Brighter Stars by Logan Kelly

Author:Logan Kelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Logan Kelly

25

JAMES SAT AT the table, sipping the coffee, awaiting his now-betrothed. Before she made her entrance into the small kitchen, James heard Mrs. Martin’s approaching voice proclaim, “Would ya’ stop bein’ so dang stubborn! He’s a good-lookin’ kid, other than bein’ a little dirty.”

Mrs. Martin entered the kitchen and offered James a kind grin. “She can be stubborn,” she explained. “Anna-Clara Martin, you get-in-’ere right now!”

James heard heavy stomped feet approaching. It was hardly reassuring. Soon, a beautiful, yet rough, young woman appeared. She had eyes of the darkest blue. Her skin was freckled along her nose, and across her cheeks. She wore no makeup, and her wavy locks of darkened blonde hair were pulled into pigtails.

“Young man, I’d like ya’ to meet the apple of my eyes, Anna-Clara Martin,” exclaimed the girl’s mother. “Around here, we just call her Anna.”

“I can introduce myself, Momma,” Anna stated with self-assurance that remained respectful.

“She gets it from me,” said Mrs. Martin proudly. “Anyway, Anna, this is James. James, that’s Anna. Guess you two will probably wanna’ get to know each other. I’ll go get the office open and give y’all sometime.”

As her mother began to exit, Anna said, “Daddy said he needs some coffee.”

“He’s got two feet, and two hands, don’t he?” said the midwife before exiting.

Anna slumped back in her seat, her eyes filled with irritation, as she crossed her arms.

James wished he had the time and means to freshen up, however, he’d have to rely solely on his charm. “I must say, it’s certainly nice to meet such a lovely young woman.”

“Oh, please. You really think I would fall for a line like that ?” Anna rolled her eyes. “Don’t bother with all that. I’m mad as hell about this arrangement. And I’m not about to let any smooth-talking boy sway me.”

James took a breath, as he gathered his thoughts. “Look, I don’t want to marry you any more than you me. However, I need to get home, away from this hole—”

“It’s not a hole!”

“What?”

“It’s not a hole, it’s my home. And, I have no want to leave it.”

“I’m sorry, but your father seems pretty adamant.”

Anna sighed. “I know there’s no future here. Momma and Dad go nights without eating so I can. They sell things that mean the world to them. I heard Momma consider selling her engagement ring. And that breaks me. I just want things to be normal. I want things to be happy again.”

“Oh, Anna, that’s all I want too,” James sympathized. “That’s why I’m so eager to get back. As bad as things may be, I’m sure they’re not nearly as awful as they’ve been here. If I can only get home, I know things will be better. If anywhere in the world can overcome the depression, it’s Nantucket.”

Anna’s face tightened, as she went deep into thought. She considered all that James said, and her parents’ wishes. She knew it to be for her own good; however, the idea of being away from her home and family frightened her.

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