Embrace the Night

Page 13



"Thank you for the story."

"You are most welcome," he replied softly, and bending, he pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. "Good night."

"Will you come back tomorrow night?" "If you wish."

"I do."

"Until tomorrow, then."

"Until tomorrow," she called as he moved through the doorway. "Sweet dreams."

A muscle twitched in Gabriel's jaw as he vaulted over the railing that enclosed the veranda. Sweet dreams, indeed, he mused bitterly.

And landing lightly on the damp ground, he disappeared into the darkness, as silent as the rising sun.
Chapter Four

For Sara, the hours of the day had always passed slowly. Bound to her chair, there wasn't much she could do to pass the time. There were no other girls in the orphanage her age, so she had little companionship. True, she loved to read. She had a fine hand with a needle. She enjoyed painting. But they were all leisurely occupations, and none of them made the hours hurry swiftly by.

Sometimes, Sister Mary Josepha came to sit with her, regaling Sara with stories of her childhood inSicily . Sister Mary Josepha had been the oldest daughter in a household of ten daughters and two sons. She told of milking cows and goats, of gathering eggs, of shaving her younger brother's head because he threw her favorite doll down the well.

But on this day Sister Mary Josepha was tending the babies, and the other nuns were busily preparing for the Sabbath. And never had Sara yearned for the hours of daylight to end as much as she did now. For Gabriel would come with the darkness.

She was too excited to do more than toy with her food. "Is something wrong, Sara Jayne?" Sister Mary Louisa asked.
Sara glanced up guiltily. "No, Sister."

"You've hardly touched your supper."
"I'm not very hungry. May I please be excused?"

Sister Mary Louisa and Sister Mary Josepha exchanged glances; then Sister Mary Louisa nodded. "I shall be in later to help you get ready for bed."

With a nod, Sara went to her room and closed the door.