You all rock- you really do.

Love, Cate.

Chapter 27

The church fete was in full swing when Gilbert finished his calls for the day, and he walked onto the church grounds straightening his best tie. His last visit had been to a house that boasted two small rooms- and two oversized dogs. After the owners had insisted that the 'pups' had only been playing with him, Gilbert decided that a bath and change of clothes would be in order before he could be amongst people again. The gnarled blossom trees that flanked the gate to the church courtyard were in full bloom, and Gilbert nodded at various people as he walked through.

He smiled. Children ran to and fro with happy shouts, and all around him was the sound of laughter and merriment. Booming voices of men standing near the wagons, and women standing in the sunshine, wearing light-coloured dresses after the cold of winter had ended. He stopped briefly to greet several gentlemen around a table graced by the Ladies' Missionary Society, where Mrs. Marshall Elliot held court. She stepped out from behind the punch bowl to greet Gilbert, her voluminous apron starched to perfection under a wide brimmed hat.

"Doctor Blythe, I'm so glad you could make it- feel free to wander around, there's plenty of time before you're wanted."

Gilbert's natural courtesy was in evidence, however internally he was scrambling to remember what she had asked him to do. Something of this must have shown on his face, for Mrs. Elliot studied him shrewdly. "The baking competition, Doctor Blythe? It is a long-held tradition here; your uncle judged with wisdom and discernment for many years-"

"Mrs. Elliot, I would be honored," Gilbert said hastily. "Although are you sure you wouldn't rather choose someone else to assist you this year?"

She moved a plate of cakes to the front of the table with an amused look. "Consider last year a lesson in what not to do, Doctor Blythe. Always remember, trying to please everyone will please no one." Mrs. Elliot gave a rare smile. "Compliments may cost nothing, but the women of the association can spot false praise a mile off."

A slightly abashed Gilbert nodded. "Yes, Mrs. Elliot."

"It's good to see you getting out and about more, doctor," Cornelia added, her eagle eyes scanning the courtyard for things out of place. "Now, I hear the Johnston baby is a little girl?"

Gilbert smiled. Miss Cornelia could be guaranteed to know almost before he did. "Yes, Mrs. Elliot. She was born last night just after eight. Mother and baby are doing very well."

Her face was triumphant. "Aha! I told her it was a girl this time, despite what her father claimed."

"Well, her father is thrilled with the new arrival, as are her brothers," Gilbert said firmly.

"Oh, Stephen would be well pleased enough with himself, no matter what sex the baby was. He always did take credit for the children, as if he'd been the one to carry them. How exactly like a man. Now, Doctor Blythe, have you taken a look at the craft stall? All of the proceeds will go to the orphanage in Charlottetown, Lord knows what those poor children have to live through-"

Gilbert shook his head, trying to smile. "I know. I'll go and have a look now."

He escaped Mrs. Elliot's piercing gaze and began to wander the field. He spoke with many of his patients, trying to not get caught talking. Yes, his parents had enjoyed seeing Four Winds again. No, the previous Mrs. Doctor Blythe would not be returning to the Glen anytime soon, Aunt Katherine was living with her sister in New Brunswick now. Yes, he missed his Uncle Dave too- well, no one could quite fill his shoes, could they? And lastly, Miss Winston was living happily in Montreal, and Gilbert supposed that her brother might know how she was doing. Gilbert tore himself away from the last group of mothers, all of whom began to chatter excitedly in his wake. They'd wondered if Penny had only gone home to prepare her trousseau: well, if Miss Winston would not be claiming their eligible young doctor, then who would? Jessica Clary was coming home to look after her mother, they'd heard- she was a trained nurse, now. Perhaps that would be the start of something.

Gilbert had been searching for Anne amongst the crowd for some time before he found her. A smile broke over his face at the sight of her under some trees, and he began to move in her direction. Of course, he was stopped every few steps by someone or other, either wanting a suspicious rash checked, or to ask if he could see if the baby was gaining weight properly. Gilbert answered all inquiries as patiently as he could, his head craning to see her red head. When at last he made it to where he had seen her, he found her standing with a group of men and women talking. Gilbert stared at her in some bewilderment, trying to understand what seemed so different about her in that moment. She was standing tall with her polished walking stick, wearing a perfectly trimmed blue suit, her hat tilted slightly over one eye- looking for all the world like the society women Jeremy had introduced him to over the years. He came closer to listen to the discussion.

"The nearest high school is quite some distance away, Mr. Peters," Anne was saying diplomatically. "While some parents chose to send their children to Queens for further education, a significant number of people would prefer to have their children educated without the need to have them formally qualify as teachers. The board of Education is considering placing a high school in Lowbridge- however that depends on the support of the local communities."

