A New Life, A New Love

Chapter Twenty-Six: Sanctuary


“Can I help you?” asked a soft voice behind them.

They whirled to face the voice, and saw a petite young woman in front of them. She carried a
cane and seemed to be looking past them. Jarod was the first to realize that she was blind.

“We’re sorry to bother you,” he said. “We were being chased by a group of thugs out for our
purses. Your garden wall seemed to offer safety so we took it. We meant no imposition.”

“Don’t be silly,” she replied. “If my garden was a haven to you, I’m only glad it was there when
you needed it.”

“Thank you, kind lady,” Jack told her. “As soon as it is safe to do so, we’ll be on our way and
trouble you no more.”

“Nonsense,” she said. “You should wait to be sure your assailants are out of the area. Why don’t
you both come inside and have some tea while you wait?”

“How do you know you can trust us?” Jarod asked. “For all you know, we could mean you
harm.”

“I’ve learned to trust what my senses tell me,” she said. “And you have a kind voice. I don’t
believe either of you mean me harm. Though I’m not sure I believe that you’ve been totally
forthcoming with me either.”

“I would that we could be, milady,” he replied. “But trust that we have our reasons.”

“Then let’s leave it at that and go inside for that tea,” she said. “I just baked some fresh muffins
this morning and a full batch is too much for just me. Perhaps you’d like to share them.”
 
“Thank you, ma’am,” Jack told her. “That would be most kind.” 
 
“My name is Belinda Hanes,” she told them. “Welcome to my home.”

“Jarod Phillips,” Jarod said as he took her arm. “And my friend there is Jack . . . Spalding.”

They walked into the house together and Belinda invited them to sit while she prepared the tea.

“Can I help you with anything?” Jarod asked.

“I can handle the tea,” she replied. “But if you’d like to put the muffins and honey on the table,
they’re right over there on the counter.”

Jarod placed the muffins and honey on the table and was soon followed by Belinda carrying the
sugar, lemon wedges, and clotted cream.

“The tea needs to steep for a bit,” she said. “So how long have you gentlemen been in our fair
town?”

“We just put into dock this morning.” Jack told her. “We’re sailors on one of the ship’s in the
harbor. We’ve got a few hours leave so we decided to have a look around.”

“I’m so sorry that you had to run into ruffians on your journey. It doesn’t look well for Port
Jameson. It’s normally such a quiet place, but I suppose every town has its bad eggs.”

“To be sure,” Jack said. “Some more than others as well. I’m sure your town is a wonderful
place. I’ll try not to let one bad experience sway me.”

“Thank you,” Belinda replied. “It’s really a nice town. Most of the people are kindly and
generous, or so they have been to me. Having been blind all of my life, I have to rely on other
ways of judging people, and judging them by their actions seems to work best, I’ve found.”

“It is a shame that your eyes have betrayed you,” Jarod told her. “They’re actually quite
beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I’ve been told they’re my best feature, but I’ve never seen them for
myself. Excuse me, I think the tea should be ready to pour out.”

She rose and walked to the kitchen to retrieve the teapot and placed it on the table along with
three cups and saucers. Jack raised his eyws aws at Jarod. He’d never seen his friend like this
before. He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of their hostess.

“Tea is served,” she said as she poured tea into each of the cups. “Please, help yourselves to
whatever you desire.”

Jack smiled at the effect her innocent words were having on Jarod. His eyes were alight. He
seemed to be utterly captivated by her.

“Thank you, milady,” Jarod said as he reached for a muffin and the clotted cream.

“I’m only too glad for the company,” she said.

“I have difficulty believing that a lady such as yourself would ever want for company,” Jarod
replied.

“Alas,” she said. “Many of the young gentlemen of the town take my blindness to be an
infirmity. A blind woman is seldom seen as someone to be courted or wooed. For, wouldn’t my
blindness be a burden to them? I’m afraid my life is a bit of a lonely one.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Jarod said. “If the men of this town knew what they were missing,
they would beat a path to your door, I’m sure.”

“Why thank you for the kind words, sir,” she replied. “You flatter me.”

“You deserve to be flattered, Belinda,” he told her. “If I were still single, I would do more than
flatter you. I would do all in my power to sweep you off your feet.”

“My goodness,” she exclaimed. “You are a bold one. Your wife is a lucky woman, I’m sure.”

“No,” he said. “I’m the lucky one. You remind me somewhat of her. The same elegant beauty.
The same quiet strength. I miss her greatly. I hope to be able to go home to her soon. I would
never leave her if I had my choice, but a man must earn a living, and sailing is all I know.”

“Then I hope for both of your sakes that you make it home soon. Would either of you like more
tea?”

“I’m afraid we have no more time,” Jack replied. “Thank you so much for your hospitality, Miss
Hanes, but we really should be getting back to our ship.”

“Very well, if you must. Do drop by again if you ever find yourself nearby. I would love to talk
to you some more. Perhaps you could tell me what life at sea is like.”

“Very lonely, milady,” Jarod told her. “Very lonely indeed.”