24. Chapter 24
Chapter twenty-four
Aweek passed, and Katrina watched the first flakes of snow swirling in the sky.
News of Willem’s return spread through the town mere hours after he came home.
The information buzzed into gossip among the townsfolk, wondering how he’d lost his memories, where he’d been, and how she could have found him.
Her parents had been worried about her whereabouts until she recounted half-truths about discovering Willem in the forest and bringing him back to his parents.
Since leaving Willem at the café, she hadn’t seen him since. She knew he would need time to adjust and spend time with the parents he hadn’t seen in fourteen years. She’d spent the past month with him—she couldn’t be selfish by asking for more.
However, her heart ached in Willem’s absence.
The shadow of his kiss lingered on her lips, and her pulse thrummed beneath her skin at the memory.
She couldn’t seem to evade how he’d poured desperation and passion into their clumsy kiss—how he clung to her like a man dying of thirst—for every drop of her touch. The reminder heated her cheeks.
For weeks, she’d pushed the spark of feelings for the man she thought was a ghost. But now, he was as real and alive as any man. The curse was broken—he was free, and she was free to explore the feelings she’d guarded behind her heart. Nothing stood between her and the man she wanted.
Except for time.
Katrina sighed. As much as she wished to respect Willem’s time, she also wanted to march into the café and throw herself into his arms.
Father’s rattling coughs echoed from upstairs, jolting her from her daydreams. Katrina frowned, knowing she couldn’t keep her parents waiting much longer either.
“Miss?” Greta asked.
Katrina’s head snapped in her direction at the threshold between the dining room and the hallway leading to the front doors. “Yes?”
“You have a young man who wishes to speak with you.”
Her heart fluttered with eager anticipation. Katrina lifted her velvet sapphire skirt and cream petticoats and raced to the door. Upon opening it, Katrina’s smile wilted.
Brom Bones stood before her. Some of his loose, black curls escaped the queue at the nape of his neck, effortlessly framing his angular jaw. He flashed her a brilliant smile, but she did not return the sentiment.
She should have known it would be Brom. She’d spent all her time thinking of Willem that she’d nearly forgotten about the man she was actively avoiding.
“Good afternoon, Katie,” he said. “May I come in?”
Katrina grimaced, not wishing him to enter her home. “We may speak outside.”
“Does the cold not bother you?” he asked.
A stray snowflake landed on one of her lashes, but she shook her head. “No, I’m perfectly comfortable. I needed some fresh air anyhow. Did you need something?”
Brom drew himself up, his smile never wavering. “I’ve been thinking about you more lately. I’ve given you the time you requested. Have you considered our future?”
“I have,” she answered.
“And?”
Katrina chewed her lip. She’d imagined this moment and rehearsed the words in the mirror, yet it was not so easy to say when he stood before her. Another nagging thought also wondered if Willem truly wanted her. What if she was making a mistake?
Swallowing, she summoned the dregs of her courage. “I’m sorry, but I must decline your offer of marriage.”
A tense silence sat like a yoke on her shoulders. A flash of frustration gleamed in his eyes, and his grin vanished. “Do you not share the same affection for me?” he asked.
“I do not. And I don’t wish to marry you, knowing your feelings are stronger for me than mine for you—”
“That can change with time,” he said. “I will be a good husband. I can take care of you.”
“I know you would,” she said. “To some lucky woman, but not me. I’m sorry for leading you on, but I cannot be true to myself and accept your proposal.”
“But what about your father? He gave me his blessing to marry you.”
Katrina hesitated, doubt flaring in her stomach. “I know he wishes for me to be happy. And I am not content unless I marry someone I love.”
Confusion marred his brow. “I don’t understand, Katie. I thought we were getting along so well. What has changed?”
Guilt stabbed her in the chest. The disappointment in his voice sounded sincere, and she averted her eyes.
“I apologize,” she whispered. “To be frank, I have never had feelings for you. I played along because my father is ill, and he wishes for me to marry before he passes. I felt you were the only choice.”
Brom’s brown eyes dulled in resignation, and his shoulders slumped. The confidence in his posture wilted.
“I see.”
Katrina realized the error of her ways far too late. She thought Brom was a dumb oaf who would be satisfied by flirting and fluttering lashes, but she forgot he had a heart beneath his bulging muscles. Perhaps he did like her for more than her father’s wealth he’d inherit.
“I now realize how inconsiderate I was to play with your feelings. I was running away from marriage and ended up hurting you in the process. Will you forgive me?” she asked.
Brom’s mouth twitched, and he sighed. “How can I not? I couldn’t refuse anything you wished.”
Another pang of guilt struck her heart. How could she have been so blind?
The crunch of gravel sounded behind Brom, and they both looked at who was approaching. Katrina’s dampened spirits soared.
Willem came up the long dirt path carrying a small bouquet of yellow chrysanthemums, just like the ones she liked to lay on her brother’s grave. Brom’s solemn gaze turned toward her.
“I understand now,” he said. “I hope he makes you happy, Miss Van Tassel.”
Brom bowed before turning on his heel. Katrina’s chest crumpled inward, wishing she could turn back time and undo the damage she’d done. However, she couldn’t blame her heart for wanting someone else.
For wanting Willem.
The two men crossed paths, and Brom nodded to Willem.
Willem returned the gesture before continuing.
Katrina sighed in relief, and her fingers clutched the edges of her dress.
Her weight shifted forward, wishing to run and embrace him, but she refrained.
She’d be respectful of Brom’s presence until he left the premises.
