Page 52 of The Storm
Max watched Renata, wondering if her mind was going where his was.
“You should stay,” she said quietly.
Zana was wary. “I know something very upsetting happened here. I can guess some things. I know this is your home. We do not want to disrespect your home in any way.”
“The school in the village is good.” Renata ignored his objections. “It’s a long walk, but it’s possible.”
Max put a hand on the back of her neck. “Renata, are you sure?”
She took a deep breath and turned to Zana. “I am uncomfortable with you. That is not your fault. It simply is.”
Zana nodded but didn’t say a word.
“But I respect what you have done to protect your mate and child,” she continued. “And your daughter…” Renata cleared her throat. “She healed a very deep wound in me. One that I did not think would ever leave me. I am not healed entirely, but I will be one day. And I have Evin to thank for that.”
Zana said, “There is no debt.”
“It’s not a debt I object to,” Renata said. “You’re right. This is a safe place. It’s also a good one. There was a garden here once. There was a dairy that produced the sweetest milk I’ve ever tasted. This was a safe place for travelers and those seeking shelter.”
Max squeezed her hand. “There is a cottage beside the dairy barn.”
“It could be repaired,” Renata said. “You could live here and make this place a haven again. You could take care of guests and fix things. You know how to do that.”
Zana nodded, and Max could see the man’s eyes shining. “I am good at fixing things. And Thawra is an excellent gardener. I have never kept cows, but I grew up with goats.”
Renata laughed and blinked hard. “Goats would work too.”
“Renata—”
“I think you found this place for a reason,” she said in a rush. “I think your family came here for a reason. Your steps were guided by heaven, and we should honor that. Stay here, Zana. Raise your children here. Max and I can help you.”
“And you would be a help to us,” Max added. “I know this place would be well tended in your and Thawra’s care.”
Renata said, “And there are songs I should teach Evin. She has the gift of memory. She can learn the songs.”
The music had stopped, and Max glanced over at Thawra and Evin. Thawra had a hand on her chest and eyes that stared at Renata with wary hope.
“Make this your home,” Renata said to her. “This was a home for so many for generations. It wants the presence of children again. I can’t be here all the time, but if you make this place your home… I would be very happy about that.”
Evin’s small mouth was hanging open. “Can we stay?”
“You would have to walk a long way to school,” Max said, “and help your mother and father.”
The little girl nodded. “I can do that.” She turned to her mother. “Mama, I can do that.”
Thawra started crying. She put a hand to her throat and forced out the words, “Can you teach me… to sing?”
Renata nodded, and Max put his arm around her shoulders.
“Yes,” she said. “I can teach you to sing.”
Chapter Eleven
Six months later…
“Where did you send them?” Renata asked as they reached the crest of the hill.
“Cappadocia,” Max said.
