"It's absolutely beautiful isn't it Marilla?"

"I have to say Rachael it is very nice."

"Other guest should be arriving soon. I'll see you later marilla?"

She searched for him. He was supposed to be here soon and she was nervous. She looked around the room again when she finally spotted him. He was dressed in his finest suit. She also had wore her Sunday best. She didn't want to seem desperate so she waited for him to find her. She turned her eye and began to watch as the musicians started playing. She had not expected him to sneak behind her or speak to her in such a husky tone.

"You look absolutely ravishing." He whispered."I've waited for 2 days and you did not disappoint."

He moved to stand beside her so no one would get the wrong idea.

"Meet me near the barn in an hour. I'm going to fake a headache and say I am retiring for the evening. Don't follow too soon. Stay behind for a little while and then come up with something. "

"You were serious."

"As a damned heart attack. Don't let anyone see you. I presume you rode your own buggy?"

"Yes. "

"good. Im going to leave mine with Anne."

"But didn't she ride with Gilbert? "

"Yes and I don't believe it's best for her to be traveling this late at night with a man." She whispered.

"But you will be."

"Yes, but I am a fully grown woman who is smarter than anyone thinks."

"Touché. I best separate from you know Marilla before Rachael gets the wrong idea."

"Good thinking. John..."

"Yes..."

"I know you think I have regrets about the other day. I assure you I have none. " he smiled.

"I'll see you later Mar."

"marilla! Was that John Blythe you were speaking two again this week."

"Yes Rachael. He's been worried ever since I fainted in his presence and was asking my well-being.We are amicable after all.just because two people didn't speak for 30 years doesn't mean they can't be civil."

"Ahh. Still a touchy subject I see."

"No rachael. I just fear I have a headache coming on. I feel fine but I may have to retire early. I am sorry for being short with you. I'm just trying to be here for my best friend."

"No apologies necessary marilla. Will you let me have Thomas bring your buggy round when you get ready to leave?"

"No rachael. Ask Anne to take it home for me tonight. I do not wish her to miss the festivities and I would rather walk. I find the wheel causes the Hes he to intensify."

"Alright marilla. Well. I hope you stay for the auction. "

"Auction?"

"Yes. The surprise I was telling you about?"

"What will you be auctioning?"

"A picnic with avonlea s most eligible women. You are set to go up marilla."

"Me. " anger flared in her eyes." Rachael Lynd? Why in heavens name would you think I would want to be auctioned off like the livestock?"

"Not you marilla, just a picnic with you?"

"It doesn't matter. I am content by myself. You know how I feel on these matters. It isn't anyone's business who I have a picnic with or if I want to have a picnic with anyone. Had you ask me I would have declined." She was angrier than she had ever been.

"But it's for charity Marilla."

"I don't care . I'm not doing it. Had you ask me I would have told you that. "

"But marilla I was only ..."

"I was only trying to help...it's just for fun marilla, do it for charity... I won't and that's that. Now, I will take my leave and go."

"But you haven't even..."

"Good day Rachael." With that marilla exited the function.

John watched the scene unfold and knew now was the time to count down his exit. He went over to Rachael.

"Rachael. I just came to give you a donation. What has marilla up in arms? Her temper flare again?"

"She is mad because a picnic with her was to be auctioned off. I was only trying to help her John. Soon Anne will be moving away with your boy and I'd hate to see her lonesome. "

"Hopefully she doesn't hold a grudge against you as long as she has me. Anyways rachael. Here is 10 pence. I hope that will suffice. I heard there was some trouble in Charlottetown over some livestock and I really must be going to ensure my shipment tomorrow will be going as planned. A farmers work is never done."

"Can you find marilla John."

"I doubt she will want to talk to me. It's best she is left to her own devices rachael. I know Marillas temper and I have no desire to be on the end of her anger tonight. I'm sure she will be fine ."

"I'm sure you are right. I will check in on her tomorrow."

"Be sure to Rachael."

"Good day John Blythe."

"Good day Rachael."

...………………

He found her walking a little ways up the road from the charity function. She as talking to herself.

"Can I help you ma'am."

"Not now...oh John. " he laughed.

"Did you forget."

"I'm sorry, but one of these days I'm going to kill Rachael. She had no right."

"Are you going to continue to walk or would you like a lift in the buggy."

"Oh right. Sorry. " he extended his hand and helped her in.

"Rachael told me what she did, and her intentions may have been off mark but she cares."

"That's the problem. She is over bearing. But I will sort it out with her tomorrow."

"That's good. Now why did you want to meet me."

" I wanted to discuss what happened the other day. " she was nervous now. More nervous than she had been.

"When we almost..."she silenced him.

"Yes. I can't stop thinking about it. I am more troubled than I have ever been. "

"Marilla I can't stop thinking about it either."

"We have to figure out where we go from here. We can't keep doing... "

"You are nervous?"

"Why wouldn't I be."

"Marilla... it's only natural. Forgive me for speaking plainly but sex is human nature."

"But before marriage is wrong. "

"So are you suggesting we marry or skip straight to the wedding night activities?"

"I..." her thoughts skipped back to 2 days before. His mouth kissing her breast. Her head thrown back.

"I could pull this buggy over right now if that is what you wish.."

" I'm unsure of how I feel. "

"I know how you feel. When you kissed me you were on fire. Your body reacted the same as mine. I knew from every little sound you made. I do wish to marry you marilla."

" you want to what?"

