Anne drew the last of the curtains across the school windows. None of the curtains matched except in the same bland brown colour and yet every single curtain filled Anne's heart with pride.

It had taken less effort than originally anticipated for Anne to gain assistance from the Carmody School mothers. "The curtains will provide extra warmth in the winter, and protect their eyes from the icy glare outside." All sound arguments but nothing to really convince the mothers to contribute.

Instead, Anne merely commented to her students, "Perhaps I can find some spare curtain material amongst the Avonlea folk this weekend." Lo and behold, Monday morning brought a half dozen women with their ready-to-hang curtains.

While it had not been Anne's intent to evoke such strong town pride, secretly she was very pleased with the ease in which to … motivate the parents. Needless to say, Anne had no intention of overstepping this newfound power. It would be kept aside for a time when it was most needed. If nothing else, it had ceased the scheming for Anne's potential beaux, albeit temporarily.

Still, the curtains did look lovely. And they did keep the warmth in. The children paid far more attention when they were warm rather than cold. As evident from the large pile of book reports sitting on Anne's desk, awaiting their marks. Anne collected the papers and placed them carefully in her satchel. She had announced the Christmas Holidays a week early, due to bad weather. One of the students had already slipped on the ice and broken his ankle. While the class had been quieter without Teddy's religious sermons, Anne did miss her cozy class of students as a whole; not just a selective few.

So, now it was Friday. Anne was eager to pack up and head home to Avonlea. Walking carefully along the road back to Lawson's Store, Anne started to daydream about the ride home with Gilbert. She had so much to tell him about Mabel and her artwork! Anne had also picked up some extra sugar and cinnamon from the store, for a big baking session with the ladies on Saturday. And of course, there was her present for Gilbert, a fresh new copy of Mark Twain's The Prince and The Pauper tucked snuggly under a shawl for Marilla and a French cookbook for Diana.

Anne was still thinking about her holidays when she stumbled over the step at Lawson's Store. Surprised, Anne looked around for Gilbert. Normally he would be here by now, waiting for her and complaining about how long she takes to 'clean the dusters'. If nothing else, he wakes her up before she stumbles into the building!

However, today-there's no Gilbert? No buggy? Anne stepped inside, wondering if he was waiting out of the cold.

"Ah, there she is! She's usually late but even this is a bit of a statement." Lucilla greeted Anne with a big smile and raised eyebrows. Anne's gaze followed Lucilla's gesture; a head nod towards the end of the counter.

There stood Fred Wright, with a sheepish look on his face. "Hi, Anne."

"Uh. Hi. Fred."

There was an awkward pause while Anne waited for Fred to supply more information. Apparently, Fred was not moved to do so.

Lucilla broke the silence with an exasperated sigh. "Okay, then. Well, if you two are ready to go, I'll have a nice hot brick ready to take with you. Anne, I left all your stuff on the bottom stair. Do you need any help packing the sleigh?"

That was enough to stun Anne into action. "Wait, what? Fred? What's going on?"

"Didn't Gilbert send word to you? He can't pick you up tonight. His dad caught a nasty chest cold and is under close watch. He asked me to help out. Since it's been snowing a fair bit in Avonlea today, he told me to bring the sleigh instead of the buggy."

Anne let out a sigh of relief she didn't even realise she had been holding. "Oh, good. Gil's okay? I was worried for a moment."

"He's fine. But if you're ready to go now, we're best to leave. It's getting cold and it wouldn't be right to be seen … well, riding together… late in the evening…" Fred started to blush as Anne lifted a single eyebrow at his discomfort. Lucilla started to laugh, which only brought her more of Anne's contempt.

"Oh, this one's funny! You have the strangest collection of beaux, Miss Anne Shirley. I'll go grab the brick." Lucilla walked off towards the back of the store, still laughing to herself.

Fred's face turned a solid beetroot colour. "No! I mean, that's not what… but Gilbert said I only had to… Uh, Anne, you won't say anything to Diana, will you?"

