Ezekiel played through Graham’s operetta while Ma listened from her reclined position.He’d finished the remaining piece yesterday, thanks to her encouragement.It was a bittersweet ache, bringing Ma pleasure while grieving the loss of composing with Nora.He could have waited, as there was no longer an impending deadline.Crosley had canceled the debut performance out of spite as soon as he’d had another to fill the dates, and Graham was too busy helping with the case against Adler and Mrs.Reed to find another venue.Ezekiel finished playing the aria Nora had helped him create, and Ma clapped with an enthusiasm that defied her weakness.Although Ma was getting stronger, he doubted she’d ever be well again.When he secured employment, he’d have to find someone to sit with her.The Guardians wouldn’t be around forever, and by the time Nora was freed, she may not even be interested in him anymore.Especially when she discovered that any future for them included caring for Ma.
Tristan jumped from Ma’s lap and raced to the closed window seconds before someone knocked on the door.By the way he pranced in a circle, begging to be set free, Miss Plane must be here with his usual treat of fish.Ma chuckled softly, and Ezekiel smiled at the sound.Whatever lay ahead, he’d never regret having her here with him.
Ezekiel stretched, then opened the door.Instead of Miss Plane, Nora stood on the other side.
He blinked.Surely his eyes deceived him.But it was her.Perhaps looking a bit worse for wear, with her thin face and the purple smudges beneath her eyes, but still gloriously beautiful and standinghere.
She flew into his arms, and his whole being sighed with relief.Oh, how he’d missed her!He buried his face in her hair and squeezed her tighter.He had no words, at least none that could get past the lump in his throat.Twenty-four long and terrible days without visitations or word beyond that she was holding her own.Twenty-four days ofwondering if she’d received his letters and worrying if their fledgling relationship could survive the silence if she hadn’t.
And yet, she was here.In his arms.Finally.
“Do you think you could at least move to the side so your mum and I can get inside?”
“Don’t be so grumpy, Marcellus,” a soft voice said.“You’ve had your turn with her.Now it’s his.”
Ezekiel didn’t release Nora from his embrace, but he did scoot them toward the window so Mr.and Mrs.Davis could enter and shut the door.Tristan, impatient for his turn with Nora, leaped from the table to their shoulders and bumped his head between theirs.
Nora laughed and nuzzled her face against his.“Hello, Beast.I’ve missed you too.”
Ezekiel didn’t want to let her go, but Tristan wormed his way firmly between them, and Nora stepped back to hold him in her arms.That cat could forget about any fish bites tonight.Unwilling to completely relinquish her, Ezekiel wrapped an arm around Nora’s shoulders and guided her to the couch across from where Mrs.Davis hugged Ma.
“Oh, Mrs.Beaumont!Thank you!”Emotion choked Mrs.Davis’s words.“Thank you for saving my girl’s life.”
Ma shifted uncomfortably.“Would you like coffee?”
Obviously Ma didn’t know what to do with the gratitude and had leaned into her former duty as hostess.Unfortunately the offer was impractical.She hardly had the energy to walk to the kitchen each day for meals, let alone make a pot of coffee.
“Marcellus and I would love some, but allow me to help.That way the three of us can become better acquainted.”
“I’m staying right here.”Mr.Davis eyed the nonexistent space between Ezekiel and Nora that not even Tristan’s sprawl across their laps could hide.
“Oh no you aren’t.You’re needed in the kitchen.”Mrs.Davis gave Mr.Davis a gentle shove that direction, but not before the man cut Ezekiel a warning look.
After Mr.Davis moved into the hall, Mrs.Davis tossed a wink over her shoulder and assisted Ma out of the room.
“When were you and your ma released?No one told me we were even close to the possibility.”Ezekiel brushed a stray hair behind Nora’s ear and once again drank in the sight of her.Thank You, Lord, for bringing her home to me.
“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 anotherparoxysm.”
“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.”
