Summary: In one of Eve Lambert's previous lifetimes, she finds herself distraught by the loss of her 'soulmate' Ian and in an attempt to make sense of the world, she finds herself at a convent with Father Michael and Sister Olivia, but when a handsome, young Father Christopher enters the picture life as Eve knows it changes in a great many ways. 
 

"The night winds bring a chill to my bone," she wrote as her eyes fell upon the freshly covered powder white ground, "but nothing like the coldness in my heart as I mourn the love of my lost Ian..." 

Now sitting in the convent, her eyes traveled over those words as she thought back to their promise of love for one another. A future was what they'd had in store for them before the war, before he'd been ripped away from her. He'd promised her that he'd returned after fighting the great battle, but alas when all the smoke had died down, all the sick had been tended to, her Ian was nothing more than a fading memory, the love they'd shared was barely a whisper of the unfulfilled promise he'd offered her as his life had come to a tragic close. After all this time the pain should've lessened, but alas, he was in her heart, in her mind and most of all haunting her dreams. If it hadn't been for those dreams, she might've been able to move on, to proceed with a like as she'd hoped, to find a husband, a family and live with a forever of promise and hope, but now all that she was left with was despair. Even after spending months in this 
convent tending to those in need, she found herself lost, alone and perhaps not even God could help her with the emptiness she'd found. Time may heal, but in her case, it seemed as though time was only but an enemy attached to her fate. 

He looked in the mirror, at the collar around his neck and a feeling of guilt washed over him. Tugging upon it, he realized he would never get used to this life, never be freed from the demons of that past and standing here now, living his life as a priest, while it may have been a ruse, it was what had been keeping him alive. His own tired eyes told the great many tales of his adventures, but now as he stood before God, in the house of the lord, his soul was but washed clean as his sins lay hidden to those surrounding him. They had not known of this man's past, only of his promise of hope that clearly masked his absense of fate. He was not a man to be trusted, a man of the lord, but underneath the sign of the cloth, he was spared of his sins, absolved of the past and it was here in which he would spend his days, suffering inwardly for what he'd done. He was lost just as much as the others only he wore the misfortune of the rouse. It was in his eyes that they turned to for comfort, within his hands the sought out the ever after, and it was in his heart where the truth would be forever hidden, the darkness never brought to light. 

Hearing the tapping at her door, Eve looked up from her picture of her beloved and found Sister Olivia standing before her. 

"It's supper time," Olivia explained in a soft, demure voice as Eve looked to the petite woman before her. Olivia was far too beautiful to be hidden behind the habit, but as she'd explained to Eve in a previous conversation, her calling had been to the lord, to the God in which she'd found the meaning of true happiness. As Eve noted the darkness behind her eyes she wondered, was there really meaning out there as Olivia had preached or was she too a victim of what fate had bestowed upon her. 

"I'm not very hungry," Eve returned her eyes to the photograph before her, "please let them know I won't be joining you for dinner." 

"But Father Michael won't hear of it," Olivia explained with a frown, "he asked that you join us," Olivia paused stepping into the room, "oh dear Eve, you cannot let yourself fade away. Your beloved would not relish the notion of you fading away like this. Ian would want you to live." 

"What kind of life would I have if not with him," Eve sighed, "I cannot dream of taking a breath without him beside me and the mere fact that I do only ignites my fury with the lord above." 

"Don't say such things," Olivia gasped, "please you don't mean them." 

"I mean every word of them," Eve turned to face her, "what has the lord done for me? What happened to the promise of my forever? My happiness?" 

"It is out there," Olivia promised, "you must believe that. Had you not had a purpose, you might not be here, but you are and that in itself only proves that there is still far too much for you to accomplish in this world." 

"Without Ian, it all seems so empty," Eve sighed slumping in her chair. 

"Even so," Olivia stepped up beside her, "it is your destiny. You aren't meant to give up, not yet." 

"I just don't know how to keep going on," Eve admitted tearfully, "after all I've lost...." 

"All things in time come full circle," Olivia promised her, "you must believe that." 

"It's hard to when I'm lost in the past," Eve replied as she 
looked to the mirror before her, "really I am not great company this 
evening." 

"But you are. All the sisters rather enjoy you and Father 
Michael has promised that tonight's feast will be a great one." 

"Is that so?" Eve questioned raising an eyebrow. 

"Indeed," Olivia nodded, "we have a guest." 

"A guest you say?" 

"A priest. He's traveling from out of town and he is said to 
have been a long time friend of Father Michael's," Olivia explained. 

"I am but in no mood for company let alone entertaining," Eve 
protested. 

"Give it a chance," Olivia sighed, "for me." 

"I can't. I just can't," Eve admitted as her tears burned 
her eyes and the pain swelled in her heart. 

"It is so good to have you here again father," Father Michael 
greeted his guest, "How long has it been?" 

"Far too long," he replied removing his jacket as one of the 
nuns offered to place it in the room that he'd settled into earlier. 
"And your walk upon the grounds," Michael asked. 

"Splendid," he answered with a sigh, "so how long would you 
say it's been exactly?" 

"Not since our youth and yet you look incredible 
Christopher," Michael offered up with a smile, "your years have done 
you well." 

