Leave it for the Rain: A Love She Couldn't Remember—A Woman He Couldn't Forget (Grayson Brothers Book 6) (13 page)

Doc Samuel shrugged. “Can’t say. You and Dawson are the only two folks who have seen any such woman—and you have each sustained a significant head injury.”

Rebecca’s jaw dropped. “Are you suggesting we see things that are not real?”

“I’m suggesting that it is a queer coincidence.”

“Doctor, the woman was real. I can still see her bare feet splashing through the water. Her hair was a long blaze of red flowing down her back. I’ve never seen anyone so... so magnificent.” She faced the doctor with certainty. “I saw her with my eyes not my imagination.”

“All right then, let it rest for now and I’ll see if we can help you sleep better at night.”

“Adam told you about that, too?” she asked, her irritation ratcheting up a notch.

“Your father did. There are many people who love you and want to help you get better.”

“So it appears,” she said.

While her father and grandmother were sitting on the porch where Doc Samuel had asked them to wait, the doctor continued his exam. He asked about her headaches, how often did she have them and when did they tend to occur. Did they nauseate her or cause any doubled or blurred vision?

“How long do the headaches last?” he asked.

She shrugged. “An hour or so up to a day or two.”

“Do you ever feel dizzy or off balance?”

“Sometimes.”

“When?”

“When I first get up or if I stand too quickly.”

“Stick out your tongue.” Nodding and talking to himself, he put her through a series of tests to check her speech and balance and vision. “What year is it?”

“Pardon?”

“What year is it?”

“It’s 1890, of course.”

“Who is the president of the United States?”

“Benjamin Harrison as you well know,” she said, growing irritated with his endless examination and ridiculous questions. “I cease to see how these questions are of any relevance.”

Chuckling, the doctor stepped back, giving Rebecca the space she needed. “My dear, you’ve sustained a nasty head injury that very nearly killed you. I’m testing your recall and mental abilities. You’re fortunate in that you seem to have retained your level of intelligence and that you know where and when you are in relation to the rest of the world. Do you remember the accident?”

She shook her head.

“How did it happen?” he asked.

“They tell me I fell off my horse at the sawmill. Adam said—”

“I don’t want to know what you’ve been told,” he interrupted. “I want to know what
you
remember. Did you remember hearing anything?”

She shook her head again, weary of the questions she couldn’t answer.

“Close your eyes,” he said gently. “Take a few slow breaths and try to imagine riding your horse into the sawmill. Do you smell anything?”

With her eyes closed, Rebecca drew in breath after calming breath.

“Don’t try to
think
about the accident,” he said quietly. “Just feel yourself riding into the yard at the mill—”

“I smell pine,” she whispered.

“Is that a memory or a fact you’re recalling?”

“I don’t know,” she said, her eyes still closed. “But I smell fresh cut wood and I... I feel very,
very
happy.”

“What has made you so happy?” he asked, his voice soothing and hypnotic.

She moved her head slightly to indicate that she couldn’t remember. “I feel stirrups beneath my riding boots and... and Star... I remember her smell and the sleek bristly feel of her mane,” she said, her voice dreamy as she floated in the moment with her beloved horse.

“Why were you at the mill?” he asked.

“Because... because I was happy...” And she had been. She felt it deep inside as if she’d clutched that moment to her breast to protect it from the fall that had stolen her life.

“Why were you happy, Rebecca?”

“I don’t know.” She opened her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t remember.”

He patted her shoulder. “It’s all right. You remember smells and the feel of stirrups beneath your boots and a sense of being happy. That’s a lot more than you thought you remembered, isn’t it?” At her nod, he continued. “The smell of freshly ground coffee still reminds me of my father enjoying a steaming cupful before he went off to work each morning when I was a boy. Smells, sounds and our other senses often convey us back to our past. I suspect if you experience more with your senses than your mind, you may remember more and worry less.”

The idea excited her and gave her hope.

“Now we need to settle your nerves and help you start sleeping at night. What seems to be the cause of your unrest?” he asked.

His question deflated her. “I’m having odd... dreams,” she said, because she didn’t want to admit that she was wide awake when the most bizarre thoughts tormented her.

“Tell me about them. Are they the cause of your sleepless nights?”

They were the cause of unending worry, but she simply released a sigh and rubbed her temple to ease the dull, ever-present ache. “Sometimes a headache will wake me, some nights it’s a dream or a noise. Mostly, it’s the sense that I’m being suffocated. I feel lost and frightened and I can’t slow my breathing or catch my breath. I just need to get out of bed and find my safe spot on the porch.” She lifted her eyes to the doctor. “I never feel settled. There are so many people around me that I can’t... I can’t breathe. I just wish...” She shook her head, unable to voice her thought for fear of hurting her family.

