Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program Big Valley are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the authors. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted by the author.

 

 

What Lies Beneath, part III… by Frauee

 

 

After a few weeks, they had set up a bed downstairs so Heath could get around in a wheelchair without assistance.  Amalia spent most of her time with him.  They talked of their prior lives, their beliefs and their future and they read books.  Heath had not officially asked her to marry him.  He told her he wanted to wait until he could do it properly.  It was not easy for him to be so inactive, but with her help, the time was flying.  After only 6 weeks, Dr. Merar checked Heath’s legs and took the casts off.  Heath still needed to rebuild his leg muscles, but the end of his immobility was near.   

 

It was Nick who enjoyed teasing her about her accent.  While reading books with Heath, she worked on improving her pronunciation.  She especially worked on contractions, th’s and w’s.  At the same time, Heath was learning some German.  He decided early on, that he didn’t want Amalia to lose her heritage.  Finding his family had meant the world to him.  He loved sharing in their traditions.  He never wanted Amalia to feel lost again.  He enjoyed learning about her home and life in Germany.  He also loved the little phrases of love and endearment she was teaching him.  It gave them a level of privacy that no one else in the house could touch.  It was their special language.

 

Jarrod came home with an interesting offer one evening.  As the family gathered for dinner, he made his announcement.

 

“You know, the city council still hasn’t been able to fill the librarian’s position.  It’s been closed for weeks, since Leona married.”

 

“That’s so disappointing.”  Victoria was very aware of his plan.

 

“I had an idea and the council agreed.”

 

“What was that?”

“Amalia could run the library.”

“Vas?”

“Amalia!”  Nick’s reprimand was sharp, but tinged with humor.

“What?”  She corrected herself and took a moment to glare at him.  Heath stayed silent.  “Why me, Jarrod?”

“You’re perfect.  You know the library better then anyone and you love books.”

“I can not.”  She stammered her reply.

“Amalia!”  Nick was louder this time.

“I can’t!”

“Why not?  You got something else to do?”  Nick was enjoying himself.

“Heath needs me.”

“Hey, don’t use me.  I’m almost back to work.  If you would like to work at the library, you should.”

“But…”

“Amalia, I blindsided you with this.  Don’t worry about answering me tonight.  Think about it.”  Jarrod hoped she really wouldn’t need the time.

“Ja, sink about it.”  Nick received a slap on the arm for that jab.

Silas announced dinner and the family moved into the dining room.  Amalia stayed behind to help Heath.  After the family left, she moved in front of his chair.

“Do you really zink it would be alright?”

“I think it would be great.”

He smiled at her and allowed her to push his chair into the dining room.  He understood Jarrod’s plan.  It would be the final stage in her healing.  She would need to work with people, lots of different people.  He was surprised she was even considering it.  She was doing better then he expected.  

She took the job.  It filled her with both fear and happiness.  The mixture of emotions kept her awake the night before her first day.  She ventured downstairs to find a book.  She laughed at the irony.  Tomorrow, she would be surrounded by a world of books.  

Heath startled her as she entered the study.  

“What are you doing here, Lieb?”  

“I kinda figured you wouldn’t be sleepin’ much tonight.”

“You should be resting.”

“I’ve been doing nothing but resting.  I’m fine.  I figure doc’s gonna clear me for work tomorrow when I take you to town.”

“You hope.”

“Yep!  So, nervous?”

“Ja.”  She noticed the book he was reading and moved to his side.  She sat down next to him and he curled his arm around her.  This was a new position for them.   She had opened her heart, but her body still harbored memories of physical contact and she was slow to initiate contact.  Had she known the feelings of safety and security she felt in his arms, she would have gone there sooner.  She enjoyed making up for lost time.  She sank into his chest and rested her head on his shoulder.

“Want me to read to ya?”

“Nay.  Dis is nice.”

“I agree.”  He kissed the top of her head.  

