Cradled by the Night

Author:Lisa Greer [Greer, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-07-01T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5: A History of Stormcliffe

“What happened in the baby's room last night?” Bard asked as he stabbed his pancake, his brow wrinkled.

Amelia's head throbbed. She felt as if she had run a nightmarish marathon, but her conversation with the spirit at Stormcliffe had been no nightmare. She knew it was real, no matter what anyone would think if she told them. Not that she was going to.

“Nothing. I think I just sat down for a moment and fell asleep.” She tried to laugh, but it came out sounding like a groan.

Bard gave her a hard stare. “Amelia, you need to hold it together. I can't do this right now.” Bard shook his head.

Can't do what? Deal with your wife and the baby you wanted so badly? The first of several, you said?

She wanted to snap at him, but she didn't want him to know her feelings and what had happened last night.

He can't know about me—about the baby before. I don't know if he would respect me anymore or trust me as a mother now.

Bard loved her. She was sure of that, but even she had trouble with her past. How could Amelia expect him to understand her decision, even though it had seemed justified at the time?

“I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.” He reached for her hand. “I'm just under a lot of stress, but I know you are, too, with the baby. It's tough right now.”

She nodded.

You have no idea what tough is.

“It was probably the meds. I took the first dose last night before bed.” She tried to smile, but wasn't sure it came off the right way. Her mouth felt wobbly and strange.

Bard studied her for a moment, his thoughts inscrutable. “That makes sense. Hopefully, you'll get used to them quickly.” He stood up, dropping his napkin. “Well, I'm off. I'll see you tonight. It might be late, but I'll call if it's going to be after six. I'm sorry I've been missing dinner so often. It will get better. I promise.” He sighed.

Great. It's going to happen again, but at least he seems sincere about the apology.

“Alright. I'm sorry, too. I miss you when you're not around.” She smiled, and he returned the expression, warming her heart for just a moment.

“Have a good day.” She rose to give him a kiss, but he was already walking away.

“You too,” he called over his shoulder.

Amelia wanted to cry again, but she refused to.

I have things to find out about this house if I'm going to stay here and accept things the way they are.

She thought of the woman, her hollow eyes and blanched face and shivered.

The sitter was due in about 15 minutes. She was going to the library in town to do research on Stormcliffe's previous owners and history. Lottie burbled happily from her carrier, a blissful grin on her tiny, puckered face.

“I'll be back soon, baby girl. I'll miss you.” She kissed the baby as she heard the sitter's car pull up.

* * * *

“Stormcliffe.

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