She Steps Out Of Betrayal's Shadow To Rebuild Her Broken Home novel · Chapter 4 of 24
Chapter 4: The Gatehouse
The gatehouse was a one-room stone cottage by the gate, with a woodstove and a kettle.
Behind her, past the gate, the white tent still stood over the stump of the maple. She could still read the banner in the dark: Happy Tenth Anniversary, Leland and Melinda.
She had stood there a minute ago with her gown flapping. Zachary had said nothing, and had let her look.
Melinda had been in this cottage a thousand times. Zachary's father used to keep peppermints on the windowsill.
The windowsill was empty now, and the chair by the stove was empty too.
"He died two years ago," Zachary said. He saw her looking. "In that chair, in his sleep."
"Zach, I'm so sorry. I didn't know."
"You wouldn't have."
He didn't say it unkindly. He crouched at the stove and lit the kindling.
"Your father's will lets a Maddox live here as long as one wants to. Leland has tried twice to get me out. His lawyers keep losing."
"Why does he want you out?"
"Because I'm the only one on this land who isn't his."
The kettle began to hum.
He made tea in a chipped mug and put it in her hands. Her fingers wouldn't close around it.
"They're ice," Zachary said.
He covered her hands with his and held them.
His palms were rough and very warm.
Melinda looked at the scar on his knuckles. She had been there the day he got it, at fourteen, climbing the orchard wall.
"I can feel your hands shaking," she said.
"It's the cold."
"You've been inside for ten minutes."
He didn't answer. He didn't let go either.
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