Chapter Five

Chapter 5


“Elizabeth darling, come stand next to me. It feels like forever since I’ve seen you. It’s almost like you’re avoiding me.” Charity Cook said in her fake southern accent with a little laugh. If only you knew. Will led me to our place and Charity stood back waiting then stood next to Will.
“Why Will, how’s that mustang you were training last week? He looked awful big and scary, I was afraid he’d hurt you.” Charity commented holding onto Will’s arm.
Why was she acting like this with Will? I kept my eyes on her the entire practice. She kept leaning on Will and kept her hand on his arm, and he did not care! Why! I should not care if she likes Will, and if he likes her as well fine. I’ve more important things to do than to watch them. I felt this little pang in my stomach, it felt like a knife in my stomach. I continued to mess up, because I kept my eye on Charity and how she fawned on Will the entire practice. Winnie was at my side and she nudged me when she noticed I messed up. I could not keep my focus on the words of the carols; instead it was on Will and Charity. I should be happy for them that they are obviously sweet on each other.
At the end of the practice Pastor Franklin gave us time to socialize and have the refreshments his wife Lisa provided. I stood next to Winnie as we ate, keeping my eye on Will. I should just leave him alone but I could not help it. I was acting like a jealous ninny. It was ludicrous. Winnie must have caught on because she nudged me to get my attention. “Lizzy? Everything okay? You seem distracted.”
“Huh, what, oh, no I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, just tired, I’ve been taking care of my Ma. So I’m tired.”
“Oh, yeah I heard how is she?”
“She’s getting stronger everyday. The coriander seeds Dot gave me really helped.”
“Good, hey Lizzy, is something going on with you and Will?”
“What? No, we’re just friends like always.”
“Okay, but just know I’m here if you want to talk. I will not judge you.”
“I’m fine Winnie.”
“I hope so.” How could I tell her I’ve been acting like a jealous ninny and feeling these weird feelings when I’m around him?