"The lord has done me well," Christopher offered with a 
smile, "as I see it has with you." 

"This mission is unlike the others of the past, but yes 
indeed, the lord has provided for us greatly," Michael's eyes 
traveled across the room to Sister Olivia upon her entrance, "I hope 
you'll feel at home." 

"I'm certain I shall," Christopher followed Michael's gaze as 
the petite nun stepped before them. 

"Excuse me," she spoke a blush nearly upon her cheeks as she 
looked to Michael, "but Sister Evelyn refuses dinner this evening." 

"Again," Michael sighed, "how I wish she'd change her mind on 
the subject." 

"She's lost in despair." 

"And who might this be?" 

"A visitor to the convent," Michael explained, "a nurse. Her 
fiancee was killed in the war and she came to us for support and 
guidance, but alas I feel we've failed her." 

"I see," Chris nodded listening, "and this woman, has she 
been here long?" 

"Six months," Olivia nodded, "and she seems to be getting 
worse." 

"Perhaps you should have a word with her father," Michael 
suggested. 
"I don't know if that is such a good idea," Chris argued, "I 
mean I haven't been counseling for a while..." 
"It couldn't hurt. From what I recall you were quite good at 
it during our time in the seminary." 
"I just don't...." he began. 
"I do insist. If anyone can reach her, it's you," Michael 
urged, "Why don't you pay her a visit after supper? It can't hurt." 
"I'll do what I can," Chris reluctantly sighed wondering if 
he'd made a mistake in coming to this place. He was by no means 
qualified to help himself let alone some woman in despair. 

Eve sat at her window as the tapping upon her door began. 
Saying nothing, she kept her eyes forward as the door opened and she 
expected to hear Olivia's soft voice. 
"Might I join you," another deeper voice questioned as she 
turned around to find herself face to face with a pair of warm brown 
eyes. 
"Who are you?" she questioned skeptically. 
"Father Christopher," he explained closing the door behind 
him as he stepped towards the beautiful vision before him, a breath 
catching in his throat as his eyes fell upon her. 
"Father?" she repeated with a curious look as her senses her 
heightened by his striking presence. She stood from her chair 
finding herself on edge as her gaze traveled over his far too 
handsome features. Shaking the initial thoughts his presence had 
aroused within her, she stood tall before him, "pardon my 
callousness, but if you've come here to persuade me to join in the 
feast, I fear your efforts shall have been in vain. I have no 
intentions of joining the others for supper this evening." 
"Then clearly that makes two of us," he offered a soft smile 
as he made his way across her room taking a seat upon her mattress as 
her eyes fell upon him rather curiously. He began to rise from her 
bed sensing her uneasiness, "do you mind if I join you?" 
"I don`t think it would matter much what my inclinations 
would be at this moment Father," she answered a hint of frustration 
in her tone as she kept her gaze fixed upon him, "you are Father 
Michael's guest, aren't you?" 
"Am I that obvious," he offered with a simple smile, but as 
his dark eyes twinkled in his unspoken admission, Eve felt a heat 
rise over her features, a simple warmth that had evaded her for far 
longer than she'd wanted to admit to. 
"I've been here for quite some time and I am certain that I 
would've remembered encountering you," Eve answered with a polite 
smile, "although I must confess that Sister Olivia had informed me of 
your arrival earlier in the day." 
"Then that must explain the way your eyes fall upon me," 
Christopher replied noting the color in her luscious features as she 
turned her eyes away. 
"I'm not used to visitors," Eve explained, "I've been here 
for quite some time and it isn't often that Father Michael had 
company you see..." 
"This was just a brief stop on my journey," he explained 
watching her turn away, "however had I known such beauty this place 
offered, I may have found a way to lengthen my stay in the house of 
the lord." 
"I beg your pardon," Eve turned to face him a surprised gasp 
rushing forth from beneath her soft lips. 
"The gardens," Christopher answered quickly as he rose from 
her bed, "surely you've spent time in them if you've been here for a 
while now." 
"Oh yes, the gardens," she repeated feeling foolish as her 
thoughts had lead her astray about this handsome, young priest before 
her, "indeed their beauty goes unmatched by the other resources in 
the area." 
"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Chris answered fighting to 
suppress the smile tugging upon his lips, "however if you were 
interested in bypassing dinner as you'd claimed before, perhaps you'd 
care to join me for a stroll in the moonlight." 
"Surely you wouldn't want to miss out on the feast the others 
have prepared for you," Eve replied watching his every movement as 
her pulse quickened at the nearness of him, "they have spent a great 
many hours trying to make tonight perfect for you." 
"Indeed it has been, however, on my journey I have found that 
I am in no need for the sustenance they have provided this evening. 
I have graciously thanked them for their hospitality, but as of this 
moment, the moonlight is calling out to me," he explained turning 
towards the window as he gazed out into the night beyond, "and it 
would be contrary to who I am not to answer it's desperate plea." 
"I'm sure the lord would forgive you for your discretions in 
this particular instance should you choose to ignore the calling of 
the moonlight," Eve answered with a half smile. 
"Perhaps, but I wouldn't forgive myself if I'd passed up the 
opportunity to spend a moment with by far the most beautiful woman I 
have ever laid eyes upon," he finished noting the surprised 
expression wash over her features, "I hope I haven't embarrassed you." 
"No, not at all, it's just that," she contemplated her 
words, "well you are a priest and...." 
"That doesn't mean I don't have eyes," He answered with a 
soft chuckle, "but I will assure you that you will be safe with me," 
he extended his arm out towards her, "what do you say?" 
"Alright," she accepted his offer a smile washing over her 
soft features as she anticipated taking the time to acquaint herself 
with the convent's new addition. 

