He only pulled out a chair, pointed. “Sit,” he said, and put the kettle on.
“I thought you wanted food.”
“I said you’d have food, and I wouldn’t mind some myself. I can make a bloody sandwich. I make a superior sandwich come to that, as it’s what I make most.”
“You’re a man of some means,” she pointed out. “You might hire a cook.”
“Why would I do that when I can get a meal here more than half the time?”
When he opened the refrigerator, she started to tell him where he might find the various makings, then just sat back, decided to let him fend for himself.
“Did Connor put a bug in your ear?”
“He didn’t have to. It would be better if you worked with someone rather than alone. And better as well if you stopped to eat.”
“It seems I’m doing just that.”
She watched him build a couple of sandwiches with some rocket, thinly sliced ham, and Muenster, toss some crisps on the side. He dealt with the tea, then plopped it all down on the table without ceremony.
Branna rose to get a knife as he’d neglected to cut hers in half.
“Well, if you have to be dainty about it.”
“I do. And thanks.” She took a bite, sighed. “I didn’t realize I was hungry. This part of it’s a bit tedious, but I got caught up all the same.”
“What else is to be done?”
“On this first stage, nothing. I have the powders, the tinctures and extracts, some of the berries and petals should be crushed fresh. I cleansed all, and that took time, as did boiling all the tools between each ingredient to avoid any contamination. I think it should rest, and I’ll start mixing tomorrow.”
“We,” he corrected. “I’ve cleared my days as best I can, and unless I’m needed at the stables or school, I’m with you until this is done.”
“I can’t say how long it will take to perfect it.”
“Until it’s done, Branna.”
She shrugged, continued to eat. “You seem a bit out of sorts. Did the meeting not go well?”
“It went well enough.”
She waited, then poked again. “Are you after buying more horses or hawks?”
“I looked at a yearling, and sealed a deal there as I liked the look of him. With Iona, we’ve drawn more students for the jumping ring. I thought to have her train this one, as he comes from a good line. If she’s willing it may be we can expand that end of things, put her in charge of it.”
Branna lifted her eyebrows. “She says she’s content with the guideds, but I think she’d be thrilled with this idea. If you’re thinking this, she must be a brilliant instructor.”
“She’s a natural, and her students love her. She’s only three young girls regular as yet, but their parents praise her to the skies. And we’ve two of those students because she started with one, and the word spread around.”
Branna nodded, continued to eat as Fin lapsed into silence.
“Will you tell me what’s troubling you?” she asked him. “I can see it, hear it, under the rest. If it’s something between us—”
“Between us we have today, as agreed.” He heard the edge in his own voice, waved the words away. “It’s nothing to do with that, with what’s between us. Cabhan’s coming into my dreams,” he told her. “Three nights running now.”
“Why haven’t you told me?”
“What’s to be done about it?” Fin countered. “He hasn’t pulled me in. I think he doesn’t want that battle and the energy it would cost him, so he slips and slithers into them, making his promises, distorting images. He showed me one of you last night.”
“Of me.”