Willem stopped before her, a shy grin lifting his lips.
“Good afternoon,” he said.
“Good afternoon,” she murmured in return. They stood before each other in the daylight for the first time, as any normal pair would. It was a strange change from their usual routine of meeting in the dead of night, but she admitted she could quickly become accustomed to it.
He held out the flowers, and she accepted them, inhaling their aromatic, sweet, and slightly minty scent. “Thank you. I love chrysanthemums.”
“I know,” he said with a roguish glint in his eyes.
Katrina had never seen this playful side of him, and she chuckled softly.
“I apologize for taking so long,” he started, breaking their hesitant silence. “I had so much to catch up on with my parents.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” she said. “You could have taken more time if you needed it.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I couldn’t spend another minute without seeing you again.”
He stepped forward until the white puffs of their breaths mingled in the frigid air. Katrina’s pulse skipped a beat, her eyes darting to his lips.
“I missed you,” he whispered, edging closer.
“I missed you too.”
Before their mouths met, Katrina hated herself for pulling away. His brow furrowed, but he quietly accepted her retreat.
“I wished to speak about what we mean to each other first,” she declared. “I don’t want any misconceptions about how the other feels.”
She winced at the reminder of her conversation with Brom. His form disappeared off the property, but she peered uncertainly at Willem.
“I will be happy to rectify that,” Willem said, his fingers brushing an errant curl behind her ear.
“I thought I was lost to the darkness with no hope of ever finding joy. But you were the light that kept me fighting for another dawn. You and your tenacious spirit gave me hope that I could be more than the shadow of the man I had become. I never thought I could say this, but I love you, Katrina. Not as a ghost, a legend, or a curse, but as a man who wishes to spend the rest of his life with you.”
A soft gasp escaped her lips. Emotion clogged her throat at the sincerity shining in his gaze.
“I love you, too,” she said, and a bubbling feeling filled her chest at the freedom flooding her heart. “I love how you’ve shown courage in the face of darkness, and I would love nothing more than to be by your side… forever.”
Willem closed the distance, and their lips met in a gentle kiss. Wrapping her arms around him, she tugged him closer, never wishing for this moment to end. But a furry paw batted at her skirt.
Breaking the kiss, she peered down at Smudge, who meowed at them. A smile broke on her lips, and she chuckled.
“He’s saying you’re part of the family now.”
Willem smirked and picked up the needy cat. Smudge purred, bunting Willem’s jaw as he stroked his fur. Suddenly, his brown eyes met hers.
“Then I believe I should meet the rest of them. May I speak with your father?”
Katrina’s mouth parted, and a flush warmed her cheeks. Nodding, she smiled and allowed him inside.
***
Mother swiveled in her seat when they entered the room.
Her blue eyes fluttered rapidly, as though attempting to process the man trailing behind Katrina.
The bed creaked when Father sat up, more alert than the day before.
Katrina’s heart pounded against her ribcage as she led Willem into the sick chamber by the hand.
Her mother’s gaze darted to their clasped hands, and she stood on her feet.
“Mother, Father,” she started, and resisted the temptation to coil her hair around her finger, as she did when she was nervous.
“Who is this?” Mother asked.
Willem stepped forward and bowed his head. “Forgive the intrusion. Permit me to introduce myself—I am Willem Van den Broek, and I wish to speak to you on a matter of great importance.”
Mother’s eyes flew to Katrina, confusion swirling in their depths. Katrina bit her lip, unsure how Willem wished to proceed, but she trusted him.
Father cleared his throat. “Very well, Mister Van den Broek. What is it you wish to speak about?”
Willem stepped forward, sliding his hand out of hers to clasp them behind his back. They trembled, but Katrina hoped he could sense her silent support.
“I admit, I have practiced this speech a hundred times, but it pales in comparison to my love for your daughter. With deepest respect for your esteemed family, I wish to court and wed her with your blessing.”
Mother gasped and looked at Father. Katrina shifted nervously, searching for any disapproval on her father’s face, but he sat with a curious expression instead.
“I know it seems abrupt and that perhaps I have only returned for a short time, but I hold Katrina in the highest regard. Your daughter has captured my heart, and I wish nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with her,” Willem continued and met her eye.
Sincerity shone in his gaze, and Katrina placed a hand over her fluttering heart.
“From the moment we met, I wished never to leave her side. I will spend every day proving I am worthy of her. I humbly request that you bestow upon us your blessing.”
A thick silence settled over the room. Katrina’s heart soared at his words, but her pulse thundered in anticipation of her parents’ response.
Father regarded Willem carefully before a bout of coughing took over him. Mother was by his side as he wheezed and sputtered. When the coughing fit subsided, Father inhaled a shaky breath and peered up at her.
“And you, daughter?” he asked weakly. “Do you feel the same for this young man?”
She nodded, “I do.”
“Well,” Father started, tears glistening in his eyes. He looked at Mother with a smile. “I suppose if my daughter is in agreement… You have my blessing.”
“Oh, thank you, Papa,” she cried out, unable to contain her joy any longer. She raced forward and embraced him, and Mother patted her back gently.
“All I wanted was your happiness,” Father whispered in her ear.
“He makes me most happy,” she said tearfully. “I love him.”
“Then I am overjoyed for you, daughter. Nothing else could make me happier.”
A tear slipped down her cheek before she pulled away and stood at Willem’s side.
“Now,” Mother started lightly. “May we inquire how you came to know each other?”
Willem met Katrina’s gaze with a gentle smile. “I was lost, but she found me… and became the light that guided me home.”