Stitch by Sue Brown

Author:Sue Brown [Easton, Sue Brown Jamie Fessenden Kim Fielding Eli]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

INSIDE THE house, Moll served refreshments while Edward stood in the parlor receiving condolences. He tried to hold it together and appear calm, but inside he alternated between feeling numb and feeling frightened of the dire nature of his situation. But he was hopeful when William Trenton pulled him into the library to talk.

William was of an age with Edward’s father, or had been before Father had died. The man was weathered and hard and a de facto leader in their community. He’d raised three sons, two of them now living off-world. He clasped Edward’s shoulder.

“’Tis a hard, hard thing, Edward. You’ve had more than yer share of sorrow.”

It didn’t seem all that long ago Edward had buried two other bodies together: his father and his older brother, Jeb. Had it been six years? It felt like yesterday. He wouldn’t let himself become self-pitying, though he supposed he had cause.

“I will survive it,” he said firmly.

“No doubt, no doubt,” William agreed while nevertheless managing to convey extreme doubt. “Well.” He cleared his throat. “The offer I made when yer father and brother passed still stands. Yer not cut out for this life, Edward. That’s not to belittle ya, son, just the truth. Sell the farm and get out while ya can.”

His tone was sincere and final. Edward clenched his fists and bit back a quick retort.

It was easy for Trenton to say—sell and get out while you can. He’d always lusted after Parmeter, one of the richest spore farms on Kalan. He’d tried to get his hands on it by marrying off one of his daughters to Jeb, and then, once Jeb was dead, to Edward. Unfortunately, his daughters were unattractive and churlish besides. And Edward knew allowing Trenton into his life as father-in-law, or in any capacity whatsoever, would put an immediate end to his autonomy.

Edward couldn’t sell. He would not be the son of Parmeter who failed, who ended the line, who allowed the farm that had been in their family for six generations to pass out of their hands. The families of Kalan had too many privileges—they did not have to send their sons to military service or pay duties to the Federation. The spore labor was subsidized and the revenue was generous. And their children were welcome at the most prestigious academies. Besides, Edward did not like being dismissed as weak and incompetent. He hadn’t liked it when his own father had done it, and he damn well wouldn’t accept it from William Trenton.

“What I’m in the market for at the moment,” Edward said with a tight smile, “is a new adjunct. I can pay well.”

William looked regretful. “Aye, there’s the thing. I’ve been talkin’ with the others. Regretfully, there’s not a soul qualified to be an adjunct who isn’t already employed, not ’til the next transport.”

Edward nodded stiffly, upset but not really surprised. The people who lived on Kalan worked hard. And anyone not absolutely needed was already off-world in schools or working on freighter ships.

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