An older gentleman, one of the board members of the school spoke up then. "Miss Shirley, surely the community needs to keep their attention on the local schools- right now you teach children up to the age of sixteen. Surely if families require more, they can search elsewhere."

Anne's voice was firm. "My oldest students are sixteen, yes, and I am quite hopeful that some of them will go on to further education. I am quite happy to teach students for as long as they are willing to learn- however I don't for a moment consider that a small classroom can offer the extent of learning that a dedicated high school can do." The little man had his mouth open to refute her argument, however, Anne smiled. "Four Winds will only continue to grow, Mr. Samuels- the distance between us and Lowbridge grows smaller every year. I firmly believe that in time, the investment in higher education will only become more necessary- and that it will benefit all communities that choose to support it."

Gilbert stood in the back and smiled proudly. Anne was the perfect person to champion education- and not for the first time, he realised that she was well and truly over-qualified to teach in the little Glen school. Was she honestly content here?

The discussion went on a few minutes longer until the gentlemen dispersed, upon being called to their duties by the fete organisers. Gilbert then approached Anne with a smile, his hands deep in the pockets of his light suit.

"I almost didn't recognise you, Miss Shirley."

Anne chuckled. "Oh. Well, Susan insisted that I should dress up for today."

Gilbert shook his head. "No, I'd just forgotten how easily you hold an audience in the palm of your hand- you're as persuasive as you ever were." He offered her his arm easily, and the two of them walked over to some chairs that had been placed under the trees. Anne sat down with a sigh, smiling as Gilbert settled next to her.

"To be honest, what you saw was the product of five years of experience paying court to the various board members, governors, and local officials in Summerside." Anne began to laugh then at his raised eyebrow. "School events in Summerside were quite grandiose affairs, and Katherine insisted that she not speak to any of them. She could be somewhat acerbic when she was fed up with the politics of the place, and had already offended many of them before I got there."

Gilbert studied her then. "That's not really your scene either, though."

Anne tilted her head, her grey eyes twinkling. "No, it's not. However, I did learn to work with it- there are seasons when it's quite helpful to be comfortable with publicity. Usually with the 'My dear young lady' types."

This made him laugh. "You might have liked Montreal, then. Hospital fundraisers and medical symposiums were all the same- it was a language that you had to learn to speak. I was never brilliant at it."

Anne was thoughtful. "I shouldn't think you were, Gil- but by choice. You don't want that life."

"Meaning that you did?" He looked at her in some surprise, however, the girl he knew well smiled.

"Not at all. However, I found that I couldn't fight battles for education passively- I needed to be able to speak up, to fight fire with fire, so to speak. Whether it was talking with society parents wanting their daughters to leave school early, or fighting for those less privileged to be given opportunities to further their education. I had to debate those issues with the elite of society, people who were not used to being told that they were wrong. And I needed to remain professional to do so."

The chair they had chosen was out of the way, and Gilbert watched her begin to relax now. That was it, he realised. That was the face she had needed to present every day in her job for five years. "Do you miss it at all? The bigger school, bigger influence?"

She shook her head with an easy glance. "Not at all. Like you, I had to learn to do that. I hope I will always be able to speak up for those hungry for education- however, I love my work here. Even if I do find it hard to keep my sixteen-year-olds busy while I deal with the little ones," she said with a chuckle.

Without warning, Anne and Gilbert's discussion was disrupted by the arrival of an exuberant Lizzie. "Miss Shirley!" she squealed, and threw herself at her beloved teacher.

Gilbert caught the way Anne winced at the strong little body climbing on her lap, and moved Lizzie off her swiftly. "What are you up to, little miss? Where is Papa?"

Lizzie scratched her nose in unconcern. "He's talking with Mrs Linden again. Oh! There's Bessie! I have to go!" She scrambled off Gilbert's lap, and Anne laughed at the chagrined look on his face.

"She's getting too big to do that now," he said with a wheeze. "Elbows and knees everywhere."

Anne's eyes had found Andrew, and she nudged Gilbert. "I didn't know that he knew Charlotte Linden."

Gilbert grinned. "He makes it his business to know everyone. How do you know her?"

Anne effortlessly tucked a loose red curl into a pin, her smile wistful. "Her son is in my class. Did you know her husband?"

The doctor gave a small sigh. "A little. One of my first patients here, in fact."

Anne was thoughtful. "Susan and I visit them whenever we can- they live quite close to us. She misses Eric terribly. They were in school together, did you know? She's a wonderful mother, Gil. Gentle, patient, and so loving."

