Blooming

Anne soon became accustomed to life with the Cuthberts. The last month had zipped past leaving her feeling comfortable and loved. She was enjoying being able to relax and enjoy the dwindling days of her childhood. It was the first time in her life where she wasn't responsible for other people's children. Anne now had a life that was completely her own where she had a say in her daily activities and choices in her future. She couldn't remember the last time she had found a true friend, now she had one in Diana. Laughter and smiles now occupied a permanent spot on Anne's formerly serious face. Blooming. That was what Mrs. Hammond would have called it. Anne was blooming into her own person and woman.

Overnight the had earth changed from a glorious Fall into a dormant Winter, surrounding Anne in a rapture of white. The cold air stung at her smooth face as she hiked through the drifts to school. Her smoky puffs of breath kept her attention focused on the hazy clouds escaping her mouth instead of the coldness chilling her body. Marilla had given Anne the choice to go to school this morning, but Anne couldn't bear the thought of not seeing Diana. She had so much to tell her about the weekend.

Anne could barely feel her legs when she crested the last hill before the school house. Smoke drifting from the chimney was a welcome sign to her frozen body. Atleast someone was there and she hadn't made the trek for nothing. She ran into the building and stripped off her snow packed boots and coat, then bee-lined to the old coal stove. Heat radiated from the iron and vents, warming her outstretched hands. Miss Stacey sat at the front desk patiently working on some embrodiery work. Gilbert was sprawled on the floor near the stove reading his History book preparing for a test later this afternoon. His back rested against the wall and he had one arm propped up on his knee while the other arm supported his book. Anne marveled at how comfortable he looked, her nerves where all tied up about the upcoming exam. Diana was nowhere to be seen, or anyone else for that matter and it was already 8:30 a.m., 15 minutes past the scheduled time for school to start.

Anne stood near the stove and gazed out a frosted window where 'Jack Frost' had been the night before. A paisely pattern of ice was etched across the window pane keeping Anne's attention as she marveled over the wonders of nature. Gilbert was having a hard time keeping his eyes focused onto the print in his book since Anne had came in the room. He kept reading the same sentence over and over again, each time he finished he couldn't remember what he had just read. It was so tempting for him to look up and gaze at her, especially when there was no one else around to distract his lusting mind. Today she looked so beautiful, her cheeks were rosy from the cold and her eyes twinkled blue that matched the cold sky. Her silky hair was neatly braided in two rows down the back of her head, but a few stray tendrils curled around her face and neck. She wore a pair of blue slacks, probably because of the deep snow, but it was the first time he had seen her in something beside a skirt. She looked so mature and ladylike, feelings of love started to stir in his young heart.

The crease in the fabric of the pant leg distracted his eyes, making them wander up to her belted waist. She had a nice figure, slender yet curvacious, thought Gilbert. She wore a white blouse and a deep blue wool sweater adorned with small embroderied roses around the collar. Anne is definetly a rose. Red on the top, sweetly beautiful and purely innocent looking . . . and yet she is able to prick at the slightest mishandling. A small chuckle escaped from his wandering mind as he darted his eyes back onto the page.

Anne peered down at Gilbert smiling and chuckling to his book. She couldn't imagine how he found the War of 1812 so fascinating, and she never could have fathomed his real enjoyment with her that morning. Her mind wasn't open to that possibility. In her blossoming mind love was only something for fated heroines and tragic heroes- not for her.

"Gilbert. Anne," said Miss Stacey as she placed her needlework down on her tidy desk.

"Yes," they replied in perfect unison.

"I have decided to call school off for the day. Will you two be able to make it back home on your own or do we need to call Mr. Lynde with the tractor?", asked Miss Stacey.

Gloom settled over Anne causing her eyes to darken. She wouldn't be able to see Diana or tell her any of the news about Thanksgiving. Gilbert saw the color of Anne's eyes change and immediately cleared his throat.

"Miss Stacey, I can take Anne to the Cuthberts. I brought Dad's old tractor to school today and it won't be too far out of my way," rushed Gilbert while he secretly hoped the prospect of riding home would bring the light back to Anne's eyes.

"Anne?", asked Miss Stacey.

"Yes m'am, I would be grateful to Gilbert if he didn't mind," muttered Anne. Atleast she wouldn't have to walk home again through the snow. A smile began to spread across her face.

"Okay! It's settled then," said Miss Stacey as she checked on the dwindling fire in the stove, "I am sorry you two had to go through so much trouble for nothing."

"That's alright. We didn't know and besides I got an extra day to study for the History test!", beamed Gilbert.

"Miss Stacey, do you need me to do anything for you before we leave?" asked Anne politely.

"No, all I have to do is shut the damper and make my way back to the Lynde's," smiled Miss Stacey.

"C'mon Anne, I want to make sure you get home in time for lunch," laughed Gilbert as he handed Anne her damp coat.

"Bye you two and be safe," came from behind the coat closet as Miss Stacey put on her things.

Anne took her coat and quickly buttoned up the black buttons. She reluctantly slid on her wet gloves, but debated if it would be warmer without them. Her hat came last, but thankfully it was dry. She turned and waved goodbye at Miss Stacey as she walked out the front door.

Waiting for Anne was Gilbert sitting patiently on the idling old gray tractor. Anne marveled at how grown-up he looked perched up so high. He wore a dark hat that was lined with rabbit fur on the inside. The only reason Anne knew this was because he had his ear flaps turned up and the soft fur poked out above his ears. The chestnut brown fur matched the color of Gilbert's eyes. He really was handsome- those eyes and his strong chin. Gilbert pushed the throttle up on the tractor and made the engine rev. Smoke flooded from the smoke stack at the front, breaking Anne's line of thinking.

