He nodded. “Indeed, I have. I’ve also remembered other things.”
She held her breath, afraid to ask, but as she studied his handsome face, and the way he stared at her with his soft hazel eyes – that held a touch of sadness – she wondered if she didn’t already know what he’d remembered. “That’s good. The doctor will be very happy to know your memory is returning.” She glanced at the white bandage around his head. “How do you feel otherwise?”
“My head doesn’t hurt as much, but it’s still tender.”
He stood and pointed at the stool. “I would like it very much if you played something.”
Her heart leapt.He remembered that!
She really wasn’t in the mood, and yet, she could never turn down a request to play. As she moved toward him, their gazes locked. He didn’t step back when she neared, and the rhythm of her heart intensified. She didn’t want to brush against him, but it appeared that’s what was going to happen since he didn’t back away.
Her mouth turned dry as she scooted past him. Just as she’d figured, her arm bumped against his. It was a good thing she was getting ready to sit because her legs had suddenly turned into jelly.
“I remember how you used to love playing,” he said in a deep voice. “Please tell me the heartaches in your life haven’t taken that away from you.”
She had to tear her gaze away from his before she lost herself in the depths of his dreamy eyes. She stared at the keys as she placed her fingers over some of them. At least he remembered that he’d caused her heartache.
“No,” she whispered, moving her fingers over the keys softly. “Music has always soothed me, and I’ve needed that often this past year.”
The tune she’d chosen was one of Mozart’s slower, more dramatic pieces. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but she breathed through the emotion trying to tear her up inside.
She didn’t dare look at him as she played the piece. He didn’t move from her side, and it surprised her how his presence consoled her. At the end of the piece, she rested her fingers on the keys and stared at the wall in front of her. Collin still hadn’t moved, and his ragged breathing sounded as ragged as hers.
Suddenly, his finger touched her earlobe. Warm sensations buzzed through every inch of her, making her wilt. This was not good. She needed to stay strong. She needed to make him realize exactly what he’d done to her a year ago.
“You play beautifully, my sweet Addie.”
The tears she’s been trying to hold back sprang forth and filled her eyes. Her throat tightened, and she didn’t dare speak just yet.
“Just this morning, I remembered the first time I heard you play. I recall feeling as though I walked on clouds as I listened to you play back then, and I realized I always want to hear you play.”
A tear slid down her cheek, but she couldn’t lift her hand to wipe it away.
“When I saw the music room during my exploration of the manor, I knew I had to play the song you’d played that night after dinner.” During his pause, his tender touch moved to her bare neck. “I think you had told me it was your favorite song.”
Swallowing hard, she nodded. “It was,” she said in a low voice, not wanting him to know how much this topic of conversation was affecting her.
“Itwas? Is it not your favorite song now?”
She wanted to tell him how playing that song made her sad, so she hadn’t played it since.Hewas the reason she hadn’t been able to play her favorite song. But after hearing him play it, she longed for the way she used to be. All of these heartaches she had to bear over the last year had made her life unpleasant. They’d made her want to get back at him in any way she could. However, she was weary of playing these adolescent games. When would the anger and scorn finally leave her? She wanted to live a normal life, just as Simon had promised she would have.
As another tear slid down her cheek, she released an exhausted sigh and let her shoulders slump. She was weary of trying to pretend that she was a strong woman, when all she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry her eyes out. And yet, that wouldn’t solve anything.
Not long after Lloyd had died, and the anger inside of her was getting out of control, her mother had told her to stop seeking revenge on those who’d wronged her. Instead, Adeline needed to let it go and trust that God would fight her battles. It had been so long since she had attended church, but at this very moment, she wanted – more than anything – for God to wrap His comforting arms around her and assure that everything would be fine.
Collin moved closer, startling her, sliding his arms around her shoulders. Her first reaction was to stiffen, but then the familiar feeling of reassurance enclosed around her. She realized the arms around her were not God’s, however, she also knew that He worked through others. And for some reason, God had chosen this moment to use Collin as His vessel.
More tears fell from her eyes and her body trembled with the sobs she held inside. Collin knelt, tightening her in his embrace. She couldn’t stop herself from leaning against him and pressing her face against his shoulder.
“Oh, my sweet Addie.” His voice was strained. “I wish I had known... I wish I could have stopped you from marrying Kentwood.” He cleared his throat. “You don’t know how many times I thought about rushing into your ceremony and telling everyone that I wanted you.”
Confusion filled her and she jerked back, breaking the contact between them. She stared into his sorrowful eyes. “What are you talking about?”
Using his knuckles, he wiped away some of the tears from her cheek. “I didn’t think I’d be able to bear the pain of seeing you marry Kentwood. That’s why I stayed away. But deep in my heart, I wanted to stop the wedding. I knew you didn’t love him, and I knew with certainty he didn’t care for you the way I did.”
Scowling, she pushed his hand away. “If you had cared for me so much, you wouldn’t have sent your friend to the cottage in your place! If youcaredfor me at all,youwould have come just as your note said you would.”
His face paled and he slowly stood. Gradually, color seeped into his face as anger made its presence.
