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Anouk felt so strange being around such a large group of people. Loud conversations echoed over the sound of hooves and squeaky wagon wheels as they rode over the hills towards their destination. Ciellas was on her right-hand side, and Anouk glanced uneasily at the boy seated on her other side, who chatted amiably with one of the older, broad-shouldered men across from him. The man caught her eye and winked at her, causing her cheeks to burn and her gaze to avert to the floor of the rocking wagon.
They may have been Ciellas's family, but she did not approve of being carted along on this hot, crowded work trip. The long frown that had drawn over her features had gotten her guardian's attention, who grinned down at her and patted the large basket that rested in her lap. Anouk's feet tapped the secondary basket that was stowed under the bench, keeping a messy cadence with the horses' steady trot.
At last, the house appeared around the bend. The drivers of the three wagons eased them into an easy position to unload and the chatter between the men died down. Anouk jerked forward as the wagon came to a halt and she found herself grasping Ciellas's arm. She approved even less of traveling by wagon. There was already a plethora of supplies waiting for them, along with another man - quite obviously the owner of the small manor.
"Ah, there y'are, sir!" The tall, broad-shouldered man jumped from the wagon with a welcoming grin, approaching Alexander and grasping his free hand, the other clapping him happily on the back. "Name's Danny O'Malley, head o' this lot here." He jerked his head back at the groups dismounting from the three wagons and beginning to unload their tools and extra supplies. "I believe y'spoke to my brother the other day so we haven't had the pleasure 'o meetin' yet!" He turned towards the house and put his hands on his hips, appraising it. "So this is what we're workin' with? Handsome ol' house, it is. Where'd y'want us tae start?" Anouk stopped paying attention to him when Ciellas tugged at her elbow and helped her off the wagon, hoisting her like a toy and setting her gently on the ground. She looked at the dustling with an expression that still held a lingering look of amazement.
"Hoonestly, child, seems like ye'd blow away if ye weren't tied down." She laughed, and Anouk frowned more deeply. "Pick up that second basket and follow me." She pulled the extra basket from under the bench of the wagon towards her, while her blue eyes turned towards the house. She made a small noise in the back of her throat to voice her distaste. Who in their right mind would want to live in this dump of a house? As the crew set about organizing themselves, Anouk reckoned that was the reason they were there, in order to make it livable. It honestly needed it.
When Danny and the others had their assignments, he led them towards the house, armed with what was needed, and Ciellas took this opportunity to approach Alexander. She held out a free hand to shake, the large basket tucked under her arms. "I'm the caterin' for today so to speak. Name's Ciellas. This is my daughter Anouk." Anouk's pale cheeks flushed at the use of the word "daughter". The past few times she had been introduced to others, her guardian had introduced her as such but with a little difficulty evident in her voice. To hear it roll off the tongue so easily now made her heart skip a beat. "Anywhere for us tae sit out o' the way while ye lot work? If y'got any kids we'd be happy to help keep 'em occupied, since we're both useless when it comes tae heavy lifting so might as well make ourselves useful somewhere!" She laughed loudly and smiled at Alexander. "Just direct us where y'need us tae be."
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