I awoke with a cry from a nightmare before the sun had the chance to come up. I was tormented with images of my mother burning to death right before my eyes, her screams as loud as though her mouth was right against my ears. She screamed for me to help her while the corpses of my father and sisters dragged me away from her, whispering, begging me to join them. I bolted up in a cold sweat, a sharp cry tearing from my abused vocal cords, and was immediately enveloped in a nearly crushing embrace. I tensed until I smelled Sawyer; he smelled of a bakery and pine trees. I relaxed in his arms, but continued to sob. Each sound I made felt like molten glass shards digging into my throat. He stroked my hair and whispered comforting things into my ear until I fell back asleep.

POV Sawyer Irving

I stayed with Gracelynn until the sun came up. I wished to stay with her and comfort her, but alas, I had work to do. I cast one more look her way. She normally looked beautiful and at peace sleeping, but now her brow was deeply furrowed and her lips were turned down in a frown. Poor girl. She did not deserve any of this. Had losing her sisters and her father not been enough? I shook my head, still pained at having to leave her, and made my way back to my bedroom to dress for the day. Violet was already awake and making breakfast, gods bless her. She turned to me with a heavy gaze as I came down the stairs.

"It was her mother, was it not?" She inquired.

"It was," I confirmed.

Violet turned back to the pan of eggs over the fire, sighing heavily.

"Poor Gracelynn...she does not deserve this pain," she sniffled.

"Indeed. You do not mind if she stays here for awhile, do you, Violet?" I queried.

"Not at all. She needs a friend, dear brother."

"Thank you. I will eat later; the shop opens soon. Make sure Gracelynn eats today."

"I shall. I will join you after she awakes, dear brother."

I nodded and walked outside to our shop. The smell of burnt flesh was still hanging in the air and I flinched. Betty Weatherbury did not deserve that fate. Curses on Adrian Thatcher. Although I supposed he was Mayor Thatcher now. Our village had better pray to the gods that he does not make things worse than they already are. Petunia Fletcher was the first customer, as usual. She wore her usual pink dress, cleavage pushed out much too far.

"Good morning, sir Irving," she chirped in an overly saccharine tone, "how are you this morning?"

"I am quite upset over the death of Madam Weatherbury," I replied boredly.

"But she deserved it if she murdered the mayor, did she not?"

My blood boiled. How dare she.

"Madam Thatcher would sooner commit suicide than even think about harming a soul and if you have a functioning brain, you know it. Furthermore, I love the Weatherbury family, so I will not allow the sullyment of their name here," I spat, pinning her to where she stood with a glare.

She looked frightened of my sudden outburst and stepped back.

"My apologies. I only say such because that is what Sir Thatcher said." She murmured.

"What can I get you today?" I asked.

"I only came to say good morning. Have a good day, Sir Irving." And with that, she left with a salacious wink.

I rolled my eyes. That woman needed to recognize that I did not fancy her. The next person to walk up was Mayor Adrian Thatcher, who was clutching a piece of paper and looked almost gleeful today. Perhaps because he knew he got away with murder yesterday?

"Good morning, Sir Irving. I am guessing that you are currently caring for Miss Gracelynn, am I correct?" He drawled.

"I am. What do you need?" I spoke curtly.

"If you could inform her, I would like to request a new coat, charcoal in color. My measurements are written here.

"Very well, Mayor Thatcher. My sister or I will get that done as soon as is possible."

"You misunderstand me. I would like Gracelynn to make it for me."

"Miss Weatherbury is currently unable to."

"And why is that?"

"If you recall, she lost the last living member of her family yesterday. She is wracked with grief after watching her own mother burn to death right before her own eyes. She needs time to heal, so with all due respect Mayor Thatcher, you will have to accept that she will not be able to make it for you."

Adrian clenched his jaw and narrowed his dark eyes, clearly furious. But he nodded curtly before adding "very well. I expect you to deliver the coat to my estate when it is finished."

"Of course, Mayor Thatcher. Have a splendid day."

With that, Adrian promptly turned on his heel and stalked away. As the day went by, I found myself close to tears many times as villagers buzzed about as lazily as a bee first thing in the morning. They all acted as though nothing had changed and it simultaneously infuriated and puzzled me. Had everyone simply forgotten how much Betty had done for this village? She had been known for stepping in when fights would break out, helping new mothers, assisting new shop owners in management, offering crucial life advice. She did not have a cruel bone in her body Yesterday, she died for no reason. Today, the people whose lives she had touched so gently and kindly went on oblivious, as though nothing had happened.

