Chapter Thirty-Eight #2
“Abraham came this morning to say we were free to go. There will still be things to address and even a potential trial, but the lawyer convinced the judge to appoint another doctor to evaluate us, given all our paranoia was the result of real danger. We were declared recovered and safe to release from care.” She scratched behind Tristan’s ear, and the quiet purr rose to a low rumble.
“Abraham made the Guardians promise to give us the afternoon alone before they invade. I hear they’ve made themselves quite at home here. ”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if my neighbors believe they’ve moved in, but I’m so grateful for them. I don’t think I could have survived this time without their help.”
“I know how you feel. Your letters kept me going.”
“You received them?”
“Only the few that Nurse Abbott smuggled from Dr. Chalfant’s office and gave to Nurse Rhodes.”
Ezekiel stiffened. “Rhodes? Isn’t that the nurse from isolation?”
Nora nodded. “Dr. Chalfant worried that I’d suffer another paroxysm.”
“So you’ve been in isolation this whole time?”
“Let’s just say, I’m very glad to be free.”
That man deserved to be removed from his position. Ezekiel squeezed Nora against his side and kissed the crown of her head. Praise God that Dr. Chalfant would no longer have power over her. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
“Home. I like the sound of that. It’s cozy here, and with all those instruments, I’m sure there is plenty of music.”
“Why do I get the feeling you just want me for my music?”
She playfully elbowed him. “You’re more than music to me, although it doesn’t hurt that you can sing and play. The question is”—she suddenly dropped her gaze, and her voice slipped into a whisper—“do you still want me after all I’ve put you through?”
What she’d put him through? He hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her face up until he could dive into those dark pools.
“No one is to blame for any of this except Adler and Mrs. Reed. I want you in my life more than words can ever say, but there is something you need to know before we go any further.”
At his pause, she searched his gaze and bit her lip.
He hated to do this, but Nora had just gained her freedom.
He would not take that away from her. “Ma’s not well, and I don’t think she will ever be.
It’s more than just the melancholia. She needs my care .
. . and the care of my wife until the day the Lord takes Ma home.
” His throat tightened at the mere thought of yet another good-bye, eventually for good.
“I have no expectations of you. You’ve been through enough.
Your ma’s home. You can finally have a normal life.
I can’t give you that. As much as I want you by my side, I refuse to drag you through what I know will be more difficult days. ”
Nora lifted a hand to his cheek, tears already creating tracks on hers. “You can’t drag someone who is choosing to walk alongside you. Difficult days will come, no matter if you have your mum to care for or not. I know we’ve spent more time apart than together, but I want to be your Donna Anna.”
He couldn’t help the grin that spread. “I’m more than happy to be your Don Ottavio.”
“Care to seal that declaration with a kiss?”
He let his lips give the answer. She responded in a sweet conversation without words.
He’d meant to keep it appropriately brief, but there was too much to say.
Too many promises to make. The promise to stand beside her beneath the yoke of Christ. To share the burden of challenges to come.
To love her as she deserved. And then there were the dreams to share.
Dreams of a life filled with music, children, and happiness.
The sweet conversation lingered so long that a reprimanding cough had to be repeated before they reluctantly ended it.
Mr. Davis grumbled, “Coffee’s ready,” before returning down the hall.
A full flush declared Nora’s embarrassment, but a mischievous smile revealed she didn’t mind. “He must really like you, because he only coughed instead of maiming you.”
Mr. Davis’s voice rumbled, “Maiming isn’t out of the question. You have one minute to join us.”
Ezekiel whispered against her ear, “One minute is more than enough time for another—”
Tristan swatted Ezekiel’s face, apparently done sharing Nora.
She laughed, but granted him a peck as she rose. “Don’t be greedy. God willing, we’ll have plenty of time for more.”
Ezekiel liked the sound of that.
Nora scooped up Tristan and plopped him on her shoulder. “Come along, Mr. Jealous. I’m sure there is a can of f-i-s-h for you somewhere.”
Probably not, but the cat would survive.
She took a few steps and looked back at Ezekiel. “Aren’t you coming?”
“In less than a minute. I wouldn’t want to earn a maiming.”
She laughed and continued toward the kitchen.
Ezekiel remained sitting, taking the moment to enjoy the way Nora had upended his life.
He’d known when he first laid eyes on her that she was different.
Someone worth pursuing. He’d just had no idea that she’d be so much more than he imagined.
Yes, he still had much to learn about her, but he had time.
Marriage couldn’t come immediately. She deserved a courtship not clouded by the fear of Adler and Mrs. Reed, and frankly, Ezekiel needed a job.
With two women in his life, a cat who ate more canned fish than was reasonable, and the hope of a growing family, he’d need something steady that paid more than the average stagehand position.
His gaze fell on the family Bible. If the last month had taught him anything, it was that God’s power would help him to be patient and fearless in the waiting.