Page 55 of A Foster Fling
“This is Hans,” he says as he pats the horse’s neck. I wish I could ride Hans. “Do you live here alone?”
My heart races as I consider telling him the truth, but a feeling of unease spreads through me at the thought.
“No,” I take a small step back. “My mother also lives here.”
“Two women should not be out here without the protection of a man.” His eyes widen. “There are strange things that happen in these forests. Is your mother unmarried?”
I bet Pearl would love to take this man to bed’s handsome and strong. Jealousy rips through me at the thought, but not for Pearl. I don’t want to share my stranger on his horse.Abbe.He’s mine and mine alone.
“Yes,” I tell the lie so easily. “He also travels through this meadow.”
“I see,” he states, his eyes narrowed. He doesn’t believe me. “Can we speak again when I make my way back from town?”
“When will that be?” My heart begins to pound at the thought of Pearl finding him in the meadow.
“In three days’ time.”
If Pearl sticks to her schedule, she will be coming through the day after him.
“Yes,” I call out. “You may summon me when you come back through.”
“And what name shall I use?” A smirk dances along his lips.
“Zelinda.”
His smirk grows into a stunning smile, the sight striking me speechless as he nudges his horse into a canter.
“I will be seeing you, Zelinda.”
The insinuating tone of his voice, the husky vibration, sends me scrambling back inside, and turning all the locks on the door. My back rests against the cold iron as my chest rapidly rises and falls.
For the first time in my life, I have deliberately misbehaved and broken several of Pearl’s rules. A smile begins to form along my trembling mouth, and before long, I’m bent over with riotous laughter.
I have never felt better.
——
For the next few days, I watch the window with close vigilance. Sometimes, I stand here for too long and imagine I’m hearing the clop of horses’ hooves. I pace the length of my room part of the day, wringing my hands, and then I’m back at the window, my heart beating with an anticipation I’ve become addicted to.
What if he doesn’t come back?
What if Pearl finds him in the forest?
What if Pearl catches him here?
The day he is due back, it rains in thick, heavy sheets, obstructing the view and drowning out any noise. The sky cracks with lightning, and the tower shakes with the force of every clap of thunder.
At least I don’t have to worry about Pearl making an appearance. She would never risk traveling in this weather, but at the same time, maybe Abbe won’t either. Then what if he comes through tomorrow instead? And during the time Pearl is here visiting?
It would be a disaster.
Another loud clap has me diving under my covers, and the bright white crack of lightning lights up my room. I’ve always hated being here alone during a storm, but when they get this intense, I wish my foster mother lived here, too.
I don’t know how long I’m under the covers for, but a loud banging on the iron door has me screaming with fright. There’s muffled screaming. The storm’s rage is drowning out all noise.
Slowly, I rise from my bed, then head over to the window to look outside. I can’t see the front door, but I don’t see a horse either. Mother and Abbe both ride horses. There’s no mistaking that someone is at my tower’s door, but who else would it be?
With a heavy iron candlestick in hand, I creep slowly down the stairs. The insistent banging grows louder the closer I get.