“You wish what?”

What she wanted was too shocking and selfish to speak aloud.

The doctor placed a calming hand upon her shoulder. “Rebecca, I’m here to help. What is it you wish?”

His soothing voice assured her, encouraged her to confess. “I wish I could stay here,” she said. “In Crane Landing.”

One gray eyebrow lifted above the top of his spectacles as his shrewd blue eyes assessed her.

“No one knows me here. I’m not surrounded by family or by folks in town who have known me all my life. I can’t remember one of them and it... it’s terribly distressing to live among strangers who know me so intimately. I don’t want to go home until I get my memory back,” she said. “I
will
get it back, won’t I?”

A sympathetic smile slowly lifted his lips as he studied her. “Head injuries are tricky, Rebecca. They can take a long time to heal. I’ll need to observe you for at least a couple of months to better assess your condition.”

“Two months?” She sank back on the stool. “My father can’t even stay a week, Dr. Samuel.”

“I suspected as much,” he said. “But perhaps you and your grandmother can?”

Rebecca opened her mouth to protest, but suddenly understood that the doctor was providing an acceptable excuse for her to escape her family for a while without hurting their feelings. “I don’t know if it’s possible, but I would be happy to remain in Crane Landing for a while. Especially if you think you can help me get my memory back.”

“I’ll do everything I can to help you,” he said.

She nodded, understanding that he couldn’t promise her anything. “I may need your assistance persuading my father.”

The doctor flapped a hand to dismiss her comment. “Your father is a smart man. He won’t question anything that may help improve your health. I strongly believe that taking some time here at Crane Landing will be a good course of action for you, Rebecca. You need a place that will quiet your nerves and help you heal.”

She agreed wholeheartedly. “I feel more relaxed already.”

“Good. Now let me take another look at your head. Perhaps we can ease those headaches some.”

Adam strolled down the cobbled drive and headed to The Beacon Inn after a short visit with Elias Crane. He was glad to be staying on at Crane Landing with Rebecca and their grandmother, but he was deeply discouraged that Doc Samuel couldn’t determine if Rebecca’s memory would return. All Adam could hope for was better news when Rebecca visited the doctor again next week.

Meanwhile, he would make her stay here as comfortable as possible and do his best to help her remember her life—and their love.

Radford had readily agreed to her staying on at Crane Landing under the care of the good doctor and her grandmother—with Adam’s protection. Radford’s small nod to the caliber of Adam’s character left Adam feeling more sad than grateful. Rebecca wasn’t the only one to lose something of value because of her accident.

Radford had also set up accounts for Rebecca and his mother with the local merchants. The ladies were only too happy for the chance to explore the town and the scenery of the bay and the ocean beyond. So Adam had suggested to Radford that the women might be more comfortable in a small house of their own, especially considering the duration of their stay. Upon Radford’s agreement, Adam had gone to see Elias Crane.

After their meeting, it took ten minutes for Adam to reach the inn where he joined Radford and Rebecca and their grandmother on the wide porch for a refreshing glass of mint tea.

Taking a seat across from Radford, Adam said, “I secured the house. We can move them in immediately.”

“Excellent,” Radford replied. To Rebecca, he said, “Adam has found a suitable house for you and mother to occupy while you’re under Doctor Samuel’s care.”

“A house?” she asked. “I thought we would remain at the inn.”

“You can stay here if you choose,” Radford said, “but a house will be more private and I suspect a good bit quieter.”

“It’s a lovely home,” Adam interjected. He wanted her to stay in the house because he knew she would love the cozy rooms and the view of the river and the bay. He needed her to stay there because the privacy would allow him to spend more time with her than he could at the inn. He needed that extra time. He had a few short weeks to jog her memory and rescue their love before returning her home to her family. So he lobbied hard. “It’s a small house right on the river that will make a wonderful home while you’re here.”

She hesitated as if undecided. “What shall we do, Grandma?”

“We shall go take a look,” her grandmother said. “The house sounds lovely.”

“We’ve been invited to dinner with the Crane family this evening,” Adam said to Radford. “I took the liberty of accepting as I thought you should like to see Elias again. We could visit the house at that time as it’s just a few minutes past the Crane residence.”

“Thank you, Adam. I would indeed like to see Elias.” Radford got to his feet. “Why don’t you ladies freshen up and then we’ll go see about this house before our dinner engagement.”

Within the hour the four of them were dressed for supper.