Anne shuffled closer to him and the large metal contraption. She had never rode on a tractor before. Fear began to well up inside her and suddenly the possibility of pushing through the deep drifts didn't seem like such a bad idea. Gilbert saw the hesitation in her eyes and quickly reached his arm down to help her up. He grabbed her small hand and pulled her up close to him. He held her there for a quick second, taking in her scent and warmth. Anne leaned into him, gracious for his support.

"Here you go," reassured Gilbert as she gained her composure.

Anne could only nod back. Silence had finally found Anne. She was not one to ever be short of any words or ideas, but now there were none to be found floating in her brain.

She maneuvered her hips and legs, allowing her to sit on the large metal cover over the back wheels. She had seen Mrs. Hammond ride with Mr. Hammond like this during planting and haying season, it had looked so easy then. Her bottom kept sliding down the slick rounded metal, out of necessity she put her arm on Gilbert's shoulder to brace herself from falling off. In an instant, the two were putting their way down the road and toward the Cuthbert's residence.

The rattling of the heavy chains on the tires and loud sputtering engine made it nearly impossible for the pair to talk, but Anne felt more comfortable that way. Suddenly, she had became aware of Gilbert's manliness leaving her quivering in the revelation. She bumped along with him, watching his muscular neck sway with the motion of the tractor.

He secretly longed for another hill or quarter section between them and her home. The cold air was no match for the warmth Anne's hand against his back was creating in his body. He just wanted her to wrap her arms around him and lean on him, allowing the heat from her body to course against his. Steering the tractor through the drifts was tiring his arms out, but it kept his mind on the task of getting her safely home and his mind out of the gutter.

Soon the Green Gables from the Cuthbert's could be seen and they turned into the farmyard. Marilla greeted the tractor as it sputtered to a stop. A suspicious and concerned look took the surprise off of her wrinkled face.

"Anne? What are you doing back so soon?" asked Marilla as she studied Gilbert.

"Miss Stacey decided to call off school, Marilla," slowly said Anne as she climbed down the tractor's edge.

On firm ground, she looked up to Gilbert and then at Marilla, "Marilla Cuthbert this is Gilbert Blythe, he graciously gave me a ride home."

Gilbert nodded and took his hat off, revealing a disheveled mess of dark hair, "Glad to meet you m'am."

"Likewise," Marilla said short and matter of fact.

"Thank you Gilbert," Anne sweetly said as she looked up at him.

"No problem, Anne. I was glad I could help," sheepishly grinned Gilbert. I would love to give her a kiss on those red lips.

Marilla stood at the door and leaned back, "Anne, Why don't you invite Gilbert in for some coffee and give him a chance to warm up a bit."

"Well?" questioned Anne.

"Alright," said Gilbert as he made his way off the tractor and down beside his Anne. He liked the sound of that. His Anne.

Anne smiled and waved him over toward the barn, "There is something I want to show you before we go inside. It was a surprise for Marilla and Diana. I was going to give them one for Thanksgiving."

The milk cows were mooing in protest of their intrusion, but soon they forgot their woes. Gilbert followed Anne into the barn and quickly followed her up the rickety wooden ladder into the hay loft. Dry dust particles floated in the air as they crawled over the hay and to a dark corner.

"Look Gilbert!" exclaimed Anne proudly as she pointed to a mass of three small black and white furry mounds snuggled together.

A huge grin crept across his face at her boasting when he realized what she was displaying so proudly.

"I found these poor kittens in the ditch along the road. I have been feeding them with a bottle that Matthew had laying around for when they had farm cats. Don't you think Diana will just love one?"

"I don't really know, Anne," hesitated Gilbert.

"Why not? Who couldn't love one of these sweet innocent babies?" cooed Anne as she cuddled the soft furball next to her chest.

"Anne?. . . Did you look really close at those kittens?" slowly asked Gilbert, fearing the rath that was to follow.

"Of course I did! There are two toms and a little girl."

"No, Anne. I mean did you look at their markings or face?"

"Yes, aren't they the cutest little black and white kittens anyone could have ever found?"

"They are cute, but they ain't kittens!" stated Gilbert with a little laugh escaping.

"What else could they be?" naievely questioned Anne with a shake of her head.

"Skunks!" laughed Gilbert as he slapped his hands down on his knees in triumph.

Red flushed across Anne's ivory skin and her temper flared. I should know the difference between a skunk and a cat. What would Marilla and Matthew say when they found out I brought a whole family of skunks to the farm and inside the barn no less! Poor Diana, that was going to be her surprise. I was going to give them to Marilla and Diana when I had them weaned onto solid food. What a fool I am? Now Gilbert knows how silly I can be!

Anne looked up at Gilbert causing him to stop laughing. The anger in her face was apparent and he knew she would not enjoy being laughed at. How would I get her to trust me again, if I laugh at her now?

"Don't worry, Anne," reassured Gilbert as he took the little creature from her grasp. "They were born to late and that is probably why the mother abandoned them. They wouldn't have survived anyway. I can take them home and drown them for you. Nobody will be any the wiser."

Anne's eyes flashed at him when he mentioned drowning the sweet babies. How dare he? Then reality hit her hard. Skunks were pests. They killed chickens and spread rabies, beside the smell issue. Anne knew she couldn't keep them and reluctantly she nodded in aggreance with Gilbert.

"You can take them, but please do it quickly so they don't suffer," whimpered Anne as she left the sleeping skunks and led Gilbert back down the loft.

Gilbert didn't say anything, but simply followed her slumped shoulders into the house. Inside, it was warm and the smell of rising bread greeted them. Marilla properly took his hat and coat. He would have a nice visit, even after he had shattered Anne's surprise. He wasbudding inside, kindness and love were overflowing his heart. He was becoming a man and Anne was helping him realize that fact.