Red sighed, and turned away, plucking wolf hairs from her coat until the small wooden house appeared outlined in the setting sun.
"Regina Elizabeth Doyle! Where on earth have you been?" came the shrill voice of her mother through the open window.
It was colder now, and the light from the house was warm and inviting. She could smell fresh bread and cooked meat. "I went for a walk," Red said briskly.
"You've been gone all afternoon!" her mother scolded. "The washing needs to be done, and the garden needs tending. You don't have time for walks."
Red glared at her as she reached the steps. "I'm sorry," she said, but she didn't sound sorry at all.
"No husband will ever want a woman that disappears for afternoons when the chickens need feeding, and the clothes need mending."
"I'll make up the lost time tomorrow, where is Pa?" she asked, deciding that changing the subject would be best.
"Out hunting, he should be back soon," her mother turned away from her to glance out the window, worry spread across her face.
Red's heart sank a little. "Out hunting deer?"
"No," her mother said quietly. "The wolves, they stole some of the O'Connor's sheep last night, and you know how upset your father is about how they killed your Grandmother."
"I told him, it wasn't the wolves, the old bat probably died of a heart attack."
"You haven't been talking to them again have you?" her mom asked sharply and grabbing her by the shoulders. "You know your father has forbidden it!
Red struggled to get free. "No! I haven't!"
Her mom dropped her grip, but Red could see that she was inspecting her cloak for any signs of wolf hair.
"I'm going to bed," she said, turning away from the sharp woman's eyes.
"Don't forget to wash," her mother said absentmindedly staring into the tree's, searching for her father.
Red washed her hands and face and changed into her night dress before climbing into bed. Her little brother was already asleep in the small bed next to her, his warm body curled up in a ball. His soft snoring filled the room.
Red closed her eyes, wondering where life may take her. Will her father return soon? Should she run away? What will tomorrow bring?
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