Matt hurried into her little home, closing the door behind herself immediately and locking it. Normally, she wouldn't lock it until Gwen was inside with her. But she couldn't let herself be followed.
She set the small bundle, which was wrapped in cloth, on the table carefully. It was finely carved. Knox had carved her name into the fiddle beautifully. He was truly talented. She ran her fingers along her name with a confused, pained expression across her face.
What did he expect of her? It was such a wonderful gift…but what did she ever give in return besides her own fear?
She shook her head, picking up the instrument. She adjusted it into position, then tuned it carefully. After she had finished that, she began to play one of Papa’s favourite songs.
“Have you forgotten us already, Matty?”
The voice slapped her and she flinched. She took a step back before lifting her gaze. She knew to whom that voice belonged.
“Papa? No. No, I would never.” She paused, shocked by seeing him stand before her. She shook her head. “I’ve thought of you every single day since…” She blinked, tilting her head. “Papa, how are you here?”
His heartbroken, solemn eyes fastened her feet to the floor. He only stood a few feet away, and how she longed to run to him and throw her arms about his neck, as she did when she was a smaller lass. But she could not move.
“One of the only things you have left of us…and you replace it? How your mother would weep to see you forgetting us so soon.”
Matt trembled at the pain in his voice. “I…I…P-papa…I was not…replacing…” She looked down at the fiddle as she bit her lip. She set it back down on the cloth carefully. “There. I-…” She lifted her gaze to find him gone already.
“Papa?! Come back, please! I miss you! I..need you..” She searched the tiny house as she shouted for him, then fell to her knees with her last words. She buried her face in her hands and wept. Eadegwen wouldn’t be back for awhile…the door could wait to be unlocked.
