Page 23 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
She should stop him.Ifanyone found him in here, it would… it would what?Ruinher?Shewas already worth nothing.Shelet him lead her to the bed and pull the blankets up around them.Hepulled her into his embrace.
“You shouldn’t be here.”Butshe was happy he was.Shedidn’t want to be alone.
“No one will know.I’llleave as soon as you fall asleep.Nowclose your eyes and dream of the place you call home.”Hislow voice soothed the chill from her bones.
She closed her eyes, listening to his heartbeat and to the rhythm of his breathing. “Thane?”
“Yes?” he whispered into her hair.
She opened her mouth, but the words didn’t come.Herthought seemed to slip away.Andfor once that was okay.Itwas easier to be empty than filled with all the possibilities of the unknown.Uncertaintywas heavy, and carrying it around was exhausting.
“I know.”Hepulled her tighter against him and kissed the top of her head. “Idon’t want to be alone either.Idon’t want to think of all the thingsIshould have done.ThethingsIshouldn’t have said.Idon’t want to worry about what tomorrow holds.I’mtired, andIdon’t want to be alone.”
The tears started again. “Meneither.”
“Then let’s just lie here.I’llstop time so we can rest even if it’s just for one night.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything for you.”Hepressed another kiss on the top of her head. “Anything.”
She snuggled into his warmth.Tonightshe’d allow herself this moment with him.Becausetomorrow she would start living her life asElla.Shewould forget whatever silly wishes she had about her forgotten life.Shewould giveWilliama couple days.He’dsaid he was sorry, and she believed him.They’dsave the mill and get married.They’dbe fine.
If that were true, why did her heart still ache?Whydid it feel like her past dug its claws deeper into this life?Itwouldn’t let go.
“Don’t give up yet, dove.Please.”
Ella closed her eyes, letting the pet name float over her skin.Itmeant something to her.Butshe was too tired to let it go any further than that.Itwould have to wait.
CHAPTER11
ELLA
“Ella.Anotherbunch of flowers arrived for you.Thesame boy delivered them.”Claraset the flowers on the table.
This was the third oneEllahad received in the past three days.Firstcame a bouquet of wildflowers, then dark purple lilies.Nowthis one, all white and the largest of the three.
“Who are they from?”Sissyasked, touching one of the satiny petals.
Clara rolled her eyes. “Iwonder.PoorWilliamis going to have to sell the mill if he keeps sending you flowers.Thesemust have cost him a fortune.”
Ella searched the large bouquet for any hint as to who it was from.Anote lay between the white roses and lilies. “Sissy, can you find something to put these in?”Ellasat down at the table, opening the note.Itread:
Not in the worldIlive in.
Meet me at the old mill at dusk.
“Well?”Claratried to read the note.
Ella tucked the note in her pocket.Notin the worldIlive in.Thosehad been her words toThane.Trueto his word, he had not been in her bed when she woke, and no one mentioned seeing him leaving her room.Thatnight she had dreamt of castles with no roofs andThane.Sheassumed it was because it was his heartbeat she had fallen asleep to.
“You were right.It’sWilliam.”Thatwas easier than trying to explain why a man she barely knew had been sending her flowers.AndwhyWilliamhadn’t.Bothof which she wondered herself.
“Here.”Sissyset the pitcher down on the table.Thebouquet was so big,Ellacouldn’t seeClara, who sat on the other side of the table.
She hadn’t spoken toWilliamsince the night in the rain.Hehadn’t come by, and she hadn’t sought him out.Partlybecause she wasn’t ready to admit the truth.Andpartly because she was hurt by what he said.Shewouldn’t make a very good wife.ButWilliamwould make a good husband.Hewas loyal, kind, and had more to offer.
“So.”Clarapushed the flowers out of the way. “Whatdid perfectWilliamdo?”