“Shall I hire a carriage?” Adam asked, as they gathered on the Inn’s wonderfully deep porch. “I enjoy the walk, but I’m not certain if the ladies prefer to travel by carriage.”

“No, please!” Rebecca stated emphatically. “I should hate to be closed up in a carriage on such a fine day. May we walk?”

Radford glanced at his mother for her response. “What’s your pleasure, Mother?”

“By all means, let’s enjoy the day. Walking will give me a perfect opportunity to snoop in the windows of the mercantile and these other wonderful establishments.”

And snoop she did!

Rebecca and their grandmother paused at more than a few of the business establishments to gaze into the windows that were chock-full of merchandise. They priced handbags and bloomers and ribbons and bows. They oohed over bathing slippers made of white canvas and trimmed with red braiding. They marveled at the bolts of taffeta, chiffon, and silk on display, not to mention the ready-made dresses available. A sign in the milliner’s shop boasted that dressmaker Sadie Gill had just returned from New York where she had studied the latest fashions. Another sign invited all to the dance at the Grange Hall preceding the Independence Day fireworks still several weeks away. There were spices galore in the next window display, along with exotic teas and tinctures. It seemed that whatever the world had to offer could be found in the shops here, and all of it seemed to delight Rebecca.

Seeing the joy in her expression lifted Adam’s spirit.

He had walked Bay Street so often in the months he’d lived at Crane Landing, he could travel it with his eyes closed. Curving and winding gently, Bay Street hugged the inlet and horseshoe shaped bay. Bay Street became River Road where the river met the bay—and that’s where the Crane mansion sat. Further up River Road just before the first significant rise sat the white two-story house. Big leafy maple trees shaded the front yard and wide-columned veranda.

The Crane family had relatives in last summer and that’s when Adam had first seen the house. He knew what he would find inside, so he was able to watch and enjoy Rebecca’s exclamations of pleasure as she inspected the home. They entered through a small wood paneled foyer and found themselves in a cozy parlor wallpapered in a garden pattern with fussy meadow flowers of yellow and blue.

“It will be as if we’re sitting in a peaceful garden,” Rebecca said, trailing her fingertips across the textured walls.

Her pleasure was so obvious that Adam couldn’t wait for her to see the back porch.

She made her way to the kitchen, admiring the small maple table, exploring the cupboards that were stocked with dishes, and drawers filled with utensils.

“Grandma, everything one could need is already here.” Rebecca took an apron off a hook beside the sink, shook it open, and tied it around her slim waist. “What shall I prepare for supper?” she asked, a smile on her face that stopped Adam’s aching heart from beating.

To see a hint of her former self shining through the shadow of her injury gave Adam hope that she might yet find her way back to him.

“A cup of tea to sip while sitting on that lovely porch would suit just fine,” Grandma said, gazing out the window above the kitchen sink.

Surprise lit Rebecca’s eyes and she turned to peek out the window. “Oh!” She whipped off the apron and laid it on the counter. Without a word she headed straight to the door and stepped outside. “Oh... my...” Adam heard her say.

He grinned. He knew the back porch would be her favorite place.

“Grandma... you must come out here,” she said.

They all joined her there, each of them taking in the breathtaking view of the river. From high up the mountain the Crane River cut a winding path down through thick green forests where it emptied into the bay just beyond the Crane mansion. And just outside the door to this little house, crystal clear water tumbled over river rocks, creating a song that calmed the spirit.

“Oh, Adam...” Rebecca turned to him, the look on her face telling him she needed this place. “It’s so beautiful and... peaceful here.” Her gaze swept across the river banks and surrounding woodland, returning to him with warmth radiating from her eyes. “Thank you.”

He was glad he could give her this respite, however brief. And he knew it would be the perfect place for them to fall in love again.

“I could sit here all day,” Grandma said.

Standing beside her, Radford nodded. “I could, too, Mother, but I’m afraid I would sleep most of the day.”

A smile tilted Rebecca’s lips. “I could stay here forever.”

Her father put his arm around her and gave her a light squeeze, as if he was afraid too much affection would scare her off. “You’ll have several weeks to enjoy it, sprite.”

If Adam read Rebecca’s expression correctly it wouldn’t be nearly enough time for her.

o0o

A warm smile tilted Georgia Crane’s lips as she welcomed Rebecca and her family to their gorgeous estate. She and Mr. Crane greeted Adam as if he were their own son home for a visit.

“Has Adam told you how we shamelessly lobbied for the two of you to settle here after you marry?” Georgia asked thirty minutes later as they began a multicourse dinner that made Rebecca’s eyes round in amazement.

The thought of spending her days in the ocean-side town gave her an odd thrill. “I can’t recall if he mentioned it, but the idea certainly has merit,” she said, skirting the issue of their engagement and her memory loss as gracefully as possible.