Gilbert nodded, and then looked at Anne warily. She had a little smile on her face, and at last, he folded his arms, amused. "Anne, what are you up to?"

Her grey eyes were wide, and he shook his head. "Nothing! But-" her face fell. "Oh, wouldn't it be so lovely? For Andrew and Charlotte, for the children-"

Gilbert smiled at her affectionately. "Maybe they aren't ready to think about that, yet."

Anne sighed. "Perhaps not. But just look at them, Gil. I would love to see them both happy."

"What about you?"

A startled Anne turned to look at him, seeing an odd intensity in his hazel eyes. She cleared her throat, suddenly uncomfortable. "What do you mean?"

"Are you happy?"

After a moment, she spoke. "Yes," she said softly. Something unknown in Gilbert's expression made her pause. "That surprises you?"

Gilbert floundered, trying to explain his reaction. "No- it- it shouldn't. You were always someone who saw the best in things- or the very worst if it involved your imagination." She laughed, remembering the many times he had pulled her back from a full blown anxiety attack in their early Redmond days. He continued, his eyes distant. "I suppose I wondered- after everything that has happened- the accident- with you coming here- I wondered if you didn't sometimes wish for more than this." He looked out towards the horizon, not sure that he wanted to know.

"I am happy," she said with decision. "I wouldn't have chosen to get hurt, it's true. But it led me here- and this is my home now. And I-" here she drew in a shaking breath. "I found something I thought I had lost." Where the courage came to say this, Anne didn't know.

The two of them sat in silence for a time, and Gilbert tried to control his frantic heart. He couldn't bring it up here- not with everyone around- and did she even mean what he thought she did? Unable to stop himself from asking the question, he cleared his throat huskily. "Us?"

When he looked over at Anne, her grey eyes fell and her cheeks reddened, and suddenly he didn't see the elegant gown, the poised manner. Instead, he saw the red-headed girl who had reached out her hand to him thirteen years ago. The wave of gratitude that flooded him now made him almost incoherent, and he moved closer to her with a yearning look in his eyes that was unmistakable.

A step beside Gilbert at that moment made the two of them jump back, and Andrew Winston's brows rose in amusement at the obvious distraction of the pair. "Doctor Blythe, Mrs Elliot is looking for you."

Gilbert was unable to change track so quickly, and could only look at his friend in bewilderment. "What? Why?"

"Apparently you forgot to write your comments down for the pie competition- and the ladies are becoming a trifle impatient."

Gilbert's eyes swung towards the podium, where several militant looking women stood eyeballing him ferociously from a distance. He resisted the temptation to tell Andrew to find someone else to annoy, and stood up slowly. He then turned to Anne.

"Come with me."

Anne had recovered her equilibrium now, and teased him. "On, no; Gilbert, they want you."

"Yes, like rabid wolves want a meal," he muttered darkly. "Come on Anne, you can help me out of this mess."

Anne couldn't help chuckling as Gilbert handed her the walking stick, and her hand was tucked into the crook of his arm. Andrew walked beside Anne as well, bending in close to keep Anne in fits of laughter.

"His charm utterly deserted him last time. Last year he praised the children's baking more than their mother's- and offended more than one dear lady in the process. For example, little Almira Clow's apple pie won, but her mother's didn't- despite them using the same recipe- and Mrs Drew complained that her daughter's pie was slighted because Doctor Blythe only tried one mouthful."

"She left out the sugar," Gilbert grumbled, still not thrilled at having their moment interrupted. "And I still don't know why they won't use you."

Andrew grinned. "Because they get me to judge the vegetable competition at the harvest fair. I have a reputation for knowing potatoes."

"Says the fellow who never grew any," Gilbert retorted.

Anne knew the rivaling families very well by this point, and as they neared the tables she looked at Gilbert with twinkling eyes. "Well, let's see if we can't rescue your reputation as a judge of fine food, Gil. No one could best your mother when it came to pies- and you are a pillar of the community, after all."

For the next half an hour, Anne led Gilbert around the tables, talking with beaming young bakers and their mothers about their work, discussing baking powder brands and the merits of using lard over butter. Gilbert was mesmerized by her way with people, even with those he knew to be her harshest critics behind closed doors. She coaxed a smile from the crotchety Mrs Shelby, and she and Gilbert spent time interviewing the Wilson twins about the unusual flavours they had chosen. Gilbert followed her about with a little smile, writing comments down and finding his task lightened by her presence beside him. He watched her bend down to kiss Susan's mother affectionately, and the older woman patted her cheek, saying something in her ear that turned Anne's cheeks a rosy pink again.

