“I hoped it would help Daniel remember if he saw you in the same setting.”
Marti’s swallow was dry and hollow. “What if this doesn’t work? What if he marries Veronica in spite of all your effort?”
Gerald sighed. “Then I will have done my best to correct what I had a part in. If the worst happens and he insists on marrying her, I’m hoping I can persuade him to wait until at least some of his memory returns. But, no matter what happens, we have to try. I have to correct the horrible mistakes I’m guilty of contributing to—for Daniel’s sake . . . and for yours.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I know you still love him, Marti. I can see it in your eyes. Please think about what I’m asking you to do. You can have the night to think about it if you like. Daniel won’t be back until tomorrow evening. If you decide to leave, you won’t have to see him at all. I’ll understand.”
He paused and said, “Please pray about it, Marti. I remember when you first got saved how excited you were about living the Christian life. It irritated me then that you never made a decision unless you prayed about it first and knew it was God’s will for you. I understand that feeling now, and that’s all I’m asking. Pray about it, please.”
He turned toward the door and gestured to the bedroom. “I had Parker put your luggage in your room, and I’ll have him bring you a supper tray if you like. Take all the time you need. You can let me know when you’ve decided. And, Marti . . . I hope you can forgive me in time.”
Gerald walked out of the room and left her standing in awe. What should she do? She turned and walked to the front of the crystal clear windows to stare at the hazy blue mountains in the distance. Peaceful and serene, this valley had always calmed her spirit, but now the mountains in the distance seemed to mock her and shout the truth.
How can you stay and meet Daniel when he believes you caused his sister’s death? When his memory returns, he’ll still blame you and send you from this house again.
Thoughts swirling around her head were overwhelming. There were so many questions begging for answers.
If she stayed and painted Daniel’s portrait, she would invariably see Veronica. If the beautiful redhead had done as Gerald stated and lied her way into Daniel’s heart, she most definitely would not want Marti around to help bring back his memories. And yet, she knew Daniel would be miserable with Veronica. His personality would be stifled by her manipulative character—for the rest of his life, if they married.
This line of thought brought her back to Daniel’s caring, loving face. He was too special to be saddled with someone ramrodding him through the rest of his life.
If she stayed, she risked losing her heart. If she left, she risked Daniel losing his. The choice was unbearable.
She pulled fresh clothes from her suitcase and entered the bathroom. A beautifully tiled shower was placed immediately across from double sinks nestled in marble countertops. There were more spray nozzles in the walk-in shower than she’d ever seen in her life. Luxury and comfort came to mind as she soaked in the pulsating jets and tried to forget the decision that plagued her mind. The rhythm of the jets pounded her tense muscles, and helped her relax.
When she stepped back into the bedroom, a tray sat on the desk. Lifting the lid revealed turkey, dressing, sautéed squash, and broccoli casserole. An apple, banana, and fresh slices of pineapple filled a bowl on the side. Beside the fruit sat a small plate that contained a generous slice of chocolate cake.
She pinched off a piece of the chocolate cake and let it melt on her tongue. Wow ! She’d really missed Stella’s cooking. Planning meals for one person was never fun, and she’d skipped meals when her heart wasn’t in the preparations.
She took her tray onto the balcony and watched the sun set behind the mountain while she ate. The darkness came
Marti’s swallow was dry and hollow. “What if this doesn’t work? What if he marries Veronica in spite of all your effort?”
Gerald sighed. “Then I will have done my best to correct what I had a part in. If the worst happens and he insists on marrying her, I’m hoping I can persuade him to wait until at least some of his memory returns. But, no matter what happens, we have to try. I have to correct the horrible mistakes I’m guilty of contributing to—for Daniel’s sake . . . and for yours.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I know you still love him, Marti. I can see it in your eyes. Please think about what I’m asking you to do. You can have the night to think about it if you like. Daniel won’t be back until tomorrow evening. If you decide to leave, you won’t have to see him at all. I’ll understand.”
He paused and said, “Please pray about it, Marti. I remember when you first got saved how excited you were about living the Christian life. It irritated me then that you never made a decision unless you prayed about it first and knew it was God’s will for you. I understand that feeling now, and that’s all I’m asking. Pray about it, please.”
He turned toward the door and gestured to the bedroom. “I had Parker put your luggage in your room, and I’ll have him bring you a supper tray if you like. Take all the time you need. You can let me know when you’ve decided. And, Marti . . . I hope you can forgive me in time.”
Gerald walked out of the room and left her standing in awe. What should she do? She turned and walked to the front of the crystal clear windows to stare at the hazy blue mountains in the distance. Peaceful and serene, this valley had always calmed her spirit, but now the mountains in the distance seemed to mock her and shout the truth.
How can you stay and meet Daniel when he believes you caused his sister’s death? When his memory returns, he’ll still blame you and send you from this house again.
Thoughts swirling around her head were overwhelming. There were so many questions begging for answers.
If she stayed and painted Daniel’s portrait, she would invariably see Veronica. If the beautiful redhead had done as Gerald stated and lied her way into Daniel’s heart, she most definitely would not want Marti around to help bring back his memories. And yet, she knew Daniel would be miserable with Veronica. His personality would be stifled by her manipulative character—for the rest of his life, if they married.
This line of thought brought her back to Daniel’s caring, loving face. He was too special to be saddled with someone ramrodding him through the rest of his life.
If she stayed, she risked losing her heart. If she left, she risked Daniel losing his. The choice was unbearable.
She pulled fresh clothes from her suitcase and entered the bathroom. A beautifully tiled shower was placed immediately across from double sinks nestled in marble countertops. There were more spray nozzles in the walk-in shower than she’d ever seen in her life. Luxury and comfort came to mind as she soaked in the pulsating jets and tried to forget the decision that plagued her mind. The rhythm of the jets pounded her tense muscles, and helped her relax.
When she stepped back into the bedroom, a tray sat on the desk. Lifting the lid revealed turkey, dressing, sautéed squash, and broccoli casserole. An apple, banana, and fresh slices of pineapple filled a bowl on the side. Beside the fruit sat a small plate that contained a generous slice of chocolate cake.
She pinched off a piece of the chocolate cake and let it melt on her tongue. Wow ! She’d really missed Stella’s cooking. Planning meals for one person was never fun, and she’d skipped meals when her heart wasn’t in the preparations.
She took her tray onto the balcony and watched the sun set behind the mountain while she ate. The darkness came
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