"So tell me," Chris began with a soft smile as his eyes were 
fixed upon the way the moonlight hugged his beautiful 
companion, "what is a woman like yourself doing in a place like this?" 
"Searching for salvation," she answered turning her eyes 
towards him briefly as she caught a glimpse of the way his eyes 
caressed her. Finding herself embarrassed by the heat of his stare, 
she turned her gaze over across the green path before them. 
"How has the journey been?" he questioned curiosity 
overtaking him. 
"Journey?" she repeated her eyes casting over him once more. 
"For salvation? Has being in this place brought upon the 
answers you were searching for?" Chris questioned watching as the 
sadness washed over her features. 
"I'd be lying if I told you I was a believer, Father," Eve 
confessed feeling the wind lift around them as she hugged her frail 
shawl closer to her slender form. 
"Oh?" Chris arched a curious brow, "and why is that?" 
"My life has been less than pleasant you see," she offered up 
with a sad smile, "but I'm sure you figured that out in my being 
here." 
"I assumed if you'd felt comfortable speaking with me, in 
time we would get to the heart of your reasoning," Chris confessed 
his curiosity aroused by this beautiful, dark haired woman before him. 
"My reasoning is rather selfish I must confess. You see I 
was once a true believer, a very hopeful woman if you will, but alas, 
my dreams ended the moment my fiancee was killed in the line of 
duty," Eve explained softly as she turned towards the night 
breeze, "and somehow along the way I wound up here." 
"At the convent? To hide from the world or perhaps the 
shadows of the past?" 
"What would you know," Eve turned towards him a scowl upon 
her features, "I'm not hiding from anything." 
"No?" he raised a curious brow, "then tell me why would a 
woman like yourself spend your time in this place, in the room 
keeping to herself?" 
"A woman like myself does not need to explain herself to a 
man like you," she answered sharply, "especially under these 
conditions and terms in which you talk of hiding." 
"Oh?" Chris couldn't help but feel his curiosity get the best 
of him as he stepped in closer to her, "why is that?" 
"Because you are the epitome of keeping yourself hidden from 
the world," she answered flatly, "you speak of your love of God, yet 
here you are denying yourself from the world of pleasures and 
happiness that he has offered to you and for what? For the sake of 
spreading his word? Of selling his tales of happily ever after in 
the world beyond our own?" 
"I sense you're cynical of the promise the lord holds for 
you," Chris noted seeing the anger flash behind her eyes. 
"I already told you that my happiness was ripped from me the 
moment my beloved was taken from my life," Eve answered sharply, "I 
see no need for hope and believing in miracles." 
"Yet as we have already established, you are here," Chris 
reminded her, "if you were in such a state of disbelief, you wouldn't 
find yourself wrapped up in these surroundings seeking salvation." 
"Why is it you feel the need to twist my words," she 
questioned a sharpness behind her tone as her eyes fixed upon him. 
"Why must you insist upon deceiving yourself," he 
countered, "clearly a woman of no faith would find herself in such a 
predicament." 
"Perhaps I'm merely playing into the notion that there is 
some kind of happiness in the here after," Eve suggested the breeze 
gently blowing her hair around her eyes as she reached for a strand. 
"Or maybe you haven't given up hope," he raised a brow as he 
stepped towards her, "perhaps you're here because you are condemning 
yourself from the world because in your heart you are seeing that 
your happily ever after hasn't hit you yet. That perhaps your 
fiancee wasn't your true destiny. Could it be that part of you that 
keeps you locked up here? The guilt over his loss not effecting you 
as you are certain that it should've." 
"You don't have the first clue what you're talking about," 
she snapped back at him bitterly, "and while I may be out of line, I 
must admit for a priest, you are awful presumptuous about others and 
the world around you." 
"Call it my own personal intuition," Chris remarked moving 
forward once again bridging the distance between them as their eyes 
connected, "I often see to the heart of people." 
"In this case, you're clearly mistaken," Eve answered taking 
a step back as his presence had seemingly overwhelmed her, "in fact I 
think it's time I bid you farewell." 
"So soon," he reached out to her, his fingers pressing over 
the length of her arm as she suddenly stopped in her tracks. 
"What are you doing?" she questioned incredulously as her 
eyes fell upon his hold on her. Seeing as he'd made no attempt to 
remove himself from her person, she frowned once again, "It would 
suit you well to release me." 
