Maiden in the Tower: A Regency Fairy Tale Retelling (Forever After Retellings Book 5) by Heidi Kimball

Author:Heidi Kimball [Kimball, Heidi]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Love Letter Press
Published: 2019-04-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Lisette stood up on her tip toes and extended her arm as she reached for the large cluster of cherries on a branch several feet above her head. It was no use. She’d have to get down and move the ladder. She let out a deep breath, allowing herself a moment’s reprieve before she climbed down.

Her gaze strayed to the right, in the direction Samson might come from, before she scolded herself and looked pointedly away. It was silly the way her heart lifted in hope every time she glanced toward the top of the hill.

And the fact that she needed use of the ladder to pick cherries today? The taller ladder, the highest steps of which provided the perfect view over the wall? Purely coincidental. She picked up the bucket of cherries and latched it over her arm and then turned back to be sure of her footing before she stepped down.

And in that moment she did catch sight of something cresting the hill. And it wasn’t a furry four-legged creature, either, but a man.

Lisette nearly fell off the ladder.

It had been ten days since he’d last visited. Ten of the longest days of Lisette’s life.

She grabbed hold of the top rung and took a deep breath before she began her descent. But her pounding heart and shaking hands distracted her and missed the last rung and almost overturned the entire bucket of cherries she’d picked. Fortunately, only a few tumbled over the rim and she quickly scooped them up.

For a moment she considered running inside to take a quick glance at herself in the mirror. Which was silly, really. At least her hair wasn’t pink today. Lisette had liked it much better when Gerry had caught her unawares. This restless feeling as she awaited his arrival…she didn’t know quite what to make of it.

A soft rap sounded at the gate before the catch released and the door swung open. Lisette put her hands behind her back. Her stomach swirled as Gerry appeared, even more handsome than he looked in her memory. A slight breeze rustled his hair, the glinting sun highlighting varied hues of russet. He came and stood in front of her. His hazel eyes reminded Lisette of winter’s brown turning to spring’s soft green. Her breath hitched.

“Cherries today is it? Not root vegetables?” Gerry’s mouth quirked up in a smile.

“Today I wanted to bask in the sunshine rather than dig in the dirt.” She held out the bucket. “So cherries it is. Would you care to try one?”

He stepped forward and took a handful. He removed a stem and placed a cherry in his mouth. He closed his eyes a moment as he bit into it, pure enjoyment on his face. After chewing a moment he turned and spit the pit behind him. “Divine. I can’t remember the last time I had a fresh cherry.”

Lisette gave him a warm smile, hoping he couldn’t sense the windstorm of emotions wreaking havoc on her insides, just at the sight of him.

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