by Amy Richie
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Sinclair,” Sylvia chuckled, “we’ll have Claudia home before the snow starts falling.”
Chapter Four
Sylvia and David led the way to the path at a fast pace. Marcus and I quickly fell behind so that we were almost alone.
I smiled nervously, tucking a stray curl behind my suddenly warm ears. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I wanted to meet you.”
My tongue darted out to moisten my dry lips before I caught the bottom one between my teeth. “Can I ask you something?”
He paused in his step. “Of course.”
“Was last night real, or was I dreaming?”
“Well that depends.”
“Depends on what?”
“On which part you are talking about.”
I dropped my voice to a near whisper. “I found the rose, so it must be true.”
“Then indeed it must be.” He smiled wide, one eyelid dropping in a playful wink.
I froze in place, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. He walked on a few steps before he turned around to see why I wasn’t following. “Are you coming?”
“Yeah,” I croaked.
We walked on for a while in a comfortable silence. Sylvia and David were still in sight, but they were far ahead of us by now. The breeze carried Sylvia’s carefree laughter back to us, making me smile.
“How long have you been living with them?” I asked, pushing my chin in the direction of the happy couple. In the light of day, Marcus towered over me so I had to tilt my head up to see his face, which was absolutely breath taking.
“A while,” he answered elusively.
“A while?” I widened my eyes playfully.
“Tell me about yourself,” he ordered gently.
I loved the smoothness of his voice; the deep tones set my heart at a rapid rhythm. I laughed uncomfortably. “There’s nothing interesting about me.” I hated how airy my voice was.
“Ah,” he scoffed. “I don’t think that’s true.” I shrugged with a foolish smile plastered on my face. “And I don’t think you believe that either,” he added.
“I’m just a normal average girl.” I gestured awkwardly to a beautiful bush with pink flowers decorating its full leaves. “This is lovely.”
“Where did you grow up?” He didn’t even glance at the roses.
“Here.” The single word sounded too much like a question to be convincing.
“You don’t have the accent down.” He switched his own accent so fluidly I would have thought he was from the States. “But you do try very well,” he said back in his regular voice.
“I’m…” My voice came out in a squeak. I cleared my throat as quietly as I could.
“Where were you born?” His eyes seemed to see all the way through me, and before I even realized what I was saying, I was telling him the truth.
“I was born in Virginia.”
“Beautiful place,” he murmured.
My breath was coming out way to heavily but once one truth was out and he didn’t run away, other truths came without his prompting. “My parents are both dead. They got the sickness.”
“What were their names?”
My eyes stung with unshed tears, it had been so long since I had spoken their names. “Maria and Benjamin.”
“Very lovely.”
I smiled up at him. “My mother gave me a locket. I still have it.”
“What was your mother like?”
“Um,” I swallowed quickly. I hoped that I wouldn’t start crying. “She was quiet.”
He laughed, the sound releasing some of my own tension. “A quiet woman is a rarity.”
“Indeed.” We both laughed. The sounds joined together, and filled the empty places in my heart.
Marcus felt so familiar to me; I could hardly believe how carefree he made me feel. I was once again the little girl who got in trouble for taking trousers and riding her horse bareback. If I closed my eyes tight enough, I could feel the way the wind played with my unruly curls that day, the way the blood rushed into my face, and the way my heart beat for the thrill of the ride.
But I didn’t close my eyes. I didn’t have to; I felt all those things just by looking at Marcus.
“Look at that,” I exclaimed over an old apple tree that I had almost forgot existed. “Those apples look amazing.”
“Pick which one you want.” Marcus took his jacket off and threw it carelessly down.
“Umm,” I scanned the delicious fruits until I found the largest one, “that one.” I pointed to a spot far up in the branches.
“Done,” he winked and began climbing up the tall tree. I watched with a small smile tugging at my lips.
“Are you sure you have to have this one, Claudia?”
I nodded eagerly, my curls bouncing off my forehead. “It’s the biggest on the tree.”
“It’s also the highest up,” Marcus grumbled with a laugh. “If I should fall and break my neck, will you feel guilty then?”
My eyes widened. “You won’t fall, will you?”
“I don’t plan on it.” He pushed himself up to a higher branch, and a few leaves fluttered to the ground.
“I changed my mind,” I called frantically. “Just come down.” I craned my neck so I could watch as he carelessly positioned his feet on two branches, and reached for the prized apple.
One of the branches bent dangerously, and he had to scramble to right himself. “Oph,” I heard his muffled exclamation.
“Marcus!” I buried my face in my hands, unable to watch anymore.
“Here you are,” he declared triumphantly.
When I opened my eyes, he was standing in front of me, both feet safely on the ground, holding out the apple. “Are you okay?” I gushed.
“It doesn’t look as big up close, does it?” He crinkled his nose in disappointment.
“You could have been hurt,” I flared. I plucked the offered apple from his hands. “Thanks,” I mumbled.
“I’m fine, Claudia. I used to climb many trees when I was a boy.”
“You’re not a boy anymore.”
“I’m hardly an old man either. At least I don’t look like I am.” He twitched his eyebrows playfully.