She turned her head up to him and he accepted the invitation.  He captured her lips and planted several short kisses on them.  Amalia had grown used to the sensations that his kisses delivered and now looked forward to them.  He turned down the lamp on the table at his side.  He smiled at her and watched her face relax in the glow of the fire.  He leaned in again and captured her lips with a bit more passion.  Her lips parted slightly and he brushed his tongue lightly across the opening.  He felt the shudder go through her body, but wasn’t sure if it was pleasure or fear, so he stopped.

“Alright?”

“Ja.”  She placed her hand on the side of his face and turned him back toward her.  He resumed the previous attentions, while allowing his hand to slowly rub her shoulder and upper back.  After an hour of cuddling, Amalia went back to bed.

Heath drove the buggy into town.  He would drop Amalia off at the library and then head to his appointment.  Amalia tapped her foot impatiently.  He knew she was nervous, but so far she had been holding up well.  He stopped in front of the library, where Lloyd Marshman, the mayor, waited to greet her.

“Good Morning, Miss Klug.  Are you ready to run our library?”

Wanting to make a good impression, she formed her words carefully.  “I think so.”

“I know you’re going to do just fine.”

“Thank you.”  She turned to Heath.  “I’ll see you at lunch then?”

“Sure thing.  Have fun!”

Marshman opened the door and handed her the key.  “Thank you, Miss Klug.”

“Nein, Thank you.  I am looking forward to this.”

She quickly set about straightening the rooms and throwing open the doors and windows.  The rooms were stale and musty.  Her German sensibility knew fresh air was important for people, why not books?  She laughed at her own bad logic.  Oh well, at least the air would do her good.  On a piece of paper, she kept a list of changes she wished to make.  The time was flying by.  A few people had come in and checked out books.  She had held simple, pleasant exchanges with them.  The bell at the desk rang again, and Amalia pulled herself from the dusty shelf and went to help.  She stopped short and took in a deep breath.

“Good Morning, Mrs. Swinton.”

“Miss Klug.”

“May I help you?”

“You must know I was not in favor of you taking this job.”

Amalia refused to respond.  “If zere is nozing you need, I have verk to do.”

“How dare you!”  Leona Swinton was angry and assumed a mocking tone.  “This is my library and I won’t have you running it.  Zer is somezing you can do.  LEAVE!”  

Amalia had no idea where the words and matching strength came from, but she would be forever proud of that moment.  

“You are wrong.  Zis library belongs to ze people.  And zey asked ME to run it.  I believe you have a husband to tend to.  Leave ze books to me.”

“Why you…  How DARE you talk to me like this?  I will have you fired.”

“You can not.”

“I know what you are and I know what you did in Elk Grove.”  Her voice was low and cold.  

“And yet Heath Barkley still chose me!  What does zat say about you?”

“Well, I never!”

“And you never will.  Good afternoon, Leona.”  Heath’s voice startled both women.  They hadn’t heard him enter.  “Ready for lunch, Darlin?”

“Ja.”

Leona Swinton turned and left in a huff.  

Heath could tell that Amalia was fine and he couldn’t hide the smile from his face.  Jarrod had told him his suspicions about Leona.  Amalia stood before him, a healthy flush to her cheeks and a bold smile on her face.  As they walked to the restaurant, she took his arm and walked with a confidence he had not seen in her.  He was happy.

The job proved to be a good idea.  Amalia was interacting with people, as she never had before.  Each day brought her new levels of happiness.  She wasn’t up to traveling alone yet.  Someone went to town each day with her, but all enjoyed the changes and time with her to and from town each day.

Nick and Heath came in from their day, predicting the storm.  The rest of the family waited for them in the parlor.

“I tell ya Big Brother, it is gonna be a howler.”

“Rain.  Rain is all and we need it.”

“I still think we shoulda brought that herd out of the east pasture.  It’s gonna get drenched.  We’ll be pulling cows outta the muck all day tomorrow.”

