“I think it needs to be confronted, not shielded. Heaven knows that indulging a lie will lead us all down a darker road of destruction.”
“Now, I’m curious,” Michael said. He clutched Tariana’s hand with a fierceness crying of desperation.
Tariana noticed tears pooling in her sister’s eyes, who dabbed at the corners and nodded her approval.
She inhaled deeply before turning her attention back to the confused man. “Michael,” Tariana said, “once again I ask, who do you think I am?”
“What kind of question is that for a woman to ask of her betrothed? You are Tariana Gracin, the preacher’s daughter and the one who has claimed my heart.”
She suppressed a groan. How she’d longed to hear those words. Now, they sounded hollow and only managed to grieve her soul.
“Michael, you’ve had an injury to your head. I can only guess why this one detail would go amiss in your mind while others would stay true. Before your accident, we discussed the honeymoon – do you recall?”
“The boat ride,” he said with excitement. “You seemed very excited.”
“I was excited…for you and Frances.”
His confusion shifted to the woman who sat silently on the other side of the bed. “Frances: your sister?”
“Yes, and the woman who has the rightful claim to your heart.” She felt a flood of relief after the words had been spoken aloud. Was God waiting for her to confess so he could wash the pain of her coveting clean? If the circumstance wasn’t so volatile, she might wish to celebrate such a freedom.
“I don’t understand,” he muttered.
Frances remained speechless, so Tariana voiced the rest in fear of alienating them from ever forgiving her past actions.
“Perhaps the confusion lies in another part of our conversation. Perhaps because it was one of your last thoughts, your wounded mind has decided it was the truth.” Tariana sighed. “The doctor might be able to shed light on the medical aspect.”
Tariana stared at Michael and Frances’s faces as they waited expectantly for some light to penetrate the darkness that had enveloped them. “We were talking of my coming out next year. Of the young man that would win my heart. I told you, Michael, that you were the one meant for me. That we belonged together.”
Frances gasped.
“But I was wrong, and you pointed that out to me. Frances was the perfect match for you, and I would find a match of my own.” She hurried to finish before her sister threw her out. “It was just a couple lines of frivolous speech between us, but maybe it stuck in your head, and that is the reason for your confusion.” Tariana got to her feet.
“Now that you know what a wretched soul I am, I beg both of you to forgive me. I was a spiteful child who did not get her way and lashed out mercilessly. The Lord and I have come to terms with my trespass, and I pray you will not hold it against me forever.”
Unable to say another word, Tariana hurried toward the door and left the room. Michael and Frances would need to figure out the rest. Either that, or dream a new dream. She prayed the couple would make it through this crisis. Restitution for her part had been paid, and she wouldn’t interfere in their relationship a moment longer.
Chapter 7
Tariana spent mornings in her bedroom for the rest of the week, and afternoons at the church to finish decorating for the upcoming event. Jamie avoided her when they happened to meet, and the separation from him tore at her heart worse than Michael ever had. She and Jamie had been friends and allies as far back as she could remember, but now that he’d seen her true colors in action, she feared he would be done with her nonsense. He’d do well to steer clear of such a deceitful woman. He deserved better, while she merited all the shunning folks could dish out.
Michael should not have extended the invitation for her to tour the ship, and she should never have accepted, especially after her trick to sour Frances’s stomach just to spend some time alone with him. Especially knowing that evil still lurked in her heart. The only thing providing her a sense of hope was that she’d been washed clean, forgiven, and set on the right path, and that sat well with her soul. Hopefully, she’d regain the respect of the ones she’d hurt, but until then, she would remain in the background as best she could.
When she arrived at the fishing hole by the river, she noticed that Jamie had left her rod by the tree. She ran her fingers down the pole, reminiscing about their childhood adventures, but the urge to cast a line had deserted her. None of it would be any fun without Jamie. The wooden target he’d crafted and the bow and arrow he’d bought last year for her birthday was also left leaning against the tree. They served as another reminder that her madness had cost her his respect. He’d brought both items there for her use, but he failed to show his face. Something within her shriveled and died, and she had no idea how to get it back.
She sat on a rock and dangled her feet in the water. An hour later, Jamie still had not joined her. Tariana felt certain he wasn’t about to come, and just as certain that she’d lost her best friend.
On Sunday, Tariana pleaded a headache, but her father refused to indulge her pitiful excuse. “Daughter, the family realizes you have repented and are finding your way back, but if you put off facing the public today, it will be twice as hard next week. You can busy yourself at the serving table or
