Page 24 of Song of the Dawn
Rachelle slumped on the bed, and her face crumpled. “It’s all my fault. If I tell you, you’ll think so little of me.”
“I promise just to listen,” I assured her, sitting beside her. I had no room to judge, and no matter what she said, I resolved to keep my thoughts to myself.
“There’s a man who comes here every year, right around spring and summer. I…I got to know him, and he promised to take me with him to the city. A few days ago, he told me he needed money. I guess I thought he was a man of his word and that because we were lovers, he wouldn’t trick me.” She stared at her hands. “I didn’t love him. I just thought he could give me a different life and I wouldn’t have to be here all the time. It turns out he already had a wife and child, and his stallion threw him on his way home. He’s dead, the money is gone, and…I’m stuck here.”
My heart thumped in my chest, and a thousand thoughts rushed through my mind. It was a tale I’d been warned against time and time again. But Rachelle was alone. She didn’t have anyone looking out for her to warn her against those who sought to take advantage. Taking her by the shoulders, I looked her in the eye. “Rachelle, you were tricked, and that is nothing to be ashamed of, but I’m sorry. I’m deeply sorry this happened to you.”
She sniffed, then fell into my arms with a sob. “You’re sorry? If I’d told Ginger, she would have scolded me. I knew it was a stupid risk, but I wanted, and I will always want, more.”
“It’s not a terrible thing to want more.”
“I was going to be gone by the end of the summer, and now look where I am, without the money I’ve stored up. I’ll have to stay here forever.”
“Maybe not forever. Maybe another opportunity will arise.”
Reaching for a handkerchief, Rachelle dried her tears. “Maybe, but doubtful. There aren’t many opportunities for young women who are alone in the world. You ought to know that. Look at you and me and Ginger, alone, working in an inn. Not everyone has a happy ending like Dusty and Giselle.”
Her last words rang out bitterly, and I realized it was jealousy. Giselle and Dusty had achieved the dream. The rest of us, well, we were still searching for ours. I wanted to do something to help Rachelle, but I didn’t know what.
“Come on, then.” Rachelle wiped her eyes. “Let’s go before Ginger comes looking for us.”
From breakfast through lunch, Rachelle pretended everything was fine, although now and then, a vacant look came over her eyes. I didn’t know how to comfort her, and my questions concerning Endia were not appropriate to bring up, especially considering the fact a man was dead.
When Ginger dismissed us for the slow afternoon, Rachelle quickly disappeared. I considered following her. Yet the tantalizing idea of meeting Ezra in the garden was too tempting to ignore. If I were wise, I would go to the library or elsewhere, but Ezra’s presence made me feel euphoric.
As I opened the gate, my eyes were drawn to the flowers, which shone more vibrant than before, and the greenery seemed bigger since last night’s rain. I caught a flash out of the corner of my eye as something thumped to the ground in front of me. A round fruit rolled to a stop at my feet like a gift. Picking up the fruit, I craned my neck back. One of the trees was heavy with rich, ripe oranges, and its branches hung low over the gardens’ entrance. I breathed in citrus, realizing that scent would always remind me of Ezra. Holding the orange, I strolled the path, searching for him.
Visibility was limited by the green bushes that grew taller than me, but otherwise, the wide path was peaceful. Eventually I came to a fork in the road. Unsure which way to go, I randomly selected the left path. The gardens were more of a maze, each corner revealing more exotic flowers. Although I enjoyed their beauty, my heart sank as I peered around each curve and did not see Ezra. Was he in the gardens this afternoon, or had he been called away on business?
Swallowing my disappointment, I slowed my pace as the path ended in front of a pond. The blue-green surface rippled as ducks floated across it, bobbing underwater to eat. Weeping willows gathered around the far bank, some with their roots sticking out of the mud. Sure enough, an ivory swan perched among the willows, black eyes watching to ensure no one would come near her treasures. Lily pads floated on the pond’s surface, with white-and-pink blossoms. A frog hopped off one, creating a tiny ripple in the water. The scenery was charming, idyllic, and the bench in front of the pond encouraged me to rest before returning to the inn.
“Hello,” a husky voice called.
Eyes wide, I spun around, relieved as Ezra walked out from the path I hadn’t taken. He carried a basket full of oranges, and as he neared, I saw his eyes were red-rimmed, as though he hadn’t slept.
Tongue-tied by his sudden appearance and my potent relief, I waved. “Hi.”
Holding the basket higher, he explained, “The oranges are in season, and I was picking some for tomorrow’s breakfast.”
“I found one on my way here.” I held it up.
“If you found it, it’s yours to keep. Will you sit with me?” He gestured to the bench.
“That’s why I came,” I quipped playfully.
His eyes brightened as we sat, although a proper amount of space remained between us. “How was supper with Giselle and Dusty?”
“Wonderful,” I told him earnestly. “As you said, they are delightful. I hope they invite me again, after I catch up on sleep.” I suppressed a yawn.
Ezra chuckled. “They do like to stay up late, talking.”
I wondered if it would be appropriate to bring up Endia, but my bravery faded. “Giselle and Dusty also told me you invited them to come work here, and as it turns out, they’d always hoped to do exactly what they are doing. How did you know?”
Cocking his head, he gave me a sly look. “I told you before, I can sense people’s desires. Besides, I like them. They make me feel comfortable.”
Right. The odd thing he did. I wondered if he could sense my desire for him, and my cheeks warmed at the thought. Swallowing hard, I considered asking him about Ginger, but it seemed too intrusive, so I hurried on. “This morning I had a brief conversation with Rachelle. Her spirits are low…”
“Yes, she is sad.”
