Page 22 of Whispers of Helena
The memories surface, a tide of fragmented moments. “I don’t remember,” I admit, my voice rough. “One day she was here, and the next…The next, I was coming home from her funeral.”
Though her brows knit in confusion, she doesn’t press. She just turns back to the pastures, her silence a comfort I didn’t know I needed. The truth is, I’ve tried to remember. Tried to force my mind back to that day, to that night, but it’s a black hole, swallowing everything after the warmth of her beside me in our bed.
We sit in the quiet, unspoken things settling over us like dust. Then Helena looks at me again, a spark of mischief breaking through the somber air.
“Do you like to ride fast, Mr. Hayes?”
I straighten, caught off guard by the shift in her tone. But she doesn’t wait for an answer. With a flick of the reins, she urges Merriweather forward, her laughter spilling out like the wind catching a wildfire. She rides fast and free, daring me to catch her.
A grin tugs at my lips. I nudge Shadow into a gallop, the two of us tearing across the open field. The air is sharp and electric, and for the first time in a long while, I’m not thinking of Caroline. All I can hear is Helena’s laughter and the thunder of hooves on the earth.
Wolves
Helena
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith theLord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11
When I woke,the sound of rain against my window filled the room. The dreary morning left me unmotivated to rise, so I spent some time reading my Bible before beginning my day.
Out of the shower, I pull on some clothes and begin to brush my hair when I hear a gentle knock on my door. I know that little knock.
I unlock the door and open it to find Kiran on the other side. “Good morning.”
“Good morning Ms. Helena. Are you coming down for breakfast?” He smiles up at me.
“I’m not sure. Why do you ask?” I say, teasing him.
“Because we did something special.” He bounces on his toes.
“You did?” I act surprised. “Well then, let me braid my hair and I’ll be down.”
“Okay.” He turns and hurries down the hall.
I finish with my hair and, as promised, walk downstairs. When I reach the kitchen, the singing begins. Eli lights the candles on a stack of French toast, with Marcel and Kiran sitting around the table.
Once the song is over, Kiran grins. “Make a wish and blow out the candles!”
I hold my braid to my shoulder as I lean down, contemplating my wish. There are a lot of things I could wish for, but only one will bring me peace. I close my eyes and I slowly exhale over the flames.
Help him remember.
The men clap, and Marcel hands me a fork as Eli places a cup of coffee by my plate. “I feel a little out of sorts being served like this.”
Marcel smiles. “It’s your birthday, Ms. Helena. Least we could do is give you a special breakfast.”
I nod. “Well, thank you, boys. It means a lot.”
Eli takes a sip of his coffee. “We appreciate all you’re doing here, Helena. Don’t think your good work goes unnoticed.”
“Thank you.” As I say it, I feel a light blush rise in my cheeks.
Kiran’s bright voice breaks the moment. “Pa said I don’t have to do lessons today. Can we work in the garden instead?”
“No lessons?” I ask, my brow knotted in confusion.
Eli shakes his head. “Today is sort of an odd day. Silas doesn’t make anyone work on this day every year, outside of the minimum for the animals.”
