Echoes Through the Mist: A Paranormal Mystery (The Echoes Quartet Book 1) by K. Francis Ryan Read Free Book Online Page A

my scars, inside and out, but he never asked questions.
    “There were many times I wanted to talk with him, to tell him, but he would not have it. He told me my intention in speaking about my past was not to inform him but to punish myself. At some level, he knew, you see. He always does. He can intuitively feel when and what I need and also when I must be reminded of who I am.
    “He calls me a wonder, but he is the wonder. We have made a brilliantly happy life together and we are both content and very much in love. I am very lucky, Julian. Love of this kind does not happen often. Remember that. It is something you will have need of in time.”
    Many miles later, after the sun had risen over the Irish Sea, Bridget turned to Julian awaiting his question.
    “Bridget, I’m afraid. I don’t know why I’m here. Everything I am doing goes counter to what I know. You say things that are nice to hear late at night but which are difficult to believe when the sun comes up. How do I understand any of what is happening? I’m really not cut out for this sort of thing.”
    “I would be worried if you did not have these thoughts,” his companion said. “It would tell me you were not taking this business seriously enough,” she said.
    Julian asked, “You say I will find a teacher or he will find me. How will I know him?”
    “I can only imagine how much you are going to hate this answer. He or she will arrive and you will know. You will have no doubts.”
    “Oh, of course,” Julian said with exasperation slithering through his voice. “Why would I think there was going to be a proper answer to that question – to any question? Silly. I am sorry.”
    “Do not be cross. It makes me laugh,” Bridget said but then her mood darkened.
    “I realize you do not understand much of what I am saying. Please, do not let your lack of immediate understanding cause you to veer dangerously off course. Believe me, I would like to give you a textbook, but none exists or ever will. You must believe this – the truth of what I say will soon be explained. Do you understand?” she asked and looked earnestly at her companion.
    “I would like to say I do, but I can’t. I understand the words well enough, but it is as though some sentences lack verbs while others have no subject and none of them have any punctuation. I can feel something, but it makes little sense.”
    He stared into the distance as the car’s engine raced nearly as fast as his thoughts. He was afraid to look at the woman beside him. Afraid he would see her angry or discouraged or sad. Then he heard her chuckle softly.
    “Dear Julian, I do wish you could see what I see. You are a man faced with an impossible set of circumstances and what is your response? You tell me the truth and worry that you have disappointed me. How marvelous you are.” She reached out and touched his hand as it rested on the steering wheel. The energy that coursed through her to him was mild and this time comforting.
    ***
    A short time later Bridget indicated a side road ahead and asked Julian to turn off. The professor was still sleeping but she got out and asked Julian to stay with the car.
    With a near regal carriage, the tall, slight, elegant and wise woman walked slowly into an adjoining field and stood looking into a distant pasture.
    Julian watched his companion and realized how attached he had become to her.
    For reasons he only dimly understood, his eyes brimmed with tears as he grieved for a life only half lived, a life that was now part of his past. He knew Bridget would not return until he was ready to take the first doubt-filled steps toward his future.
    ***
    He got out of the car and stood looking up the road and away from his friend. His duffle bag lay at his feet. A sea breeze had snaked over a set of low hills and long since dried the tears on his cheeks. Julian did not turn to look. He had neither heard nor seen her, but he knew Bridget was standing just behind him.
    “This is where