InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Here There Be Potatoes!"

Eli Donovan (edonovan) wrote in oldwest_rpg,
@ 2008-05-20 20:26:00

Entry tags:

eli donovan, mary elizabeth mackenzie

Silver linings
Who: Eli Donovan & Lizzie MacKenzie
Where: the MacKenzie homestead
When: May 19, 1967; late afternoon, after Eli's encounter with Dell
Status: Complete
Summary: Eli has found Lizzie's abandoned parasol, and decided that sending it with someone else would just be rude -- so he brings it along himself.

---
Eli cradled the long wrapped bundle in one arm awkwardly as he swung down from his own horse and looped his reins over a nearby fencepost. Clouds notwithstanding, it hadn't decided to rain today -- but he'd decided not to leave anything to chance, and wrapped the parasol in a scrupulously clean bath towel, just in case. It wouldn't do any good to return it to Lizzie if it was damaged, after all, and he didn't know enough about such things to replace it, if that were the case. Jenny might, but he didn't see any reason to bother her with questions like that unless absolutely necessary.

He hadn't intended to put off returning the item so late in the afternoon, but business at the stables had delayed him a couple of hours. If he was perfectly honest with himself, he was glad to have that particular ill-tempered stallion off his hands; the beast got along with his new owner a great deal better than anyone else at the stable, and he'd been more trouble than he was worth. Still, the delay had cost him -- he didn't want to interfere with the MacKenzie's Sunday dinner, assuming they'd gone to church earlier in the morning like most of the townspeople.

He'd just have to make sure he returned the missing parasol and excused himself as quickly as possible, to avoid interrupting their afternoon. He should probably get back to the stables before too long, anyway. Hefting the bundle again, Eli lifted his hand to knock on the door, resolved to take up as little of the MacKenzie's time as possible.

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memackenzie
2008-05-21 03:28 am UTC (link)

An older woman opened the door, wiping her hands on her apron as she gave Eli a none-too subtle once over. "What business do you be havin' here on the Sabbath?" she asked, her voice brusque but with no real irritation behind it. "Somethin' wrong with the horses again?"

"Edalene, who's at the door?" Lizzie called out as the housekeeper didn't budge from the door.

"Mr. Donovan, the stable boy," Edalene replied. "I suspect he be lookin' for Mr. Robert."

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edonovan
2008-05-21 03:54 am UTC (link)

Eli grinned at the housekeeper, not the least bit dissuaded by her inspection. He'd actually taken the time to clean himself up a bit before leaving the stables, after all, and his shirt was clean and everything. She'd given him the same once-over -- and 'stable boy' moniker -- every time he'd stopped by to consult with Robert, and he was well used to it by now.

"Hello, Miz Thomas," he greeted her cheerfully. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes? No business at all, I promise -- the horses are doing quite well." His glanced had briefly shifted up over her shoulder at the sound of Lizzie's voice, but he pulled his attention back with a shake of his head. "I'm actually here to drop something off for Miss MacKenzie. She left this in the stables, and I thought she'd be wanting it back," he explained, hefting his bundle significantly.

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memackenzie
2008-05-21 04:05 am UTC (link)

"I don't know how I feel about you bringin' gifts for Miss Lizzie," Edalene mused. "I might be gettin' a might jealous."

Lizzie just laughed, and appeared in the hallway behind Edalene. Her hair was pinned properly, with a few wild strands framing her face. She hadn't quite mastered her hair in the heat yet, and unfortunately could not get it as properly smooth as previous. But her hair was up and her dress immaculate, even for a house day dress, because she couldn't bring herself to be anything less. Not yet. "Edalene, I can deal with him from here, thank you," she said lightly.

Edalene shrugged her shoulders and stepped away from the doorway. "You be watchin' him, Miss Lizzie," she chided. "That one's a wily one," she laughed as she retreated to the interior of the house.

Lizzie just smiled as she clasped her hands in front of her and smiled up at Eli. "What can I do for you, Mr. Donovan? I do hope this isn't work. The Sabbath was set aside as a day of rest, you know," she tagged on lightly.

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edonovan
2008-05-21 04:14 am UTC (link)

"No, ma'am," Eli said solemnly, although a grin was still tugging at the corners of his mouth at the housekeeper's parting shot. "Horses need feeding all days of the week, at the least, but it's not work that brings me out this way." He held out the bundle for her, tugging aside a corner of the towel to show her the parasol. "I found this hanging in the stables after you left, and thought you might be missing it." He quirked an eyebrow and threw a significant look over his shoulder at the overcast sky. "Then again, the weather being what it is, perhaps not."