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





I wandered around looking for Will. I was tired and did not feel cheery like I usually do at these things. I just felt like sulking in my room. I found him with a couple of boys with Charity. Great. Well Charity will just have to get over it, he was my ride not hers. “Will? I am ready to go.”
“Okay, come on.”
“Oh, Will do you have room in your buggy. Pastor Franklin was going to drive me but I don’t want to intrude on him, so will you take me home?” Charity intervened. What and intrude on us? I was waiting for that talk he wanted and now we can’t have it with her. We’d have to wait till we got home. He looked at me like he knew what I was thinking and silently asked.
With a sigh I replied. “We have room Charity; of course you can come home with us.” Will gave me a praising look and took my arm. Charity took his other arm and we strolled out.
“Hey, look at Will he got two little ladies!” One of the boys guffawed at him. They snickered and taunted Will. He turned around and stared at them.
“Yeah, I do, and I’m extremely lucky.” Will retorted. They looked like a child caught getting a cookie out of the cookie jar. I snickered at the faces they made. Charity glared at me but I did not look.
We walked to the buggy. Will was about to help Charity up but she shook her head saying I should be helped up first. Will shrugged and helped me up. I felt fluttering in my stomach and chose to ignore it. He helped Charity up and then grabbed the reins and climbed up. Charity grabbed his arm. I rolled my eyes and chose to not pay attention to them. It’s best if I look at the sky than at them.
The ride was bumpy and I rocked almost falling off. Every time it bumped Charity faked gasped and dug her nails into Will’s arm. It’s like she’s never been on a buggy before! The horses huffed and trotted on ignoring Charity. Good horses I thought. We were heading up to the end of town good almost home. I don’t think I could take anymore of this. I saw a glimmer of light in the distance. It was our home. I don’t care I’ll have Will drop me home than take her home. I’ve had enough of her company. “Will, slow down at our home. I shall get off at here. You can go on and take her home once I am off. It’ll be more room so Charity does not have to be squished.”
“Ya sure?”
“Positive slow down now.”
“Okay” he pulled on the reins and the horses came to a stop. I gathered my skirts and swung my feet off the edge. I felt the buggy being rocked and heard Will run to my side. I need to hurry and jump. I jumped too late he was there and caught me before I landed on the ground.
“Oh, my”. His arms tightened on me.
“I thought I told ya to let me help ya down?” He whispered in my ear. His breath tickled the tendrils of my hair that escaped my bun. With him this close I could forget everything in this world. It’s like time stopped and it was just me in his arms. With his lips so close I started thinking. How it would feel if his lips touched mine? Wait, I can’t think that. I pushed trying to get out of his grip. He released me and set me down on the ground. I touched my bun making sure it was still in place.
I heard Charity huff and gasp. I felt Charity’s penetrating glare in my back, but I did not look back. My cheeks felt like fire. What would Ma say if she saw this and heard my thoughts? She would be horrified.
I heard the buggy jolt and heard the clopping of the horses’ hooves. I stayed planted there where Will placed me. I needed to move, but I kept thinking how it felt being in his arms. A slow smile tugged at my lips and I placed my hands on my flaming cheeks. I made Charity jealous. Just by being in the arms of my best friend I made her jealous.
I skipped up the path humming the entire way. I felt like twirling around in a circle and singing. To think I’d feel like this with just being in his arms. I wonder if he feels the same. That thought made me stop. Did he feel the same? Or was me being in his arms just like any other day?
I made it to the wraparound porch and sat on the first step. Funny how one thought can change your entire mood. I did not want to go in yet, even though it was freezing outside. I don’t think I could face Ma or anyone when I’m like this. I need to calm down and think rationally. I need to stop thinking these ludicrous thoughts of me and Will. Will and I are just friends. Nothing more nothing less. Just friends.
Then why do I continue to feel a flip-flop in my rib cage and butterflies in my stomach? His smile always warms my heart, down to the deepest caverns of my soul. He always knows what to do to make me feel cherished. His smile gets me out of my melancholy moods. Could what I’m feeling be more than friendship? I do not know if I’ll ever know. He’s always secretive with his feelings.
When I came home months ago he seemed generally happy to see me. Was it because I’m his friend or he really has feelings for me? I remember when I left for finishing school four years ago the thing he whispered in my ear. “Don’t forget me while you’re in Boston.” I thought he meant remember to write to him. Maybe he meant something completely different. I replied “Willy, please like I could forget you.” He squeezed my hand and repeated “Don’t forget me.” I smiled and squeezed his hand “Willy I promise I’ll never forget you.” He smiled, hugged me and then walked away hiding his face. Back then I thought I saw tears in his eyes but I was not certain.
I heard in the distance horses’ hooves clopping on the path. I knew he was going to be here soon. I needed to collect myself before he got here. I inhaled and exhaled several times trying to calm my fluttering heart. How is it even hearing him coming my traitorous heart starts a fluttering? I should not have that kind of reaction to him. The buggy neared and then he pulled it to a stop.
He wrapped the reins on the hitching post then jumped down. He saw me sitting there and smiled. Another flip-flop. My stupid heart needs to stop acting like this. He walked to the step and looked down on me. I could feel his eyes on me. I could not look up. “Lizzy?” He murmured. He stooped down, lifted my chin with his forefinger so I looked him in his amazing green eyes. I was entranced in his eyes I could not look away. “Lizzy? Remember what I said when we arrived at the Church?”
“Yes, I remember.” I tried to look away but his eyes held me captive.
“I’d like to have that talk now before it gets too late.”
“Go ahead. Say what you wanted to say.”
“Lizzy, have you noticed there’s some connection between us?” I could not trust my voice right now so I nodded. “Well, there’s no way I can de-” He could not finish. We heard someone open the door and run out. He released my chin and stepped back.
“Lizzy!” Anna came running out. Fiddlesticks. She had to come out now of all times.
“Yes, Anna”
“I thought y’all would have been home by now. Ma said to come and see. I saw you two out here so I came to see you.”
“Well, you’ve seen me so you can go back in its cold out here Anna and you don’t have a wrap or a coat on.”
“I’m not cold.” Of course you’re not.
“Anna, please go inside. Ma has told you to stop eavesdropping on people’s conversations.”
“I’m not easedropping.”
“Eavesdropping Anna, and if you’re out here yes you are.”
“Sorry, but I wanted you to listen to me play Silent Night on the piano. Gamma and Gampa said I’m good.”
“I bet you are Anna. I’ll listen tomorrow I’m tired right now.”
“Then come inside silly.” She grabbed my hand and starting dragging me inside. I looked to Will and he was grinning at Anna shenanigans. He mouthed later and walked to take care of the horses. When will we ever get another time alone to talk?

God bless!