Excerpt Confrontation 2
"A sister should notice such things - a brother shouldn't!"
"Relax, I've not told anyone - though you'll not be able to hide it much longer. If you don't go to him, I'll never forgive myself. This whole mess is my fault after all, I masterminded your reunion at the wedding. I'd no idea I'd become an uncle from it, but.."
"He truly still wants me? Even after... I thought... maybe he felt I was soiled or that he was only after my virginity and didn't really love me or... well I thought a lot of horrid things."
"Yes he wants you. He thought you'd not want him. Go to him - now - take Kip, I'll walk back. He'll be at the clearing working on the manor until dark. I've ridden past. He's got a good bit done, I think he's about ready to move his things to a couple rooms he's got finished so he can stay there and work, well you'll see. Go. Tell him the truth - tell him about your child."
"I... Thanks, Geren. I shall never forget this." I took Kip and set off at a gallop, my mind was racing with all Geren had told me. Tijer still loved me. He was building us a home. He planned to marry me. How would he feel about the baby? How do I tell him? What if he doesn't believe me that it is his?
These thoughts plagued me as I rode on urging Kip faster. When I arrived I was amazed at how the landscape had changed.
There was now a small pool dug off the creek - water flowed into it and swirled. Linens were hung to dry nearby. Stumps were scattered here and there where trees had been cleared for their wood. The most dramatic change was the structure that now stood in the center of the clearing where there had once been naught but grass and flowers. 'Twas far from complete, many rooms were just marked out foundations, but a couple of rooms were complete. There was a large room I determined to be the kitchen. It had a great hearth along the one wall and a makeshift bed in the corner. So he had been staying here then. Another room off this one was obviously a storage room with a floor door down to a cellar. There wasn't much in it yet, but I could picture it stocked full of good food for the winter. I finished my short, impromptu tour of the completed house and stepped out the back. The sight that greeted me scared me half to the grave, I felt my blood run cold.
I thought he was dead, but then he groaned. He was lying there, on the ground, ten paces away - a huge piece of stone upon him, holding him down. Crushing the life from him. I rushed to his side calling his name. He opened his eyes and spoke.
(cont.)