Chapter 17

Than came the day where Anne would expect. Gilbert drove with the buggy to the station to meet her.

His mother looked after him, as he drove away: "Oh, John, what if this girl isn't the right for him. She is an orphan, she has no family. Maybe she had a terrible origin. No one knows much about her parents. Maybe she want only angle our Gil, to make a well booty. She has nothing and a young aspire doctor will have a great future." She stands by the window in the kitchen and played nervous with her wedding ring.

"Doesn't be worry, Mary. " John tried to calm her down. "Get to know this girl, first. We shouldn't judge over her, before we have met her. I don't think that Gil be so mistaken.."

"Ah, if young men were love-sick, every girl can deceive them." Answered Mary energetic and start to dry the dishes. John Blythe shook his head and left the room.

Gilbert smiled, as Anne get out of the train. He walked towards her and hugged her.

"I have missed you, Gil." Whispered Anne into his ear and kissed him.

"I have missed you, too, Anne-girl. Come on," he takes her suitcase, "the buggy is over there."

They strolled to the buggy and Gilbert loads her suit case in. Anne sighed and looked around:

"Everything here is as I remember. Nothing has changed in all the years." She looked to the cherry trees, which blooming, as then. Anne could remember how she had imagined sleeping in these trees.

"No, here changed never anything," laughed Gilbert and reached her his hand to get in.

Anne takes a deep breath, as they drove to Avonlea.

"Are you nervous?" asked Gilbert and touched gentle her hand.

"Yes, a little bit. What if your parents don't like me, Gil?" Nervous she stroked a hair lock away. "Don't I look terrible? Please be honest, Gil."

"Anne you are beautiful and my parents will like you. I promise." He kissed her cheek.
Finally, Gilbert stopped the horse in front of a pretty farmhouse. It was rounded from a white fence, and in the front garden bloom pretty daffodils and crocuses. Anne liked this house at once. It radiated love and warmth. Here must live a family, which loved each other. As Gilbert helped her down the door would be opening and a tall man with dark hair came towards them. A small woman with almost the same dark hair followed him.

"Anne, meet my parents." Gilbert smiled. "Mum, Dad, this is Anne."

John Blythe reached her smiling his hand: "I'm pleased to meet you, Miss Shirley. Nice that you visit us." His voice was clear and friendly. And Anne takes a load off her mind.

"I'm pleased, too. But please call me Anne." She smiled too and her eyes glittering.

John liked his future daughter-in-law immediately. He could understand that Gilbert liked her. Mrs. Blythe reached Anne the hand, too. But Anne felt that she was somehow distrustful.

"A very beautiful place here," said Anne and tried to disguise her nervousness.

"Yes," answered Mrs. Blythe shortly and Anne's feeling of distrustful strengthen.

"Come on, let us go inside. I will fetch the suitcase." Laughed Mr. Blythe.
They went inside and Gilbert showed Anne the guest room. John Blythe brought the suitcase in:

"We will drink some tea in a half hour. So you have time to rest a little bit, Anne." He said and winked to his son.

"How is it?" Gilbert asked.

"It is very beautiful here. But do you really think your mother will like me?"

Gilbert smiled: "Don't be worry. I think she need a little bit time to know you better. Everything is all right."

Anne twined her arms round his neck: "I love you Gil."

"I love you, too Anne." Gilbert said before he kissed her.