"You heard me. I know it is soon but I know it's what I want. We can keep playing this cat and mouse game marilla but we are too old for that. I won't ask you to leave green gables, I've been thinking of giving my farm to Gilbert anyways. He's almost finished with med school, and soon he and Anne will come to their senses and get married. When they do they will have a home. It's sensible. We can dance around one another all we want but if we didn't feel something for one another we wouldn't have almost made love in your foyer. "

" Well since we are talking, what would happen to green gables?"

"I could move in with you. I could take over the financials of letting the Barry rent the land for their crop. Then we could continue retirement and just enjoy being married."

"I don't know what to say. It all sounds nice but how do you know we could be compatible living together. It's one thing to be attracted to one another and another to share common ground. How will you handle my temper?"

"I can show you later how to resolve anger issues."

"Forget I said anything." She began to blush.

"Why are you being coy marilla. We are both adults. It's part of marriage. We can go to the courthouse in the morning and elope. We can tell our family's before hand, you can invite Rachael as your brides maid tonight, and have Anne be your maid of honor. Gilbert will be my best man."

"It's not exactly storybook. "

"Life isn't storybook." He stopped the buggy and turned to her." I know it's sudden. But Mar we missed our chance once. Let's not let our final chance at happiness pass us by."

"You had happiness with Gilbert's mother."

"We shared a fondness Marilla. She was not you. We had common interest. We had love after time but I never felt the same passionate pull. She was a great wife, and I was deeply saddened by her passing, but there wasn't the spark. "

"I see. "

"We made a mistake back them Marilla. But life has a funny way of bringing things back to you. I don't want us to lose out on our second chance." He looked around making sure no one was watching. He brought her mouth to his for a quick kiss. He hit the reigns and they started moving again.

"Take me home John."

" my pleasure."

They rode in silence to green gables. Making his way there he stole glances at her. The sun had began to set and the moon light would soon be upon them. She looked so beautiful with the evening sun shining on her hair. By the time they made it to green gables it was dark. John helped marilla down from the buggy and walked her to the door. When he noticed the door ajar John stopped marilla from walking. She started to speak but he put his hand on her mouth and a finger to his lips to tell her to be quiet. At that moment she saw the door. When she heard heard the click of a gun her heart dropped.

"Don't move." A stranger spoke. Both marilla and John raised their hands. "That's it.nice and easy. Hands where I can see them."

"What do you want." John spoke

" the lady knows why I'm here."

"I'm not sure I know you."

"You don't. I want your jewelry lady."

"I don't have any."

"Liar. You mean an old family farm like this and you have no family jewels? That is hard to believe. Both of you turn around."

" I am not a liar. I have no jewels." Her broach really couldn't be considered of much value but she would lie before she seen it stole.

"I guess today is your lucky day then."

"How is it my lucky day when you have us held at gunpoint."

"Marilla, please now is not the time to get an attitude." He turned to the stranger." Let her go. I have money in my pocket. Take it." Marilla looked to John.why was he saying let her go?

"I'm not gonna let either of you go. I'm going to take you with me. The boys have been locked up so long it's time they had a little fun. Your wife here is perfect. She's broke in just right. I'm gonna make you watch as they bring her to places she has never been. Don't worry though they won't completely break her." Marilla studied his words in her mind as she finally understood why John had wanted him to let her go. He suspected what was about to come. She panicked. Tears formed in her eyes.

" I have a broach. If you just let us go. It will get you a lot of money. "

"Too late now little darlin. "

"Let her go. I can give you multiple items all worth a lot of money."

"Sorry but No can do. Now I'm gonna give you this rope and you are gonna tie her hands real nice and tight behind her back."

"I wont.."

"Just do it John. "

"Marilla I can't."

"Best be listening to the lady."

"I'm sorry. "

"Don't be John. You have too."he tied her hands behind her back.as he pulled the rope one final time he heard the clack of hooves and prayed it was someone to rescue them.his prayer was unheard as another stranger got down from the horse.

"Billy! Look what I got here. She ain't young meat but she'll get the job done. "Billy walked over to marilla slapping her behind.

"Nice work Fred. You think Johnny will like her. Gotta keep the boss man happy."

"I think she'll do just fine." Marilla stared at the ground." Here Billy, tie him up will ya."

"We taking him too?"

"I told him he'd get to watch.see what his little princess can do." He sadistically laughed causing marilla to shiver. Billy tied John up and walked them both at gunpoint to the covered wagon.

"Get inside. Now!"

They did as they were told and got into the back of the wagon with the help of the men. The doors closed and the men climbed in the front to drive leaving marilla and John alone. They had been riding for at least 20 minutes before John spoke.

"Marilla. I want you to listen to me. I need you to turn around with your hands facing me. This isn't gonna be lady like but I need you to feel for my belt buckle. I'm gonna swing my leg so you are in between mine. There is a knife beneath the buckle I just need you to get it."

"What if we get caught. They'll kill us."

"That's not going to happen. I won't let them do what they have planned. No matter if it kills me. You can't go through that."

"But."

"But nothing. Do as I say."

"Ok but we have to hurry."

She turned as he said and he put his leg on the other side of her. She scooted back until she was close enough to reach and she felt for his belt.

"That is not my belt marilla. Go higher."

"I'm trying here."

She fumbled for a minute then finally felt the cold metal hit her skin. She made quick work of the buckle and pulled the knife from its hidden spot. She began to cut away at the rope and sighed relief when she felt them loosen. She pulled her hands free.

"Turn around John. I need to cut your ropes. "

He turned and let her cut him free. Shaking his hands he sighed.

"Marilla. I need you to go. "

"I'm not leaving you. We can both get out together."