Chapter 10
"Vincent, your world is fascinating," Catherine told him with a weary sigh as she sank onto his bed.
"I will be happy to show you more tomorrow when you are feeling a bit stronger."
"I would love that, really I would, but my father must be frantic with worry about me! I have to let him know that I am alright. He has to be going out of his mind! I need to get home."
"You wouldn't be able to make the walk tonight Catherine. We will see if you are strong enough to make the journey tomorrow."
She considered his words, aware of how tired she was after just the short walk they had taken and nodded her agreement.
Vincent suggested, "Why don't you take a quick nap while I go and get our dinner from the kitchen?"
"That sounds wonderful," she answered ending on a yawn that told him just how much she needed the nap.
Catherine was still sleeping when Vincent returned with the food. Although he tried to be quiet as he laid out the meal Catherine woke to the faint sounds of clinking china and the smell of the hearty stew William had provided for them.
She watched him for a few moments as he moved quietly about the chamber, unaware that she was awake. Catherine smiled as she contemplated how such a large man could move around with hardly a sound.
It was her thoughts turning to him that reached Vincent through the Bond letting him know that she had woke up. "I am sorry I woke you Catherine," he apologized as he turned to face her.
"I'm not! The food smells wonderful and I think our walk helped me work up quite an appetite. I'm starved!"
Vincent moved the table closer to the bed as she sat up and then drew a chair closer for himself. "William makes a very good stew and there is bread to go with it."
"Is this bread homemade?" she asked as he passed her a plate full of thick slices.
"What other kind of bread is there?" he questioned with a puzzled look.
"Store bought," she informed him, putting two slices on her plate. Catherine sighed in pleasure as she took her first bite. As soon as she swallowed she told him, "The only other time I've had homemade bread was at my friend Jenny Aaronson's house during Hanukah several years ago."
"Is it very different from this store bought bread?"
"As different as night and day!" she answered him.
They ate in silence for a while enjoying William's talent. As they finished the stew and bread Vincent unwrapped a cloth napkin to reveal two large pieces of apple cinnamon cake that the cook had made for desert.
"Ooooooh," Catherine sighed, "I thought I was too full to eat another bite, but that smells SO good!"
Vincent grinned and held out his open hand for her to choose a piece. He watched with pleasure as she sunk her teeth into the sweet treat.
"This is amazing!" she told him as her eyes closed in bliss.
He was stunned at what he was experiencing through the Bond. It was almost as if he could taste the cake Catherine was eating even though he had yet to take a bite of his own piece. This was all so new to him and he wasn't sure what it all meant, all he really knew was that he was very glad to have this special connection to Catherine. Putting that aside to think about later, Vincent took a large bite of his own cake so he could enjoy it along with her.
What Vincent and Catherine didn't know was that while they had been taking their walk and eating, they had been the subjects of a heated discussion between Father and Mary in Father's study. After Mary had told him about the proposed walk Father blew! "Walk? Whose idea was that? How do we know if she can be trusted?"
"It was at my suggestion that Vincent help her to get up and move around. I know as a doctor, it is what you have recommended for patients in the past…was I wrong about that, Father?" she asked innocently, knowing full well that she was right, and he would have to admit that.
To be continued….