Adam cast a sideways glance at Mrs. Crane. “I’m afraid we’ve not had time to discuss it, but we certainly plan to enjoy our stay.”

“I hope you will let us help make your stay memorable,” Mary, the Crane’s eldest, raven-haired, blue-eyed daughter, replied warmly. “I’m eager to hear about your life on the shores of Lake Erie.” Her gaze encompassed all of Rebecca’s family, but ended with Rebecca. “We have much to share with each other. In the morning Mama is sending the staff over to clean Cecily cottage. It’s not a cottage, of course, but that’s how we refer to the house you’ll be staying in. After you settle in we simply must meet for tea.”

“I’d be honored,” Rebecca said. “I deeply appreciate everything you are all doing to make us welcome and comfortable during our stay.” She directed her reply to the Crane family, but she had felt the immediate friendship between herself and Mary Crane the instant she was welcomed into their stunning home. Adam had told her briefly before their visit that Mary was their age and a widow. The Cranes had lost two infants between Mary and Micah, who was seven years younger and seated across the table from Rebecca.

“Yes, thank you ever so much,” her grandmother added. “It’s been many a year since I’ve traveled beyond Fredonia, and I couldn’t imagine a more wonderful place to stay or more delightful people to spend my time with.”

And so the conversation was warm and friendships began during course after course of mouthwatering dishes served up by liveried footmen.

Rebecca had never experienced such a meal and she had to remind herself not to gape at the heaping platters of roasted water-fowl and baked cod and haddock and many other dishes that smelled divine.

Mary set aside her fork, after eating lightly of the delicious courses. “Did you know that the house you’ll be staying in was built for a princess?”

“No,” Rebecca said, glancing at her grandmother to see if she had perhaps missed part of a conversation.

“A legend about a princess sounds fascinating,” Grandma said, leaning in for more information.

“The legend began with Daddy’s ancestors,” Mary said. She turned to her father. “You convey the story better than any of us, Daddy.”

“He does,” Micah said, those being the second two words he’d uttered all evening. The first two were “thank you” to Adam. For what, Rebecca had no idea, but she supposed it was man stuff and involved their work because Adam had looked uncomfortable with Micah’s comment.

The patriarch of the family set aside his glass of wine, seeming only too happy to step into the role of storyteller. “Nearly two hundred years ago the village Enlightsia, camped on the western border of the Adriatic Sea, came under attack. With ranges of ore-rich mountains in her far east, and crystal clear streams cutting through her lush woodlands and nourishing the farmlands of her interior, Enlightsia was a land of plenty and prosperity. Her greatest citizens were ‘philosophes,’ or intellectuals who called for the betterment of mankind. They welcomed visitors and encouraged trade with all... but it was this openness that led to their destruction.

Rebecca leaned forward feeling as eager as her grandmother appeared.

“The more the great minds of Enlightsia questioned values and truths long held to be doctrine, the more Enlightsia and her people became a threat to the dominant powers,” Elias continued. “By 1792 turbulence churned within the heart of the duchy. The royal family became endangered by a growing group of loyalists to a neighboring country encroaching on Enlightsia. The danger was so great that the duke summoned the most revered ship captain of the day to whisk his daughter and son from harm’s way and secret them and the duchy treasure in America. That captain was Gabriel Crane, and his charges were Princess Cecily and Prince Ian.”

“They came to America?” Rebecca asked, entranced.

Mary nodded, her expression distraught. “They fled under the cover of darkness with barely a moment to bid their father goodbye. Gabriel transported the princess and young prince aboard the
Freedom
...”

“Oh, my,” murmured Rebecca, caught up in the saga of the young royals. “I can only imagine how they must have felt leaving their father behind and fleeing their homeland. Were they ever able to return to Enlightsia? Were they happy in America? What treasures were they protecting for their people?”

Elias let out a pleased laugh at her many questions and at her keen interest in his story. “ Much of their tale and what they endured is lost to the mists of time. I am simply sharing the legend, Miss Grayson. I only know that the treasures traveled with them from the heart of Enlightsia are of great value. A journal had been handed down from duchess to princess for more than a century until it rested in Cecily’s hands wherein she recorded her life and knowledge. The book supposedly contains the words and wisdom of her mother, grandmother, and so on. Its binding is worth a great fortune, embedded as it was with precious gems and edged in gold... but it was the knowledge within its pages that mattered so much to the people of Enlightsia. The mirror is crafted of rare wood, hand cut gems and a ribbon of pure silver that connects them. Those are the only treasures we know of.”