Orchid House Read Free

plantation with bowls of rice and bits of the lone chicken the family sacrificed for us to share. And you know, my dear, I was amazed by the peace that was felt throughout the room.
    â€œ Esperanza means hope, my dear Julia. When you have your most peaceful times, they will also bring you hope. You must remember such times—though I think they are impossible to forget.”
    Ironically, she knew that night how the simplicity of the past months with her dying grandfather could be numbered among her most happy times. There was peace with him.
    On another day Grandpa Morrison advised, “Listen, dear girl. You must return to certain pasts. But only those you have not finished building. Some things we are made to walk away from. Others are for returning and completing.”
    Standing now with Nathan in the Blue Mill Bakery, where they’d sat for hours with hands entwined, talking of the future, Julia wondered if he was something unfinished in her life, something to return to and complete. Or was that relationship forever past, something meant to “walk away from”?
    Nathan shuffled his feet restlessly, and Julia realized she’d been staring out the window again. “Sorry I’m so distracted,” she murmured.
    â€œIt’s okay. A lot has happened to you lately. Anyway, think about it—the job, I mean.” He picked up his coffee cups. “I’m moving fast with all this, I know. But, confession . . . I’ve been coming here for breakfast and lunch for the past week, ever since Lisa said you were back. It’s actually out of my way.”
    â€œYou could have just called.”
    He nodded. “When you get back, I will call. We’ll have dinner. Or even before you leave?”
    She glanced at the two cups in his hand. “I’m not sure that’s the best idea.”
    He chuckled. “Oh no. I buy two so I can work at home without drinking my own terrible brew. Jules, I’m not seeing anyone. Shelly and I broke up two months ago. I haven’t been seeing anyone in all that time.”
    She wanted to laugh. All that time . Nathan could never be alone for long.
    â€œWell, maybe I’m seeing someone.” She smiled at the way his eyes darted away and his composure failed.
    â€œI didn’t mean to presume.”
    She did laugh then. “It’s okay. I’m not.”
    â€œWell, good then. So, dinner?”
    â€œAnd we’d go as what . . . old friends?”
    He shrugged and smiled. “Old friends . . . new friends. Two people who were once engaged to spend their lives together and then . . .”
    â€œAnd then didn’t.”
    â€œBut maybe needed some time apart to see if it was meant to be. What do you think?”
    The cold crept deep, and her stomach growled. “I think for the past four months I’ve been living with the end of a life, and now I’m traveling far to put what remains into the ground. Other than that, I haven’t thought of much. Except that I really need some coffee.”
    â€œAh, why didn’t I think of that? I shouldn’t propose such things before you’ve had your coffee. Not wise at all. Let me buy you one.”
    â€œHow about when I come back?”
    He nodded with disappointment in his smile. “And dinner, remember. Just make sure you don’t fall in love with a Filipino rice farmer while you’re there.”
    They both laughed at that.
    Seven years they’d been together. For two years they’d been apart. What had happened to them? And yet, to think of them together again, to look at them now . . . the whole thing felt disjointed and surreal.
    A death, a lost love, and a foreign land. Julia wondered what was coming next.
    Jungles of northern Luzon, Philippines
    I T WAS AN ETHEREAL LIGHT THAT CAME THROUGH THE TREES. Originating from the sun, now unseen at this time of night, the light reflected off the moon and onward toward an archipelago of seven