“You come to the strangest conclusions about people. There’s only one thing I hate, and that is Sir Robert Craig. Pass the marmalade, please.”
May-Jewel smiled. The venom was less biting this time as Katherine spoke their father’s name. Was she softening? May-Jewel hoped so. “I suggest,” she said after they had finished breakfast, “that we explore as much of our new home as daylight permits and try to find your mysterious Selina.”
“Yes, but before we do, I want to clear my mind and do some thinking.” Rising, Katherine announced that she was going for a walk. As May-Jewel about to stand, she added, “Alone.”
“I don’t think that’s wise,” May-Jewel protested, “in view of all that’s been happening lately.”
“I’ll be fine.” With that, Katherine left the room and exited the manor.
A gentle wind embraced her as she ventured along a grassy path away from Wistmere. The peace and quiet did more to clear her mind than the drug induced sleep had. As a child she hadn’t been allowed on this side of the manor. She could never understand why. Had it been attended to, it would have been beautifully landscaped with assorted bushes, flowers and trees, the kind of oasis where one could get lost or find solitude, and solitude was what she was seeking. She didn’t want to relive the past 48 hours. That wasn’t her intent. She strove only to make sense out of the past events that threatened her composure and self-confidence. But that wasn’t to be.
“Mistress St. Pierre.” A voice suddenly broke the stillness.
Katherine’s knees instantly weakened to hear her name suddenly spoken where no one else should be. She spun around to find Vicar Hawes coming toward her. A gasp was all the greeting he received.
“Oh, I’ve startled you! I’m so sorry,” he said, moving closer to her.
“No, no,” she replied, recovering from her fright. “I was merely surprised to meet anyone here, that’s all.”
“I come here often. I find it’s easier to be in the Lord’s presence when I’m out in His element. Don’t you?” Not waiting for a reply, he continued, “I mean, sometimes it’s difficult to pray with all of the distractions at the manse.” Taking in a deep breath, he surveyed the vista before them. “Isn’t God’s creation wonderful?”
With a faint smile, Katherine nodded. She didn’t quite know what comment to make in response. No one had ever cornered her with so open a statement about God. The vicar spoke as if everyone should be on such informal terms with the Creator of all things. Katherine had always shrunk within herself when words of faith were spoken within her hearing. But oddly Vicar Hawes’ words seem to give her comfort.
The vicar smiled back at her. “Seems as if my outspokenness has me in an embarrassed spot again.” He chuckled. “It’s a habit of mine, I guess. But if we’re to be friends, you will have to become used to me freely speaking my mind.” He reached for her hand, and she surprised herself by giving it to him.
“It’s all right,” she stammered. “I’ve not been in contact with much faith, except the little my Mother taught me. I hate to admit it, but it makes me uncomfortable to speak about God. I don’t know why.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that feeling. It goes away, however, once one gets used to doing it, speaking to the Lord, that is.” Placing her arm onto his, they started walking back the way he had just come.
“Mistress St. Pierre,” he began.
“Call me Katherine, please.”
“Katherine, I hope I’m not being rude when I tell you that at my visit last evening I sensed a little discord between the three of you.”
She halted briefly, apparently taken back by his observation and not sure whether to deny it or not. But his charming smile put her at ease, and she began walking again. “Yes, well, it’s all so very unreal, finding myself back here again after so many years. Things are a little… awkward I’m afraid.”
He nodded, accepting her explanation of the moment and then stated, “I hope you will come to trust me and feel that you can tell me what’s on your mind, especially any doubts or fears that you may be experiencing. I understand such things, it comes with the territory.” His grin broadened. “And I wasn’t always a vicar, you know.”
For a moment she just looked at him. She knew then that she could never be self-conscious around him, that they would be friends, the kind of friend she had never been privileged to have before. An honest smile spread over her countenance.
“And by the way,” he added as they continued to stroll down the path, “I feel I owe you an apology.”
“Whatever for?”
“For what I said last night concerning your childhood. I didn’t mean to upset you, for I could see you were already distressed. I thought the reference to your youth here might be of comfort to you.”
Katherine was taken back. No one had ever cared about her feelings before, especially past hurts. “There’s no need for an apology, Vicar.”
“Call me David,” he broke in.
“David,” she smiled and then continued. “It’s uncharacteristic of me to display any emotion in front of others. I had just been hurt, that’s all. I should have hidden it better, I suppose. I wasn’t aware that anyone had noticed it.”
“I guess that noticing, too, comes with the territory. But do accept my apology anyhow. I do tend to blunder through ‘first’ visits. The fault lies in thinking that everyone had my joyful youth, so I figure that the topic of one’s childhood is safe territory for conversation. I’ll tread a different course on future visits.”
Katherine couldn’t help but laugh. How refreshing his humbleness. Wanting to know more about him, she asked, “Have you been here
