5 Do I trust too much

"Anna, What happened?!"

Everyone left the pub once Abe and Selah were taken away by Simcoe. So I turned all the light off except two by Anna and I. We are currently sitting on the steps leading into the pub area and Anna was crying.

"I told him not to! I said it was ok and to ignore it! Oh god, why did he have to do that! Why did Abe have to try and help?!"

"Anna, you need to calm down. Tell me what happened so I can help."

Anna told me that one of the town people were raising problems saying horrendous things about Washington and his wife. Selah told him he had to leave which made the man angry then slosh his drink on a British captain. Captain got pissed, grabbed Selah, Selah pushed him away resulting in him getting a little cut on his hand. I guess that was a huge no no because next Selah was getting punched and Abe stepped in trying to stop the captain but got stopped by Simcoe with a gun to his head.

I remember at some point Anna telling me she hated the British so I would understand the disrespect she felt. Selah would know better than to touch an officer and that's a horrible offense to make during this time.

"Anna, let's get you back to the house and I'll stay with you until we figure this out, ok?"

"No! I need to go see him! Both of them."

she stood up heading straight for the door. I quickly got up and grabbed her arm and turned her towards me.

"Selah would not want you to get into trouble. So please just come with me and let's go wait at the house please."

She looked at me, turned towards the door and then back at me. Her eyes looked dark and deep with sadness just starring right back at me. She slowly nodded her head and slouched her shoulders.

"I'll go get your coat and let's head home."

I turned around grabbing her coat hanging by the door. She turned around and let me shimmy it through the arms and on her. I grabbed the door handle and brought her outside with me.

Upon exiting the pub there was a bunch of towns people and some British soldiers standing around whispering and pointing to the shed right across from us. I figured that's where they are holding Abe and Selah so now I know they aren't far. I pulled Anna away from everyone's lingering stare that now watched us and back towards the house we went.

I walked next to Anna watching the trees and fields away with the winds. I always loved the autumn air as it always calmed me and cleared my head. I looked to Anna seeing her loose strands sway back and forth as she took a deep breathe while closing her eyes. She breathed back out finally looking at me after five minutes.

"Thank you. If you hadn't reasoned with me and pulled me away from town I would have done something unkindly."

"Your welcome, Anna. Now let's get to the house and get settled into bed. Sadly there is nothing we can do right now for them other than wait."

She nodded her head and we walked the rest of the way in silence hearing nothing but our footsteps.

_______________________________

We reached the house about ten minutes later. I heard some noise a little aways from the house. That was probably Cicero and everyone chatting while getting ready for bed. I helped Anna get her jacket off and walked her up the stairs. She went into her room, turned and gave me a little smile closing the door behind her. I knew she needed space so I went back to my room and think about the timeline right now.

"So right now Abe's father should have already talked to the major and he should be released right now. Which means right now he will be talking to his father at home about everything and his. debt. I hope he doesn't mention me I don't want to be on the spot in this place. It's already bad enough Simcoe keeps his eyes on me, but wait the captain will die tonight."

My eyes widen with realization and my heart increases. I fall to my knees with my back slightly leaning against the door.

"When they find the body and realize Abe is gone they will suspect him. Simcoe on the other hand will suspect needs as I am new in town and he might think I'm a spy. Shit! I shouldn't have stayed and interacted with any of them fuck! What do I do what do I do?"

I sit there for hours trying to find a solution to my problem. Thinking I could go and "find" the body maybe clear suspicion of me but that would also look bad. If I don't do anything and go about my day unaffected I will look more suspicious. I know he is still alive so it's not like I will get upset about him leaving so it's not like I am upset like Anna. Then it clicked in my head the solution to all my problems.

I got back up off the floor putting a hand over my chest and relaxing calming down my breathing and heart. I opened my door and went down the stairs hearing the faint noise of crying coming from Anna's room. I reached the front door opening it into the night and leaving with my jacket on.

