Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson

Author:Melanie Dobson [Dobson, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Christian / Historical, FICTION / Romance / Historical / 20th Century
ISBN: 9781496417312
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Published: 2017-05-08T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 30

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They found the abandoned flour mill where the River Ouse flattened and drifted between curtains of reeds along its banks. On the other side of the river, someone was swimming upstream, and Quenby shivered at the thought of being immersed in the murky water, unable to see what was under or beside you. She much preferred venturing on land so she had some visual, even if it was limited in these trees. And she much preferred being here with Lucas to being alone, in case Kyle discovered her on his land again.

Behind the mill, set back in the woodland, was a chimney shaft that towered above a moss-covered waterwheel and a weathered roof striped with rusty corrugated iron. Wild thyme sweetened the breeze as she and Lucas hiked into the forest, but as she scanned the ruined buildings, the rugged piles of wood and brick between the Queen Anne’s lace, Quenby feared again that the growth and elements had destroyed the Mill House as well.

“I feel like we’re hiking through a jungle,” Lucas said as he ducked under a branch.

“Have you ever actually been in a jungle?” she asked. This time she was armed with insect repellent and a pair of rubber wellies she’d bought in town to combat the swarms of mosquitoes and the mud that had stained her trainers.

“I hiked through the Amazon when I was twenty.” He lifted another branch and she walked under it. “How about you?”

She shook her head. “There’s a reason I live in the city.”

“Don’t you swim in those ponds behind your flat?”

“I prefer being able to see through the water.”

“No surprises?”

“I’m surprised enough in my work.” Mud tugged at her wellies as they turned onto a soggy path, but she pressed on.

“I bet you’ve stumbled over all manner of secrets in your job.”

“I don’t stumble, Lucas. I search.” With that declaration, her toe caught on the root of a tree and she fell forward, plunging into the grass. Her hand snagged on a briar, and she rolled away from the blackberry bush.

Lucas reached out his hand, but she didn’t take it. Standing again on her own, she wiped the blood off her hand with a leaf. Her jeans and blouse were now coated with mud.

He reached out and plucked a leaf from her hair, his eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay?”

She held her head high. “Still searching.”

“I’m glad you never stumble.” His cheeks trembled with his words, a feeble attempt at suppressing his laugh.

“Let’s move along.”

“Of course, my lady.”

She stuck out her tongue.

Lucas continued following her on the dense trail until they reached a cross path. She turned right.

“Look at this,” Lucas said, and she stepped back. Intertwined in vines at the edge of the path was an old post. The two of them worked carefully to uncover the rusty sign underneath. Kelmore Street. The words she’d been searching for.

“Well done,” Quenby said, and he glanced up, surprised at her affirmation. “I mean it.”

His brown eyes smiled along with his lips.

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