The Silverwood Legacy

Chapter Four: Shadows and Secrets

Returning to the cottage, Rowan felt a renewed sense of peace and optimism. The meadow and her new companion, Scout, had given her a brief respite from the heaviness she carried inside. As she stepped through the door, her father looked up from the kitchen table where he was reviewing some papers. He greeted her with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Hey, angel," he said, a touch of weariness in his voice. "How was your adventure?"

"It was great," Rowan replied, setting her boots aside and letting Scout trot in behind her. "I found a beautiful meadow and met a stray dog. I decided to keep him and named him Scout."

Her father's smile widened, though it still seemed forced. "That's wonderful. I'm glad you found a friend."

Rowan noticed the way her father's gaze flickered toward the papers on the table, and how his fingers drummed absently on the surface. It was as if he were preoccupied with something, or perhaps trying to distract himself. She wondered what else might be troubling him.

Over the next few hours, Rowan observed her father's behavior more closely. He seemed to be distracted, constantly shifting his attention between the papers and the clock. He was less engaged in conversation and more distant than usual, which only heightened Rowan's suspicions.

At dinner, the silence between them grew heavier. Rowan decided to break it, hoping to draw her father out of whatever was troubling him.

"Dad," she began cautiously, "I've been thinking about your job. I know you're a professor of history at the college. How's that going?"

Her father's expression shifted subtly, a mix of surprise and guardedness flickering across his face. "It's going well," he replied, though his tone was non-committal. "Busy, as always."

Rowan leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "You must have some interesting stories from your time there. What's it like teaching history?"

Her father's eyes clouded for a moment, as if he were carefully choosing his words. "It's rewarding," he said slowly. "History is a vast and intricate subject. There's always something new to discover."

Rowan nodded, but she could sense that he was holding something back. "You know, I've always admired your dedication to your work. But lately, it seems like there's something more on your mind. Are you okay?"

Her father's gaze softened, and he sighed heavily. "It's just... a lot going on. Moving here, adjusting to a new place, and everything else... It's been overwhelming."

Rowan studied him, noting the way his shoulders tensed and the way he avoided her gaze. "Dad, I get that moving is hard. But you seem to be hiding something from me. Is there anything you want to talk about?"

Her father's face grew pale, and he hesitated before responding. "Rowan, it's not that simple. There are some things I can't explain right now. Just know that I'm doing my best to keep everything together for both of us."

The tension in his voice made Rowan's heart sink. She could tell he was struggling with something, but he was unwilling or unable to share it. The realization that her father might be concealing important truths about their past or their future added to the weight she already carried.

"I understand, Dad," Rowan said softly. "I just want to be here for you, and I hope you know that you can talk to me about anything."

Her father looked at her with a mix of gratitude and sadness. "I know, angel. And I appreciate it more than you know."

Despite his reassurances, Rowan couldn't shake her frustration. The more her father avoided her questions, the more isolated and exasperated she felt. It was clear that his evasions were becoming a significant barrier between them.

That evening, as she lay in bed with Scout curled up beside her, Rowan's mind raced. She felt a growing agitation, a frustration at being kept in the dark. The way her father was handling things, the way he seemed to be hiding from her—it was starting to take a toll on her.

She had always been close to her father, and the secrecy that now shrouded their lives was deeply unsettling. Rowan knew that understanding the truth was not just about her own peace of mind, but about being able to face whatever challenges lay ahead together as a family.

As she drifted off to sleep, Rowan resolved to confront her father again. She needed to find a way to break through the walls he had built around himself. The answers she sought might not only ease her own troubled heart but also bring them closer as a family. She couldn't afford to let the secrecy drive a wedge between them any longer.