Betty Weatherbury had volunteered herself as a mother to my sister and I after we lost our father, while still caring for her own children. She had supplied a rapidly-growing Violet with much clothing and had taken over our shop with one of her daughters many times. She had comforted us and supplied us with many necessities. She fought Adrian every single time he tried to shut down our store. She had us stay in her house and made us meals and made sure we were okay. She reassured me that Gracelynn felt the same for me as I did for her; she just needed time to come to terms with those feelings. Betty was the most caring individual in the village and now she was gone.

I could only imagine how poor Gracelynn felt, losing all 6 of her family members over the span of 5 years. I could not imagine how she felt. If I lost Violet, I would simply give up. I prayed to every god and goddess that Gracelynn would remain strong and refuse to give up. Though I would happily take over her shop for her if she needed it. Violet would be fine with running our shop on her own; she had done so umpteen times now on days I was sick or injured. Or perhaps I could remain at our shop and she would take over Gracelynn's; she was better with crafting clothing than I. My mind felt alive as a beehive: swarming and buzzing with thoughts; I failed to notice when Violet appeared at my elbow.

"By all the Olympians! Violet, please do well to remember to get my attention before appearing so near to me! You gave me a fright," I exclaimed.

"I apologize, Sawyer. But Gracelynn is awake and-" Violet began.

"She is awake? Dearest sister, would you mind taking over here for awhile? I must go to her."

"But Sawyer-"

"I will be back as soon as I can."

I raced back to my house, only to find it empty. Damn. Where could she have gone? Perhaps that was what Violet was trying to tell me. I decided to check Gracelynn's home. She may be in her mother's room, mourning her. Gracelynn was in her home, but not where I expected her to be. She was gathering clothing supplies in a large wicker basket, face blank and pale.

"Gracelynn?" I queried.

When she did not react, I planted myself in her path and cautiously rested my hands on her shoulders. She looked up at me, and her brilliant green eyes were devoid of emotion.

"My dearest friend, what are you doing?" I inquired.

"I have clothes to sew," she responded flatly, attempting to push past me.

I held her steady and this time, frustration flashed in her eyes.

"Release me at once, Sir Irving," Gracelynn hissed, and I was wounded by her formality.

"Gracelynn, what are you doing?" I asked once more.

"I am going to sew clothing. It is my job."

"Indeed it is, but you have gone through a great deal of suffering. I urge you to take a break."

"I shall not. What good am I to anyone if I cannot pick up where my mother left off? I cannot fail her or father, or Abigail, or Evellynn, or Angelica. It is only a matter of time before that irrelevant bastard forces me to be his wife and I will need something to distract me and give me an excuse to escape him. He has the power to, now that his brother is dead. He can control all of Senpiproso and no one can stop him. If anyone is even suspected of standing in his way, he will burn them down, the same way he did my mother and your father. He needs no reason; his word is law now."

"Gracelynn Weatherbury. I will not allow you to give up like this, nor will I allow you to overexert yourself for your family. Besides, they would not want you to do this to yourself; they would want you to take time to heal."

"And how could you know that? Have you spoken to them recently?"

"No."

"Then how would you know what they want for me?"

"Because they care for you. When a member of your family died, the remaining urged you to take time for yourself and cared for you. Or do you forget that? I remember you could not bring yourself to leave your bed when your father died, and your mother asked me to care for you until you were able to get back on your feet."

Gracelynn was silent. I continued, "and when Angelica was murdered, your mother once again asked me to care for you so she could take care of not just her own shop, but mine as well. Do you remember this?"

"I do. I remember everything. But I am the only living member of my family and I have a job to do. You cannot stop me," she insisted.

"Aye, indeed I cannot. But please, Gracelynn, for my sake, will you retire to the spare bed in my home and sew there?"

"Only because you insist. But I expect you to bring clothing requests directly to me."

"Thank you. I will check on you as often as I can. Allow me to help you carry some of this. Is there anything you need from your shop?"

"That depends on orders."

"Aye. A few people have sent in requests. Violet currently has them. I will bring them to you, and if you require something from your shop, I will accompany you upon your quest to fetch it."

"Very well. Let us depart."

Gracelynn allowed me to walk her back to my home. Once she was settled back in my spare bedroom, I fetched the clothing orders from Violet and passed them on to Gracelynn. She read through them, and when her blank expression turned something dark, I knew she had read Mayor Thatcher's order.

"I refuse to fill this request." She spat.

"I do not blame you. Leave it to Violet and me." I nodded.

"Leave it to Violet, you mean. You never could find your way around a needle and thread."

Amusement danced in her eyes briefly, and I laughed.

"You caught me. I will be back up to check on you in a while, but do not hesitate to come get me if you need anything, alright?" I explained.

"Alright. And Sawyer?"

"Yes, Gracelynn?"

"Thank you. For...your kindness, your home, your time, your resources...everything."

"As long as it is for you, I do not mind."

As I made my way out of my house and back to the shop, I found myself hoping that the sudden blush upon Gracelynn's face was not a trick of the light.