Love's First Flames (Banished Saga, 0.5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

thing, Jer. You’ll see that plenty enough.” Gabriel rose, ripping open his package to find black pants, an indigo long-sleeve shirt, two pairs of underclothes and socks. “Still no shoes. How are we supposed to do anything without shoes?”
    As he pulled out the shirt, a small handkerchief fell out with two oatmeal cookies inside. “Cookies,” Gabriel breathed.
    “I want them!” Richard said as he grasped at them.
    Gabriel held them over his head. “Get your own,” he said as he pointed to their packages on their cots.
    Richard and Jeremy unceremoniously ripped into their packages, digging through clothes identical to Gabriel’s until they found their cookies. They held them for a few moments, smelling them.
    “These don’t smell burned like Mum’s,” Richard said.
    “I agree,” Gabriel said. “Remember what Mrs. Thynne said. Anytime we have food, to eat it up fast. So let’s eat these up. I wouldn’t want her to get in trouble for being nice to us.”
    They gobbled down their cookies; at the initial bite, each boy emitted a long sigh as they had their first taste of a properly baked cookie in their lives, before finishing their allotment of two cookies each in under a minute. “Let’s put the napkins under my mattress.” Gabriel held out his hand for each of theirs before he lifted his mattress and placed all three underneath.
    Gabriel began to shuck his sooty, charred clothes before pulling his shirt back over his head as another loud rap sounded. Gabriel opened the door.
    “Before you dirty those nice new clothes, follow the young miss here to the laundry room where a tub has been set up for you three to bathe. Bring your packages with you and change into your clothes there.” Mrs. Thynne smiled as she wiped at her mouth as though smudging away cookie crumbs.
    Gabriel looked toward Jeremy and Richard, wiping his mouth and silently encouraging them to do the same. They did and then collected their packages before marching down the hallway to a humid room with clothes strung around. The young girl pointed to the tub in the middle of the room before shutting the door behind her.
    “I’ll act as sentry while you both take the first turns in the bath,” Gabriel said. He stood in front of the door, preventing anyone from entering. Jeremy stripped and entered the warm water. He took the soap offered by Richard, wrinkling his nose as he used it. After scrubbing himself, he stood and exited, toweling off and joining Gabriel by the door as he donned clothes two sizes too big.
    “You’ll grow into them soon enough,” Gabriel murmured. “Why didn’t you like the soap?”
    “It smells of some flower,” Jeremy said in a disgruntled tone.
    Gabriel laughed, waiting until Richard was washed and dressed before Gabe moved to bathe. The water was tepid at best by this point, and he washed quickly. “I can see why you didn’t like the soap, Jer,” Gabriel said. “Although I really like being clean.”
    He donned his new clothes, also too big. He rolled up both the shirtsleeves and pant legs. “At least we don’t have to wear those short pants like our cousins.”
    “You may say they’re my cousins, but I’ll never consider them my cousins,” Richard said.
    Gabriel placed a hand on the door to keep it closed, watching Richard with concern. “Think that when we are in our room with the door closed. Think that in here. But never let Aunt know,” Gabriel said. “Because whether we like it or not, we’re stuck with her.”
    “Uncle Aidan will come for us.”
    “I hope so, Rich, but you know how irregular his visits were. We can’t count on him. The only ones we can count on are the three of us. And hopefully Mrs. Thynne to feed us.” Gabriel squeezed his shoulder. “Please, Rich.”
    Richard nodded as Gabriel opened the door. They returned to their room where they told stories and made up ones to pass the time until supper.
    ***
    GABRIEL LED HIS YOUNGER BROTHERS to the kitchen, Jeremy peeking