I rolled my eyes. “I used to climb trees when I was little too, but you don’t see me climbing them now.”
“I would love to see you climb a tree.” He sank down onto the soft grass beneath the tree.
“I’m sure that would go over well.” I kneeled down to my knees in front of him.
“Are you not going to eat it now?”
“I suppose I should since you went to all the trouble of getting it for me.” In an extremely unladylike gesture, I sank my teeth into the perfect skin of the apple. “Mmm, maybe it was worth it.”
“I would say so,” he said softly.
I flushed at his words. I watched as an orange and black butterfly danced along the flowers. Marcus plucked a pink flower from the ground and began tearing the petals off.
“Did you hurt yourself?” he asked suddenly.
“No,” I quickly examined my hands and arms.
“You have blood on your dress.”
“I do?”
He lifted a fold of my skirt to point out the tiny spot of blood from earlier that morning. “What happened?”
I was embarrassed that he had noticed it. “I got in a fight with my needle this morning.” I made a face.
“The needle won?”
I laughed with him. “I guess you could say that.”
When I looked up at him, my breath caught at the look on his face. “Society has too many rules,” he murmured.
“I have to wear tight shoes,” I murmured back.
“Every move we make is watched.”
“And I have to wear my hair in tight little pins that make my head ache.”
“And if I kissed you right now, it would be the equivalent of a marriage proposal.”
I lowered my eyes quickly. “Do you want to kiss me?
”
“I have thought about it much more than I should.”
“I’m already engaged,” I blurted out. I scrambled up to my feet. “We should get back.”
He got up more slowly. “You are right; as usual,” He winked.
Sylvia and David appeared from behind the tree. I blushed to think that they may have overheard our conversation.
“Claudia has tired of my company,” Marcus said to Sylvia, “Shall we return her to her aunt now?”
“I never said…” I stammered then blushed.
“He’s such a naughty boy for teasing you.” Sylvia tapped his shoe and then intertwined her arm with mine so we could walk together back to the house.
David and Marcus fell into step behind us. Sylvia’s husband was a handsome man with light brown hair and kind eyes. I was drawn in by the easy smile that lit up his whole face.
“I hear your young man is quite a catch around here,” Sylvia noted.
Once again, I flushed and stumbled around for a response. I wondered if Sylvia had that effect on everyone. I had never met anyone with such dark chocolate hair and with those ice blue eyes that almost flashed silver. “Um…he’s not that young,” I blurted. I inwardly groaned at my hasty words.
“He’s not yet thirty, is he?”
“He’s thirty one.”
“That’s not so old,” she smiled.
I chanced a quick look back at Marcus who wasn’t even paying attention to me and Claudia. He and David were talking in excited whispers and grinning wide.
“Boys,” Sylvia rolled her eyes.
I went up the stairs slowly, not even trying to hide my smile. I had never before met a man like Marcus Letrell. He was more handsome than anyone I knew, but that wasn’t the only reason my heart rate exploded whenever I saw him.
I sighed happily.
Just before he had left that afternoon, he had promised to look out for me tonight, and protect me if need be. A crazy part of my heart hoped that the man with red eyes showed up tonight.
Chapter Five
I changed carefully into my nightdress, making sure to stay out of view of the window. I wasn’t sure who could be watching. Becky helped to unbraid my hair, but I sent her away so I could brush it out myself.
I sat very still in front of my looking glass. My skin was more pale than usual, making my hair stand out like fire and the green in my eyes so much brighter. I pinched my cheeks, trying to add some color to my complexion.
“Oh,” I sighed, “this is ridiculous; to be readying myself for a night time visit.” I tightened my lips and began brushing long strokes through my hair.
If he showed up tonight, I wouldn’t hesitate to call for Uncle Philip, I decided. Otherwise I might be sending the message that I welcome him into my room. With a determined set to my jaw I began brushing my hair more forcefully.
A noise outside my window stole all my determination away though. I ducked down to my hands and knees on the floor and cowered there for several long heartbeats. The noise came again–this time slightly louder. It sounded like an animal crying.
I pressed my forehead into the rug I was kneeling on, straining to hear any other sounds. The house was quiet, and except for the few animal cries, so was the outside.
With more bravery than I felt, I crawled to the open window. I puffed my cheeks out with air and let it out slowly. Before I could change my mind, I popped my head up to look out the window. I quickly scanned the area for any sign of a man dressed in black. I let out a ragged breath when I saw no one.
A movement by the large tree caught my eyes. It was Hunter, Uncle Philips old brown hound dog. Why was he just sitting there?
His tail thumped on the ground when he noticed me in the window. I whistled softly and he made a move to come forward, but something stopped him. I realized with a heavy sigh that the dog was tied to the tree with a rope.
Uncle Philip must have tied him up earlier and then forgotten him. I wondered how long the poor creature had been stuck to the tree. Hunter whined up at me. I pulled on my robe with a small groan. I didn’t have any choice but to go out and free him. There was no strange man outside my window tonight–besides Marcus had promised to be watching.
