• Chapter 2


    Kay woke up early, filled with anticipation. She couldn’t wait to see Johen. He always looked more handsome than the last time she had seen him. Today I’m going to surprise him, she thought. Today, I‘m going to look so good, he won’t even recognize me! She grinned to herself and headed out to finish her chores early so she could devote as much time as possible to getting ready. She exited her room and almost ran into Briam as he came out of the room next door.

    “Oh!” She exclaimed in surprise. She blushed, having completely forgotten about the fact that he was now staying with them.

    “Good morning, Kaymeryn,” he greeted her, undaunted.

    “Good morning,” she replied shakily, trying to gather her thoughts. A practical question saved her. “Where are you going?”

    “I just wanted to become acquainted with the farm,” he explained. “If I look like I haven’t a clue what I’m doing, suspicion will fall on your family. I don’t want that to happen,” he added earnestly.

    Though beginning to remember why she hadn’t been happy about meeting him the night before, she grudgingly admitted that he had a point. “All right.”

    She realized he had probably never done a day’s work in his life. I bet he doesn’t know the first thing about living on a farm, she thought scornfully. Why should I have to show him everything? Ethan could do it; they’re around the same age. She started to mention this aloud, but stopped. For some reason, she wanted company, annoying though he was. Reluctantly, she said, “Why don’t you come with me, I’ll show you around.”

    “Why, thank you,” he replied. Noting her scowl, he added mockingly, “Such hospitality.”

    “Shut up.” She turned her head so he couldn’t see the sides of her mouth curl up in a smile. His constant teasing was getting the better of her dislike of him.

    She led him outside and started to teach him about her general chores. “The first one is my least favorite - clean out the horses’ stalls.”

    “There is no need to explain,” he said, grimacing, and began shoveling hay with practiced ease. He laughed at the surprise on her face. “This has not been the only farm I stayed at during my travels,” he explained.

    “Oh,” she said. The way he was going, he could have grown up in any small town in the country. There was just one problem…

    She smirked and informed him, “If you’re going to blend in, we’ll have to do something about that accent. You’ll never pass for a country boy if you sound like that.”

    “Sound like what?” he asked, confused.

    “Like that,” she explained. “You sound…educated. Barely anyone around here knows how to read or write. You need to talk less smoothly. More…casually.”

    He started to laugh. “More casually? I talk more casually here than I ever did at my parents--” He stopped abruptly, a shadow passing over his face.

    Oops, sore subject, Kay thought uneasily. “I-I’m sorry,” she began awkwardly. “It must be hard…”

    “Don’t be,” he said harshly. “It was my choice.”

    Kay drew back, unnerved by the venom in his voice. They worked in silence for a while.

    “I’m sorry,” he said eventually. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. My relationship with my parents isn’t the best right now, obviously.”

    She smiled to let him know that it was all right. “See, you’re doing it.”

    “Doing what?”

    “Talking like a country boy.” After a second, he smiled back, recognizing the remark for what it was - a compliment, and more than that, a sign of friendship.

    “Thanks, Kay,” he replied, then hastily added, “May I call you Kay?”

    Sure, why not? Everyone else does, she griped in her head. Out loud she said, “Yes, it‘s fine.” Anxiously glancing at the sky, she realized they were running far behind schedule. “Can we hurry a little?”

    “Why?” he asked curiously. “Is there something else you need to do?”

    She shook her head. “No, I just want the extra time to get ready for the market fair.”

    “The market fair?”

    She sighed. I keep forgetting he’s new here. “I forgot - I guess you’re coming with us. The market fair is a kind of cross between, well, a market and a fair. All the women sell the produce they’ve grown, the men talk and drink, and the rest of us play games and listen to the entertainment.” She shrugged and headed for the house. “It’s not that big of a deal, actually.”

    “Right,” he said. He crossed his arms over his chest and stood between her and the door, blocking her way. He looked at her mischievously. “Then why do you need so much time to get ready?”

    “You’re too smart, do you know that?” Kay glared at him angrily.

    “So? You still haven’t answered me.” He continued, unperturbed.

    “It’s nothing.” She attempted to sidestep past him and dart in the house.

    He moved with her, refusing to give in. “It’s not. Tell me, or I’m never going to let you by.” His brown eyes sparkled. “You’ll be late.”

    “Fine.” She blushed. “It’s because Johen will be there.”

    “I see. And who is this Johen?”

    “Oh, no one.”

    Briam wasn’t fooled. “Oh, really?”

    She stuck her tongue out at him peevishly. “Yes. Now let me in.”

    Predictably, he didn’t move an inch. “Let me guess. He’s rich? Handsome? Your betrothed?”