"And if I don't," Chris dared drawing her closer to him as 
their eyes remained fixed on one another, "then what?" 
"Then I shall see to it that you are removed from this place 
at once for your atrocious behavior," she threatened seeing the spark 
of mischief behind his eyes, "your actions speak rather ill of you." 
"I'll take my chances," he answered in a sexy, roguish smile 
as Eve felt his eyes searching deep within her seeking out something 
she couldn`t quite put her finger upon. 
"Who are you," she questioned her voice barely above a 
whisper as she felt something from behind his eyes. A breath caught 
in her throat as the night winds surrounded them, "what are you doing 
here?" 
"I'm visiting with an old friend before leaving for my next 
destination," he answered honestly as he released her, "and I intend 
to have a pleasant stay here." 
"I'm sure you shall, just as long as you don't overextend 
your pleasantries," Eve answered regaining her composure as she found 
herself wrapped up in the mystery of this new stranger upon her life. 
"I don't intend to overextend any part of myself, unless 
invited of course," Chris winked at her as she felt an air of playful 
flirtation behind his eyes. 
The way he watched her, the way his eyes penetrated her, 
reaching deep within, he harbored something much darker than she'd 
imagined. His gaze had held her with something she'd been rather 
surprised with. There was no mistaking the lust behind his eyes as 
he spoke such words to her as if daring her to test the boundaries of 
his loyalty to the lord, urging her to offer him some notion of 
carnal pleasures during his stay. He was daring her, testing her 
patience and tempting her with his eyes and while she'd wanted 
nothing more than to refuse this temptation, she found herself 
intrigued. 
No, she thought to herself as she turned away from him. 
Certainly not would a man of his position succumb to a deep rooted 
primal feeling of lust. He was a man of the cloth and she was 
disinterested in the world around her. Certainly this had all been 
something in her mind as she was convinced that it was somehow means 
of confusing her in this moment. She'd been away from the world far 
too long hoping to avoid any kind of contact with the world and she 
refused to let this beautiful stranger take away that accomplishment 
from her. 
"Are you alright," she heard him question as his hand pressed 
over her shoulder gently, "Evelyn?" 
"I must go now," she answered refusing to meet his eyes as 
she wondered what had overtaken her for her thoughts to linger to 
such sinful notions. 
"But it is still early," he began hating to watch her walk 
away as he'd found himself immersed in the notion of getting to know 
this beautiful stranger. 
"Prayer is at dawn," she answered softly her voice 
threatening to reveal her thoughts to him as her gaze lifted to the 
moonlight, "I shall see you then. Now I must go." 
"If you must," he replied a hint of disappointment lingering 
in his tone as he withdrew his palm leaving nothing more than a cold, 
breeze upon her shoulder as he stepped away from her. 
"I must," she answered swiftly as she made her way back 
towards the convent, "good night." 
"Good night," she heard him faintly reply before she entered 
the convent making her way into her room while avoiding contact with 
any other. Once inside the solace of her quite room, she let out a 
breath of air that she'd been harboring for quite some time. 
Something was happening to her and while she couldn't quite place her 
finger upon it, the feeling was unwelcome as she crossed the room 
reaching for the black and white photograph of her beloved Ian. 
"I haven't forgotten our love," she promised touching the 
outline of his handsome features as her heart sank, "no one shall 
ever take that from me," she promised as the winds surrounded her 
room causing a soft melody to fill the walls. 
As Eve set the photograph down, she moved over to the window 
attempting to draw her curtains when her eyes fell upon the shadow in 
the moonlight. The silhouette had been no further off than where 
she'd left him moments earlier and there was no mistaking the 
darkened form in the garden as none other than Father Christopher. 
Despite her abrupt retreat, he'd remained in the beauty of the garden 
just as he'd claimed he'd needed to before extending an invitation to 
her, and while his reasoning for finding beauty in the quiet paradise 
seemed legitimate in that moment in time, Eve found herself drawn to 
him. She was unable to look away as the mystery of the handsome, 
traveling priest had managed to awaken her curiosity in ways she 
hadn't imagined before now. Somehow in having him around, she was 
certain that life as she knew it would never be the same. Somehow 
he'd found a way to change things without her knowing it and now all 
she could do was hope that it would be for the better. 