Andrew stood beside him while the minister was deliberating over the scores, and Gilbert turned at his blunt words. "Don't wait, Gil. Just- don't. She's standing by your side- she's making you look good even with these combative females- she's as devoted to you as any wife could be. Don't wait any longer to tell her."

Gilbert had trouble clearing his throat, seeing Anne turn to face him with a brilliant smile in the afternoon sunshine. His heart pounded at what he kept seeing on her face- and the future he had longed for seemed so tangible now. One day, she would be here with him, she wouldn't be pried from his side by the need for propriety- his breath caught suddenly, watching a young child run into her arms- imagining a golden band on her finger, and a hand resting on the belly that was swollen with their child. She would be breathtaking. How could he bear so much happiness at once?

Gilbert's head lifted then, and there was a firmness in his tone. "I'm not. But we need some time alone- and I'll be honest, that was much easier to come by when we were younger- I don't suppose anyone knew where we were, most of the time. It's got to be different, now."

Andrew exhaled. "So- just begin to court her already."

"We already are, I think." In the silence that followed, Gilbert suddenly smiled. Society would keep standing in the way- so perhaps they should do what they had done years ago. They would have to bend some rules. He turned to Andrew curiously. "Why so anxious for my romance? You've sat in the wings for months."

"Because I was just looking at her with you- and it was like seeing my Maddie," he said quietly. "That's what she used to be for me. I should have asked her to marry me earlier- I shouldn't have waited so long for us to be together."

The two of them watched the minister stand on the podium with ribbons in hand, and after a moment Gilbert nodded. As Anne began to move toward them, his voice was low. "It's alright to tell me to mind my own business- but one day it might be you deciding to do it all over again. You deserve that."

Andrew gave a slight smile. "Maybe. She'll have to be quite exceptional."

Anne came to stand by Gilbert with a sigh, and in a movement as natural as breathing Gilbert tucked her hand back under his arm. She looked at him with a big smile. "The ladies think you positively wonderful, Gilbert. The legendary Blythe charm strikes again."

Gilbert grinned. "I think that was your influence, Anne. Last time they declared me incompetent."

Andrew shot Anne a wicked look. "They said that he couldn't tell the difference between apple and turnip."

"I'm pretty sure it was a turnip."

Anne turned to the two men with a smile. "Well, Susan and I would love it if the two of you and Lizzie would come to dinner with us this evening- we somehow managed to cook twice as much food as was needed for today. Come and help us to eat it all."

Andrew shot Gilbert a questioning look, however over Anne's head Gilbert shook his head at him and smiled. "We'd all love to come."

Andrew nodded courteously then. "Thank you. Is cooking something you enjoy, Anne?"

She gave him a bright glance. "Well, thanks to Marilla, I am a reasonably good cook- as long as I am paying attention."

At Gilbert's snort, a grinning Andrew turned to Anne. "I do hope that means a story."

Gilbert's laughter meant that Anne didn't need to reply, however her look was mischievous. "Several stories, I'm afraid. I believe I'll save that for dinner tonight."

Almost a week later, while the owl that lived in the pine tree behind the cottage hooted softly, Anne sat awake in her dimly lit room, dressed in her nightgown and robe. Her freshly washed hair was hanging loose, and a hairbrush dangling limply in her hand. She pulled the chair that sat by her bed to the window, and had opened it to admit the fresh breeze into her room. She looked out at the moon-rise with a wistful gaze, seeing the leaves on the trees move gently. The white curtains moved around her in the wind prompting her to smile as she whispered- "and we have laughed to see the sails conceive, and grow big-bellied with the wanton wind." She sighed, and then a suddenly pragmatic voice inexplicably commented- "This is not helping the situation at all."

The reason for this comment had its roots in a dream that had awoken Anne several times the previous week. In the beginning she had arisen, made herself a strong cup of tea, and then put herself back to bed with stern resolve. Susan had become alarmed at this late night prowling though, and an exasperated Anne had simply taken to staying in her room.

The clock had just struck midnight when Anne turned off her lamp, resigned to the fact that sleep was far from her this night. As the curtains blew around her, she lifted her face to the coolness of the breeze against hot cheeks.

It wasn't logical. A dream was only that- and nothing more. Still, the ache in her chest when she would awake seemed to indicate more than she could dismiss logically. She closed her eyes for just a moment, willing her pulse to calm. And yet how to prevent something that she secretly wanted to feel?

His hazel eyes, burning with intensity….

Gilbert had visited several times that week. The first time Mr. and Mrs Ruthers had come to call after Gilbert had only just removed his hat, impatient to talk to Anne about an idea for a book club amongst the more literary members of the Four Winds Community. Gilbert sat patiently in his chair with his teacup while the older couple prattled away insufferably. Of course, Doctor Blythe must be a part of it, he was a university fellow, wasn't he? And hadn't Mr. Ford's departure left a hole in the intellectual society of the town?