    His last guess made Kay gesture frantically for him to be quiet. “Don’t say that! If he hears that I’m in lo--” Too late, she realized what she’d said.

    “--in love with him,” Briam finished quietly. “He’ll do what?”

    “I don‘t want to offend him!” she snapped. “Nothing would be different, I guess. I just don’t want him to feel obliged to marry me just because he’s my friend.”

    The left side of Briam’s mouth twitched. “He’d marry you if he found out you liked him?”

    “Of course he would! Oh, he’s so amazing!” She couldn’t help gushing. “He’s so strong, and tall and handsome. He’s not exactly rich, but his father does own the general store.”

    “So he’s obviously the ideal man.”

    She missed the sarcasm. “He’s perfect.”

    “Ah.” Briam stood aside.

    Was it just her imagination, or did she see a flicker of disappointment in his eyes?

    * * *



    It seemed like ages before the entire family was ready to leave for town. Kay tried to do everything she could to hurry them along, but it didn’t do much good. Her sisters knew why she was so anxious to leave, and purposely lagged behind.

    By the time they reached the outskirts of town, it was obvious that the fair was well underway.

    “May I please go already?” Kay begged her mother.

    “Be patient,” Caroline replied. “Haste is unladylike.”

    “Listen to your mother,” her father said. He smiled at her desperate look. “Don‘t worry, you and Briam can leave in a moment.”

    I have to take him with me? she thought, irritated. Struggling not to sound insulting, she protested, “But I thought he was going to be with Ethan. It would make sense.” And give me time alone with Johen, the back of her mind added.

    “Ethan will be occupied. Don’t look so disappointed. I’m sure there are plenty of things for three people to do.” The emphasis on the word three said he knew exactly why she was protesting, and that it would do her no good to argue.

    “Oh, fine,” she pouted for several seconds, before moving on. It didn’t matter. She could find some way to meet Johen alone, she was certain.

    “Can we go now?” She said impatiently. Receiving a nod of approval, she all but dragged Briam away with her. Already formulating plans to get rid of him, she smoothly put off his attempts at conversation until they were well in the midst of the bustling crowds.

    “Look, why don’t you slow down,” he protested again. “You could show me around, at least!”

    “I have someone you really should meet,” she explained, to disguise the way she was quite obviously ditching him. “Hey, Schelbe!”

    Schelbe, a village girl with a large mass of curly blond hair, waltzed over. “Hi!” She smiled brightly, showing off her delicate face, dimpled cheeks, and white teeth. Kay knew she was notorious for getting to know all the boys in town well - too well. Normally, Kay hated her for being the only girl in town men were interested in. But at least this time it worked to Kay’s advantage; Schelbe was the perfect way to get some time alone with Johen.

    “Who’s the cute one?” She asked, simpering at Briam.

    “This is my cousin.” Kay caught a glance of a tall, blond head a few stalls over. “I’ve got to go. I’ll catch up with you later.”

    “But, you were going to show me around,” Briam protested feebly.

    “I can show you around!” Schelbe exclaimed, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously. “Come on!” She linked arms with him and led him off, ignoring his objections.

    Perfect, Kay thought. She didn’t worry about how Briam felt about the situation. It was a matter of necessity. I’ll make it up to him later, she promised herself, and set off in search of Johen.

    * * *



    She finally spotted him near a display of pumpkins and squash, talking to a girl named Katherine. She was Tom the blacksmith’s daughter, and though Kay considered her a friend, at this moment Kay fought back a wave of jealousy. What’s he doing, talking to her? She glared at the back of Katherine’s head, with the curly red tresses that were the envy of every girl in town, Kay included.

    Taking care to appear casual, she sauntered past the stall, smiling at them as she passed. A few seconds later, Johen caught up with her.

    “Hi, Kay.” He smiled as always, seeming to be genuinely glad to see her.

    “Hello.” She hoped her response wasn’t too eager. Living on the border of town limited her chances to interact with others her own age, so who could blame her for being excited to get to talk to him?

    “How are you doing?” he asked, and they exchanged pleasantries for a while before sharing the latest stories from their own lives.

    “And so, now we’ve got this complete stranger living--, I mean, practically a complete stranger, since I never even knew he was my cousin until last night, living with us. Isn’t that weird?”

    Johen frowned thoughtfully. That was one of the things she loved best about him. He was mature enough that she could tell him anything and he would take her seriously.
    “That is strange. Did he even give you a reason why?”

    “Ye-- No.” She replied quickly. She silently berated herself for her narrow escape. Fortunately, Johen hadn’t seemed to notice.

    His eyes twinkling, he said excitedly, “Listen, I’ve got great news. My father needs me to deliver something to a certain farm on the outskirts of town sometime in the next two weeks. Guess which one?” His mischievous grin gave away the answer.