"Good morning Michael," Chris greeted his childhood friend 
with a smile as he entered the dining room. 
"We missed you at prayer this morning," Michael replied 
looking up from his bible with a concerned expression, "I'd thought 
you'd surely be with us as we shared our thoughts with the great lord 
above." 
"I had been on my way," Chris explained with an apologetic 
gesture as Eve stood in the doorway stopping upon sight of their 
guest, "but alas my services were needed elsewhere and I was certain 
that somehow the lord would forgive me this time." 
Eve watched him a curious brow arched as she stood in the 
doorway keeping her eyes on the new arrival to the convent. With 
great interest, she kept her gaze upon the father before taking a 
step back to allow her eavesdropping to get the best of her in that 
moment. 
"Elsewhere you say?" Michael repeated inquisitively, "how so?" 
"I was on my way to the chapel when a child, a villager 
approached me and explained his grandmother was in dire need of last 
rites," Chris explained poignantly, "while I realized that it was 
time for prayer, upon hearing his tale of his fallen grandmother I 
was certain that the lord wouldn't hear of me ignoring his calling to 
go to the woman and be with her in her journey to the great beyond." 
"A wise decision indeed," Michael nodded approvingly as he 
looked to his friend, "I'm certain that was exactly where you were 
meant to be." 
"Indeed," Chris agreed, "however I must confess that the 
final passage was indeed anything but as we discovered a short time 
after my arrival that her discomfort was rather a reaction to a very 
hearty meal the previous evening leaving her with indigestion." 
"Indigestion," Michael nodded, "I see, well then you must've 
been with Mrs. Miracoles." 
"I do believe that was the one," Chris added. 
"She has had a great deal of trouble in that area over the 
past year, however I will say that it is always especially refreshing 
for her to have someone at her side in the event that the indigestion 
turns out to be something more." 
"Thank the lord it wasn't," Chris answered with a 
smile, "although I had informed the dear soul that I would check in 
upon her later in the afternoon hours." 
"Wise decision dear friend," Michael nodded, "now why don't 
you take a seat and we can catch up with one another?" 
"I'd rather enjoy that," Chris agreed moving around the table 
to reach for a chair taking a seat as he was unaware of the eyes upon 
him. 
Eve peered into the room noting the exchange between Father 
Michael and Father Christopher as she wondered why the young father's 
words had seemed to ring anything but true with her. In all of her 
months at the convent, Father Michael had been nothing, but gracious 
to her and she'd appreciated all his words, but he'd never had the 
effect on her as their new arrival had. Somehow in one meeting she 
was far more curious about Father Christopher than she was certain 
she should be, but alas there was something within her that refused 
to allow her to openly give in to her curiosity. 
"Evelyn," Olivia's voice called out interrupting her thoughts 
as Eve turned around to find the kindly sister standing behind her, a 
tray in hands. 
"Olivia," Eve answered forcing a smile as she stood up taller. 
"What are you doing out here?" Olivia questioned 
curiously, "I'd thought you would've been in with Father Michael by 
now to discuss those things you'd brought up with him earlier." 
"I was on my way, but he looked rather involved with his 
company," Eve nodded towards the room, "Father Christopher seems to 
have taken to this place rather well." 
"Indeed he has," Olivia nodded taking a quick look within the 
room before turning towards Eve once again, "Father Michael was happy 
to hear of his arrival." 
"I take it they are close," Eve questioned fishing for 
information while trying not to sound too curious. 
"Indeed," Olivia nodded, "they had grown up with one another 
and it has been a great many years since they've seen one another." 
"Years you say," Eve glanced at the handsome priest 
briefly, "really?" 
"Michael was rather surprised to hear that Christopher would 
be in town," Olivia continued, "and more so that he'd become a man of 
the lord." 
"Really?" It was now Eve's turn to be surprised as she 
thought back to the moment she and Christopher had shared in the 
garden. 
"He'd had quite a reputation for being a ladies man, or at 
least that's how rumor has it," Olivia explained with a soft 
smile, "but I suppose even the greatest of Casanovas can find their 
calling and come forward to do what the lord asks of them." 
"I suppose it's possible," Eve thought aloud as her eyes fell 
upon the two men engaged in a conversation. 
"Is something wrong?" Olivia frowned noting the change in her 
friend. 
"No, not at all," Eve shook her head, "in fact I was just 
about to go speak with Michael." 
"In that case, would you mind helping me with these," Olivia 
motioned to the trays in her hands. 
"Not at all," Eve responded with a soft smile as she reached 
for one of the trays and carried it into the dining area. 
"Olivia, Evelyn," Michael greeted them both with a smile, "I 
was just speaking about the both of you." 
"All good I would hope," Eve offered with a teasing grin. 
"Nothing but the best dear Evelyn," Michael answered with an 
equally pleasant smile, "however Christopher and I were speaking of 
your journey though the gardens last night." 
"Oh?" Eve arched a curious brow, "is that so?" 
"I was explaining to Michael what a gracious hostess you 
were," Chris answered with a nod, "he'd been saying that no one knows 
the area as you do." 
"I'd hardly consider myself an expert on the sites," Eve 
replied taking a seat across from Christopher. 
"I'd be curious to go on a journey with you, that is if you 
have the time," Chris smiled at her. 
"From the sound of things, it would seem you've already made 
your way into town," Eve gave him a pointed look, "with you being 
there instead of at prayer and all." 
"My word does travel quickly around here," Chris remarked 
curiously. 
"These walls have ears and eyes," Eve watched him 
closely, "or don't you know that?" 
"I'll have to watch my step around here," Chris teased back. 
"I don't think it should be a problem given your track 
record," Michael piped in, "so tell me again about your travels." 
"Ah yes I'd be more than curious to hear them myself," Eve 
interrupted keeping her eyes upon the handsome man before her. 
"There isn't much to tell," Chris shrugged, "I've just lead 
the typical life." 
"I'd hardly consider being a man of the lord anything of the 
ordinary," Eve continued pressing the issue, "I'd think it to be 
quite the contrary as Father Michael has had some incredible stories 
to tell." 
"I'd be rather curious to hear them," Chris turned to his 
friend. 
"I wouldn't call it interesting," Michael answered a bit 
bashful, "but it has been enlightening." 
"So enlighten us," Chris urged as Olivia set a plate before 
us, "I would love to hear about it." 
"I'd much rather we talk about your travels," Michael began 
again, "there surely must've been some incredible experiences over in 
Rome." 
"Rome?" Eve's eyes widened, "you spent time in Rome?" 
"Studied over there," Michael added, "with the finest or so 
I'm told." 
"Really, how interesting," Olivia gasped, "with the Vatican?" 
"I don't much like to brag," Chris shifted in his chair 
uneasily. 
"No, please enlighten us," Eve pressed as he looked to her a 
spark of something she couldn't quite place behind his eyes. 
"It's something that one should experience first hand on 
their own as mere words can't even begin to describe the feeling that 
comes along with being so close with one's spirituality," Chris 
offered up a pasted on smile washing over his features before he 
turned to Michael, "however I'd heard some great words of 
spirituality here from the townspeople as they spoke of the great 
flourishing community you've brought with you in this establishment." 
"I wouldn't call it a direct result of my actions," Michael 
began as Eve found herself tuning out on the conversation. 
Somehow in the midst of all else, Christopher had deflected 
the conversation from himself and Eve was well aware that her 
curiosities about him hadn't been satisfied by any means. He was 
still a great mystery and if she didn't know better, he seemed intent 
upon keeping it that way as the time dragged on and he'd found ways 
to keep each and every arena of conversation from his past. By the 
end of their meal, Eve was determined to find out just what the great 
Father Christopher was hiding if it was the last thing she did. 