“I tell ya, it ain’t gonna be that bad!”

“Brothers?  Mind telling us about the argument?”  The women just smiled at the men.

“Nick here, refuses to believe the storm is comin’.”

“I simply said, it’s only gonna rain.”

“Well.  Seeing as how neither of you can control the weather, how about cleaning up so we can eat dinner?”

Both men looked a little chagrinned.  “Ya, right.”  They both bounded up the stairs and returned a short time later.  Dinner and the evening passed to the sounds of a light rain.

Amalia had never associated the terrible events of her life with rain, or storms, but she couldn’t sleep that night.  She tossed and turned, listening to the ever-increasing howl of the rain and storms.  When she did drift into a troubled sleep, intense nightmares plagued her.  The first time she slept and the nightmares caused her to scream out.  Heath and several other members of the family were instantly there to comfort her.  The last time she had screamed, she had pushed Nick away.  This time, she fell into the comforting arms of Heath as he stroked her back and calmed her fears.   The rest of the family left them be and returned to bed.

Heath stayed with her until she was calm.  

“You want me to stay?”  He held her face gently.

“Nay.  I vill be fine.  I sink I can sleep now.”  She smiled to reassure him.  “I am sorry I voke you and ze family.”

“Not a problem.  I liked rushing in to hold you.”  He winked.  “Good night.”

“Gute Nacht!”

He left and she curled back into the covers.  She soon drifted back to sleep.  Again, the nightmares came.  She didn’t scream when she woke, as she was too disoriented.  Her tears blinded her eyes as she moved to her door.  She didn’t bother to dress.  She stumbled down the hall and kept going until she paused at the bolted front door.  Somewhere in her mind, she heard the violent winds outside, but it didn’t stop her.  Although she was awake, images assaulted her mind.  She had no idea which experience it was.  The faces of the many men who had used her body quickly replaced these.  She wanted only to get away from the images and free her mind of the torment.   She unlatched the bolt and ran.  She found herself at the barn.  Fighting the wind, she pulled open the door and went inside.  She found her horse, Sunny, and absently threw a bridle on him.  She didn’t bother with a saddle.  She pulled herself onto Sunny’s back and rode out the door, back into the raging night.

Nick woke to the slamming door below.  He jumped from his bed, ran down the stairs and saw the door, slamming open against the storm.  He ran to it and pulled it closed.  Puzzled, he looked quickly around the main floor.  He had secured the door himself.  He had no idea how it could have blown open.  After finding nothing irregular on the main floor, he moved back to the second.  He was cautious.  As he turned the corner, he saw Amalia’s door open and went to check.  He found the room empty.  He immediately went to Heath and then Jarrod.

They searched the house and grounds for Amalia.  Nick came in from the stable, his slicker dripping wet.  

“Sunny’s gone.  No saddle, but the horse is gone.”

“Where would she go in this weather and unsaddled?”  Victoria was as worried as the rest of the family.

“Without a saddle, she could fall and hurt herself.”  Audra hadn’t meant to voice the concern that everyone else had been thinking.

“She seemed fine after the dream, wasn’t she, Heath?”

Heath was distant.  His mind was racing.  He didn’t hear Nick’s question.  He couldn’t explain why, but he knew where she was.  He stuffed his arms into his own slicker and raced to the door, his brothers close behind.  They saddled and mounted their horses and set off.  

“Heath?  Where are we going?”  Jarrod’s voice was barely audible above the storm pounding them.

“The mine!”  

She lost track of the number of times she fell from the horse’s back.  Her body was beaten and bruised, but her mind didn’t register the pain.  She drove on, unstoppable.  As she neared the hill that led to the mine, a bolt of lightening scared Sunny and she reared.  Amalia was thrown hard, but landed in the soft mud.  Sunny ran off into the night.  Amalia lay stunned and then another bolt lit her goal and she got to her feet and moved forward.  

