Through Time & Seasons recap, part III
When Laura opts out of one last dance, Charles thinks she means to call it a night. He is wrong though. Rather, she wants to prolong their evening under the stars. She wants to go to the river.
Excerpts, chapter 16:
Water fell from the kettle’s mouth, gentle and steaming hot, the stream glittering as it tumbled forth in the late afternoon sunlight.
Alone in her bedroom, Laura was preparing a bath, filling her cast iron tub one kettle at a time, adding cold water every now and again so she wouldn’t scald herself.
It was Saturday and, despite all the day’s chores, she was in a good mood, her heart swelling in her chest at the thought of spending a carefree evening with Charles. No work. No burdens. Just dancing.
It would be refreshing, she thought, a much needed change of routine.
And she couldn’t wait.
…
When Laura’s house came into view, Charles sat a bit straighter. His pulse had quickened, and his hands felt hot.
He shouldn’t have been nervous. There was no reason to be. But he was, a little bit. Maybe it was the anticipation, or simply his desire to make the most of this rare opportunity. Whatever the cause, it made him look at his jacket and shirt one last time.
Your shirt’s fine, Charlie. Stop checking.
Flicking the reins, Charles urged Apple to pick up the pace. She did, slowing to a stop only once they were in the yard.
Hand reaching for the parking break, he heard a creaking sound-that of the front door-and looked up.
“Whoa…” a mere whisper, spoken as he straightened and stared.
Laura was standing in the doorway, looking absolutely lovely in a dress he had never seen before.
…
Nearing the vacant field adjacent to the train station, Charles got Apple to slow and turn left. Once they had come to a stop, he helped Laura off the wagon, his mouth quirking in delight when she took the initiative and looped her arm through his.
Then, with their profiles bathed in evening sunlight, they made their way toward the park.
Judging by the sound of a fiddle being played, the social was already in full swing. It was a lively rhythm. From what Charles could hear, there was a banjo as well, maybe even a guitar.
The park finally came into view and they smiled.
A good number of people were dancing already, executing a vivacious series of steps, all timed perfectly to each other.
…
“That’s a two-step waltz,” Laura explained to him, her gaze following the sea of movement in the dance area.
At first glance, it didn’t seem all that difficult. The pace was on the slow side, the steps not overly complicated. With her help, Charles reckoned he could pick it up. At least, he hoped so.
“While I can’t guarantee that I won’t embarrass myself, or you for that matter. I’d love to try.”
At this she arched her eyebrows. “Are you asking me to dance, Mr. Lattimer?”
Smiling at the formal enunciation of his name, Charles looked at her for a moment. “Absolutely.”
…
“You’re a fast learner.” Laura’s voice was laced with delight, her eyes even more so. It was encouraging. Her enjoyment as his reward, Charles’ nervousness began to dissipate, replaced instead by the sheer pleasure of having her in his arms.
Laura was graceful, blessed with an ease of movement that reminded him of a leaf gently floating on the breeze.
She looked beautiful… and happy. And she was here with him.
God, I’m lucky.
…
Laura set her empty glass on the table, turning to look at Charles when he asked, “Having a good time?”
“The best.” Her answer was truthful, spoken as folks clapped in time with the lively tune that was being played. But when Charles asked her if she wanted to dance again-candlelight scintillating in his blue-grey eyes-she found herself wavering back and forth, unable to make up her mind.
“I would love to, but I don’t think my feet are up to it.” Bringing a hand to his forearm, Laura gave an apologetic smile. “You don’t mind, do you?”
He chuckled. “Not at all.” And there it was, that easy smile he often reserved for her.
Like so many times before, it proved to be the final catalyst in a growing sense of longing, one that seemed ever-present these days.
With a definite heaviness settling in her chest, Laura watched him, her mind already playing what she wanted above all else.
Hoping he would decipher her invitation, she gave a small smile and rose, subtly nudging her head in a way that said, “Come with me.”
But bless him, he misunderstood.
“I don’t blame you for wanting to turn in,” he said kindly once he had risen.
…
“The night’s still young,” she said, catching his curious, but hopeful, expression, on a sidelong glance. “Unless you’re tired of course.”
At this, Charles blinked a few times, her meaning finally sinking in. “No. No, I’m... I’m not tired at all.”
The way he stumbled was adorable and she found herself laughing softly. “Good.”
Looking up at the dark, cerulean sky, Laura yielded to the wagon’s gentle sway. She needed this, needed to indulge in some time alone with him, to enjoy herself and be selfish for once.
Lamp-lit streets soon gave way to fields and pastures. Crickets were chirping away this evening, the sound carrying far and wide. The sweet quietness of night.
The moon was higher now, the stars slightly brighter, too. As the breeze rose yet again, tickling the side of her face, Laura momentarily leaned her head on his shoulder, catching his gaze when he asked, “Where to, Mrs. Brown?”
True, she hadn’t really thought about where they were going. Pondering the question, Laura looked to the surrounding landscape, lingering greatly on the tree-line’s jagged silhouette.
“I think I have an idea.”