<hr> 

"I'll be back as soon as I can," Christopher explained to 
Michael as he stepped out into the courtyard unaware of the eyes upon 
him. He made his way down the path into town as Eve followed close 
behind determined to find out just what the great Father was all 
about. Slowly trailing behind in the brush, she watched him make his 
way through the forest taking a moment or two to take in the lavish 
beauty of the natural environment before whistling an off key tune. 
By the time he'd found his way into the town, she was pressed with 
interest, her every synapse swept away by curiosity as she followed 
close behind him trying her best to keep her distance. 
"Good afternoon Father," a gentleman tipped his hat at Chris 
as he walked beyond the main street, his stride proud and determined 
as Eve kept up behind him, never alerting him of her presence as he 
walked beyond his destination point. Eve contemplated turning back 
and hiding as surely he would be soon aware of his lack of direction 
and he'd trek back to where he was supposed to have gone, but as the 
daylight tapered off, he continued northern leaving the soft lights 
of the small village and opting out into the thick forest that lay 
beyond the quiet civilization. 
Eve watched as he disappeared in the thick brush before her 
and a frown crossed over her features when he slipped further into 
the woods vanishing from her line of vision. Where was he off to and 
what was he doing in the forest? Surely if he was to pay a visit to 
the elderly woman, he would've turned around by now and more so if he 
had been that absent minded to forget where the woman was from, she 
was certain he'd have turned around at the forest. Surely he 
couldn't have been that incompetent not to realize that town was at 
least a mile behind. 
Still determined to discover what exactly the great Father 
was up to, Eve marched on forward making her way into the thick 
darkness the forest provided for her. Reaching for her long, flowing 
skirt, she bunched it up a bit as she stepped between the trees 
leaving the path of familiarity behind as the sounds of the creatures 
of the night awakened her senses. She stopped momentarily hearing a 
faint howl in the distance, but alas her curiosity had gotten the 
best of her as she found herself determined to discover what secret 
Christopher was hiding, even if it was at a risk to her person. Then 
again, she wasn't afraid of the darkness. She could handle any wild 
beast as Ian had taught her well how to defend herself, but as she 
continued on through the forest, she wondered if it was the creatures 
of the night that she should fear or perhaps the man she was so 
determined to uncover the truth about. Could he be false in his 
presentation of himself or was he as he'd claimed to be and she was 
merely reading more into it as she'd often done? Only time would 
tell. 