The boys made quick time.  All three ignored the sting of the rain as it burned their cheeks.  They thought only of Amalia.  Another flash lit the sky and Heath reined in.  Before him was the hill and he could just make out the form of a woman in white, scaling the path.  He pointed and his brothers followed.  

The path to the mine was sure enough and simple to follow if conditions were right.  The storm had loosened rock and the thick mud on the trail pulled at her bare feet.  It seemed for each step she took forward, she fell two back.  A sudden, loud roar of thunder startled her and she fell over, sliding down the side of the trail on the rocks.  The rocks tore at her dress and her flesh.  She landed hard and it knocked the wind out of her.  

Heath saw her fall and pushed Charger even harder.  He leapt off Charger’s back and raced to the fallen girl.  Nick and Jarrod were close behind.  

“Mali?”  He brushed mud from her face and her dazed eyes found his.  

“Heaz?”  The quiet voice flew to his ears above the winds.

“Ja.  We’re here.  We’re gonna get you home now.”

“NEIN!”

Nick and Jarrod both looked at each other perplexed. 

“Schatzchen.”  Heath used her father’s endearment to try and settle her nerves.  “Let’s go home.”

“Nein.  I haf’ to go zere.”

“Where, Amalia?”  Jarrod wondered if asserting their other presence would help calm her.

“Back.”

“No, Mali, not now.”

“Ja.”  She pushed away from him and turned back to the path.  She drew herself up and began to climb back up.

Nick turned to Jarrod, as Heath followed her.  “Why?”

“I have no idea, but let’s follow them.”

Heath finally decided he needed to support not stop her and he helped her.  She resisted at first, not trusting him.   Eventually, they reached the entrance.  Nick had ordered it boarded up and as Amalia clawed at it, Heath pulled her back and began to kick at some boards with his foot.  Nick and Jarrod helped.  Soon, they had an opening cleared and Amalia pushed past into the dark cavern.

The remaining boards buffered the storm and it was eerily quiet within, at least to Nick and Jarrod.  Heath and Amalia both heard memories.  Heath longed to close his ears to the screams he heard, but he knew it wouldn’t help.  Nick had ordered it closed as is, so he felt around for a lantern and soon brought light into the darkness.

Amalia was in a trance and drifted forward in the weak light.  Jarrod also lit a light and all three followed.  She stopped at the spot where it had happened.  Littering the floor were shards of her clothing.  She dropped to her knees and collected scraps in her hands.  The raw outburst of pain and agony shook all the men to their core.  Uncontrollable sobbing followed her gut-wrenching scream.  She fell to her side and curled into a ball as wave upon wave of pain and agony passed through her body.  

Heath moved to her side and laid a gentle hand on her quaking shoulder.  “It’s over, Mali.  You’re not here anymore.”

She drew in a deep breath and slowly met his gaze.  He pulled her into his arms and rocked her back and forth.  Exhaustion soon overwhelmed her and she fell into a sound sleep.  As they exited the mineshaft, the storm had passed and only a mist filled the air.  Nick and Jarrod helped Heath mount with Amalia and they rode home.

If she remembered what had happened, she didn’t show it.  Her body was bruised and sore, but nothing had been broken.  She rested in bed for several days, but said nothing about that night.  She had gone so far as to ask Victoria what had happened.  Dr. Merar suggested it would be all right.  She hadn’t blocked out any other events, merely those hours, and seemed to be her normal self.

“The mind is a powerful tool.  For some reason that night, she needed to go there.  I’d like to think maybe it was a bit of a catharsis for her.  Watch her carefully and let her rest.  She’ll be fine.”  

Two weeks later, after an evening picnic, Heath dropped to one knee and asked Amalia to marry him.

“Mali.”

“Ja?”

“Ich liebe dich.”  She smiled at his German.  Whenever he used it, she felt so loved.

“Ich lieb’ dich auch.”

“Heirate mich?”  He withdrew the ring from his pocket and offered it to her.