'I can't do anything to the story but I can make myself look innocent. I'll head to the pub and clean up for the night and people will see me there and know that I was there most of the night before leaving the opposite direction for home'

I made my way to the pub the chilly night air blowing against my skin and whipping my hair around as I didn't put it up today. In this past month my hair has gotten a little longer going down past my shoulders. Also my birthday is in a couple days and everything is happening right now. That's just my luck as well for people won't celebrate it and I don't have to tell anyone.

I reached the pub within fifteen minutes taking my time not trying to rush there and draw attention to myself. Just as I'm about to open the door and get to cleaning inside...

"Excuse me! Miss Stephanie, what are you doing?"

'Shit!'

I turn around facing Simcoe my heart back to beating like it is about to fly out of my chest. He is walking towards me like he just on his way towards his staying house.

"I thought you took Miss Strong home? Why would you return this late at night?"

Just relax and don't freak out you got this.

"I figured since Miss Strong is too overwhelmed right now to do it and since Selah did something, that I thought he was ever capable of, that leaves me to clean the pub."

"Well if your going inside the I guess you would mind some company?"

He looked down at me like he was waiting for me to say no. So I didn't this is a perfect alibi.

"I would actually love the company sir. I can't offer a drink as I don't owe the establishment but it would be nice to talk to someone as I cleaned."

He creepily smiled at me and walked up to the door. He opened it up and held the door open for me before closing it behind him. I took my jacket off and hung it up on the rack at the entrance. I immediately went to the back and got a pot filled with water. I started a fire putting the pot over it so it could get warm. I went to the cabinet over the corner section grabbing some oils and some lemons I saw Anna get just that morning from the house.

I didn't have everything I needed to put in the water but it was enough to clean. I grabbed a wooden bowl and started to combine the ingredients. I put some coconut oil into the bowl along with some regular oil I saw next to it. I cut the lemon and squeezed as much as I could into the mix. I used my hand to stir and then brought it over to the pot. The water wasn't boiling but it was hot. I poured the mix into the water grabbing a spoon to stir.

"What are you doing?"

I fucking jumped about ten feet completely forgetting Simcoe was still in the area with me. I didn't hear him enter the kitchen though he's like a damn cat!

"Ahh! Don't do that! At least give someone a warning!"

He chuckled seeming to enjoy how startled I got.

"I didn't realize you scared so easy."

"I don't unless the person is literally leaning over my should right into my ear. Has anyone ever told you about personal space before?"

I went back to stirring the pot and checked the temp real quick. It was hot for cleaning.

"I understand the water for cleaning, but why are you making it hot and putting cooking oil into it?"

He was back over at the table picking up and inspecting the ingredients I put in the water. I had to think of a lie so he didn't catch on or think something worse.

"Well since I'm from the busy city and my mother actually knew quite a bit about plants. She came with a mixture that not only cleaned the surface of objects but also leaves them smelling pleasant."

He observed me as I spoke probably to make sure I was lieing or not.

"Your mother sounds very intelligent as I only saw people from India use these ingredients when I was younger."

Shit! I forgot about that. He lived in India with his father and no one from over here has ever been to India especially Mary's parents.

"Oh really I didn't know you lived in India. I heard they are very good with herbs and oils. I don't have everything I need for perfect cleaning but it's enough to get the job done."

I picked up the pot from the holder and went to turn towards the main lobby in the back. A hand grabbed the pot from me and Simcoe walked away with it. I followed him around the corner with two clothes in my hand as I was ready to do some deep scrubbing. He had placed the pot on the bar counter before walking back over to me by the pub entrance. I watched as he took his redcoat off hanging it on the rack and he rolled up his sleeves to his white blouse.

"As a gentlemen I must help clean for I had a role in most of the mess here."