In truth, she was envisioning weathered trees, tall and entwined, as well as the calm and mirror-like surface of moonlit water…
The place Charles had dubbed the river hollows.
Excerpts, chapter 16:
Water fell from the kettle’s mouth, gentle and steaming hot, the stream glittering as it tumbled forth in the late afternoon sunlight.
Alone in her bedroom, Laura was preparing a bath, filling her cast iron tub one kettle at a time, adding cold water every now and again so she wouldn’t scald herself.
It was Saturday and, despite all the day’s chores, she was in a good mood, her heart swelling in her chest at the thought of spending a carefree evening with Charles. No work. No burdens. Just dancing.
It would be refreshing, she thought, a much needed change of routine.
And she couldn’t wait.
…
When Laura’s house came into view, Charles sat a bit straighter. His pulse had quickened, and his hands felt hot.
He shouldn’t have been nervous. There was no reason to be. But he was, a little bit. Maybe it was the anticipation, or simply his desire to make the most of this rare opportunity. Whatever the cause, it made him look at his jacket and shirt one last time.
Your shirt’s fine, Charlie. Stop checking.
Flicking the reins, Charles urged Apple to pick up the pace. She did, slowing to a stop only once they were in the yard.
Hand reaching for the parking break, he heard a creaking sound-that of the front door-and looked up.
“Whoa…” a mere whisper, spoken as he straightened and stared.
Laura was standing in the doorway, looking absolutely lovely in a dress he had never seen before.
…
Nearing the vacant field adjacent to the train station, Charles got Apple to slow and turn left. Once they had come to a stop, he helped Laura off the wagon, his mouth quirking in delight when she took the initiative and looped her arm through his.
Then, with their profiles bathed in evening sunlight, they made their way toward the park.
Judging by the sound of a fiddle being played, the social was already in full swing. It was a lively rhythm. From what Charles could hear, there was a banjo as well, maybe even a guitar.
The park finally came into view and they smiled.
A good number of people were dancing already, executing a vivacious series of steps, all timed perfectly to each other.
…
“That’s a two-step waltz,” Laura explained to him, her gaze following the sea of movement in the dance area.
At first glance, it didn’t seem all that difficult. The pace was on the slow side, the steps not overly complicated. With her help, Charles reckoned he could pick it up. At least, he hoped so.
“While I can’t guarantee that I won’t embarrass myself, or you for that matter. I’d love to try.”
At this she arched her eyebrows. “Are you asking me to dance, Mr. Lattimer?”
Smiling at the formal enunciation of his name, Charles looked at her for a moment. “Absolutely.”
…
“You’re a fast learner.” Laura’s voice was laced with delight, her eyes even more so. It was encouraging. Her enjoyment as his reward, Charles’ nervousness began to dissipate, replaced instead by the sheer pleasure of having her in his arms.
Laura was graceful, blessed with an ease of movement that reminded him of a leaf gently floating on the breeze.
She looked beautiful… and happy. And she was here with him.
God, I’m lucky.
…
Laura set her empty glass on the table, turning to look at Charles when he asked, “Having a good time?”
“The best.” Her answer was truthful, spoken as folks clapped in time with the lively tune that was being played. But when Charles asked her if she wanted to dance again-candlelight scintillating in his blue-grey eyes-she found herself wavering back and forth, unable to make up her mind.
“I would love to, but I don’t think my feet are up to it.” Bringing a hand to his forearm, Laura gave an apologetic smile. “You don’t mind, do you?”
He chuckled. “Not at all.” And there it was, that easy smile he often reserved for her.
Like so many times before, it proved to be the final catalyst in a growing sense of longing, one that seemed ever-present these days.
With a definite heaviness settling in her chest, Laura watched him, her mind already playing what she wanted above all else.
Hoping he would decipher her invitation, she gave a small smile and rose, subtly nudging her head in a way that said, “Come with me.”
But bless him, he misunderstood.
“I don’t blame you for wanting to turn in,” he said kindly once he had risen.
…
“The night’s still young,” she said, catching his curious, but hopeful, expression, on a sidelong glance. “Unless you’re tired of course.”
At this, Charles blinked a few times, her meaning finally sinking in. “No. No, I’m... I’m not tired at all.”
The way he stumbled was adorable and she found herself laughing softly. “Good.”
Looking up at the dark, cerulean sky, Laura yielded to the wagon’s gentle sway. She needed this, needed to indulge in some time alone with him, to enjoy herself and be selfish for once.
Lamp-lit streets soon gave way to fields and pastures. Crickets were chirping away this evening, the sound carrying far and wide. The sweet quietness of night.
The moon was higher now, the stars slightly brighter, too. As the breeze rose yet again, tickling the side of her face, Laura momentarily leaned her head on his shoulder, catching his gaze when he asked, “Where to, Mrs. Brown?”
True, she hadn’t really thought about where they were going. Pondering the question, Laura looked to the surrounding landscape, lingering greatly on the tree-line’s jagged silhouette.
“I think I have an idea.”
In truth, she was envisioning weathered trees, tall and entwined, as well as the calm and mirror-like surface of moonlit water…
The place Charles had dubbed the river hollows.