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memackenzie
2008-05-21 04:22 am UTC (link)

Lizzie gasped, reaching for the bundle in his arms. "My parasol! Och, I'd thought I'd lost it." Which was only partly true -- she'd remembered taking it into the Donovan stables not too long after she'd realized it wasn't in her arms after leaving Eli's two days before. With the weather what it was the day before, it wasn't as if she needed the parasol, so there was no reason to go looking for it.

And, perhaps, she was hoping that the friendly Mr. Donovan might pay her a visit to return it. He apparently was the gentleman that he appeared to be.

"I apologize for being so forgetful," she said with a grin. "I'd lose my head if it wasn't set upon me so solidly."

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edonovan
2008-05-21 04:29 am UTC (link)

"Oh, no apology needed," Eli assured her. "You'd hung it well out of the way of all the muck and dirt in the stables, it could've happened to anyone, really. I nearly didn't notice it myself." He shrugged, and his own expression turned a bit apologetic. "I would have brought it to you sooner, but what with the rain yesterday and my own sister surprising me with a visit, it just slipped my mind."

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	memackenzie 2008-05-21 04:35 am UTC (link)
	"Oh, don't apologize," Lizzie insisted. "You didn't have to bring it back out to me, but I surely appreciate it." She unwrapped the white lace parasol and handed the towel back to Eli. "Actually... do you have to rush back to the stables, Mr. Donovan?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	edonovan 2008-05-21 04:43 am UTC (link)
	"For once, I've got nothing pressing demanding my attention, at least not immediately." Eli answered with a short laugh. "Although I don't want to interrupt your afternoon -- I'd have been by earlier if I hadn't lost track of time." He made a face. "Jenny's probably expecting me back before too long, I'd wager," he admitted. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-05-21 04:45 am UTC (link)
	"I would hate to keep you from your sister," Lizzie replied a might sheepishly. "I was hoping that you might fancy a walk, as the rain yesterday, while it reminded me quite of home, kept me unfortunately inside for the entirety of the day. But I understand if you need to return to your sister." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

edonovan
2008-05-21 04:52 am UTC (link)

"And leave you to go walking on your own?" Eli countered. "Wouldn't dream of it. Jenny's likely to be out exploring the town, or getting to know the horses, now that it's cleared up outside. I just need to make sure I'm not ruining your plans for the afternoon." He grinned slightly at her. "I'd hate to wear out my welcome, so you can always set Miz Thomas on me with a broom if I'm underfoot."

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memackenzie
2008-05-21 04:55 am UTC (link)

"I won't hesitate to set her after you if you overstay your welcome," Lizzie laughed. She slid open her parasol, more out of habit than out of necessity on a day like this with thick clouds populating the sky. "Robert is working on his books, and I was planning nothing more than a bit of needlework on the porch. Nothing that can't be put off for a rainy day. A day like this deserves a walk and pleasant company."

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edonovan
2008-05-21 05:04 am UTC (link)

"Well, then, if your brother is otherwise occupied, I'm obliged to make sure you have a pleasant walk," Eli replied, smiling. He offered her one arm out of habit; with two sisters, his mother had long since hammered home proper behavior regarding the fairer sex, and even after so many years away from home, those lessons had never faded. "Did you have a particular destination in mind, or are you more of a mind for a ramble?"

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	memackenzie 2008-05-21 05:13 am UTC (link)
	"I think that a ramble sounds lovely," Lizzie answered, taking the offered arm with a warm smile. "I've seen so little of the town, but I can't fault Robert for that. When one appears without forewarning, one can't expect the host to be prepared with the proper itinerary. He is quite the busy man. As are you, Mr. Donovan." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

edonovan
2008-05-21 05:42 am UTC (link)

"Comes with the territory, I reckon," Eli replied. "Animals don't stick to a timetable, most of the time, so it's hard to set normal hours of business, like the bank or the post office," he chuckled. He shook his head wryly. "It's a bit tricky just finding time to sleep, especially with a new foal putting a bit of a hitch in the normal everyday routine." He cast her a sidelong look as he let her lead wherever she wished to ramble. "When did you get into town, then, if you don't mind my asking? I remember your brother mentioning you just a few weeks ago, that you were back home in Scotland."

