A/N: For those of you who are reading AWANP please forgive me. I'm somewhat stuck with regards to that story. I know where I want to take it but the trouble is getting there. So this is just a project to keep me (and you, maybe) occupied while I jot down my ideas for the first story. I hope you like it.
The courtship . . .
I strolled down the busy market alley way, humming to myself. I held my woven basket between my arm and my hip so that it wouldn't rock and toss what was inside. Mrs Stanley greeted me from her fabric and dress shop. "Good morning, Bella!"
"Good morning, Mrs Stanley!"
I skipped around the corner towards Mr Clearwater's fish stall. He had the best fish this side of the country, all the way from the Pacific coast. He travelled at least two days to get there and it was about five days for him to fish and return. When he was away, his son Seth or his wife was in charge of the stall.
"Good morning, Mrs Clearwater. How are you today?" I greet, standing at the table displaying the assorted fish Clearwater's had to offer.
"Good, thank you. Always lovely to see you, Bella. How's your mother doing?"
I sigh. "She's doing better. She had tea with the neighbours the day before. I see that as a good sign."
"Tell her I say hello. So how can I help you today? Have you already finished yesterday's order?"
I shook my head with a smile. "No, but I have plans to prepare this order for tomorrow."
"So, who's the special boy?" she asked and I blushed deep red.
I laughed nervously "I never mentioned any boy."
She took a large trout and wrapped it in paper then cloth before handing it to me. "I know you didn't," she admitted but said nothing more on the subject.
"Thank you, Mrs Clearwater!" I said, paying her the four pieces of sliver for the fish. "I'll see you again tomorrow."
"Goodbye, dear."
Still blushing, I mad e my way to Webber's bakery. Angela was there waiting for me as always behind the counter of various breads and baked goods. "Hello, best friend!"
"Why good morning, best friend!" I replied, genuinely glad to see her.
She clapped her hands and bounced about, happy I was playing along. "What can I get you today?"
I picked out three pieces of silver from my apron and gave them to her. "Two large buns, please."
She disappeared behind the counter and quickly popped back up with the two buns wrapped in paper. "Here you go." She handed them to me with an innocent smile. "Sooo," she dragged out.
"So what?" I asked, confused.
She twirled her blond curls with her finger. "So, can I go with you?"
Huh? "Go where?"
She rolled her eyes at me, taking off her apron. She took my free hand before calling out into the stall, "Mama, I'll be back soon!"
"I'll be right out."
Angela towed me away up the alley, the way I usually went after visiting her. "Don't pretend, Bella," she squealed excitedly. "You've been going to see that boy ever since your mother sent you to order new pots two months ago."
I blushed again as she pulled me through the crowd and past the liquor stall. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said quietly.
She ignored me and continued. "Plus, you had your mother plait your hair in a French braid." She pointed at her own head. " You never do that."
We turned a corner and went passed the shop of weaved baskets and mats. Had I really been that transparent? I'd thought I was hiding it rather well. My mother hadn't noticed. Or maybe she's been too preoccupied since father's passing.
We turned the corner again and went up an incline. I gripped my basket tightly, not wanting to drop anything. "Angela, slow down. You're moving too fast!"
"Uuum, here we are," she announced proudly. We were, in fact, outside the blacksmith's workshop. I could hear the clinks and clanks on the other side of the wall. "Well, go inside! I'll be waiting for you to tell me what happened."
I took a deep breath and dusted myself off with my free hand. "Is my hair okay?" I asked.
"You look fine," she said, turning me around and pushing me towards the open doorway. I continued through to the front shop where all the orders were made. A man stood at the counter and behind him were the old sheets that separated the shop from the work space. The shop wall was mainly occupied by long shelves housing pots, pans, locks, keys, chains and all things made of metal.
"Hello," I say to the man I know as Billy. He was an older man, about fifty with long dark hair like Jacob's, except there were strands of grey here and there. He was, as far as I'd guessed, Jacob's father. Or at least they had to be related in some way because the resemblance was definitely there.
He turns around and I see the immediate recognition in his expression. "Bella! I don't know why I'm surprised to see you here," he chuckles. "I'll go get Jacob." He disappeared behind the curtain, leaving me in the shop alone with nothing but the clinks and clanks. Mrs Clearwater had been right. And so was Angela. Jacob was someone special to me, in more ways than a friend. So the lurch my heart made when Billy reappeared with Jacob was no figment of my imagination. Jacob had his shoulder-length hair tied back. He wore a white work shirt and brown cotton pants. He had black patches all over him.
"Jacob," I breathed, a smile on my face made to match the one on his. He came round to my side of the counter, wiping his hand on an old cloth.
"Hello, Bella! How are you?" I loved his husky voice, the voice of a man that was gentle at the same time.
I beamed. "I'm brilliant, thanks. And you?"
He stood right before me, yet not close enough. "I'm well, thank you."
I set my basket atop the counter and started going through it. "I've brought you something to eat," I say taking out the fish. "I made it this morning so that it was fresh." I took out the bread as well and the bottle of apple cider.
"I made you something as well. Just give me a moment," he said, going off on the other side of the curtain.
Billy looked up from his work on the counter with a smile. "You are both so shy, it's amusing to watch. But, I must credit you for the effort you put into your acts of affection. He never talks about you but I can tell thinks about you often."
I blushed and gazed at my feet until Jacob entered the room. When I looked up, he was so close to me. "I'd been working on this for a week. I thought you might like something pretty for your hair." In his hand he had a large silver ring that seemed to be moulded into a weave or braid pattern.
"I'll give you two your privacy," Paul muttered, going back into the work space.
"Would you like to try it on?"
I nodded eagerly, reaching back to undo the plait in my hair. Once my hair was loose he placed the ring on my head then ran his fingers through my hair. They lightly brushed down my cheek then jaw. "It looks lovely on you," he said and took my hand as I looked down and flushed a deeper red. "Um, I was wondering . . . would you like to go out into the forest with me, for a walk in the afternoon?"
I smiled timidly. "I would love to. Where must I meet you?"
He took my other hand, holding them tightly. "Meet me at the Roman Arch near the river. There's an oak tree there, that's where we'll meet."
I smiled gleefully. "I will. I will be there at noon."
"I am glad to hear it."
He leaned his face into mine and he kissed me softly on the lips: once, twice, then a third time. We gazed at each other a moment, holding hands and grinning like two children, when Angela walked in to the shop. Jacob and I jumped and stepped away from each other.
"Bella, you mother is looking for you! You've been summoned!"
"I'll be right there," I said and turned to Jacob. "Thank you for the crown. I must go now but I promise to see you tomorrow."
He kissed my hand then let go. "See you at noon."
"See you at noon," I repeat before rushing out of the shop, my fingers touching my lips where he kissed me.
A/N: So throw your opinions at me will ya?
