Page 22 of Married By Midnight
“Tea?”
“Yes. My mother would make a pot every afternoon. We would sit and talk and sip tea. It became a ritual with Momma, Lacey and me.”
“My mother liked tea as well. I remember Pa would get her a small tin every Christmas.”
Sarah’s eyes flew to his. “You remember that?”
“Yeah. Memories have been coming back for a little bit. Nothing that I can really put together. Just bits and pieces.”
“What else do you remember?”
“I remember it being really cold where I lived, but we were near the water. I remember leaving there and going to work on a farm. I’d work a few weeks somewhere and then I’d move on. Catch a train to the next place.”
That probably explained all the bank notes.If Ian didn’t want to carry large amounts of cash, it would make more sense to get bank notes.
“Did you have any friends there?” Sarah watched as an indescribable expression washed over Ian’s face. His face contorted as if in pain. “Ian?” She placed her hand on his arm.
Ian shook his head. “I’m sorry. When I try to think about that I have this feeling of terror come over me. I don’t know why.”
“Did something happen before you left your home?”
“I don’t remember. I honestly don’t.” Ian drained his cup and put it back down on the table. “I’m tired. I think I’ll lie down.”
“Do you want me to read to you this evening?”
Ian shook his head. “No. I have to move into the barn tomorrow. It’s probably best if I just go to sleep. Good night, Sarah.”
“Ian,” Sarah called after him. “I know you aren’t a farm hand. But you must understand that I can’t have you stay in the house. I don’t want word to get around that there is a man here. Word travels fast in this town. You get to leave, but I have to stay here.”
She saw look of pain flash across his eyes.
“You’re right, Sarah. I do get to leave.”
Sarah watched him walk back down the hall and disappear inside the room. He shut the door behind him.
His words rang hollow in her ears. He did get to leave. Why then, did the thought of him leaving cause her heart to break?
Ian woke up early the next day. Today he was moving into the bunk house. He had come to enjoy the room, including the bright décor. He was even going to miss the multi-colored quilt made from dress scraps.
He quickly changed into the clothes that Sarah had brought him the previous day and took the remainder of this belongs over to the bunk house. As he was dropping them on the bed, Dell came over with a box in his hands.
“Wanted to give this back to you today,” he said, holding out the tin box.
“What is it?”
“We found it in your bag. Didn’t want it just laying about, so Sarah asked me to hide it until you were better.” He waved his hand around the room. “Since you are here, you must be better.”
Ian took the box and opened it. Inside were a stack of bank notes and money that had been sorted by denomination. “Thank you,” he said looking at Dell.
“It’s all there. Every single penny.”
“I don’t think you would steal from me.”
“Nope. The Abrahams were the most honest family I’ve ever met. Sarah has all the good parts from both her parents.”
“I should probably go to the bank and cash these notes.”
“You plannin’ on stickin’ around?”
