Chapter 7

Vincent still didn't understand how in tune he was to Catherine, but he could feel that she would be waking soon. He carried a tray that William had prepared for him from the dining hall back to his chamber. They had just enough time before his math class for a meal and a short chat.

"Good morning, Catherine," he said softly as he entered the chamber. "I brought you some of William's porridge to help you regain your strength, and I will make some of the Apple cinnamon tea that you like so well, if you wish."

"The tea sounds wonderful Vincent, but I have never really been a fan of porridge."

"You should try William's, he sweetens it with molasses and it will help you on your road to recovery."

After putting on a pot of tea, he sat down next to her and offered her a spoonful saying, "Won't you at least try a bite for me?"

With a sigh she said, "Alright, for you," and reluctantly opened her mouth.

Vincent slid the spoon in with a secret smile because he could sense her lack of enthusiasm. After she swallowed she admitted, "The molasses does help the flavor some, but it still has the consistency of wall paper paste."

Vincent laughed and said, "I don't think I'll mention that to William."

Catherine was curious now, "You have mentioned William before, who is he?"

"He, with Father, and a few others were the founders of this community. His main joy in life is cooking for all of us."

"He sounds like a very interesting man, when will I get to meet him?"

Vincent hesitated, he knew that Father wanted her gone as quickly as possible, with little or no interaction with the community.

Wondering at his silence, Catherine asked, "Is there a problem with that?"

"Catherine, Father worries about any outsiders having too much knowledge of our community. I believe he wishes you to have as little contact with the others as possible."

"Vincent, I would never betray your secret," she stated. Reaching out to touch his hand she came in contact with the fur on the back of his hand before Vincent had a chance to pull away. Giving a small gasp of surprise and jerked her hand back.

"I'm sorry Catherine, I did not mean to startle you," he said, as he began to move away.

Tentatively she reached for him again, "Vincent, you said that each person here below had a reason for being here. Won't you tell me yours?"

Knowing that she would find out when the bandages eventually came off he told her, "Most people find my appearance frightening."

"Oh Vincent, how could anyone be frightened of you? You have such a gentle soul and a tender voice."

"That may be Catherine, but you have not seen the face that causes such fear in others."

With a sad, and almost fearful sigh, she said, "Then it sounds like we might be in the same boat with the scars I'm going to have." Her other hand fluttered lightly to her bandaged face.

"Catherine even scars could not disguise your beauty," he told her earnestly.

The hand that rested on his sleeve slid down his arm as she asked, "Vincent, wont you let me hold your hand?"

Hesitating a few more moments, Vincent replied, "I will hold your hand Catherine, but you need to be very careful because my…nails are very sharp."

Grinning, Catherine teased, "I know real men don't go in for manicures, but it shouldn't be that hard to file them down."

Amazed at what seemed like her easy acceptance, Vincent knew that she had no way of knowing the extent of his differences. Carefully taking her hand in his to make sure his nails did not scratch her, he waited for her reaction.

Taking his warning to heart, because she knew he would not mislead her in any way, Catherine gently explored the fur-covered hand holding her own. Not quite sure what to say, because she wanted to find a way to reassure him that she did not find his differences alarming, she fell back to using humor to cover the moment, "I bet all this hair keeps you warm in the winter. I can tell you there are times when all that snow is flying I wish I had some of this."

To be continued….