Eleanor was
in the dining room eating when James entered shortly after seven. She looked up
and greeted him warmly and once he was seated asked
“Did you go
for a run?”
“I did. The
woods have change a good deal since I ran them last.” He began to eat and then
looked up “How did you know?”
“I saw you
come in. Did you take the lower trail? It’s my favorite.”
“Do you
run?” he asked curiously
The girl nodded. She ran an average of six miles a day and
combined it with other workouts. He seemed vaguely impressed, but she had been
modest.
“I am going
to clear through Dad’s office today if you want to help or take stuff from in
there.”
“I can
help.” She said, but her face grew serious. It was still very fresh and very
hard for the girl.
He spread the dark raspberry jam over his toast and she
looked curiously at him. He wasn’t what she remembered and for sure, she had
not remembered the long scar running along part of his neck or the serious eyes
that showed he had become numb to the pain he felt.
“What do
you do? For work, I mean.”
“I’ve done
a lot, Eleanor.” James replied “most recently, I’ve been instructing at a
military academy. I was an officer in the military before they moved me to
instruct at a couple training exercises. I went from there to a military
academy to instruct there while continuing to learn during the night.”
“I had no
idea.”
“It only
half explains why I lost contact with you.” He said softly “It never should
have happened.”
She shrugged
“I could
have written you and I didn’t either.”
Both lapsed into silence
“What will
you do now?”
“I haven’t
gotten there yet.” He replied “I have a lot to do and think about before I can
pursue any career. Like getting to know you and figuring out how the best way
to care for you.”
She wanted to ask what his immediate thoughts were, but she
knew that would be too prying. When he brought it up she was pleasantly
surprised
“I was
thinking, in regards to that, that perhaps an overseas boarding school would be
the best option.”
His smirking smile at her surprise look made her realize he
was joking and she had to laugh.
“I’m
jesting… Unless, of course, it is what you desire to do.”
“It would
be out of country.”
“We will be
traveling enough anyways.” He replied “Now, let’s get the study cleaned. I’d like to
re-explore this place.”
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