As she did every night for two weeks, Doctor Ogden took a cab to get to the address where her future house was. She asked the driver to drop it in the corner and she continue by feet. She knew her husband was an intelligent man and that hearing each day at the same time the cab stopped near him was to arouse his suspicions. Julia did not want him to know. She did not want to him to behave differently because he knew she was close to him, watching him. She could not help it. Her knowledge in psychologies returning loop in her mind, she knew that this attitude was probably unhealthy. Yet every day she waited for the moment when she would be leaning against the tree on the other side of the street where their house was under construction. She dreaded the moment she would see him, when she would feel her breath catch a second, and her heart miss a beat. She got up in the morning for this moment. The moment she was finally living near him. Julia did not want to be facing him, she was afraid, terribly afraid, not knowing what to say, what to do, to make mistakes. So she would just look at him, she knew she could not hurt him. She just wanted to make suretthat he goes well, be safe and healthy. She wanted to look for signs that would indicate that she was missing. She wanted to see him a little sad and lost. But William seemed going well. She had seen some wounds on his arms and hands. Thanks to his actions, she understood that he had not regained his independence from before the accident, and yet he seemed much more comfortable day by day. A few meters from him, she could swear that William had always been in this condition. She was surprised to find that the house grew, the living room and the kitchen had to be completed in their bedroom too.
By a warm evening, Julia looked forward to the young man a little farther, riding a beam with a pulley and his strong arms. Her eyes were lost on his muscular back, giving birth to butterflies in her body. The man she had known was always prim and perfectly dressed and shaved. The one who was before her now, was shirtless, with a three-day beard. She struggled with all her strength not to join him. She did not know what was the hardest, to watch him without being able to approach, touch, kiss and get lost in his arms, or continue to observe the way she did while he knew nothing of her presence . Yet she could not help herself, she needed to come and observe for minutes, just watching until the day, perhaps, he resumes contact with her before he does agrees to reconsider. She would wait as long as necessary, even if this was a real torture for her. She would wait.
William was sat under the porch before the house. The sun had already disappeared behind the trees, the air cooled and after having completed his work and had wash his face, neck and chest, he was wearing a shirt that he had just left two open buttons . He was there, lost in thought, drinking a sip of water when the young woman with blond curls approached him in the driveway.
-She stayed longer tonight, he whispered.
-Indeed Mr Murdoch, replied the young woman much younger than him who sat on the bench beside his laying a wicker basket on the dark wooden floor, I would come earlier but I saw her from the dining room window. I think she cried.
-Julia almost never cry, William sighed.
-I know what I saw. I'm sure she miss you terribly but she did not dare tell you. She does not dare to approach, not rush you so she stays there watching you, watching over you without you knowing.
-I know Rose, William replied, turning to her, I smelt her scent from the first day she came, and now I can see. Maybe not distinctly because she is too far, but I can see, I recognize her, I would recognize her among a thousand women in a huge crowd. I feel her presence, I always felt. We are bound, I know when she is there.
-Perhaps time came to no longer ignore her in this case. I saw how much she loves you, and I know that you do in return, then talk to her.
-It is too early, William sighed watching the street again.
-Oh damn Mr. Murdoch, replied angrily the young woman that stood up in a jump to put her hands on her hips, it is never too early when it comes to love. Rather it is the time that passes makes you lose the people we love. You are lucky to know such love. I did never know so I will not spoil you so.
-Rose, you barely twenty years old, I did not know Julia at that age. You'll meet the love one day, the real one, the you can not live without, the one that will make you feel stronger, but also incredibly fragile at the same times. True love.
-You have your own, the young woman replied, calming, so do not waste it. And if the next time your Julia comes to you and you're not going to talk to her, I warn you I will do it by myself. You know I am capable of Mr. Murdoch.
-Oh yes, he replied, laughing softly, why I trusted you.
-Good, sighed the young woman, I've put strawberry marmalade and bread for this evening, there is also an apple juice from the orchard of my cousin. I'm going home to the Larsons I still have a lot of work and I have to get the kids to bed. If you need me, please call me, I will probably not sleep again if Mrs. wants me to bring her something at two in the morning.
