The Critchfield Locket Read Online Free PDF Page A

beyond my grasp. Remnants of voices, faces, familiarities flutter through me, yet I cannot reach them.
                  Kate placed her pen back down on the writing desk as she read over her words. She had begun writing down her thoughts and feelings in hopes that it would help her regain her memory. She also felt that since she did not know why she lost her memories in the first place, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen again.
     
    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     
    Nicholas felt like a cowardly fool. If the roles had been reversed, he would not have believed the sudden excuse to leave. He was having a grand time right up until the moment he nearly spoke Emily’s name. He felt he would choke on the words as they formed in his mouth. Emily had loved the house nearly as much as he did. Somehow it seemed wrong to share that love with another person, especially someone he had only just met. Yet he felt a comfortable familiarity when he was around Kate.
                  For Emily’s sake, I will help Ms. Dornacher. I can be a gracious host without becoming attached. After all, she will not be at Critchfield Manor long.
                  He sat down at his desk in the library, deciding that he should do some work so that what he said would not be a total lie. As he pushed his papers around, his thoughts were full of Emily. Before he could stop it from happening, tears began to run down his cheeks. This time, he allowed himself to give into the feelings that he so often pushed aside. This time, he finally said goodbye.
    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     
    Kate found herself feeling anxious for reasons she could not explain. She paced the room, and then stepped over to the window. Looking out, she spotted what looked like a rabbit sitting on the garden lawn. She decided that fresh air could help her lift her mood, so she grabbed a straw hat that was hanging in the wardrobe and headed to the garden. The rabbit must have been scared off by her approach for he was nowhere to be found. Kate could pick up the faint smell of peppermint in the breeze. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as she sat down on a bench. She stayed that way for a few minutes, letting the warmth of the sun sink in. A rustle in the bushes quickly caught her attention. Slowly a small gray and white kitten crawled out, mewing for his mother. He was not getting a response. Kate cautiously approached him with her hand outstretched. Instead of running away, he rubbed his furry cheek against her hand and began to purr.
    “Oh, you poor little thing, so lost and all alone, I bet you are hungry. Perhaps I can get Ms. Husk to spare some morsels of food for you.”
    Kate scooped the kitten up, carried him to her room and placed him in the wash basin.
    “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
    The kitten protested with his sharp little claws as Kate wiped him down with a damp cloth.
    “Now, what shall we call you? Hmm, I know, ‘Stormy’ for the mix of your gray and white fur reminds me of storm clouds.”
    A knock upon Kate’s door startled both her and the kitten. Without waiting for a response, Margaret entered the room.
    “Ms. Kate, I hope I’m not disturbing you, but Mrs. Thompson asked me to bring your afternoon tea to you. She said…”
    “Mew”
    “She.. what was that?”
    “That would be Stormy.” Kate gently picked up the kitten and presented him to Margaret.
    “Oh, is he not just the sweetest thing? Where did you find him?”
    “He happened upon me while I was resting in the garden. I couldn’t resist helping him. That gives me an idea. Could you poor some of that milk onto the saucer? I am sure he is hungry.”
    “Oh yes, poor little creature. He will need some real food as well, more than just biscuits.”
    “I couldn’t agree more.”
    “We will have to hide him from Mrs. Thompson. She will not look kindly on having a dirty animal in this house.”
    “I understand. If we both do our best