In that split moment, Anne could see the fear in Fred's eyes. The real fear, not a social misunderstanding. Fred genuinely cared for Diana and for how she might think of him. T'was better to relieve him of his anxiety than string him along.

"It's fine, Fred. I'm sure Diana will be very appreciative of your service to her bosom friend in her hour of need. It would be a very gallant and noble deed, don't you think?"

Fred had no idea what Anne was talking about but he nodded and stored the words away in his memory. I'm pretty sure Diana loves how Anne talks. Maybe I can use the same stuff later.

By the time Fred and Anne left Carmody, dusk had fallen like a blanket across the hills, making the fresh white snow glisten like purple diamonds in the light. Even with lanterns, Fred slowed the horses and took great care to bring them home safely. Anne soon tired of the silence and was eager to talk about anything to help pass the time.

"You really like Diana, don't you?" Anne was not known for her subtlety.

"What?! I mean, uh, she seems like a lovely girl… I mean, woman… Uh, young lady." Fred cleared his throat. "Uh, what makes you ask?"

Anne laughed softly. "Fred, I have seen the way you look at her. And I know she likes you too."

"She does?! Oh, I mean. That's nice."

Anne smacked Fred's arm, in a joking manner. "That's nice?! I essentially confirmed your heart's desire and you answer with, 'Oh, that's nice.' Maybe you're not really interested in her at all."

Fred jumped at the bait. "No, I am! Interested, that is. I mean, if she is too." There was a slight pause. "Is she really, Anne? I mean, serious? With me?"

"I thought you knew! After all the scheming and planning we did in the lead up to the dance."

Fred sighed and looked back at the road. "Well, I thought so too. But I also wasn't sure if it was one of your hare-brained ideas or not." Anne snorted indignantly at this. "No, really Anne. It sounded far too crazy and imaginative to be Diana's, so I thought it was your idea. We had such a lovely night. But nothing since then. And she won't let me talk to her parents or anything."

Anne stopped and looked at Fred; really looked at Fred, even in the fading light. "Do you… love her?"

The only thing to be heard was the steady pace of the horses, even in the soft snow.

"Yes, Anne. I think I do."

Anne sniffed back a tear. "But … but you're nothing like her dream husband!"

The words whipped Fred's eyes up to meet Anne's. "Don't you think I know that? Diana is beautiful, like… like the moon itself. She is gentle and kind and smart. Not your book smart, Anne. But practical, life smart. I'm just a farmer's son. Not even a farmer myself. I want to give her the world! The best I can do is give her the earth and promise to build a life from there."

Fred was too caught up in his own thoughts to see the effect on Anne. She sat there quietly, staring at his outpouring of emotion, with gentle tears tracing down her cheeks. "Oh, Fred. That is the most romantic thing I have ever heard in my life. I have been so judgemental of you! You are most certainly worthy, Mr Wright. And we will make it so. You have my word."

Suddenly, Anne embraced Fred with a monstrous hug, catching him by surprise. Fred was stunned at this change in feeling towards him but he knew if he wanted to win Diana Blythe's heart, he would have to first convince Anne Shirley. Fred wrapped one arm around Anne and hugged her back. "Really, Anne? Thank you!"

Saturday had been too cold for guests at Green Gables. It didn't stop Mrs Lynde from doing her rounds. She was up early, admiring Anne's kitchen layout in preparation for a baking day.

"Oh, I wouldn't bother with that, Anne. The Blythe stead is all amuck, waiting on John with hand-and-foot until he kicks this blasted cough going around Avonlea. I heard young Diana has it too, along with Minnie-Mae. I'm surprised Marilla hasn't been coughing up a storm but I suppose you haven't been here to pass it on from your own class of misfits. Even Ruby Gillis was seen shaking at the station. Poor girl has no meat on her bones. Now, don't you fear. I'm as healthy as they get but I need to hurry home for my poor Thomas. I can hardly hear him speak with that wispy voice he has right now."

