She fought it.
Failed.
One quiet laugh escaped.
Nathaniel looked back.
Something softened in his eyes.
Clara’s smile disappeared almost immediately.
She was not accustomed to men looking at her like that.
Not after learning.
Nathaniel pointed toward her hands.
“Can you cook?”
Clara stared.
“That is your next question?”
“Yes.”
She almost laughed again.
“Yes.”
“Well?”
“Better than Martha.”
Martha gasped.
The Reverend coughed into his fist to hide a smile.
Nathaniel’s mouth twitched.
“Bread?”
“Yes.”
“Beans?”
“Obviously.”
“Meat?”
“Yes.”
“Game?”
“Yes.”
“Can you stretch a rabbit for seven people?”
Clara thought.
“With beans.”
“Eight?”
“Add corn.”
“Ten?”
“Now you're being unreasonable.”
Nathaniel smiled properly.
The transformation startled her.
He looked younger.
“Fair.”
He continued.
“Sew?”
“Yes.”
“Leather?”
“Poorly.”
“Clothes?”
“Well.”
“Children’s clothes?”
“Yes.”
“Keep accounts?”
Clara nodded.