A week had passed. Adrien had not seen Adam since the night of the school board meeting. The house still was not finished. She had to do something, if only she could talk to Adam. She did not mean to hurt him. She needed him. If only she could tell him that.

It was a bright sunny morning. Adrien had decided to sleep late. She woke up to the sound of a wagon in the yard. She looked out the window. Seeing it was Adam, she pulled on her robe and ran through the front door.

"I just wanted to drop this by, I guess you want to do it yourself, so I'll be going," he said with a sad tone. His heart grew sadder when he saw her disheveled hair and the robe. She was even more beautiful when she looked like that.

"Adam, wait," Adrien pleaded, "please, we need to talk."

"About what, you told me everything I needed to know a week ago."

"No, please that wasn't what I meant. I…Will you just come in?" She was getting desperate.

"I'm expected back in a little while."

"Then I won't keep you long… Adam, please."

He reluctantly went inside and went into the kitchen.

"Alright, but get yourself cleaned up first. You look frightful," he said, "I'll make some coffee."

"Oh, thank you, Adam." She went upstairs, washed her face, re-braided her hair, and put on his favorite blue dress.

Hopefully, this will help his forgive me. She thought. What are you thinking? This is not what you're trying to do! We need to stay friends and that's all. That way no one gets hurt.

She went back downstairs into the kitchen where Adam had the coffee already poured and waiting. She sat down and waited for him to say something. He sat there silently waiting for her to do the same.

"Adam, listen I…" She tried to explain.

"I know what you meant," he said staring intently at the coffee he was pouring but Adrien was relentless.

"Will you listen to me?" she asked intensely. His eyes looked back at her. They seemed almost like darts.

"I'm listening."

"The other night, I didn't mean what I said, well not exactly what I said," she stopped for a moment, brushing her hands over her face. She was beginning to confuse herself.

"I know what you meant," Adam replied, completing her thought.

"Then what did I mean?" she asked, starting to get angry, knowing he did not understand.

"Everything we had before is gone, everything you felt for me, all the plans we made; it's all gone." Adam said, looking down at the table, he sounded as if were almost in tears.

"Adam, when I said things had changed that wasn't what I meant to say, I meant I've changed."

"What about us?"

"I thought there was no us anymore before I came here. I tried to start over there. It didn't work out. I came here to try again. I thought the only thing left of you here was your grave."

"And just how did you start over in Boston?" Adam asked.

"I almost rushed into a marriage with someone that I didn't love and…" Her eyes cast down to the floor. She turned away from him.

"Then why can't we pick up where we left off?" Adam asked confused.

"Because I need time. I just cancelled a wedding. I've lost a…." she cut herself off and quickly continued, "Two weeks ago, I thought you were dead. I need time to sort things out. That's what I meant to say the other night."

"Why didn't you say that?"

"I didn't really know what to say. I never even thought of you trying to pick up where we left off." She got up and looked out the window.

"So, what do we do now?" Adam asked still confused.

"I'd like to have my chance to start over," she declared.

"So, forget about us?"

"For now."

"For how long?" he asked solemnly.

"I don't know."

"When will you know?" He was not giving up easily.

"Why are you trying to rush me?" she felt pressured, suddenly the urge to run.

"How will I know when it's time?" he asked.

"Adam, how did it feel when you tried to kiss me?" she asked, hoping to steer him away from the subject.

"I don't really know," he answered, not knowing where this was going.

"Did it feel right?"

"Adrien, you know I wouldn't…"

"Adam, did it feel right?" she persisted.

"It didn't feel real. But it's something I've dreamt of doing again for a long time."

"When it does feel real, and not a dream, it's time," she told him as she took a final swig of the coffee.

"I'm glad you made this and not me, it's been a long time since I've had a decent cup."

Adam smiled for the first time that morning.

"I'm glad I could oblige you," he added, "now I have some things to do, so if you don't mind…"

She and Adam began working on the house. First thing to be done was to finish hanging the doors upstairs. Adrien was not much help here. After this was done Adam left Adrien to paint the first floor, while he did the finishing touches on the porch and then went to check out the barn. It was lonely work after the conversation downstairs, but judging from the sun and his stomach, it would be lunch time soon.

He worked a little bit longer, until he smelled something cooking from the barn. He had not realized exactly how hungry he was until he entered the kitchen and found lunch already on the table. He sat down and started eating before he realized Adrien was not present. He searched the first floor, which sickeningly smelled like whitewash.

"Adrien," he called upstairs.

"Yes," she answered from behind him. He turned to find her leaning up against the doorframe in a blue blouse and trousers that had a few streaks of paint.

"What's the surprised look for?" she asked smiling.

"This is different," he answered

"Well, I couldn't get whitewash all over my dress."

"I wasn't meaning that."

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked.

"I thought you'd grown out of wearing those," he stated, still surprised.

"I guess you've been away from society a little too long," she told him.

"You were the only girl I knew who wore those."

"What's the big deal, Adam? I've known girls who wear pants when they work. I've even seen some women here wear them."

"Who said I'm only worrying about you?" he asked.

"It sure seems like it sometimes, and it's not your place to complain about what I wear."

"Who said I was complaining?" he asked coyly.

"Adam!"