Although she knew deep down the moment would come, now that it was here, she became scared.  “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”

“Ja.”

He lay down on the blanket and he was surprised when she settled in next to him.  He rolled onto his side and stroked her face.  She reached her arm out and ran it up and down his arm.  It was really the first time she had initiated touching him.  He planted several kisses on her face and then began to nuzzle her neck and nip at her earlobe.  A small moan escaped her lips.  Her arm then lightly caressed his chest.  She could feel the rippling muscles under his shirt.  

Heath was fully involved in the intimate moment, but knew that he needed to slow down.  This was the furthest they had connected physically.  For a brief moment, his body leaned in further, bearing more pressure on hers and he immediately felt her stiffen.  He pulled back.  She pulled away and struggled to gain her composure.

“I am so sorry.”

“No, it was my fault.  I was leaning too far over.”

“Heaz, I do not vant this.”

Heath panicked.  “Don’t want what?”

Tears rolled down her cheeks and her voice came in gasps.  “My heart knows you vill not hurt me, but…”

“Shhh!”  He held a finger to her lips.  “No.  Don’t say anymore.  It’s going to happen, Mali.  It’s just gonna take some time.  We gotta re-teach your heart, body and mind.  It’ll be ok.”

“You are so good to me.”

“No better then you are for me.”  He dared a kiss and she didn’t recoil.  “Shall we head home and tell the family?”

“Ja, but let’s sit a bit longer.”  She moved closer to him and they snuggled a while longer.

The family, sensing the purpose of Heath’s romantic dinner, waited impatiently in the parlor for the return of the couple.  Audra and Victoria worked on needlepoint and Jarrod and Nick played a horribly, slow game of checkers.  None of them was concentrating well.  They sprang from their chairs as the young couple returned and shared the good news.  Congratulations, hugs and kissed abounded.

The couple decided on a small, simple ceremony with just the family and a few close friends.  The date was set for just a month forth and the women set about with the preparations.  A simple white dress was made in record time and Heath ordered a new black suit.  Audra had wanted the men to wear formal attire, but they all fought her on the point.  

The morning of the wedding dawned sunny and warm.  Amalia woke early and stretched out in her bed.  She was happy.  Nick had now begun teasing her about her frequent smiles.  Two years ago, she would have never thought she would smile again, but here she was, happy and loved.  This man knew all her sins and weaknesses and still loved her.  She worried about their wedding night.  She desperately wanted to make love with her husband, but she feared her subconscious mind would betray both her and her body.  She had confided her fears to Heath the day before.  He simply kissed her nose and told her they had the rest of their lives to make love, there was no need to rush.  She hugged herself and drew in a deep breath.  Today she would become Mrs. Heath Barkley.  

The ceremony was held in the garden and a simple dinner followed.  Husband and wife vowed to love, honor, and obey until “deaz” did them part.  Victoria and Audra swept Amalia up to her room to help her change into her traveling dress.  The newlyweds planned on a two-week trip to San Francisco.  Amalia had never been there.  While downstairs, Nick and Jarrod cornered Heath.  

“Little Brother, we have our wedding gift for you.”

“Don’t ya think ya ought to wait until Mali comes back down?”

“No.  We want to surprise you and then you can surprise her.”

Nick placed his hands on Heath’s shoulders.  Heath grew just a touch worried.

“Boy howdy.  Is this a gift or a punishment?”

“For us, it is a punishment.”  Jarrod’s comment confused him even more.

“Someone better start talkin’!”

“We’re sending you away.”

“I know, Nick.  We’ll be gone two-weeks.”

“No.  Here, open this.”  Nick shoved an envelope into Heath’s hands.  Heath opened it and was stunned into silence.

“What?  We can’t…  the round up…”

“Heath, you got round ups the rest of your life.  You need to do this now.”

“I’m sure the time will fly by for you.  We’re the ones who will suffer your absence.”  Jarrod cuffed his youngest brother on the shoulder.