Half an hour later into her journey of darkness, Eve found 
herself surrounded by thick trees and plants, but there had been no 
sign of Father Christopher. Her curiosity had overtaken her logic 
and now she found herself amidst a land of the unknown as the evening 
had drawn on. With a frown she turned around, opting to retrace her 
steps in the hopes that perhaps this time she would get it right and 
locate the way in which she'd started off in. Taking a step forward, 
she heard the sounds of rustling in the distance. 
"Hello," Eve spoke out her voice just above a whisper as she 
heard nothing but the sounds of the leaves blowing in the wind taking 
over the chill in the air, "get a grip," she warned herself thinking 
of how foolish she had been to allow her senses to get the best of 
her. Surely she was in no real danger as she'd been to this place 
once or twice with Father Michael in the daylight hours. The forest 
wasn't a place for concern as this area had been rather quiet for 
years, or so she was told. 
"This is just wonderful," she chastised herself for allowing 
her great interest in the traveling guest to get the best of her. 
Now as she stood alone in the lush greenery with only a hint of 
moonlight upon her, she'd wondered why her inquisitiveness had once 
again ruled over logic especially in this particular case. 
Ian had always warned her about stepping out into the great 
unknown, but quite often she'd ignored his pleas for her to remain in 
familiarity as she'd been so determined to make her way out into the 
world somehow. It wasn't as though she hadn't wanted a piece of mind 
and normalcy in her life, but to remain still for such great lengths 
of time, well it hadn't appealed to her. Her interest in the world 
around her had lead her into medicine and while Ian had his doubts 
about her career choice it had seemingly worked out for the best with 
them both as the war had found a purpose for the both of them. Eve 
had been so convinced that she could make a difference in the land of 
the lost, but when the fighting came to a close and Ian was taken 
from her, the hopes of impacting the world around her were forgotten 
and her curious notions of adventure had been purged from within, 
that is until the arrival of Father Christopher. 
Now standing in the darkness, Eve could only imagine the 
harsh tone Ian would've presented her with if he'd known about her 
current predicament. Had he been around, he'd have rounded up a 
search party by now, fighting his way through the darkness to find 
her in the country side, but still even without Ian's guidance, she 
promised herself that she would make it back to the convent. Moving 
swiftly through the darkened trees, she pressed on forward vowing not 
to look back as her thoughts of returning to the convent overtook 
her. She would prove not only to Ian, but to herself that somehow 
she could manage to get herself out of the trouble she'd found 
herself wrapped up on, but then again, could she really consider this 
to be trouble? It was a quiet night in a dark corner of the world. 
How much trouble could come about with that? 
Eve's feelings of confidence had touched her far too soon as 
the sound of a branch snapping invaded her thoughts. Stopping 
abruptly in her tracks, she turned towards the darkness seeing 
nothing in the trees behind her as she strained to see through the 
shadows they presented. 
"Hello," she spoke out into the night wondering if that had 
been a wise idea as the forest grew silent once more. Opting not to 
stick around and become dinner for the next creature of the night, 
she found herself moving through the night now more determined than 
ever to make her way out of the forest and to the safety of the 
convent. 
Rushing through the night, Eve felt her breath catch in her 
throat as her stride became more of a jaunt, a haughty stride quickly 
transformed into a desperate race to find her way out of the world 
she'd wound up trapped in. Nearing what appeared to be a clearing 
ahead, Eve felt a breath of relief in her throat, but alas the moment 
came far too soon as she'd twisted her ankle in a slick, pool of mud. 
With a gasp, she found herself bottom first in the slimy, 
sticky, brown ooze beneath her and as she tried to pull herself from 
within, her cries of frustration were replaced with the galloping 
sounds. Perhaps that of a horse, she thought to herself as she 
strained to pull herself from the mush she'd landed in. Straining to 
get back to her feet once more she noted the thick layer of mud she 
was now drenched in and as she stepped forward there was an ache that 
rose within her leg. She stumbled a bit slipping back to the 
darkness as a cry of pain erupted from within her. 
Falling to the ground, Eve could feel her heart racing in her 
chest as she turned her eyes towards the darkness seeing a red glow 
in the distance. A haunting crimson light reaching deep into her 
senses followed by a low growl before the galloping sound overcame 
her, sweeping over every synapse of her body. She turned her eyes in 
the direction of the sound, but the growl that had been present 
before was now behind her and all she could do was look it in horror 
as a scream erupted from deep within her throat. 
"Help," she cried out realizing a wild beast had come upon 
her as the galloping sound had stopped and she turned her head to 
find a pair of boots on the ground before her approaching her at a 
steady, solid stride. 
"Stay away from her," a harsh authoritative tone shouted out 
before Eve found herself swept up in a feeling of light-headedness 
and the world surrounding her grew black overcome by darkness. 