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memackenzie
2008-05-21 12:22 pm UTC (link)

"Just a few days previous," Lizzie answered as they started to make their way into the town. She hadn't been kidding about only having a limited tour of what was around. She'd found Eli's stables while looking for Robert, and the post office to mail a letter to Ian letting him know that she'd arrived safely and in one piece. But she'd seen nothing else of the town and if Eli was willing to ramble along with her, she was going to take advantage of the opportunity. "I grew a wee bit weary of Scotland and her rainy days," which wasn't completely untrue, "and decided that I needed a bit of a change of scenery," which was closer to the truth. "Robert was complementary of New Shelby in letters home."

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edonovan
2008-05-21 06:45 pm UTC (link)

"It sounds like it's certainly a change of scenery," Eli chuckled. He occasionally wondered what it might be like to visit another country, like Robert and Lizzie, but he'd just never gotten around to it. He supposed his own parents had used up all of the family's adventurous spirit for a couple of generations, just in coming to America themselves. "We're awfully glad to have your brother here in town, too -- it's not every town can boast a university-educated animal doctor on their doorstep, and I'm willing to bet he'll find plenty of business in the nearby towns, as well." He glanced down at her curiously. "You didn't mention if you were enjoying the change of scenery so far, though," he pointed out lightly.

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memackenzie
2008-05-21 06:55 pm UTC (link)

"Oh, I certainly am," Lizzie insisted. "The heat is a bit of a pickle to get used to, and I am confounded by the number of women who can walk about without a hint of shade and look to be doing just fine. It is unfortunately not nearly this... sunny in Edinburgh," she laughed. "But sometimes a change of scenery is what the soul needs. Something new and different. And the people," she added, smiling up at him, "the people here have been quite accommodating. And I very much appreciate that."

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	edonovan 2008-05-21 07:49 pm UTC (link)
	"We sure do try," Eli grinned amiably at her. "I thought much the same thing m'self when I got here -- little over a year ago, now I reckon. Might be why I decided to set up shop here, instead of heading back to Carson City." He'd briefly entertained the idea of heading back that way, true enough -- further west just seemed like a much better idea. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-05-21 10:11 pm UTC (link)
	"Is that where you're from?" Lizzie asked. "Carson City? I don't know that place. But then, I'm loathe to admit that I know very few places out this far into the wilderness." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	edonovan 2008-05-21 11:54 pm UTC (link)
	Eli laughed. "Can't say as I blame you, since I'm not altogether sure I could locate Edinburgh on a map without help," he quipped. "Carson City's in Nevada, east of here," he explained. "And it's not so much where I'm from as where I was before. I lived there for a few years before making my way out here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-05-22 12:38 am UTC (link)
	"Then where are you from, if you don't mind me asking, Mr. Donovan," Lizzie asked, tilting her parasol to block the harsh afternoon sun from her face. "You sound a wee bit different from the others here that I've run into." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	edonovan 2008-05-22 03:04 am UTC (link)
	"Born and raised in Philadelphia, actually." Eli answered amiably. "My mum and da came over from Ireland not long after they were married. My sisters and I were all born there, and I came out this way around eight years ago -- so you might just be hearing a badly muddled accent," he laughed ruefully. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	memackenzie 2008-05-22 03:13 am UTC (link)
	"You're Irish?" Lizzie mused, mulling over how she felt about that fact. "Aye, I think that would be what I'm hearing. I knew that you didn't sound like the others here," she chuckled. "So your family's from near mine." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

edonovan
2008-05-22 04:00 am UTC (link)

"A generation removed, but yes," Eli conceded. "I've never been there, though, more's the pity. Mum and Da grew up in Cork -- they took ship for America to find work. Da was a stableman and Mum a seamstress, so they settled in right enough before Annie came along." He tossed her an impish grin. "You think I've got a bit of an accent, you should hear them talk, especially if Mum's in a fit of temper."

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memackenzie
2008-05-22 06:48 am UTC (link)

"Oh, I can only imagine," Lizzie agreed quickly. She'd heard a full Irish temper from the cook at their Inverness estate, who was a frightening woman even on a good day. But surely Eli's mother wouldn't have the same temper as Margaret O'Grady. A temper like that could never raise a sweet man like Eli. "And I imagine that you sound a bit more like them when you're in a fit as well," she continued. "Although I must admit, I have a hard time envisioning you in the middle of a fit."