    “Oh, Johen! Really?” Kay was wildly excited. Two visits in one month! That appealed to Kay, since it promised a break in the post-fair monotony.

    “Really,” he affirmed. “I promised my father I’d help him out at the store today, so I have to go. But stop by, and I’ll be glad to talk!”

    “Sure!” she replied, slightly disappointed, but inwardly vowing to have another chance to talk to him. “See you later.”

    “He leaned down close to her, whispered, “By the way, you look nice today.” A quick peck on the cheek, and he was gone.

    She felt a familiar flutter in her stomach, as she did whenever he was near her. She smiled dreamily in reaction, contented.

    “So that’s why you wanted me gone.” It was Briam. “So you could be together with your boyfriend.” He seemed angry, and she supposed he had a right to be.

    She halfheartedly began to apologize. “I’m sorry, but-- wait. What happened to Schelbe?”

    “And Schelbe!” he added hotly, glaring at her. “Why did you have to ask her to come over? If you wanted me to leave you alone, you could have just asked. But you set me up with Schelbe! Within five minutes, she was asking if I wanted to ‘go someplace where we could be alone’!”

    Kay tried not to smile. That was Schelbe’s typical approach. Never one to talk much, she would go straight for the direct attack, and most guys were more than willing to go along with it. What was different about Briam that he wasn’t grateful for that chance?

    “I thought you’d be happier with some company.”

    He rolled his eyes. “Next time, warn me,” he said, with an irritated shake of his head. “What’s up with that guy, anyway?”

    “That’s Johen,” Kay answered blissfully, as if there was no need for an explanation.

    “That was Johen?” He looked skeptical. “What exactly is it you see in him?”

    She stared at him, aghast. “What is it you don’t see in him? He’s…he’s…AMAZING!” She smiled, remembering their conversation with pleasure.

    “You really think he’s that amazing?” He stared at her to see if she was joking.

    The ecstasy on her face convinced him she wasn’t. “Remind me never to trust your judgment on people.”

    “What’s that supposed to mean?” she exclaimed indignantly.

    “Well, it seems to me like he hasn’t got too much on the inside, if you know what I mean.” Briam shrugged.

    “Stop it! Don’t make fun of Johen!” She glared at him, attributing the heat in her face to anger. “He’s my - one of my - best friends, and you don’t have ANY right to insult him!” Turning, she shoved her way through the crowd without another word.

    “Kay! Wait!” Briam called. “That’s not what I meant!” He ran after her, catching hold of her arm.

    She glared at him. “What did you want?”

    “Kay, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it as an insult. It was a joke!”

    “It didn’t sound like one to me.” She turned away and tried to keep walking.

    He didn’t let go of her arm, just pulled her closer. “Kay, I mean it. It was a joke,” he insisted. He looked at her earnestly. “Please forgive me.”

    She stared at him, suddenly acutely aware of his touch. Her heart raced wildly. She stared into his eyes, mesmerized. She saw remorse, for making her mad; she saw his desire to be on good terms with her. Looking deeper, she saw what could only be the pain and loneliness he kept hidden. And then, she saw something else…

    A sudden thought allowed her to regain her senses. What if Johen saw them like this? What would he think? It was enough to make her yank her arm away. Briam blinked, as if coming out of a trance.

    “Sorry.”

    “Sorry.”

    They spoke at the same time. Kay felt inexplicably embarrassed, though she knew she had no reason to be. The rising color in his face showed her he felt the same.

    “Um, I forgive you.” Kay tried to remember what their argument had been about. “Just leave Johen out of it, okay?”

    “Fine.”

    They resumed walking, neither saying very much at first. But as they wandered past the booths, the uncomfortable silence that had lingered between them slowly dissipated. By the time it was almost dark, Kay couldn’t remember why she had ever disliked him in the first place.

    “Oh, no!” Kay suddenly noticed the growing twilight. “I was going to stop by to see Johen. I completely forgot.”

    “Oh,” Briam said uncomfortably. “He won’t mind, surely?”

    “No, I hope not, but…” She shook her head, on the verge of tears. “I told him I would!”

    “He shouldn’t mind,” Briam soothed her. “If he does, I’ll tell him it was my fault for monopolizing your delightful companionship. Besides, he should consider himself lucky to have your attention.” Realizing what he’d said, he coughed, self-conscious.

    Kay, preoccupied with what Johen would be thinking about her broken promise, only half heard his remark. “What?”

    “Nothing. Never mind.”

    She eventually put it out of her mind. It wouldn’t matter, since she would be seeing Johen again in a matter of weeks! Her heart jumped, matched by her feet’s delighted skips. Filled with promise and anticipation for his coming visit, she didn’t even protest when her parents came to take them home.