“But three months?”

“I told you Jarrod.  He’d hate even the thought of being gone so long!”  Nick turned to Heath.  “Take the time, Brother.  See her world.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll miss us.”  

“And don’t get any fool ideas of staying there.  You’re a rancher and you belong here.”

“After, a nice long honeymoon.”  Jarrod’s smirk sealed the deal.

“Well?”

“What, Nick?”

“Say it!”

“Say what?”

“Say you’ll miss us!”

“Heck Nick, I’ll probably still be able to hear ya hollering all the way over in Germany!”

The three brothers laughed until the women returned.  They said their good byes and Nick drove the couple into Stockton to catch the train.  As they boarded the private car, Amalia looked out the window confused.  

“Heaz?”

He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.  “Ja, Darlin’?”

“We are heading east?”

“Ja.  We’ve had a slight change of plans.”

As they traveled cross-country in the private car, they grew more intimate daily, but had not yet consummated their marriage.  The first night had been hard.  Amalia had slipped into one of the silky negligees that she had bought, hoping it would inspire her own mood.  It had not been enough.  

Heath kissed her tears away and held her through the night.  She was ashamed and embarrassed the next morning.  He comforted her and reassured her by telling her he had no intention of making love with her while they traveled.  He hadn’t yet told her where they were going.  Each night, she seemed to snuggle a little closer and both their hands grew more exploratory.  

When they finally reached New York, they had a few days to see the town.  Amalia assumed this was their destination and had relaxed.  On the morning of the second day, Heath woke her and rushed her to get ready.  Within two-hours, they were boarding an elegant new ocean steamer, bound for Hamburg harbor.  Amalia was thrilled.

“I am going home?”

“For a visit.  It’s our wedding present from Nick and Jarrod.”

“I may just have to kiss dem.”

Heath had a hurt look on his face, “Me, first!”

Heath had never sailed the Atlantic before.  Nor had he traveled by one of the new steamships, but even in the relatively short, ten-day journey, the monotony soon got to him.  He used his time to read more about their destination and to plan the seduction of his wife.  

He had been making careful mental notes about what went well and what did not.  He had a fairly good handle on places he could touch.  Based on small things she had told him, he also suspected certain positions they needed to avoid.  As much as he understood the difficulty his wife had, he was still excited at the thought of making love to her.  He knew on their first night of love making, he would worry only about her pleasure.  He had to help her leave the pain behind.  Men had used her body for their pleasure.  She had no idea the depths of pleasure her own body could feel.  He hoped to show her.  

They arrived early enough in Hamburg, that they decided to begin their journey south.  Although they would travel to several cities, they would begin near her hometown, which was near Heidelberg.  They boarded yet another train and booked a sleeping car for the journey.   The individual berths were too small for two, so they each had one.

They arrived in Heidelberg and checked into a small hotel.  Heath was impressed and amazed at the beauty of the country.  They had traveled through thick forests, elegant mountains and along wide rivers.  Amalia had teased him that it was even bigger and grander then the Valley.   

As Heath’s language skills were rudimentary at best, Amalia handled most of the transactions.  He smiled at her growing confidence.  She was in her element.  Deep in his soul was a nagging worry that she would not want to return home.  That night, after a hearty German dinner, they fell into an exhausted sleep.  

“Day dawns, my love my love!”  She leaned in and kissed his nose.

“What??  Huh??”

“Day dawns, my love my love!”  She repeated her greeting.

“Faust?  This early in the morning?”

“Ja!  Komm, let’s explore.”

He grabbed her arm and pulled her into a kiss.  “Ok!  I’ll start here.”  He planted several light kisses on her neck.

“Not, me!  Ze town!”

She showed him around.  Heidelberg was a university town.  There was a very young population.  She explained the enormous fencing tradition that the school had earned and how her father had been well known for the swords he contributed.  They were still far enough away, that no one knew her and she was able to relax.  They dined on a huge lunch and drank cold beers in the midday.  Sitting across the table from her, Heath looked into her eyes and just knew she was ready.  They paid their bill and returned to their hotel room.

