming him not to expect her mind to change on that. "But if they are good looking, I can at least enjoy the scenery." Even at those many parties their mother always managed an invite to, there were good looking men to admire in that way but most proved to be morons. Well, all did so far she met that were good looking.

"I would hope you would not attempt to do so. I have scrubbed my own back for some time." He tried to sound indignant then he chuckled. "Uncle Oran would never forgive me if I did not insist you move into the manor. He doesn't go out much, but he enjoys company and the manor is plenty big enough. It is, of course, up to you if you wish your privacy." He smiled thoughtfully. "And I expect nothing else but that you will see for yourself. The punch comes in several flavors. It is made here, in Heathfield by one of the Royal family."

"Ah, but you know I would use a horse brush and lye soap to make sure all the stench of cows and the like are gone." As well his skin! "Then I shall move into the manor at least temporarily. See if I wish to stay. If so then I might seek a smaller home of my own near enough. Just in case I decide to entertain one of these fine gentlemen you say live in these lands," obviously still not believing it as well teasing but she would not crowd her brother. Presently, the best idea was to stay in his manor and work from there. "Do you have a carriage that we might head there tonight?" She really didn't wish to stay at a tavern, though she had no idea what this one was like.

"A sleigh actually since the roads are not easy to travel one with a wagon, and there is room for your things." There was a caretaker's cottage on the grounds that a woman might consider a pretty place with ivy crawling up the walls. The young man who helped him with the larger animals and the groundskeeper both had their own homes to go to. But that could be mentioned later. "Oran will be asleep but we'll surprise him in the morning." He stood to carry his glass to the bar. "I can carry your trunk out and bring the sleigh around to the front if you'd like." There were blankets for her to use against the cold too.

"It will be good seeing him again. It has been even a longer time. I was only a young girl." Now she was all grown. He'd not recognize her at first most likely. She had rested and warmed up enough at this point to face the cold and looking forward to a good night's sleep. They might not be able to get her up until late morning after the long trip and little sleep for how uncomfortable it was. More, she had been afraid she'd wake up to see that boy's face in hers, or worse, one of the many sailors that eyed the women. Unfortunately she had to come alone to catch a ship headed this way. "I would like, thank you so much Donovan." Heart warming words were true in all seriousness. She was up to return her glass to the bar and to see to her cloak and the two bags. Enough clothes until she made a few decisions. She would wait for him out on the porch.

He smiled in answer to her words, pausing to place a kiss to her cheek. "I'm so glad you came, Lizabet." He said before pulling on his cloak and hefting up the trunk. Down the back corridor and out, and by the time she was outside, he'd have the horse and sleigh around. Once her bags were placed in the back with the trunk, and she was tucked into the seat beside him, they'd be off. And though it was dark, he'd still point out some of the sights.

-e-

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