“Was that the only time you saw the panther?”
Her father’s gaze lifted from the newspaper, and he twisted around to peer toward the window and pointed. “I see him lurking in the woods.”
Fear clutched her throat. Was her father telling the truth? And why would he see the animal, and yet this was the first time she had? Well, that she could remember, anyway.
“When have you seen him lurking in the woods?”
“Last night after you had gotten home. He stayed and watched the house until late in the night.”
She wanted to scream with frustration from the confusion spinning in her head. It was hard to know if her father was rambling nonsense or telling the truth. Yet, he had mentioned her mother’s death, so perhaps he was in his right mind for now.
“Father? Who... cursed the panther?”
Slowly, his attention moved to her and their gazes locked. For the first time in months, she could see the lively father she had remembered growing up with, instead of the sickly, insane man. “Who, Father?”
“I did.”
NINE
BY MID-MORNING, TERRICK was ready to scream. He was up at the crack of dawn, and he went to the library and stayed there until he could solve the confusion with Bella’s book. Sadly, he couldn’t. The book she’d given him to study was definitely written for those that practice witchcraft. He wasn’t sure Bella could find something to go against his theory, but for her state of mind, he hoped she could.
He limped out of the library, leaning heavily on his cane. The cooler weather had made his leg stiff today, but he wouldn’t think about it. Be grateful, Bella had told him. A smile tugged on his mouth, and his heart lightened. This was why he loved her so much. Her heart was so kind, and she’d always had a positive outlook on life.
“I’m grateful for...” He paused, trying really hard to think of something to be happy for. “I’m grateful that Bella is back in my life.” Even though she couldn’t remember their time together, he wouldn’t give up trying. Little by little, she was remembering.
“I’ll have to agree with you on that one, son.”
Terrick’s father’s voice startled him, and he swung around to see his father leaning against the door frame of his study. Grumbling under his breath, Terrick wished he had noticed the man earlier, then he wouldn’t have spoken aloud.
“Good afternoon, Father.” Terrick stopped and met his father’s gaze.
The older man moved away from the door and met him in the hallway. His father clamped a hand on Terrick’s shoulder. “How are things coming along, son? As I’d just said, I’m happy Bella is back in our lives. I’ve been impressed with what she’s done with Ana.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed a change in Ana, too.”
“And, I might add, I’ve noticed a change in you.” His father winked. “Since Bella’s return, you don’t seem as grumpy.”
Terrick chuckled. “That’s because I love her. I always have. But it’s difficult not to remember that you were the one who wanted us apart for seven years.”
His father’s forehead creased. “I was only going along with Mrs. Walsh. It was her idea to have you apart for seven years.”
As Terrick studied his father’s serious expression, he wondered just how much his father knew – or at least what exactly the man had been keeping from his own son.
“Father? What do you know about Lucinda Walsh?”
His father’s awkward laugh told Terrick what he wanted to know. The man was keeping secrets.
“Lucinda? Why would I know anything about her?” His father turned and walked back into his study. “Bella was the one who came to the house to see you, not her mother.”
Terrick followed closely behind. “Father, I want the truth. Now!” He glared at his parent. “Don’t you think it’s time you told me what’s really going on? I blame you – and Lucinda – for ruining mine and Bella’s lives. I think you owe it to us to tell me the truth.”
His father sat behind his desk, relaxed back in his chair, and linked his fingers across his middle. The man’s expression was sober, and Terrick hoped his father would finally open up.
“Son, I’m sorry you blame me. All I wanted was for you to be happy, and if I had allowed you to marry Bella when you were both so young and immature, your lives would have turned out miserable.”
“Who are you to say that? You aren’t God, because God lets us choose for ourselves. Instead, you took that from Bella and from me. Both you and Lucinda.”
“Well, you have to agree that Bella was young.”
Terrick shrugged. “I know a lot of women who were married at that age. In fact, Bella’s own mother was that age when she married Marcus.”
“I’m sorry, son. All I know is that it felt right to have you wait.”
Terrick sat on one of the chairs in front of his father’s desk, mainly to rest his leg. “But what about Lucinda? What do you know about her?”
“Nothing.” His father’s gaze dropped to the desk as if he were looking for something.
“Stop lying to me,” Terrick growled irritably as he hit his fist on the desk. “For once, would you tell me the truth?”
His father’s gaze jumped up and met Terrick. “I don’t think you can handle the truth.”
“Try me. I’m stronger than you have ever given me credit for. You’ve always thought you needed to control me, but I’m telling you now, I am my own man, and I want the truth.”
Groaning, his father leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. “Lucinda...” He took a deep breath before lifting his gaze to Terrick. “I’ve been in love with Lucinda since Bella was a little girl.”
Shock slammed into Terrick, and he choked on a breath. Thankfully, he was sitting, or he would have been on the floor by now.
