Bella glanced at the sky again. Her hopes dropped. Dusk was upon them. She wouldn’t make it home before the sky turned dark.
“I’ll take you home, Bella.”
Terrick moved toward the stable at an awkward speed since he didn’t have his cane. His sister hurried beside him, wrapping an arm around his waist to assist. Immediately, Bella followed the girl’s lead, moving to his other side. He looked at her with surprised eyes, but he didn’t push her away.
Up this close, she realized two things. Terrick smelled like a man – a real man, and the musky scent surrounded her like a warm blanket. And... he was very muscular.
“Terrick? Where is your cane?” Anastasia asked.
He chuckled lightly. “When I saw Garrett on my property, I was so focused on getting him off, that I didn’t think about my cane. I grabbed the rifle and headed out of the house.”
“Do you want me to fetch it?” the girl asked.
“No. If you help me to the carriage, I’ll be fine.”
Once they reached the carriage, he helped Bella inside before turning to his sister. She shook her head and stepped back.
“I’m not going with you.” She pointed to her knee. “When I fell, I think I cut my knee. I need to have it looked at.”
Bella gasped and scooted forward on the seat. “Anastasia, why didn’t you say something?”
“Because it wasn’t important. I’ll be fine.” She pushed her brother toward the carriage. “Take Bella home before her father gets worried.”
Terrick awkwardly climbed inside and sat across from Bella. The vehicle wobbled slightly as the driver climbed up to his seat. Anastasia closed the door and waved.
Once the carriage started moving, Terrick stretched out his injured leg in front of him. The light from the descending sun shone through the window of the carriage door and highlighted Terrick’s face. She wasn’t afraid of his scarfed-face any longer, but now she was scared of being alone with him. At least that’s what she thought was the reason for her jittery nerves and the way the butterflies in her stomach wouldn’t stop dancing. Of course, with or without the scarf over his face, he was a robust man. Having her arm around his waist as she helped him walk made her intensely aware that he was indeed a man, not a beast.
“Why was Garrett here?” Terrick asked after a few moments of silence.
Her gaze snapped back to his face. “He was with the hunting party.”
His gaze narrowed. “What hunting party?”
“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but a fierce panther is roaming the forest. My brother put together a hunting party yesterday to find the animal.”
“I’d not heard of this. When did this happen?”
“The animal was by my home the other day. I saw it briefly before it ran into the forest.”
Nodding, he sat back in his seat. “I hope I didn’t frighten you when I showed up holding a rifle. I’ve never liked Garrett.”
She smiled, relaxing a little more. “That makes two of us.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You don’t like him?”
She shook her head. “He’s been nothing but a nuisance for the past few years. He is constantly telling me that I’m going to be his wife, and yet, he goes around town, flirting with whatever woman looks his way.”
Terrick chuckled. “That sounds like the boy I remember. He’s always acted that way.”
Bella realized that he had a gentle laugh. She liked that. “Terrick? Why...” She hesitated in asking, but she knew it must be done. “Why can’t I remember you or your family?”
Sadness illuminated in his eyes, twisting her heart. It was obvious that he had cared for her at one time. If only her memories would return.
PLAIN AND SIMPLE, THIS was torture. Wasn’t it bad enough that Terrick had watched her from afar for a few years, but now he had to look at her blank expression and know that she had no feelings for him whatsoever? His heart couldn’t take this. Neither could his hopes and dreams for a better future.
Father had wanted Terrick to try to get her to remember, but it hurt so much. Frustration had built inside of him, and he feared the day it would finally let loose.
“I don’t know why you can’t remember, Bella.” He sighed heavily. “If your mother were still alive, she would know my family and me. If Marcus’s sickness hadn’t taken his mind, he would remember us, as well.”
She nodded as her gaze dropped to her lap and her clasped hands. “I was told that I was abducted when I was sixteen.”
His chest clenched. “Yes.”
“Do... you remember what happened?” Her gaze lifted and met him again. “Your sister told me that you had organized the search parties to find me.”
“I remember like it was yesterday.” He exhaled a ragged breath. “But I fear to tell you in case it opens up some painful memories for you.”
She shrugged. “At least I’d remember.”
“Sometimes, not knowing is the best.”
Her expression tightened. “You’re really not going to tell me?”
“Bella, there is a reason your mind has blocked it out, and if your mind doesn’t believe you can handle it, I don’t want to be the one pushing it to happen.”
Bella’s foot tapped nervously on the carriage floor for a few moments. Suddenly, she grumbled and moved to sit beside him. Terrick sucked in a quick breath, surprised that she would want to be so close to his beastly form. Of course, it had completely shocked him earlier when she helped him walk to the carriage.
“Terrick, I need to remember.” She placed her hand on his arm. “You’ll never know how maddening it is to remember back on your life, only to realize there is a section missing.” She sighed. “That was the year my mother died. I’m sure I was distraught over her death, but there has to be more to all of this. Please help me.”
Her pleading had always been his weakness, but he still hesitated to tell her everything. He didn’t want to sound like