I was stunned, where the fuck did this side of Simcoe come from. He is never like this in the show at all! What the hell is going on! I stood there stunned just holding the clothes in my hand. He walked over coming near inches from me before gently grabbing a cloth out of my hand. His lingered there for just a second him looking into my eyes the entire time before turning and walking back to the pot. I snapped out of my daze and went back to work.

We split the pub in half I insisted that I clean the floor but he wouldn't allow it. So I got started on the walls and tables. We had small talk if you would even consider it that. It was more like he asked me questions and I answered. Mostly about how old I am exactly, what my favorite color was, my past times and things like that. I also noticed how even though I tried to stay away from him as much as possible he always stood close by to me almost right next to my legs.

It took us about two hours of cleaning before the place was back together and cleansed. It smelt like coconut and citrus all in the building. I saw it was still dark outside but with the amount of time that has passed Abe is probably leaving now on his boat and the captain is dead.

"Now aren't you happy I stayed for that would have taken you longer to accomplish."

"Yes sir, thank you for staying to help and keep me company. I should head back to the house and get some rest before tomorrow morning."

I finished putting everything away that I used and made my way to the entrance grabbing my coat. Simcoe already fixed himself and was putting his coat back on waiting at the entrance. I went to open the door, but he slammed it shut startling me. He blocked me in with both arms on the door and his face next to my ear. His chest was pushed against my back making an escape impossible.

"Now Miss Stephanie, I don't know who you really are or what you are doing here but just know this. I know you are not Miss Woodhulls sibling and I know you are not looking for a suitor as you haven't been seen with any man since you arrived. I would advise you come clean and explain yourself right here and now."

He knew oh fuck he knew! I can't tell him the truth or they will use it to win and the future will change. I need to come up with something and quick. Then I remembered what I just did tonight with the cleaning and me helping Selah the past month now.

"If I must be honest sir, you are correct. I am not Mary's sister and I'm not here for a suitor. In fact I ran away from home. You see yes my mother seemed kind and nice to everyone and exceptional in cleaning with herbs and oils, but that is not what was at home. She would hit me, abuse me all day and night sometimes not feeding me or even letting me sleep for days on end all because no man wanted me. One night I heard her say outside my door with someone that she was planning on selling me to a brothel or to someone as a slave. I didn't even get a chance to pack anything as I snuck out that night and made my way north. I was about two days of carriage riding after carriage riding that I finally got on foot and walked onto Woodhulls farm. By then I was malnourished and tired I passed out once through the clearing. When I awoke Mary and Abraham were there and when they would let me leave I explained the situation. They said they would help me stay safe which is why I have been staying and helping at the Strong house sir. So yes I'm not here for a suitor or Mary's sister. I am here to start a new life and escape from my mother."

I can't believe I came up with that shit so quick and it just kept coming out of my mouth. It sounds believable but if he washes to take me back to her then what do it do. Before I could worry more I felt him back away from me. I turned to face him and saw he was looking at me with a sympathetic look in his eyes. Like he knows what it is like to be abused. Then I remember his story and what he went through and realize that he has been abused.

"As I am part of the kings army it is my duty to return any runaways."

NO! He is gonna take me back when I don't have any mother here or anywhere for me to go back other than my time fuck!

"But as I see it there are non that I know of. So also as a soldier of the kings army it is my duty to see a lady home. Now let's get you home and I have duty's that need to be finished."

He opened the door for me and I slowly exited with him right behind me. I was shocked by what he just said and more shocked when he gently offered his arm to me with a kind smile that I have not seen not even in the show. It looked good on him almost like he was a young man again. I gently took his arm completely forgetting who he really is and smiling back at him.

"I would enjoy to have an escort back home sir and thank you again."

We walked back to the Strong household where he wished me good night and I climbed into my bed. I laid there for a minute with a smile on my face before I realized what this means. Yes he won't be bothering Anna hopefully but this also means I will he watched by him and he will probably not leave my side especially with what's about to unfold in town. Shit! I just made my way home harder by probably getting a psycho to become obsessed with me.

FUCK MY LIFE!