As he closed the door behind him, she swept into his arms and kissed him.  He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back.  Things were progressing a bit too fast for his taste and he pulled back.

“Are you sure your ready?”

“Ja, I am ready. Please make love to me.”

He returned to kissing her and as he did so, his deft hands worked the buttons of her dress.  He slowed his pace and occupied her with his assault of kisses as he then released her undergarments.  She pulled back and stood before him naked.  He gazed at her beautiful body and longed to explore every inch of it.  

“I zink perhaps you need some help?”

He laughed.  She stepped back to him and together they worked at his clothing.  In short order, he stood before her, equally naked.  He watched as she held a breath.  She looked him over, up and down.  She blushed.

“I have nefer seen a man before.  I nefer looked.”

He guided her to the bed and they lay down.  They both lay on their sides and he began to explore her body with his lips.  As her moans began, he added his tongue and her moans intensified.  With agonizing slowness, he moved down her body.  The flood of sensations overwhelmed Amalia.  She lost all track of time or of anything except her lover’s touch.  He did things to her that she had no idea were to be done.  Not even the girls at the saloon had spoken of these things.  Suddenly, an overwhelming sensation roared through her.

“Heaz, please.”

“What?”  His voice was sultry and low.  It elicited an even bigger urge in her.

“I vant all of you.”

He stopped for a moment.  “Are you sure?”

“Oh, ja!”  Her breath came in pants.  He was more then ready.  She attempted to roll onto her back, but he stopped her.  

“No.  This way.”

He lay back and pulled her onto his chest.  She could feel his desire on her abdomen.  He allowed her to take control.  He helped guide her and soon they were united as man and wife.  The waves of passion inundated them both time and time again.  At last, spent, they lay together under the down comforter.  

Tears formed in Amalia’s eyes and flew down her cheeks.  “I..”

“Sh…  don’t say anything.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too!”

With the last barrier broken, Heath and Amalia settled in to a newlywed routine.  They didn’t travel as much as they had thought, choosing to remain near their hotel.  Each night and many days were filled with lessons of love and passion for both.  There were occasional issues, but Amalia was determined to work through them.  

“You are making new memories for me.”

With only a short time remaining before they would begin the return trip home, Amalia had one last desire.  Heath was not sure it would be a good plan, but he supported her.  They rented a carriage and traveled to the small cottage where she and her father had lived.  They found it empty and abandoned.  Apparently, no one wanted to live there after the murder.  Heath watched her closely as she neared the front door.  This is where it had all began.

She pushed open the door and allowed the memories to wash over her.  Nothing had been changed.  Through the layer of dust, one could still make out the blood on the floor, her blood and his.  Her body trembled.

“He can’t hurt you any more.  You won.”

“I know.”  She took several deep breaths.  “I am sorry Papa had to leave.”

“He loved you.  He did what he had to do.”

“I know dat too.”  She wandered slowly around inside.  He wondered if there was anything left for her to take.  It almost seemed like she was looking for something.  She finally opened a cupboard and removed an old book.

“What’s that?”

“Faust.”

He chuckled.  

She smiled and then her face grew serious.  “Is it wrong?”

“What?”

“If dis had nefer happened, I vould haf’ nefer met you.”

He thought for a moment.  “I hate that it had to happen, but if it meant that you were sent to me, I am glad you survived.”

“Me, too.”

She moved to him and her took her in his arms and held her close.  

He whispered his next words into her hair.  “I could really learn to like it here.  We could stay if you want.”

She pulled back, shocked at his offer.  As she looked into his eyes, she knew he meant it.  

“Nay.  Nick is helping me wiz my Englisch.”

Heath smiled and pulled his wife into his arms.  He would be sure to talk to Nick when he got home.  He had no desire for Amalia to start sounding like Nick.