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As if she preferred to speak of it no more, she asked, “Hungry? I have venison stew that has been cooking for hours.”
With that, the two women chatted on about many different things, and for the first time in a long time, Tara felt hopeful. Maybe Reeve had been right when he had suggested they not tell anyone of her past. Maybe, just maybe, this curse could be broken. And she could again live as she once had, having friends and perhaps even falling in love.
While she hoped it could be so, an inkling of doubt taunted her. Was she being foolish and possibly placing this family in harm’s way? She had thought herself free once and had allowed herself to fall in love with Rory, and he had paid the price.
Tara rarely allowed herself to go back to the beginning and what had started the curse, and she didn’t want to return there now. She didn’t want to think that it could happen all over again. She wanted to believe, had to believe, that her past was behind her. She was free, and she could hope.
What were her chances, though, at keeping her freedom? God forbid her father discovered her deception. He would surely come claim her and force her to honor the marriage arrangement he had made. And who could stop him?
She battled her doubts and worries as bravely as possible while keeping a smile on her face and chatting with Willow.
Reeve and Jacob returned, and they were all soon sitting around the table, though not before Willow insisted that Tara keep her foot raised. Some of the swelling had gone down, and resting it might just chase away what remained. With nothing for her to brace it on, Reeve drew his chair close to hers, lifted her leg gently, and placed it on his thigh.
“Done,” he announced with that teasing grin of his. “Now let’s eat. I’m starving, and it smells delicious.”
Tara couldn’t protest his gallantry. She didn’t want to. She wanted to enjoy this time, this chance to share a meal with people, to joke, to laugh, to finally live.
Chapter 8
Tara took one of the two beds in the cottage and Willow the other. Reeve and Jacob slept in front of the hearth. It was with a lighter though cautious heart that Tara woke the next morning. The swelling in her ankle had gone down considerably though Willow warned it would be best for her to stay off it as much as possible.
They had a hearty porridge for breakfast, and Willow wrapped the remainder of the black bread for them to take along. Tara had protested, knowing food wasn’t that plentiful for the pair, but Willow would have it no other way.
“Grandda and I will fish later, and I’ll make us a nice fish stew, so don’t you worry about it,” Willow said. “Besides, friends never let friends go without if it can be helped.”
Tara appreciated all Willow had done, but most of all she appreciated that Willow thought of her as a friend. In three short days, she had made two friends, and dare she hope it was the beginning of good things with more to come?
Willow and Jacob stood outside to see them off. It was cloudy, the air not as cold as yesterday, which meant snow was not likely.
“We could possibly reach home by nightfall,” Reeve said, resting his hands on her waist, and, with ease, he raised her and sat her sideways on the saddle.
He then hoisted himself up behind her and adjusted her to rest against him, tucking her in the crook of his arm. “Comfortable?” he asked.
She nodded though she was more than comfortable; she was content. Whatever was the matter with her? One moment she was keeping her distance from him and the next she was wrapped in his arms. It wasn’t only the curse that concerned her; her attraction to Reeve could also prove fatal. Did she think a man like him could ever truly love a woman like her? A woman burdened with a curse and by life.
“We can’t thank you enough,” Reeve said to Willow and Jacob. “I will send some men to help.”
“Go away with you,” Jacob said with a dismissive wave. “We don’t need any help.”
Willow smiled. “We’ll take what help we can get.”
Tara smiled as they rode off, leaving the pair arguing.
“They are good people,” Reeve said.
“I see that,” Tara said, hoping against hope that no harm came to them; that her curse was dormant, or perhaps waning. But could curses simply wear off? Through the years, she had tried to find out more about hexes, but it proved a difficult task. There were none who would discuss such evil doings, and her father had made certain that no seers were permitted on his land. Perhaps now, starting this new life, she could search and hopefully not only find answers, but a solution.
They rode in silence for a distance, each of them lost in their own thoughts.
Tara finally felt the need to speak, to thank him for what he had done for her before they reached home.Her new home.
“I am very grateful for your help, Reeve,” she said, turning her head to look at him. She felt a twist and squeeze in her stomach and then a sudden thud to her heart. She almost cringed, but forced herself not to.
It couldn’t be possible. She had only met this man two days ago. She knew little about him. Why? Why was she feeling for him what she had felt for Rory when they had first met?
Lonely.
A simple, direct, reasonable answer that made perfect sense. He was the first man who didn’t treat her as if she were a leper. It was only natural for her to feel kindly toward him.