I quickly made my way down the steps and pulled the front door closed behind me. The house was dark already, so I wasn’t conscious of the amount of clothing I had on.
“It will just be a quick trip,” I told myself, “I’ll just untie Hunter and get back inside.”
The chill in the air surprised me and I pulled my robe tighter to my chest. The thin material didn’t do much for the cold though. I was glad for Uncle Philip’s heavy farm boots that I had slipped on just before I went out the front door. They made it harder to hurry, but at least my feet were warm.
I rounded the corner of the house and saw the tree right away. I didn’t see Hunter though. Where was that old dog?
“Hunter,” I called in a loud whisper. “Here, doggie.”
I approached the tree as quickly as possible, and circled the large trunk. Hunter wasn’t there anymore. I found the rope that he had been tied to, but when I followed it, nothing was at the end.
“What...” Maybe the dog had gotten loose. I walked a few steps into the dark shadows. “Hunter?” There was something lying in the grass a few feet away.
My chest rose and fell rapidly, and my heart was pounding. “Hunter?” I took a few more steps. The shape didn’t move.
I brought my hand up to cover my mouth. Brown fur ruffled in the slight breeze. Blood was splattered in the grass around the body of the dead dog.
I felt my stomach tighten up. I was too scared to scream, too scared to even move. Whatever had done this to Hunter must be close. I had just seen the dog alive from my bedroom window. My arms and legs began to shake. I needed to get back to the safety of my room.
I turned to run back to the house and slammed right into a dark chest. My scream died in my throat when a huge fist clamped hard on my shoulder. I realized with a growing horror that I might pass out.
“Wh…who..?”
So suddenly that I didn’t know what was going on, the man dressed in black was gone.
“Hey,” a familiar whisper was at my ear. “Did you miss me?”
“Marcus,” I grabbed tight to his arm.
“Are you hurt?”
“No. But Hunter…”
“What hunter?” He looked around with wild eyes.
“The dog,” I croaked.
His eyes traveled to where I pointed to the dead dog lying in the grass. He pulled me behind him in an instant. “Did he hurt you?”
“The dog?” I was confused. Did he think I had killed Hunter for hurting me?
“The man, Claudia. Ryan.”
“Ryan? Do you know that man?” My mouth dropped open at the realization.
A low, deep laugh started on the breeze, and traveled to where we stood. “Marcus!” A deep voice called.
“He’s a coward,” Marcus snarled in my ear. “He hides in the darkness.”
Another dark laugh was his only response. I suddenly felt a sharp pain on my arm and shoulder. When I looked down, I was shocked to see deep claw marks up my arm and all the way to my neck.
“What was that?” I asked in a near panic.
Marcus growled into the wind, a frightening sound that almost made me cower away from him, but the answering growl had me back to pressing myself against him.
“Marcus?” I pulled on his arm. “Let’s just go.”
He looked down at me, nodding even as he dragged me along the yard. “Go inside and lock your door,” he hissed.
I screamed and ducked low to the ground when something flew over our heads and slammed into the front door. The body of Hunter rolled away from the door to rest at our feet. I let out a small scream and flinched back.
Marcus pulled me back before the dog’s body could touch my feet. “What does he want?” I screeched.
“You,” the man growled.
“You wo
n’t have her,” Marcus growled back.
“Is that a challenge Letrell?”
Marcus twisted me around to position me further behind his back so quickly that my feet were momentarily off the ground. My heart raced ahead of my breathing until the only sound I could hear was the blood pounding behind my ears.
“Run, run as fast as you can,” the man taunted.
I felt Marcus’s tremble under my hands and then we were running. He was pulling me along behind him so fast that my feet were barely touching the ground. When I almost fell, he righted me in a swift motion, and we kept going.
I felt the wind ruffling my hair, and I was reminded of riding on the back of a horse, only this was much more frightening.
We ran on, so far that the trees thinned out to the rocky patches that would eventually become the mountain range.
Marcus ducked behind a large tree that had grown along the bottom of the rocky surface and pulled me close to his side. He pressed his finger close to his lips as a warning for me to be quiet. I nodded quickly, my eyes wide.
Marcus turned to me with narrowed eyes, but I couldn’t help that my breathing came out in raspy gasps, or that my heartbeat echoed off every rock. I had never before been chased in the night from my bedroom out to the edge of the forest.
He leaned close to whisper in my ear, “Are you okay?”
“Not really,” I whispered loudly.
“Shh.” He peered around the tree, not making a sound.
I worked hard to control my breathing. Who was that man? And why was he chasing us? What did he want with me?
I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, both for comfort and warmth. I was too scared to cry or even move.
Just when I had started to breath normally again, I felt Marcus tighten against me. Before I could find my voice to ask him what had happened, I heard the sound of an approaching horse. I took a deep breath and held it there.
A large, dark colored horse came into view. The rider appeared to be a large man, but I couldn’t see very well in the dark. He didn’t even slow down when he passed us. I waited until he thundered out of sight before I let out the breath I had been holding.
Marcus turned back to me. “It’s alright now,” he said in a loud whisper.
