Consciously I released the chair’s arms, relaxed my shoulders, and loosened my bite. Inhaling and exhaling, I admitted, “I have.”
“Sexual attraction will come. I don’t believe any man is impervious to it, not when he’s been granted a virtuous wife, and she’s been placed in his bed.”
I nodded.
“Beginning tomorrow, Sara will be banished from the community.”
I held my breath.
“For two weeks. During that time the two of you will live out at the hangar, in the living quarters. It’s already been set up with supplies for your stay. The Northern Light needs you to return to your job. Micah hasn’t complained, but we need you.”
I gasped the air as it filled my lungs.
Two weeks. Thank The Light. Two weeks is doable.
“Of course, I’m more than willing.”
“During the two weeks, she’ll only see you, unless a member of the Commission or one of their wives receives permission to visit.”
See?
“Father, she still isn’t able to see anyone.”
His lips pursed and his brow furrowed. With his elbows on his desk, Father Gabriel steepled his fingers. “After one week Dr. Newton will visit the pole barn and remove the bandages. Then, when she returns to the community, she’ll be able to fully appreciate being back and begin a job.”
“Do I understand that she’ll be excluded from service during that time?”
“You both will.”
I sat taller.
“Of course, we won’t go into detail about this to anyone other than the Assembly and Commission, but the followers will draw their own conclusions. Once you return I’ll personally welcome you both back. The correction will be done.”
“As if it never occurred,” Brother Daniel added. “However, Brother Jacob, you will continue to attend Assembly.”
“And begin flights,” Father Gabriel said.
“Sara will be left alone while I’m flying.”
“Yes, it’ll give her time to study my recordings and lament her transgression. Isolation is a powerful tool.”
“Thank you for this correction. I’ll work to bring Sara back to the community a fully active follower and the wife of an Assemblyman.”
“We have no doubt you will,” Brother Daniel said.
Father Gabriel stood. “Saturday, after Commission, you will fly me to the Western Light. I have some business to attend to.”
I did the math in my head. If we left by eleven, by the time we flew there, he conducted his business, and I returned, it would be at least ten o’clock at night. In the Citation X, the flight alone would be three hours each way.
“I’ll have the plane ready. Should I plan for overnight?”
I know the answer I want, but how isolated does he plan on making Sara?
“No. We won’t leave Sara alone overnight, not until she’s back to the community. This punishment is to help her want the community, not frighten her into hating us. I may stay there for a while. If that’s the case, you and Brother Micah can pick up supplies and head back. I’ll know more by Saturday.”
I sighed. “Thank you.”
Now as I drove through the final gate on Friday morning, I took a deep breath. In less than two weeks this would all be done: Sara and I would be part of the community. As a couple we’d be welcomed into The Light.
I smiled at the thought of how well she’d adapted to the pole barn. Yesterday, instead of lamenting her public correction, as Father Gabriel had said she would, she seemed to play house. I’d expected her to sit as she had in the clinic, but she hadn’t. Of her own accord, Sara had used her hands and wandered around. Though I gave her a tour, with independent exploration she again found the bathroom and the kitchen, learned the location of each piece of furniture, and even went up and down the steps to the loft, careful to grip the banister. She also spent over an hour in the kitchen, opening drawers and cabinets, feeling the contents.
Each time she was sure of what she’d found, she’d announced it triumphantly. Father Gabriel had been wrong when he’d said the attraction would come. Sara was so damn cute with her discoveries, the attraction was there. She was also mastering the art of asking without questioning. Honestly, watching her curb her innate desire to question was sexy as hell.
The attraction was sometimes so there, it hurt.
After Sara mastered the contents of the kitchen, she asked to cook. Thankfully, the refrigerator was fully stocked with food that needed only to be warmed. After she had her sight, cooking would be her responsibility; however, since I was supposed to keep her safe, her wielding knives, maneuvering hot burners, and navigating the oven without sight was currently forbidden.