Marilla smirked. "Really, Rachael. You would have to pause for a breath first before you can hear Thomas speak."

Anne hid her laugh behind a tea towel while Rachel and Marilla battled with half-jesting insults for the next half hour. Unfortunately, Rachel needed to return home to her family as well but promised to visit before Christmas Eve.

On Sunday morning, Marilla and Anne made the journey to Church, knowing full well it would be the last before Christmas. Reverend Allan had made it very clear during last week's sermon, he had no desire for people to make themselves sick in order to pray to God. "While this church may be a symbol of the House of God, The Good Lord knows we love him from any place. And it is far better to be healthy and alive with our love for our God than to be sick and unaware of his love for us."

As they arrived at the church, Marilla commented on the fewer numbers attending that morning. "Maybe we should buckle down at Green Gables for the next week or so, Anne. There sure are a lot of Avonlea folk missing today."

Anne nodded, noting the absence of both Diana and Gilbert. Before Anne could comment further, a sudden gust of wind blew her hat clean off her head and into a nearby tree. "Oh no! My best hat!"

"Hurry, Anne! Reverend Allan is about to start."

Anne ran over to the tree and tried to reach the hat. "Marilla, you go inside and warm up. I will be there shortly. I'll be okay. I promise!"

Marilla hesitated for a moment and then hurried inside. Either Anne would competently solve the dilemma in her usual Anne style or she would start to feel the cold and come inside.

As soon as Marilla had entered the building, Anne started to climb the tree, determined to save her hat. It was a beautiful blue wool felt hat with a moderate brim curved over the sides and shaped up around the face; both practical and fashionable (which had surprised Marilla to no end). It was one of the few hats Anne truly loved to wear in winter and she was loath to lose it in a tree.

Anne was quick and nimble as she climbed higher and higher into the tree. Reaching the top, the branches started to thin out and crackle in the cold. Anne glanced around, convinced there was no-one to see her in such a predicament. Everyone else was smart enough to be inside the church where it was warm and cozy.

Slowly, Anne reached out her arm to the hat precariously balanced in the branches. She refused to look down at the distance between her and the ground. It would have been around four metres; the snow would soften the fall but it would still hurt both her body and her dignity.

Just as her fingers brushed the felt of the hat, Anne heard the dreaded crack in the branch before she fell out of the tree. However, instead of the soft snow, Anne felt warm arms break her fall, followed by a very masculine "UMPH!"

Stunned, Anne looked up to see Fred Wright was her hero! "Why, Fred! You saved me!" It was at that point, Anne's blue hat fell gently into her lap. They both looked at the hat and burst into laughter.

Fred gently set Anne down on the snow. "I don't think I even need to ask what you were doing. But if you are quite finished, can we please go inside?"

Neither party was aware of their audience sitting inside the church. The Sloanes, the Pyes, and the Harrisons had all witnessed Anne's fall and Fred's rescue. Mrs Lynde had caught the end, with both Anne and Fred laughing at their scenario.

As they entered the church, the entire congregation was watching them with anticipation. Fred's mother gave him a quizzical look, which he tried to brush off despite his reddening face. Marilla, instead, plucked an old brown leaf out of Anne's hair and shook her head gently.

By the time Anne and Fred sat down at their respective houses for Sunday dinner, word had already spread across Avonlea of their impending courtship.

Even the snow couldn't stop Mrs Lynde from visiting Green Gables on Monday morning.

"Well, I never, Anne Shirley! Here I was convinced Fred Wright was all doe-eyed for Diana Barry. Then you come in and sweep the rug from under her while she is too sick to defend herself! And I thought you were best friends!"

Anne's big grey eyes grew even bigger! Oh no! What if word had reached Diana? "Marilla! I have to run! This is all a big mistake!"

Marilla couldn't have stopped her if she tried. Instead, she grabbed Anne's jacket and the cursed hat, handing both to her as she ran out the door.

