Chapter 14 - THE HOUSE WITH EVERY DOOR OPEN
Bellweather became Christa's greatest architectural project.
She restored the stone walls.
Repaired the roof.
Rebuilt the greenhouse.
And transformed the hidden chamber into a small historical archive.
The documents discovered there were preserved as evidence and later cataloged under appropriate legal supervision.
Christa designed the restoration herself.
Leo helped when she asked.
He painted walls.
Carried boxes.
Planted trees.
And discovered that he was terrible at assembling furniture.
One afternoon, Christa found him struggling with a bookshelf.
She laughed.
“Need help?”
Leo looked offended.
“Absolutely not.”
The shelf collapsed.
Christa burst out laughing.
Leo stared at the pieces.
Then laughed too.
For the first time in years, he wasn't worried about being feared.
He was simply happy.
That evening, they sat on the porch.
Christa rested her head against his shoulder.
“Do you miss it?” she asked.
“What?”
“The old life.”
Leo considered.
“Sometimes.”
She looked up.
He smiled.
“But not enough to trade this.”
May you like
He kissed her forehead.
“And not enough to lose you.”
