Chapter 3: Meeting Him
Could I possibly be falling head over heels for this particular man that I had just seen? No, it was impossible. Besides, I was supposed to be marrying Jeff, not some bizarre farmer that I didn't even know. Maybe it was possible, though. But, maybe I didn't even like him. Stupid hormones.
It was only nine o' clock. I was expecting that young man to come in and have a bite, but then I remembered that it was Monday and the shop didn't open until ten. I walked out of the bakery to go see my best friend, Popuri, and since her house wasn't that far from mine, I only was a couple of minutes before I stepped into her house and her cheerful mother, Lilia, greeted me.
"Why, hello, Elli! Shop opens at ten if you're going to buy anything," she said, her voice chipper.
"No thanks. I just came here to see Popuri," I replied.
"Ah, yes, of course. She's in her bedroom." I said my thanks and walked into her bright, pink room. There was Popuri, watering one of the plants that was growing inside of the house. She spotted me, and giggled.
"Oh, Elli, he's wonderful!" she remarked, throwing her arms over my neck.
"Who's wonderful?" I asked.
"Jack!"
"Who's Jack?"
"Remember the farmer that came over about three hours ago? Well, he and the Mayor were taking a quick little tour, and he passed by our Florist Shop. He seems like such a really nice guy!"
I suddenly felt a tinge of jealously. "Lucky. The bakery is always closed when something good happens."
"Oh, Elli!" She repeated. She was now jumping up and down and clapping with delight. "Isn't he just a doll?"
"I haven't even met him yet," I said, "but he does seem quite charming."
"You haven't met him yet? Oh, you poor, poor girl! Go on over to his farm and talk to him!"
"No way!" I jumped with surprise. "He's not going to fall for a girl who just barges into his home and gives him a bunch of flowers."
"Who said you were trespassing into his house with flowers? All I was saying was that you should greet him! If he's not there, then leave!"
I decided to do it. I mean, what did I have to lose? I ran quickly to the farm, while I heard Popuri call, "Good luck!" from a distance. When I got to the intersection of Moon Mountain, the Winery, Green Ranch, and the farm, I got lost. All the directions looked the same! As I almost literally spun around in circles' trying to find out which direction the farm was I stepped on something hard and fell flat on my face. Apparently, I had stepped on someone's foot because I heard another yell after mine, and then a lot of weight was put on my back. As soon as the weight was off, I rolled over and looked up. It was the farmer! He was holding out his hand.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I grabbed onto his hand, blushing madly, and he helped me up. "Sorry about that. You must think I'm a total idiot, falling flat on my face like that."
"Not at all. Besides, I fell too." We shook hands. "I'm Jack Harvest."
"So I've heard," I replied. "I'm Elli Baker. Pleasure to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," he said. Harris, the postman passed by. I waved to him.
"Well, I'd better be leaving now," Jack said, looking at his watch. "It's already three o' clock."
"Alright, see you later," I said with a quick smile. Jack then walked over to Moon Mountain, taking a short glance back at me. We smiled at each other. After that short scene, I gleefully skipped back to the bakery with a huge smile on my face.
"Why so happy?" Jeff said curiously.
"That Jack is such a nice guy," I replied.
Jeff looked green with jealously. "Elli, you shouldn't be talking to other men. We're getting married in two months."
I scowled. "I was just talking to him. It's not like I'm in love with him." Yeah, sure, I had a small, feeble crush on him, but I knew it wasn't love. It definitely wasn't love.
Jeff sighed. "I'm only saying this because I love you. I may be being overprotective, but I'm trying to protect you."
"Yeah, well, ever wonder if you might be going just a tad bit overboard?" I said with my thumb and pointer finger pressed together.
"Little Elli," he began, "I'm only trying to help you."
"You're not doing a very good job."
"Little Elli!"
"Well, it's true. I wish you'd stop bugging me about talking to other men! I can have friends too, female and ma-"
"What's going on in here?" A voice rang from within the walls. Jeff and I looked around and our eyes found Ellen, who was standing in front of the bedroom door. She looked rather tired, and was trying to keep her balance on her cane.
"I can't leave you children alone for two minutes without some sort of argument over nonsense!" She glanced at the both of us, glaring slightly. "I can't even make heads or tails of what you have reason to fight over, either, so keep it down. I'm trying to nap." I kept mum, fear that I would startle my grandmother again, as she slowly but carefully walked back to her room. Jeff grabbed my hand with both of his and looked deeply into my eyes.
"Little Elli... I just want the best for you. I realize I'm overprotective, but... I just... I don't want anything bad to happen to you," he said softly. I couldn't bear to see him in this position. I whimpered.
"Oh, Jeff, you know I wouldn't do anything to hurt myself," I remarked, feeling bad that I'd hurt him. "It's just that I feel like a little kid around you, with the way you treat me."
He stroked my hair. My spine tingled. I could feel myself leaning in towards his. I took a last look out of our window to make sure no one was watching. Before my eyes closed, I saw a body figure walk closer to the window, preferably male, with a blue cap, as I tried to make out who it was but it was too late, as my lips found Jeff's. The kiss was short, but tender. After we had finished the kiss I had realized that the body figure was Jack. The door opened.
(A/N): YIKES! I haven't updated any of my stories in a long time! Sorry to have to make all of you guys wait.... Anyway, yes, I realize the ending is sort of abrupt, but I had no better way to end it, sadly. I hope you all liked this chapter, and HOPEFULLY, more of this story is soon to come!