Embers of the Soul by Sharyn Bradford Lunn

Author:Sharyn Bradford Lunn [Lunn, Sharyn Bradford]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: thewordverve inc
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Jim McCabe did not see Bonnie again until September 1870, when he was almost seventeen and she had just turned sixteen. He was back in Ballaarat to spend time with the family during school vacation. At first he failed to recognize the pretty young blonde in the pink-and- white-striped dress leaving the baker’s shop, carrying a basket brimming with freshly baked breads and pastries. As he got closer, however, there was no mistaking the familiar dark eyes and friendly smile from his childhood. Bonnie recognized him as soon as she stepped outside, long before he began to cross the street toward her. There was no mistaking that black hair and those blue eyes, even from a distance.

“Why, Mister McCabe,” she said formally, unsure of how she should greet him after so long. “How nice to see you.”

“You can still call me Jim,” he smiled. “Everyone else does.”

She laughed, shielding her eyes from the sun, and continued on.

“May I walk you home?”

Following her nod, he relieved her of the heavy basket and fell into step beside her, the fullness of her skirt momentarily brushing his thighs.

The two drifted into comfortable conversation as the intervening years slid away. Jim learnt Bonnie considered herself to be in a good situation, with her employers not working her too hard and providing good food and lodging. There was practically nothing for which she wanted.

“If I’d have had any say, you’d not be working. I expect my mother felt the same way, although she’d never admit it,” he said.

“She told your father exactly what she thought, several times over. But you know him, once his mind’s made up, there’s no changing it. Anyway it doesn’t matter now, Jim. What’s done is done,” she smiled. “And I’m really quite happy.”

“Well, I must say you look wonderful, uh. . . I mean, you look well . . . healthy,” he corrected, aware his gaze was probably too close to gawking. Yet it was true. Bonnie was absolutely exquisite and he could not help but admire her. Not once in his daydreams did he ever imagine she would turn out so beautiful. She dazzled. “You don’t think me too forward in saying so?” he said, by way of an apology.

“Not at all,” she laughed. A compliment was pleasant coming from Jim, not sordid, as it always sounded from the stable hand, Sam, and the other male employees where she worked. They would all take advantage of her if given the chance, of that Bonnie was well aware. But she was saving herself for someone special, someone with whom she would fall passionately in love and remain so forever.

“Well, here we are,” she said, stopping outside a fine two- storey home with a veranda and a well-tended front garden. Bonnie reached for the basket. “I’d best carry it from here.”

“Can I call on you sometime?”

“I have the day after tomorrow free,” she replied. “Wonderful. I’ll call by early and take you on a picnic,” Jim

said, eagerness eradicating his manners.

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