A Settlers Love (settlers series book 3)

A Picture

A Picture

It didn't matter what else was supposed to happen today, I was going to draw. Nobody ever questioned me when I had my satchel strapped over my shoulder, and carrying my easel under the other arm. Judith used to put a few things into a sack and hand me the small offering as I walked out the back kitchen door. I was surprised when Enid did this instead. I wasn't expecting it, but it made this day even better.

Of course, I could have somebody help carry all the things I needed, but that would mean they would be invading my space, my quiet time. Part of the experience was being able to feel the area I wanted to capture. If I wanted to draw something with people in it, that would be the time I asked for help. Otherwise, it was just me. I enjoyed this part of my drawing as much as the drawing itself. The weight of my satchel full with the tools I needed to trap time, was comforting. After yesterdays ordeal with the birth of Payton's and Charlie's baby, I truly felt as though I needed some space. Mother hadn't risen yet, and I didn't think she was going to for quite a few hours yet. I noted, again, how much I was like her in this way, needing space to deal with my emotions.

It was a fresh morning, and the air had a bite to it. I didn't mind the cool, it reminded me of home. At times such as these, when familiar scents I related to the Manor estate invaded my senses, I missed that place. But, I had become quite accustomed to my surroundings here. I still had many places to explore and catch on parchment. What I loved the most, was even though I was on a different continent to the one I grew up on, I still had a river to escape to, just like at the Manor.

It didn't take long to walk to the river, and once I was there, I breathed in the fresh scent of trees and water, then headed to a bench my father had strategically placed to gain the best view to set up my easel. My sketch paper was in my satchel. So taking it out, along with the new pencils father had shipped in for me all the way from America, I placed everything right where I liked them.

The morning was still, with only the softest breeze brushing the leaves above me, and hardly no movement from the creatures that made this place their home. Even the river almost, soundlessly, gushed passed; allowing me to seize the shadows dancing on top of the water. The birds intermittent chirping, the buzzing of bees and other bugs were the only sounds that filled my head. My drawing had changed along with me over the passed year. I noticed details I never had before, and time passed too quickly for me to feel as though I got everything.

I could feel the sun on my back now, and the heat pouring down from above was bound to have left me with red cheeks if not for my bonnet. It was almost time to pack up. I didn't want to be here all day, even though the season called for long days outside. I had planned to go see Payton in the afternoon, and I didn't want to change those plans for a selfish afternoon of more drawing.

Sometimes, I took my sketches back to the house, and added water colours to them, but not this one. This one was turning out just right using only the grey leds, and a soft highlight of colour from the pencils. Over the past year, I had almost perfected this scene, and had drawn it in its varying states as it changed through the seasons. I could almost sketch it with my eyes closed.

"This one is nice." Gasping, I spun around to look over my shoulder at the person who startled me. Nash. I didn't even hear him coming.

"Nash, you scared me," I said catching my breath. "What are you doing sneaking up on me like that?" His frown reflected that he wasn't pleased. I knew I had not been paying attention to my surroundings in the way he would have liked me to. I may have been able to see every blade of grass and ripple of water, but sounds I picked up on were not those of the human nature.

"You shouldn't get so absorbed in your work Ash, you didn't even hear me. What if I was a miscreant?" I laughed.

"A miscreant! Well then, I am lucky it was only you." He grumbled, then motioned for me to move over so he could take a seat beside me. I hesitated only a moment, before moving for him.