Read Online A Path Toward Home (The Annals of Avonea) by Heather Lorenz - Free Book Online

spoke, hinting that Drinian and Constance were not courting.
    “Really, so where do you live Constance?” Reagan asked, with obvious delight.
    “In Canada,” Constance replied.
    “Canada, I do not remember that country.”
    “It's very far from here,” Constance replied.
    Suddenly Constance felt a nudge in her side.
    “Are you a princess of your country?” Rosella asked. “Because if you are, you and Drinian could get married.”
    “Rosella!” Mrs. Monroe exclaimed, giving her a stern glance.
    An awkward silence followed. Constance noticed from the corner of her eye that Reagan was biting her lip with a very worried expression on her face.
    “No, I'm not a princess Rosella, but thank you very much for thinking so,” Constance replied.
    “Well, let me get supper going, we’re going to have a feast tonight,” proclaimed Mrs. Monroe.
    “Rosella, run out to the smoke house and get that big side of prized goat.”
    “Yes, mama,” Rosella replied, skipping outside.
    “Mrs. Monroe, Drinian and I shall go and visit the villagers while you prepare the meal, if that is alright with you,” Woodphere said.
    “That is most fine with me, supper will be exactly at 6:00 p.m.,” Mrs. Monroe replied, while washing carrots in a basin of cold water.
    “Do you wish to come along, Constance?” Drinian asked.
    “I think I'll stay here, and help with supper, if I'm not imposing on Mrs. Monroe.”
    “Of course you may stay, but there is no need for you to help, Reagan will assist me.”
    “No, please let me help. I will get lazy, if I don't do anything.”
    “You actually should let Constance help you, for it would not do any good arguing with her. I know that she would win anyway,” Drinian said, giving Constance a playful grin.
    “Alright, I certainly do not want you to feel useless.” Mrs. Monroe responded.
    “Well, we shall be off ladies,” Woodphere said, bowing and exiting the house with Drinian at his side.
    “Here, mama!” Rosella said, running into the house lugging a huge side of goat that was virtually as big as she was.
    “Good, now be a big girl and go up into the attic and get some, beans, potatoes and turnips,” Mrs. Monroe instructed.
    “Here let me help you with that, that's a big load for you to carry,” Constance offered.
    “I'm used to it,” Rosella replied, stepping up the ladder to the attic.
    Constance following behind her, found the attic to be surprisingly large, for such a small house. On one side were bedrolls that were rolled out on the floor, and on the other side were piles of boxes, sacks of vegetables and dried herbs hanging from the rafters.
    “I do a lot of carrying for mama, since she has a bad back. Razelle cannot carry anything of course, and Papa's always gone during the day.”
    “You have a lot of responsibility for a girl your age.”
    “Not really, I am almost seven. Oh, do you want to see my secret hiding place?” Rosella asked, her eyes glistening.
    “If you show me, it won't be a secret anymore,” Constance replied.
    “I don't mind if you see it, I trust you.”
    Rosella lead Constance into the far off corner of the attic where a few crates were tightly gathered together, leaving a small hole which was scarcely noticeable.
    “This is my secret hiding place where I keep all my dearest treasures” Rosella whispered, picking up a miniature wooden box that was tucked in the opening. It was a very beautiful, with flower designs carved in the middle, and little jewels engraved on the top.
    “Drinian made this for my birthday. I keep my secret possessions in here, and I’ve never shown anyone except for my doll, Annie.”
    Rosella carefully opened the little box. It contained a pink shell, a smooth pebble, a blue bead, a yellow ribbon, and a piece of red brightly colored material.
    “My papa saved this shell for me from the time we were at sea when I was but a baby. I picked up this stone near the river; look how sparkly it is!”
    “Yes, that is very