Chapter 51

 

And An Arrival

 

Shortly after breakfast Monday, right before he was supposed to leave to pick her up, Chris said, “I’ve been thinking about Anya.”

“Second thoughts?”

“It’s not that. She’s a teenage girl, and I remember my sisters getting all stressed out about dressing wrong. They were always worried they’d be overdressed or underdressed. They’d change clothes half a dozen times trying to figure out what the other girls would be wearing.”

Kevin frowned. “What do you mean?”

“If they were going to a picnic at the park with some friends, they didn’t want to be the only one in shorts if everyone else was in a sundress, or be the only one in a sundress if the others were in tees and shorts. And same with shoes. If everyone else was in sandals, it was the kiss of death to show up in tennis shoes.”

“Seriously?”

Chris nodded. “And from what some of my friends said, my sisters weren’t the worst of the lot. Some of those girls would dress one way and stuff a complete change of clothes in their tote bags in case they got the dress code wrong.”

Kevin shrugged. “I didn’t have sisters, but now that you mention it, all the girls did seem to dress pretty much the same no matter what we were doing. The guys did too, but we only had three options. We either wore jeans and tees, dress pants and a shirt, or a suit. Not hard to figure out which one would work.”

“And guys don’t care if they’re different. Girls do, and teenage girls even more so.”

“So how does this relate to Anya?”

“After the way her mother had her dressed when I took her father home, I bet she’ll make the girl put on a fancy dress to come here. Anya’s going to be nervous enough without feeling like she’s sticking out like a sore thumb.”

“But what can we do about it? She’s supposed to be ready when you get there, and if you insist she change clothes, her mother’s going to be insulted.”

Chris shook his head. “No way I’d do that, but I think I’ll go by Cryslyn’s office and ask her to put some leggings and a tunic in Anya’s room. Then, if Anya’s in one of those gaudy dresses, I’ll take her straight to her room and let her change clothes before we introduce her around.”

“You know which room is hers?”

Chris nodded. “I asked Cryslyn yesterday so I can put her bags in there after I drop her off in Cryslyn’s office.”

“Okay. Let me know when someone brings her in here to meet the pages. I’d like to meet her, too.”

“Just don’t scare her to death. I’m still hoping we can bring her in here as a page.”

After Chris set things up with Cryslyn, he left for Conner’s house.

When Chris knocked on Conner’s door, Conner opened it, stepped outside, pulled the door to, and said, “I’m sorry. It’s all such a mess…”

“Has Anya changed her mind?”

“No!” Conner shook his head. “No, not at all. Anya can’t get out of here fast enough to suit her. And I can’t wait for her to be gone either. All they’ve done this morning is yell at each other.” Connor took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “I imagine it’s my fault. I’d told Anya that everyone at the castle wears leggings and tunics, so when she got up, that’s what she put on. Her mother had a fit and told her she was either going to change into the dress she’d had made for her or she wasn’t going at all. Then she made her put on a new pair of boots that have bows on them! Then Sassie went through Anya’s bags, took out every pair of leggings and all the tunics and made her take dresses instead. She said if they want her to wear leggings while she’s working, they’ll give them to her, but at other times she’s to dress and act like the daughter of a minister.” Conner shook his head again. “I had no idea my wife was such a snob, but that’s my problem. I’ll deal with that later. But now you’re going to have one frustrated, angry young lady on your hands. She’s furious with her mother, and I don’t blame her.” Conner dug in his pocket, pulled out a small bag of coins, and handed it to Chris. “She’ll need some new clothes. Would you get someone to help her make arrangements to have some made?”

Chris nodded and put the bag in his pocket.

Conner took another deep breath, opened the door, and motioned towards the parlor. “They’re in there.”

A tray with dainty pastries, a pot of tea, and tiny little cups was on a small serving table in the parlor. After Sassie greeted Chris, she picked up the teapot.

Chris held his hand up to stop her. “None for me, please.”

“Are you sure?” Sassie asked with the tea pot poised over a cup.

“I’m sorry, but I’m in a hurry. I’ve got to get back.”

“Surely you have time for tea,” Sassie insisted as she poured the tea anyway. “Cream and sugar?”

“No, thank you. We need to get going.” Then Chris turned to Anya. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Where are your bags?”

“I’ll get them,” Conner offered. Then he hugged his daughter. “Have a good time, honey. I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too, Father,” Anya said with a slight catch in her voice.

