Hypocrisy and Home at Last

The group left the bakery and but something had changed and for the first time that day Marylou noticed it.

Ansel who had been focusing on her was no longer giving her so much attention that she found it embarrassing.

Instead he was engaging Leanne in a dialogue to which she seemed reluctant but replied nonetheless.

Both amazed and curious she further observed the two trying her best to seem oblivious. Then to Marylou's greater amazement Ansel bent his head and whispered a few words to Leanne.

Leanne in reply rolled her eyes but unsuccessfully fought the small grin that made its way to her face.

Having seen enough of the two, Marylou quickly looked away from the comely pair.

Huffing, she quietly sulked. She was jealous, but how could she be?

Didn't she want him off her back less than an hour ago? Didn't she think him less manly than the older men she day dreamed about?

Unable to answer the questions of her internal dialogue she gave herself a lame excuse instead saying, 'He's not that much of a prince charming anyways.

Once the group is ready to disperse Ansel bids Leanne and Beth goodbye before turning back to his ride homewards.

He would be riding with the Tybalt's this afternoon. And as the legal guardians of young Mary he would be tagging along with her too.

He took the only available seat which happened to be opposite Marylou.

Marylou looked at him with fire blazing in her eyes and turned away.

"What was that about?" Ansel thought confused for a split second.

"Marylou are you angry at me?" Ansel asked quietly once he looked to make sure Mr. and Mrs. Tybalt weren't listening.

"Why should I be?" Marylou said snappily from across him.

"So you are angry at me." Ansel says with a look Marylou wasn't able to decipher, nonetheless she gave him a quick reply.

"It's not like you ignored me the whole time at the bakery to talk to someone else, so why should I be?" Marylou says referring to Leanne.

Ansel looks at her knowingly but this time he wasn't too sure about assuring Marylou of her importance to him. Not that she wasn't important to him but it was time to rethink his choice on her and actually listen to God's voice.

"I had tried to speak to you earlier but you were occupied with your observations, nonetheless I am sorry you felt neglected." Ansel says plainly.

Marylou's cheeks become pink and she realizes how preoccupied she was with the men in her vicinity that she had ignored Ansel. What a hypocrite she felt like at the moment, and indeed she was one.

The carriage pulls to a stop and they are suddenly in front of Ansel's home.

"Oh Ansel I am so very sorry please forgive me." Marylou says quietly with remorse.

"I have, no need to worry. Goodbye Marylou." Ansel said, and left the carriage after bidding everyone else goodbye.

The short ride home gave Marylou some time to think and for the first time ever she saw just how much of a gentleman Ansel was. Which was more than she could say for the men she fawned over.

Luanne made it home in time. She thanked God for achieving this feat as she closed the door behind her.

Now no longer eyeing the clock she finally took notice of the aging man a few metres away from her.

It was her Papa, back from the farm and reclining on his old wooden chair.

"Papa you're back! Oh, welcome papa." Luanne says giddily letting go of the bags in her hand so she could kiss him; on the cheeks offcourse.

"Mua Mua!"

He pull away and she pouts as he escapes her hands. After laughing lightly he spoke "Now that's enough. With the way you're acting someone may think you didn't see me this morning."

Luanne sighs. "Oh I know. Mama says I am too dramatic but is it so bad to let people know that you love them Papa?"

Papa shakes his head. "No, never. I'm sure that wasn't what your mother meant when she called you too dramatic anyways. Now you keep on loving others alright? I didn't raise you to do anything without love Lulu, anything."

Luanne smiles fondly remembering how he first called her Lulu when she was a little girl of five years and still unsure of her new parents.

Twelve years had gone by and so had her uncertainty. Now the cottage symbolised love to her and she only had cherished memories along with it.

Coming back to the present she replies him. "Yes Papa."

He wags his finger playfully at her and nods. "There you go spacing out again. Now go on meet your mother Luanne."

Luanne nods and lifts the abandoned bags hauling them all the way to the kitchen.

"Ah there's my beautiful daughter and my my, she is back in time with the goods I sent her for. Thank you Lord!" Mama says upon seeing Luanne by the kitchen doorway.

"Indeed Mama, where should I put them?" Luanne asks unsure but eager to help.

"Don't worry yourself about that dear just drop them on the table. You see, something has come up and I would like to talk to you about it now." Mama replies motioning to the table.

Luanne obliges Mama's request and stands right by her side.

Mama sliced another carrot then spoke.

"A man came by when you were away. He said he was Mr Vanhasel and requested an audience for his son. This is not the first time something like this has happened so I suppose it is a marriage proposal. Your father told him to come around later with his son for all of us to sit and talk. I'm afraid the two shall arrive in less than an hour now."

Luanne's heartbeat accelerated; she didn't know Germaine's surname but she still suspected that the man who had paid a visit was his father.

She longed to panic but reminded herself of the truth instead. God was in control and regardless of Germaine's schemes the Lord would be her help in times of trouble.

"Okay Mama. Would you like me to change into something more presentable after I go check on Doe?"

Doe was a deer that Luanne had taken care of since it had been wounded as a baby. Today was the fourth day since they had released Doe into the small forest near their house and Luanne was still checking on the creature to ensure its safety and well-being for the time.

Mama nods understanding how badly her daughter yearned for some fresh air. "Yes, now go quickly may God protect you as you go in Yeshua's name."

Luanne gladly ran off in search of Doe hoping it would ease the suffocating feeling in her chest.

The more steps she took the more she felt like she could run away from what was chasing after her. But she didn't know what.

Was it the fear that the worst would come to pass, or the dread she felt within at the possibility of seeing those dark green eyes that sparkled like emeralds in the sun once again?