"Evelyn, Evelyn can you hear me," Olivia's voice called out 
desperately as she pressed a damn cloth over her dear friend's 
forehead, "can you open your eyes for me?" 
"Wh-where am I," Eve questioned a hint of shakiness in her 
voice as she looked up to her concerned friend. 
"Back at the convent," Olivia explained, "you twisted your 
ankle it would seem." 
"I was in the forest and," Eve sat upright with a gasp. 
"The forest, what were you doing there?" 
"I was taking a walk and then," Eve stopped herself, "I was 
just there and now....how did I get here?" 
"We found you in the garden, back on one of the benches," 
Olivia explained, "Michael had been worried about you and when I'd 
noticed you weren't in your room, he and Father Christopher went 
looking for you." 
"Father Christopher?" Eve's brow arched, "he's here?" 
"Why yes of course," Olivia nodded, "He'd come back from his 
visit to town quite a while ago, but you on the other hand, well 
you'd been gone for hours." 
"And he found me?" Eve questioned. 
"On the bench in the garden," Olivia explained, "he'd 
imagined that you'd wanted to spend some time out there to enjoy the 
view." 
"Well, I do, but I wasn't," Eve stopped herself as her gaze 
shifted to the doorway of her room and she found a pair of 
penetrating brown eyes upon her. 
"I see you're awake," Chris smiled at her as he entered her 
room, "you had us all worried for a while when you refused to awaken." 
"How is it you found me?" Eve asked curiously as she kept her 
eyes upon him. 
"Olivia," Chris motioned for the bowl of water that lay upon 
the floor beside Eve's bed, "perhaps you should get some more of that 
for her wound," he suggested stepping in towards Eve as he reached 
out to her ankle. 
"Alright," Olivia agreed turning to Eve briefly, "I shall 
return momentarily," she explained before leaving the room allowing 
Chris and Eve a moment to themselves. 
"You did quite a number on this ankle," Chris noted reaching 
out to touch her swollen flesh, "however it looks just bruised." 
"It hurts," Eve confessed cringing as he touched her. 
"I'm sorry about that," he turned his eyes towards her as he 
took a seat beside her upon the edge of her bed, "but one does have 
to wonder what it was exactly that you were doing tracing around the 
forest at this hour." 
"I'd have to ask you the same question," she met his eyes 
pointedly. 
"I don't have the first clue what you're talking about," He 
answered deflecting her stare as he focused his attention back to her 
wound, "a day of rest and you should be moving around in no time." 
"So you never told me what you were doing in the forest 
today," Eve continued firmly as he avoided her eyes, "I mean that is 
where you found me, isn't it?" 
"I already told you," He looked up at her, "I wasn't..." 
"In the forest. Yes, yes I know I've heard that tale, but I 
know that is clearly a lie," Eve finished, "although somehow I get 
the feeling that you are rather comfortable living in the realm of 
falsehoods." 
"Pardon me," he blinked back feigning shock, "just what are 
you trying to say to me Evelyn?" 
"That you are an obvious sinner," Eve answered matter of 
fact, "and I'd even go so far to say that lying is only the tip of 
the ice burg with you." 
"I wasn't aware that I'd awakened such a curiosity in you," 
he couldn't help but smile. 
"You still never answered my question," she cut back sitting 
up a bit as his fingers played over her ankle gently massaging it. 
"And what question was that?" he raised a curious brow as his 
touch danced over her soft, silken skin. 
"What were you doing in the forest tonight?" 
"I wasn't in the forest," he answered point blank, "I'd made 
a trip into the village to check upon a patient and when I was 
finished I returned back to the convent." 
"You're a liar," Eve accused once more. 
"Am I?" he questioned with a teasing grin as he released his 
hold upon her, "and what would make you so certain of that?" 
"Your eyes tell stories that your mouth is clearly incapable 
of," she answered as he stepped towards her watching her intently as 
she repositioned herself on the bed. She glared up at him 
challenging his words as he stopped in his stride and leaned in 
towards her. 
"You have no idea what my mouth is quite capable of," he 
informed her moving in just above her mixing his breath with hers as 
their eyes connected, "and if you continue down this path, you'll 
find you'll never get a chance to discover what it is you're 
searching for from me." 
"I'm not searching for anything from you," Eve cut back 
sharply. 
"Your actions speak quite differently," Chris pointed 
out, "but I'm sure your curiosity will tire soon enough." 
"Not until I discover the truth," she snapped at him. 
"And what truth might that be?" he raised a curious brow as 
he sat down beside her on the bed bringing his palm over her shoulder 
to gently lift a strand of her darkened tresses from her face, "well?" 
"I'll discover who you really are," Eve warned, "you may have 
fooled Father Michael and Olivia, but I'm not fooled. You are no 
priest." 
"Really?" He mused with a tiny laugh, "is that so?" 
"That's right," she nodded determined, "you aren't a man of 
the lord and I have serious doubts of your intentions in this holy 
place. You're after something and it isn`t spiritual guidance." 
"Are you sure you're not confusing my intentions with yours?" 
Chris questioned sharply. 
"I know your type," Eve warned, "and it won't be long until 
everyone else knows of it too." 
"There's nothing that I'm hiding," Chris replied inching back 
slowly from her, "while I can see you are a woman of great mystery, 
my life is an open book, one that a woman like yourself would find 
rather tawdry." 
"I sincerely doubt that," Eve sat upright matching his 
movements, "there is more than you're willing to show, but I'll get 
to the truth sooner or later." 
"And this truth you are searching for?" he mused with a hint 
of laughter behind his voice, "what exactly are you going to do with 
it?" 
"Why don't you tell me seeing as you believe yourself to be 
an expert on my disposition?" she challenged. 
"The only thing I see is that you'll," he leaned in closer to 
her their eyes fixed upon one another as a silence fell over them. 
Eve watched his eyes as there was something behind them, a spark of 
some sorts within the darkness threatening to loose control as he 
remained so close to her, invading her space in this moment as a 
smile pressed over his features, "wind up in great trouble and I'm 
certain you don't want that." 
"Don't presume to know my wants and desires," she snapped 
back at him, "you know nothing of me." 
"I know enough to know that you'll only end up in trouble if 
you continue this quest of yours," he warned moving in closer to her. 
"I'm not afraid of the truth," she answered taking in a 
breath as the warmth of his body sank into hers challenging her 
position as his finger brushed against her palm in a soft, subtle 
motion. 
"You say that now, but I'm not so convinced," he whispered 
moving in so near to her that she believed he'd take it upon himself 
to kiss her as she closed her eyes thinking about the mysteries that 
lay behind Father Christopher. 
After a moment, Eve reopened her eyes finding herself alone 
on her bed with Olivia standing before her, a bowl of fresh water in 
her arms. "Where is Father Christopher?" Eve questioned curiously. 
"He just walked out of here a moment ago," Olivia 
explained, "he was in a hurry. Is everything alright?" 
"Everything is just fine," Eve answered thinking back to the 
moment that had just transpired between the both of them. He was 
hiding something and his retreat had proven that. While she was 
certain he'd arrived with the intention of getting her to back off on 
her mystery, she was now more determined than ever to discover this 
man who offered up such a delicious challenge. Soon she would know 
the truth and then she would be able to put him in his place. That 
much she was sure of.