Chapter 5: Church of Storms and Secrets

The road to the frontier was long and winding.

William barely spoke, but I chattered nonstop. Over the next month, I told him nearly everything about my sixteen years at home, filling the silence with stories and memories.

"After Mom died, only Mrs. Dorsey was good to me." I glanced at the cloth doll in my hand, sewn by Mrs. Dorsey.

"I wonder if she saw the letter I left her."

William, reading, looked up in surprise. "You know how to write?"

"Of course! Mom taught me. But I've forgotten most of it. Now I can only write my name."

He almost smiled, but then the carriage jerked to a sudden stop.

I fell right into his arms, bumping my head.

"Who goes there?" William's guard called from outside.

"I'm the king of this road. Leave your money and the girl."

A rough, threatening voice.

William frowned and helped me up.

He said calmly, "Take care of them."

"Yes, sir."

The sounds of fighting erupted.

I stared at William. He curled his lips in a half-smile. "Scared?"

I pointed at his chest. "Does it hurt? Did I hurt you?"

He looked surprised.

Worried I'd made him angry, I blew gently on his chest.

Just as I looked up, he pulled me into his arms.

Suddenly, our carriage split in half. Daylight poured in.

I tried to turn, but William pressed my head down.

"Sir, take your wife and go!" the guard called.

William scooped me up and ran.

The wind howled. I lay quietly in his arms, oddly happy.

It was the first time he'd ever held me.

He smelled faintly of medicine—a nice, calming scent.

We stopped at a ruined old church.

By then, the sky was dark.

I clung to William as we went inside.

"Now you're scared?" he teased, glancing at my hand clutching his coat.

"I'm not scared!"

Just then, something moved in the corner. I hugged him tight.

He calmly lit a match and peered into the shadows.

"Just a rat."

A rat!

I hid behind him, squeezing my eyes shut.

He laughed. "Afraid of a rat, but not me. I can't tell if you're brave or just a little crazy."

I didn't get why he compared himself to a rat. Was he going crazy, too?

"Rats steal things. They're bad. But you're the best husband ever, so I'm not afraid of you."

He paused.

"Best ever, huh?"

I nodded, grinning at him.

The firelight flickered, stretching his shadow long across the floor.

He lowered his eyes, lashes casting dark shadows, and I heard him laugh—soft, with a feeling I couldn't quite name.

"Everyone says you're foolish, but I think you have a way of winning people over."

No one but Mom ever said I was smart.

William really was a good person.

It rained all night. Thunder rolled. I huddled against William, but he was sweating and pale, eyes shut tight.

"William," I whispered.

Another thunderclap. I shook him, crying, but he didn't respond. His skin was burning hot.

I tore a strip from my dress, ran outside to soak it in rainwater, and laid it on his forehead.

No matter what I did, he didn't wake.

I lay on his chest, sobbing.

"William, please get better. Lydia is scared."

Maybe the storm or my crying woke him, because suddenly he stirred, gently wiping my tears.

"Why are you crying?" His voice was rough and tired.

I wanted to smile, but I just cried harder.

After a while, I managed to say, "Don't leave me alone."

He looked at me, took off the damp cloth from his forehead, and sighed.

"In this world, you might be the only one who doesn't want me dead."

I didn't understand.

He took a pill from his pocket and swallowed it without a word.

Before I could ask, thunder crashed again and I dove into his arms.

He was stiff, but he didn't push me away. His warmth calmed me, and I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke, sunlight spilled in.

I was still wrapped in his coat.