Anne had looked up in time to catch a rather spectacular eye-roll from Gilbert, and only narrowly escaped choking on one of Susan's pastries. The phone had rung then. Gilbert's dour housekeeper told Susan that the Parker baby was on their way, and Mr. Parker was in an awful state. Gilbert took his hat and coat and left, muttering under his breath at the diabolical nature of timing.

- He pulled her close to him, his strong hands warm through the fabric of her dress…

The second time he had arrived to walk Anne home from school, finding that he had a few hours free. He almost made it to the cottage that time- before being met by Tommy Barlow, who had been sent to fetch the doctor to the butchers shop. Anne had flinched, expecting to hear that fingers or an arm had been mangled- however, Tommy was placid. The butcher had a bad tooth, and his wife didn't want blood in their house. Anne set lips quivering with laughter firmly, as a muscle jumped in Gilbert's cheek. He turned to her courteously then. "My apologies, Anne. It looks like I am playing dentist for the day."

Tommy spoke up cheerfully. "Mrs Leary said you'd be here, doc- how come you're always hanging out near the schoolhouse?"

Anne couldn't be too disappointed- she was too busy laughing at the sight of the boy being hauled off by a murderous looking physician.

His hands ran down to her waist, long fingers splayed against her swelling belly- he cupped her face, his kiss awakening a fire inside-

Anne covered her face with her hands and sighed. Today letters had arrived from both Diana and Phil- both women hinting that perhaps Gilbert's intentions were not as platonic as Anne had stated firmly in her own letters. Diana was cautious and gentle, however Phil's were a gushing warmth that Anne did not feel up to refuting. She needed to be firm- she would not misunderstand, she would not allow herself to drift into uncertain waters. She could be his friend, and be content.

Perhaps knowing this, Diana's letter had put her finger on the one thing Anne had been trying to avoid.

"Sweetie, I want you to listen, and then you can decide for yourself. I have been watching the two of you for a very long time now- and I'm telling you, something has shifted. Anne, I think you have always made the mistake of taking Gilbert at his word. The problem is that you forget what he is saying without words- and when it comes to you that has always been a very different story. I think you felt he broke his word when he wanted more than friendship. But all the while his actions said a lot more than that- and you know that now. Anne, I know you're worried about telling him everything- but he needs to know. Tell him- tell him that you went to him. I don't know how else you can show him that you care. You have come through so much together- and maybe it's the one thing he has been waiting for."

Anne closed her eyes in exhaustion. It just wouldn't leave her alone. The look that was in his eyes confused her- always in the background, was the sound of his voice telling her to go. She couldn't reconcile the two things- and with a sinking feeling, she realised that this limbo would continue until she spoke. She stood from her chair, her eyes troubled. It was a risk that terrified her- she wouldn't survive losing him again. She knew loss- she knew the pain of having a part of herself ripped apart. Trust, Phil and Di had both said.

Slowly, Anne climbed into her bed, her eyes resolutely turned from the billowing curtains in the moonlight. The last visit had been only hours ago- when a flutter that infuriated Anne had seemed to take possession of her middle. Gilbert had come to the front door that evening with a unexpectedly stubborn look on his face.

"I can't stay, I'm afraid. I think the people of Four Winds have decided that I was becoming bored- and they've all decided to call me at once. But I've decided that I'm taking a day off."

"You can do that?" Anne asked.

He laughed. "I can if I need to. Parker will cover me in an emergency, and I'm not telling anyone where I'll be."

Anne had looked at him curiously, wondering why he was telling her this. "That will be lovely for you, Gil."

He had leaned on the door frame, his look mischievous. "It's a little more than that. Have you noticed that you and I almost never get to finish a conversation?"

Anne had tried to clear her throat, furious at herself for blushing. "Well, you are a busy person."

Gilbert had stepped in close then, his eyes twinkling. "Well, I'm doing something about that. Are you free this Saturday afternoon?"

His hand came out to steady her when her walking stick slipped in shock. "Oh- I- I believe so, yes. Why so formal?"

He shrugged, his hands deep in his pockets. "Well, the normal way of doing things seems to end up with us being interrupted constantly- so I thought I'd try something different. I'm taking a leaf from our teaching days."

Anne smiled faintly. "In those days we used to head for the woods, Gil."

To her utter shock, he suddenly leaned down to press warm lips to her cheek before turning away. His voice was light. "Good, you remembered. Now you'll know how to dress. I'm coming for you at two."