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His lips parted, but he hesitated. “I have something they don’t have a name for. Modern medicine can’t help me, ainsicht. Only you.”
This was how people died because some cult convinced them modern medicine was evil. She’d keep pressing. For now, she nodded. “Hurry back.”
“I will.” He brushed a kiss on her lips, startling her, but pulling back too fast for her to object. Her fingers touched her lips staring as he left the room.
She finagled her way into a dress Grace must have left for her. She tried to pin the apron as best she could but couldn’t quite attach it to the smock thing as seamlessly as Grace and Abilene wore theirs.
Re-braiding her hair, she then stuffed it in a bonnet and tiptoed into the hall. First, she needed to visit the outhouse.
As she washed her hands, she noticed a small pot and toothbrush sitting on the hand towel. Her name scrolled across small paper and she unfolded it. The writing appeared feminine.
Annalise,
Please let me know if there is anything else you need to make your stay more comfortable.
~Abilene
Such a little gift and yet it brought immense gratitude. Washing up for the day left her with a sense of normalcy that had been lacking the day before.
On her way back to the house, something caught her eye and she paused. Only then did her surroundings sink in.
She stared in awe at the vast openness that surrounded her. Nature’s majesty, unmarked by modernization, and only reverently touched by man.
Mountains lifted the horizon, bundled in rich green pine. Fields formed a patchwork of browns and clover, so undisturbed that she could scent the sunshine dancing in the unrefined wind rolling over the land.
The candid view of nature filled her with sorrow for all the places she’d seen, none of them coming close to this level of beauty. This was how the world looked before modernization swept the nation, blotting what she could only describe as God’s masterpiece.
Startled by the stray thought of a higher power, she frowned. This place was getting to her. These people were getting to her.
She stood in the open for several minutes, completely alone with only her thoughts and the wind. If they worried she might escape, they certainly hid their concern well. She could easily just keep on walking.
She stared at the horizon, marking the endless nothingness in all four directions. No sign of modern civilization for miles. Field after field stretched before her, never meeting more than the blue sky.
“You’ll give yourself heatstroke before you make it off the property.”
Startled by the interruption, she spun and found Grace watching her. “I wasn’t going to leave.”
“But you were considering it.”
Adam’s sister was turning out to be a real pain in the ass.
“I resent that.”
She opened her mouth to apologize, but hesitated, remembering she hadn’t said anything to begin with.
Grace pivoted into the house and called over her shoulder, “Come inside if you want to eat.”
She followed her into the kitchen. No sign of Abilene. A plate, heaped with pancakes, eggs, and sausage waited on the table.
“Have a seat.” Grace pulled out a chair.
She hadn’t eaten enough yesterday, and her stomach was not happy. “Thank you.”
Grace sat across from her and stared expectantly as Anna ate.
Feeling slightly on display, she kept her gaze on her food. “The eggs are good.”
“How did last night go?”
Her fork stilled and her face burned. Memories of Adam kissing her filled her mind and warmth pulled in her belly.
“I guess that’s an improvement.”
“How are you doing that?” Anna snapped.
“Sorry. It’s a gift. I’m not trying to overhear your thoughts. You’re sort of screaming them at me. And don’t worry about Adam’s virtue. He plans to marry you.”
She put down her fork and wiped her mouth. “Which way’s the closest highway?”
“You can’t leave!”
“Adam said I could do whatever I want.”
“Why would he...” She gasped. “You trust him.”
“No.”
“Yes, you do. It’s why you’re not as angry as you were yesterday.”
“I’m still angry. I’m probably flunking my classes and my boss is going to fire me if I don’t call soon.”
“A boss isn’t as important as a mate. You should only worry about answering to Adam.”
“That’s not how this is going to work and I’m not his mate.”
“But you are.”
“Grace.”
She smiled and dropped the subject. Anna picked up her fork and continued eating.
“What does that even mean? Mate?” She grumbled under her breath.
“Are you actually asking?”
“No!”
Grace giggled. “You sure are contrary.”
She shrugged. “I’m just out of my element.” Glancing out the window, she spotted a large horse towing a wagon across a field. “It’s so pretty here.”
Grace looked at her and Anna had the sense she could see what her home looked like. “I’m sure Adam won’t mind if you take a walk. Just don’t stray too far from the house. He’d be upset if we lost you.”