-They really treat you the worst way it is, William muttered, shaking his head from side to side while taking two coins in his pocket he stuffed it into the hand of the young woman, you should find another employer. They do not deserve you.
-Bof, Rose sighed, shrugging her shoulders, I get accustomed, well then they have the nicest neighbors it is, thanks to you I can perhaps ever go to New York and leave this town.
-Do you not like Toronto?
-It's my town Mr. Murdoch, I love it with all my heart, large parks, walks by the lake, the sounds of trams and carriages, even cars, and people. I love people. But nobody expects me here. In New York everything is bigger and more beautiful with what is said. And I dream to go around the world too. See the Great Pyramids of Egypt, and Paris, and the elephants in India. I saw all this in books from the library of Mr. Larson, he doesn't even read them, what a waste. But one day you will see Mr. Murdoch, I also live a wonderful adventure, and it will be in part thanks to you.
-I wish you so, William nodded, but quickly go home, I will not want you having trouble because of me.
The young woman smiled and walked down the steps quickly to him before turning to him again and meet his eyes.
-You know Mr. Murdoch, if I were Madam your wife, I also stay hours watching you so, not because you are attractive, though ... well, stammered the young woman watching the floor, blushing, it's just that ... she is lucky to have a man who loves her so much and you're lucky to have a wife who loves you at that point. Please, do not spoil everything. Goodbye Mr. Murdoch, see you tomorrow.
-See you tomorrow, thank you.
She smiled at him and he just did the same, looking her leave his property and walk down the street. She was becoming increasingly blurred as she walked away, but William could see perfectly when she was close to him. Rose came from the day he moved in. She had been a great help, caregiver him when he wounded, making conversation, bringing him food that he generously paid her. He appreciated the kindness of the young woman, her freshness, her candor. And when the sight began to come back, he noticed her physical. Raised her blond curls into a loose chignon, he guess her freckles sometimes, her gray eyes, her smile, her slender waist and long legs. Rose looked a lot like his wife and he knew from their first meeting that he would appreciate her, that Julia probably appreciate her too.
She was like every night on the sidewalk in front of the house under construction. She was waiting for the moment would appear the silhouette of William, the moment her heart miss a beat, which would draw a smile on her lips, the moment she would see him finally. Yet Julia waited a long, long time, but no one appeared behind the windows of the house, on the porch, in the garden, where the bedroom was taking shape. There was no one. With a heavy heart, disappointed and sad not see, she sighed deeply. She wanted to wait all night if she had to, but she could not. This obsession was go too far, she had to stop, to impose limits and leave this place. She would return the next day, perhaps. But tonight, as night was falling, she was back to the hotel. She wanted to retreat into their bedroom suite, flopped on the bed and cry, cry without knowing why, just because she could not see him and she had a broken heart. She wondered where he was, with whom, why? But all her questions made her even more unhappy. So Julia deep breath one last time and left the foot of the tree to take a few steps on the sidewalk, but she can not help but stare at the building. She saw the corner of the eye a man in front of her on the sidewalk and she finally looked at him to freeze in place a second later.
-I wondered when did you come talk to me, whispered William plunging his eyes into hers, but you never come.
She saw his eyes probing, she felt the link uniting them again. He could see, he could transmit his love by this simple gesture, he was cured.
Julia was dying to jump into his arms, covering him with kisses and thank heaven for having gave her back her husband. Yet she remained there, motionless, undecided.
-You ... she stammered, I did not know if you have wanted me to come.
-Anyone never prevented you from doing what you wanted Julia.
She did not answer, looking down at the floor, biting her lips. How could she explain to him that everything was different? She just was not herself anymore when she was facing him and that he could read in her? Without a word, seeing that he had troubled her, he approached and took her hand tenderly. William felt Julia tremble for a moment. He saw her close her eyes without rising her face. He gently patted her hand and spoke again.
-What if we went home to discuss ? He proposed a trembling voice. I think we have things to talk about.
She just nodded and the next moment, after a glance exchanged, they went to the house hand in hand under the eyes of the young woman who was at the window of the dining room of her employers and smiling broadly .
to be continued...