Page 31 of Love and Memories

“Since… forever. I love to sing. Mom used to tell everyone.”

Bella’s shoulders sank. That was such a happy memory, but other things clouded the joy now. Knowing there was even more hurt between her and her mom turned her heart into a broken piece of glass–shattered like a spider web from the impact.

“Would you sing for me?” Travis asked.

His words jerked Bella out of the memory. “You want me to sing?”

“I could play. You could sing. Sounds like we’d make a great team.”

Bella was still wallowing in the vision of her and Travis playing and singing together when he pulled up to a gate. He pressed a code into the box beside the drive, and they were welcomed into the protected premises. Fences lined both sides of the path until a massive home appeared. Two stories towered above the flat landscape, and multiple garages were situated around the main structure.

Bella released her seat belt and scooted to the edge of her seat. “This is where Anna lives? It’s gorgeous!”

“Anna’s place is off to the side, but yes, this is where she grew up.”

Travis drove around the left side of the house to a smaller cottage. The guest house was still a full-size home that emanated cottage charm.

Bella was still staring at the place when Travis opened the truck door beside her.

“You ready?” he asked with an outstretched hand.

“I guess so.” She extended her hand, and his larger one wrapped around it. “Are you sure we didn’t need to stop for anything?”

“Anna said she had most of the things you’d need, but she mentioned a girls shopping trip. I figure she’d be upset if I stole that from her,” Travis said.

Bella slid out of the truck, and her knees wobbled when her feet hit the ground. “I don’t have any money. I don’t think shopping is going to happen anytime soon.”

Travis gave her hand an encouraging squeeze and released it as they walked toward the stately front entrance. Bella tucked the cold hand under her arm. Why couldn’t she just hold onto him until this was all over?

Would it ever be over? The doctor was careful to warn her that she may never fully recover her memories.

The hand she’d just been holding caught her attention as they walked, and her gaze swept up his arm to the broad shoulders and kind face that had guided her through the last terrifying week. Couldn’t she just go home with him? He probably didn’t live in a rock house with more windows and garages than walls.

Bella shook her head and wrapped her arms around her torso. Of course she couldn’t go home with a strange man. For all she knew, that was how she ended up bleeding out on the road.

She had a history of making bad decisions. That much she remembered. Her high-school years were full of parties–drinking and smoking with people who didn’t know her half as well as Travis did after a few days together.

Travis knocked on the door and stepped back. His soft brown eyes locked on her, and his smile lifted. “Relax. Everything is going to be okay.”

The words triggered something cold inside of her. It wasn’t a memory. A feeling? Her throat tightened and her fists clenched. The urge to scream just to release the clawing chill that gripped her mounted by the second.

The words were climbing up her throat, then sitting on the tip of her tongue.

“I’m not okay!”a voice inside her head screamed.

Travis reached out and touched her arm. “Bella,areyou okay?”

The cold receded but didn’t disappear entirely. Bella touched her throat, unsure if she’d let the agonizing scream out or not. “Yeah. I’m just tired.”

The door opened, and a bright-eyed Anna bounced on her toes. “You’re here! Come on in.”

Travis gave Bella one last questioning look, but she shook her head. How could she even tell him what was going on if she didn’t know herself?

Anna closed the door behind them as Bella and Travis stepped into the main room. Light-pink walls were framed by bright whites. A soft gray sofa and chair faced a rock fireplace, and slate-gray throw pillows adorned the furniture. The windows were open, letting in fresh air and light.

“Oh no. Your clothes,” Anna said.

Bella crossed her arms over the baggy shirt. “My clothes from the accident were pretty dirty.”

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