Begin Again

Chapter 23

(RYAH)

"May I sit here?" Torin asked.

"You may sit where ever you would like," I replied as I turned to look at Anna and Rollo. The two of them hadn't let each other go ever since they were reunited. Anna had her hand in Rollo's and her head was resting on his shoulder. Every few minutes Rollo would lean over to place a kiss at her forehead. As I watched them I felt a bit of jealousy creeping up.

Torin swung his leg over the bench and sat down next to me pulling a plate over in front of him. I tried to ignore him but I kept glancing over at him from the corner of my eye. I saw his lip turn up and I knew that I had been caught. 

"That is a lovely color on you," He said talking about my dress. 

"It's Susan's. She was kind enough to let me borrow it." I ran my hands over the fabric smoothing it down. 

"She is very kind."

I didn't say anything to him as soup was ladled into my bowl. I thanked Susan and lifted my spoon up to my lips. Torin watched eagerly as a scoop of soup was ladled into his bowl. He thanked Susan for the soup then lifted his spoon and politely started eating. I knew that it had been awhile since any of the men had eaten a decent meal that consisted of anything other than dried meat. Each of them sat around the table and waited patiently for their bowls to be filled by Susan. Each of them thanked Susan before they started eating. I knew that many of them wanted nothing more than to pick up the bowl and drink. One man in particular caught my attention. I thought that his name was Jack. I watched as his dark eyes followed Susan's every movement as she walked around the table dishing up food for the hungry men. Once all of the bowls were filled Susan set down her ladle and returned to her seat. Jack stood as she approached the table and he pulled out her chair for her. Her eyes widened in surprise at the gesture as she quickly took her seat. 

Torin reached for one of the rolls that was piled in the center of the table. He offered the bread to me and I accepted it. He then reached for another for himself. I broke the bread and ate it. Torin dipped his in his soup and then used it to mop up his now empty bowl. I knew that he was still hungry but he didn't want to be impolite by asking for more food. I passed him half of my bread and he shook his head. I continued to hold it out to him until he took it. He nodded his thanks and at it. 

Dinner passed with little conversation. Everyone was too busy filling their empty bellies. None of the men asked for more food even though they all had to be hungry. Susan went and got her soup pot again and started ladling more soup into all of the men's bowls. All of the men thanked her as she filled their bowls for a second time. As the men dug into their bowls there was a hum of voices as conversations started up. I didn't know what to say to Torin and we sat in awkward silence as conversations buzzed around us. I looked across the table at Jack sitting next to Susan. She was blushing as he spoke to her. I listened to her laugh at something he had said. 

"I think that they like each other," Torin said leaning over to whisper in my ear. I felt his warm breath fan over my neck as he spoke and I shivered at his closeness. 

"I think you might be right," I replied as I watched Susan's blush and Jack's smile. I knew that Susan was anxious to get married and start a family of her own. She did so much to help Ellie and Ben but I knew that she wanted something of her own. Part of me knew how she felt. I glanced around the table looking for Peter but I didn't see him anywhere. 

A few of the men were beginning to get up and leave the table. I took my empty bowl with me and followed them out. I could feel Torin's eyes on me as I left the room to place my bowl in the tub for dishes. I happened to run into Ben. 

"Do you know where Peter is?" I asked him.

"The last time I saw him he was going out to the barn."