The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray

Author:Shelley Shepard Gray
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2018-09-14T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

Marcus had been to the fall festival many times, but as he walked by Irene’s side, he took in every detail as if for the first time. The air smelled of popcorn, baked apples, freshly fallen leaves, and honeysuckle. Vendors were sharing samples of their wares, everything from fresh apple pastries to bags of roasted peanuts to Irene’s favorite, caramel corn nestled in brown paper cones.

The scents of pumpkin and cinnamon were strong too. They were surrounded on one side by a field ready for harvest and on the other by dozens of trees dressed up in their fall finery, a kaleidoscope of orange and gold, red and yellow.

Everything suddenly seemed more vibrant, more interesting, more tantalizing.

Especially Irene.

When he knocked on her door a few hours earlier, he was struck by two things—her beauty and her scent. For once, her expression was open instead of guarded. She’d been smiling big enough for her dimple to show. She also smelled faintly of lavender. It must be her shampoo or lotion. Who knew what girly thing it was. All he did know was that there was a reason bees enjoyed buzzing around flowers in the springtime. He didn’t want to stay far away from that scent either.

Irene popped one last caramel-coated kernel in her mouth and smiled up at him. “I’m beginning to get embarrassed.”

“Why is that?”

“We’ve been here two hours and so far I’ve eaten a whole cone of caramel corn and a bag of roasted peanuts, I’ve drunk a mug of hot cider, and I even considered eating a hot dog. You, on the other hand, have only had some water.”

“I had some of your popcorn.”

“Not much.”

Unable to resist teasing her a bit, he said, “I happen to like water.”

She giggled. “Oh, I know. I’ve never met a man as thirsty as you.”

“Now I’m the one who’s getting embarrassed. I guess I drink more than most.”

“I’m not complaining about you. I just don’t want you to think I’m being a pig. Or taking advantage of you. You haven’t let me pay for a thing.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m having a good time seeing you enjoy yourself.”

Irene was slim, bordering on skinny. Until that moment, he’d always assumed it was by choice. But now, as he recalled just how much pleasure she took in every little treat, he wondered if she was used to not having the means to eat as much as she liked. “All I want is for you to have a good time. If you’re enjoying the food, then that makes me happy.”

She looked away. “Danke.”

“What did I say?” When she only shrugged in reply, he pressed. “Irene, talk to me.”

“You are just a lot different than I thought,” she said hesitantly. “Not too many people have talked to me like that before. I guess it still catches me off guard.”

Irene was acting like he’d bought her expensive gifts and given her flowery compliments. Remembering Beth and the way she complained that he never did enough for her, he was confused.

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