Sassie stepped behind Anya and pulled her back from her father’s arms. “You’ll rumple your dress. And stand up straight.” Then she put her hands on Anya’s shoulders. “Shoulders down at all times.” She tugged on the end of Anya’s hair. “Head straight.” Then she slid her hands down Anya’s arms. “Arms by your side. I expect you to act the way you’ve been taught. If you don’t, I’ll hear about it, and I’ll make you come back home. You are not going to embarrass me. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, mother.” Anya swiped at the tear sliding down her face.

“And none of that.” Sassie gave her daughter a slight shake. “There’s nothing attractive about red eyes or tear streaks.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Now go make us proud.”

Sassie stepped back from her daughter as Conner walked back in with two large bags. As he handed Chris the bags, he nodded to his daughter. “Put your hand on Chris’s shoulder and don’t let go.”

Chris smiled. “Anya, you might feel more secure holding onto my arm since this is your first time traveling by key. It’ll feel strange when we enter the energy field, but we’ll only be there a few seconds. When we get out, you may feel a little dizzy and sick on your stomach.” Chris chuckled. “I thought I was going to lose my breakfast the first time I did it, but it passes pretty quickly.”

“Now you see why I didn’t let you have any breakfast,” Sassie interrupted. “And don’t you dare ruin that dress by getting sick.”

Chris waited until Anya turned back towards him. “Don’t try to move when we get there. Hold onto my arm and concentrate on breathing.”

Anya took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and nodded.

Chris smiled, said, “You’ll be fine,” and turned the key.

~~~~

Earlier, shortly after Chris left his office, Kevin called Cameryn in. “Chris is picking up a minister’s daughter and bringing her back to the castle. Her name is Anya, she’s thirteen, and she’s going to work for Cryslyn. Would you help her get settled?”

“Sure,” Cameryn said. “Does she have a room?”

“I’m sure Cryslyn’s got one ready for her. And I think Chris is planning to take her straight to her room, so you might want to wait for them down there.”

Cameryn nodded and started to go.

“Cameryn, this is her first time away from home. She’ll probably be nervous and a bit scared. Would you mind showing her around, introducing her, taking her to lunch?”

Cameryn smiled. “Play big sister?”

“Exactly.”

“Sounds like fun.”

~~~~

Cameryn was in Anya’s room when Chris and Anya arrived. She gently pried Anya’s hand off Chris’s arm and helped her sit on the bed. As Chris put the bags down against the wall, he turned to Cameryn and raised his eyebrows.

“Myron sent me. He thought she might feel better if one of us was here to help her get settled.” Cameryn handed Anya a glass of water.

“Are you going to stay with her?”

Cameryn nodded. “I’ll help her get her things put away, and then I’ll take her up to Cryslyn.”

“Good. I’ll go back to the office.” As Chris opened the door, he said, “Anya, welcome to Milhaven and to the castle. I hope you enjoy your time with us. If there’s anything we can do to help, just let us know.”

“Thank you,” Anya said in a small voice. “And thank you for coming to get me.”

“You’re welcome.”

Once Chris was gone, Cameryn sat down beside Anya and said, “I love that dress!”

Anya looked down at it and wrinkled her nose. “You can have it. I hate it.”

“Why? It’s gorgeous!”

“I can’t run in this thing. I can hardly move, and I can’t breathe!” Anya’s eyes started to tear up.

“I’m sorry.” Cameryn slipped her arm around Anya’s shoulders. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Anya shook her head. “I’m just nervous.” She laughed and wiped her eyes. “But I do hate this dress. I’d rather be wearing what you’re wearing.”

“Then you’re in luck.” Cameryn picked up the leggings and tunic Cryslyn had sent down and handed them to Anya. “I’ll step outside while you get changed. Then, we’ll put your things away and I’ll give you the grand tour.”

~~~~

About an hour before dinner, Kevin and Chris were in Kevin’s office when Cameryn knocked on the doorframe. “I’m back.”

“Come on in.” Kevin said. “We want to talk to you.”

Cameryn sat down beside Chris. “What?”

“What do you think of Anya?” Chris said.

Cameryn paused and then shrugged. “Just remember you asked. I think Cryslyn needs to find someone else to handle her inventory.”

“You don’t think Anya can handle it?” Kevin asked.

“I’m sure she could, but so could a lot of other people.”

“Then I don’t understand,” Chris said. “Why should Cryslyn find someone else?”

“Because you need to bring Anya in here and make a page out of her. I’m leaving in a month and Isak will be leaving before too much longer. Jenni’s good, but she and Petri can’t do it all. Anya would be a good page, and she’d love it. Talk to her. Spend some time with her. You’ll see.”

Kevin nodded and looked at Chris. “Maybe we should check her out.”

“I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”