Kept Bride (The Secret Bride 2) - Page 32
“Do you hear yourself? How is committing my wife to a loony bin doing her a favor?”
“Because she needs the help. She may never be able to heal unless we give her the assistance to do so. She needs someone who specializes in abductions like this. I’ve been doing some research. We can have them come to her here to take her away. They can do it all without hysterics and drama. They can convince her it’s for her own good, because it is! It’s for her own good!”
“This conversation is over.” I turn to leave before I say something I’ll regret.
“Christopher,” she calls before I can get away. “I’m asking you to consider this. Think on it. If she goes away to get some help, and you both have some time apart… well… if you still think being with her afterward is a good idea, then I will give my full blessing in the union.”
“Good thing I’m not asking for your blessing. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to see my wife.”
13
Ember
“Ms. Evans?” I call out as I peek my head into the kitchen. “Are you in here?” I’m afraid to fully enter her domain without asking permission.
“Ember?” She walks into my view with a look of confusion on her face. She’s wiping her hands with a dishtowel as she approaches. “Is everything all right? Are you hungry? I noticed you didn’t eat much for lunch. Would you like me to fix you a snack?”
I push the door open wider and enter. “Is it okay if I come in?”
Ms. Evans seems surprised by my question. “Of course.” She takes a few steps backward to the massive kitchen island.
I see a large pot on the stove, which is at least three times the size of the stove I had in my kitchen, and I wonder what wonderful meal she’s preparing.
“I was wondering if I could help you with dinner,” I say, nervous to do something that could upset the woman if what Christopher said was true. “It’s just that… I’m used to cooking.”
Ms. Evans smiles and points to the carrots lying on the chopping block. “I don’t have much left, but you can help me by chopping the carrots.”
Relief washes over me. I quickly pick up the knife and begin before the woman can change her mind.
She returns her attention to the pot on the stove and begins adding different seasonings in the bubbling liquid.
“Thank you,” I say, focusing on my task. “With Christopher at work all the time now, I’m starting to get a little stir crazy. The walls are closing in on me.”
“You should get out and go for a walk. Take in the sights,” she suggests.
“I’ve thought of doing that. Especially since the media outside doesn’t seem as crazy anymore. But all I see is concrete. Buildings. People. It makes me miss Hallelujah Junction. Which I know must sound crazy. But I miss the sounds of nature.” I’m not sure why I’m confessing all my feelings. Maybe it’s being in a kitchen doing familiar tasks, but the honesty floods out of me. “I wouldn’t know where to go.”
“Hmm,” Ms. Evans says as she walks over to where I stand and leans against the island. “You should go to Central Park. I think you’d love it there. It’s a little piece of nature in all this city. It’s beautiful and could be just the fresh setting you need right now.”
“Sounds lovely, but Christopher wants me to stay close to home, and we have supper to cook, and—”
“Forget about dinner. It’s on autopilot now, and besides, I get paid to worry about it. Not you. And don’t you dare tell Christopher this, but I think he’s hovering over you a little. I think you can handle yourself just fine to go for a little walk. An adventure will do you good.” She taps her finger on her chin. “You like books, right?”
I nod, unsure why I’m getting excited at the idea of leaving when I know Christopher wouldn’t like it one bit.
“There’s an Alice in Wonderland statue at the park. Just like the book. I think you’ll love it. I always do. And if I weren’t on shift right now, I’d take you.” She pauses and studies me. “But I also think this little bit of independence can do you good. Because you’re right. You’ve been holed up in this house for days. It’s not healthy. You need to stretch your legs and soul a bit.”
She’s right. I have been locked away. Just like I was locked away in the schoolhouse.
No.
Things will be different this time.
I won’t be locked away.
And I want desperately to prove to Christopher that he doesn’t have to watch over me every second. That I’m capable of doing things on my own and becoming a functioning adult in this new world.
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