Chapter 1

 

'I don't need your help! I am perfectly fine! Go away!' Kaelyn shouted, with part of her words being lost in the raging wind and rain.

Connor refused to obey Kaelyn as he took the wood, nails and hammer from her arms without speaking, before making his ascent up the ladder to the roof of Kaelyn's little cabin. Once on top of the roof, he immediately started to hammer down the bits of wood to cover the hole that had formed in her ceiling, securing the material with the nails to hold it in place. He remained steady, ignoring the unfavourable weather conditions that fought against him, but he was strong of body and sturdy; he was able to maintain his footing until the job had been done.

He then climbed down the ladder, handing over the hammer back to Kaelyn. He was unsure of the reaction he would receive when he looked at the confused look on Kaelyn's face; he could sense that she was unsure of what to say to him. Regardless of her reaction, Connor knew that he was glad to be there to help her. A small, delicate woman like herself had no business doing man's work and getting up on a ladder to toil. If only he could convince her so, life would be much easier for both of them!

At last came Kaelyn's response to him. 'Come in from this bad weather. I have some soup and I can now start a fire so you can dry yourself off!' She turned and walked into her cabin hurriedly to be out of the rain, not waiting to see if Connor had accepted her offer.