"For Heaven's sake, Rachel! I wasn't expecting to see you again for a few days. And yet you seemed determined to make the travel because of a bit of gossip? Did you really think Anne was interested in Fred Wright? The girl isn't interested in anyone right now. She simply wants to study and write and teach. Do you need to marry off every girl before they have the chance to know what they want themselves?"

"Now, you hear me, Marilla. I was married not much older than Anne. She can't keep burying her head in the books all of her life. She needs to be thinking about how to find a husband. Take my word for it. If it's not Fred Wright, that girl needs to start considering her options. Young Ruby Gillis has beaux from here to Queen's Academy."

"Ruby Gillis can have all the beaux she wants. I will not pressure Anne into any relationships until she tells me she is good and ready. That kind of expectation can break a girl's spirit."

Rachel closed her mouth and ceased to continue her argument. This was not a topic Marilla would back down from, and definitely not one worth risking their friendship.

At Orchard Slope, Anne raised an exhausted arm to knock on the front door. Mrs Barry answered the door, surprised to see Anne there. "Come in, child. You look like you ran all the way from Green Gables. Is Marilla okay?"

"Yes… Marilla… is… fine… Must… talk… to… Diana…", Anne puffed while trying to catch her breath.

Diana had heard the commotion from upstairs. "Dearest Anne, whatever are you doing here? Surely you know I'm unwell. I wouldn't want you to be sick too!"

Anne looked up at Diana, her beautiful raven black hair braided over one shoulder and her trusting dark eyes filled with love for Anne. Anne, who in return, wanted to cry at her current situ with her best friend in all of the world.

"Oh, Diana! I beg thee! Do not listen to the crones of Avonlea! I promise I have not betrayed you! Please believe me and cast out the lies!"

Diana looked at her mother, confused. While neither of them was a stranger to Anne's theatrics, this was definitely a new level in her expression. Mrs Barry simply shrugged and left the two young ladies to their privacy.

"Anne, my sweet. I have no idea what you are talking about. No-one has left the house, nor have we received any visitors, for fear of sharing this dreaded cough. I sincerely hope we do not make you sick too. What is so horrible to cause you to venture out in this weather, even at the risk of illness from us?"

Anne was stunned; had she truly beaten the gossip of Avonlea? "Mrs Lynde said the village was talking about Fred Wright… and me." Anne gulped as she watched Diana's reaction. All of a sudden, the words came tumbling out like a snowball rolling down the hill.

"Oh, Diana! I promise you! I have no interest in Fred whatsoever! Fred was an absolute gentleman and gave me a ride home from Carmody on Friday night because Gilbert's father was sick and Gilbert had to stay home to help his mother care for him. And Fred was a total gentleman for the entire ride. And we only ever talked about you. And Fred is absolutely nothing to me. He looks nothing like my dream suitor. And to be honest he doesn't really look anything like yours either. But when he talks about you, his face lights up and his eyes shine like beacons in the night, in the same way a lonely lighthouse is calling out to the sea nymph to guide the soulful ships home to shore."

At this point, Anne paused to breathe. It was the only way she could have heard Diana whisper, "Fred talked about me? With you?"

Anne slowly smiled. "Yes, dearest. He may not look the part but he most definitely is a gallant hero. He saved me when I fell out of the tree at church yesterday. That's how the old bitties got the idea of courtship. Oh, curse their gossipy minds! Diana, I swear to you. I don't understand it but I can't deny it. Fred Wright loves you."

Diana burst into tears, laughing at her best friend. "Oh, Anne! I knew it! And I love him! Oh, you wonderful goose!"

Anne was shocked. "You're not angry with me?"

"What? No! That's just gossipy old women. No! This is hilarious! In all your Anne-like glory, you have just brought me the most marvellous confirmation Fred could never have the courage to do himself. Oh, Anne! I am so happy! After Father's reaction to Fred and the Avonlea Dance, I wasn't sure if I could convince them about him. But this is exactly what I needed. Thank you!"

Anne had no idea what had happened. But if Diana was happy, then Anne was happy. Looks like someone had a beau for Christmas after all.