Page 12 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
“I would say yes, very much so.”Hesmiled. “Istill very much love the oneIam searching for.”
“What did you do?Imean, what happened?”
“I broke her heart.Andas we all know, there are consequences for breaking a heart.”
“Consequences?Whatkind?”Sissyhad told her stories of a kingdom frozen in time.Anda queen who could never sleep until her broken heart healed.Abroken heart is a powerful thing,Sissywould whisper.Warshave been started over one.
Thane looked up, his eyes bright with memories. “Heartacheand a drinking problem.”Thanedrained his glass.
“I guess allI’mmissing is the drinking problem.”Aweak smile crossedElla’slips. “Whydo you think she is here?”SuddenlyEllawished time would stop and she could be here with him for a moment longer.Sheliked being with him.Sheliked the way she felt around him.
Thane shrugged. “I’mnot certain she is.Ilook every placeI’msent.Ihad business here, soIthoughtIwould take a chance and see.Assoon asIdeal withMr.McCoy,Iwill be on my way.Thatis whatIwanted to speak to you about.”
“Mr.McCoy, the cattle farmer?Ibarely know the man.Whatdo you need with him?”
“He has somethingImust collect.It’svery important and something he will not want to part with easily.Whichis whyIwould like you to come with.Ifind it easier when dealing with locals to have someone they trust by my side.AndIhave heard you are well-liked aroundRiverton.”
That wasn’t the entire truth.Mostof the people inRivertonaccepted her the same way they accepted a blister or sore. “Whotold you that?”
“Your name seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue.Especiallya certain miller’s son.Hecouldn’t stop talking about you.Aboutyour beauty.Yourkindness.DidImention your beauty?”
“Yes,I’msure he did.ButI’veonly metMr.McCoytwice.I’mnot sureI’mthe best for the task.”Ellaturned to the tray, fixing the placement of the flatware.Thesubject ofWilliamwas not one she wanted to discuss withMr.Tenebris.
“ThisWilliamseems to think he’s in love with you.Doyou not feel the same?”
“That’s very bold of you.”Nowit wasElla’sturn to be surprised by her words.
“You’re right.”Thaneturned away from her.
Her feelings forWilliamwere complicated and a bit selfish.Hadshe been a kind person, she would have ignored his advances and told him to give his love to someone else.Butshe was selfish and didn’t want to be alone.Soshe swallowed his confession of love like a bitter tonic in hopes of finding some peace in his arms.
“I am sorry ifIoffended you.Idon’t mean to complicate things between you andWilliam.Iwill find someone else to assist me.Clarasaid?—”
“William doesn’t own me,”Ellacut in.Thethought ofClaraspending time alone withThaneupset her, which again made no sense.Shewouldn’t care ifClaraspent time withWilliam.Infact she might like that.Ella, notClara.Clarawould probably enjoy it also. “Iam free to do asIsee fit.”
A smile tugged atThane’smouth. “Again, my apologies.I’mnot winning any points, amI?”
“Are there points to be won?”
Thane shrugged. “Ifa beautiful woman is the prize, then yes.”
“I’m not a prize.”Ellashouldn’t let his words melt into her skin and make her feel light.Sheshould leave, finish her chores, and push any thoughts of howThanelooked standing in the golden light away.
“Maybe it’s best ifIjust don’t speak.”
“No,”Ellasaid a little too quickly. “Imean,Ilike speaking with you.Idon’t know why.Godsbelow, nowIsound a bit too bold.”Sheturned back to the tray.
“I like talking with you too.Andperhaps it’s because we both are aware of what it’s like to lose something.Mostpeople don’t understand.Theyhave no idea how hard it is to get up each day.Howdifficult it is to see that person each night, only to awaken and realize it was a dream.”
“You dream of her?”
“Every night.”
Ella looked down at the tray. “Idream of him too.Ican’t see his face.ButIknow it’s him.”Shedidn’t feel so alone now, knowing someone else experienced this the same way she did.
“Do you miss him?”Thanehad moved closer.
“So much,” she whispered, blinking back the tears.
