Paul was looking at each retreating figure while he remained sitting on an old keg. The idea of marrying George’s daughter, he had never thought about it before. She was a very pretty girl, that was obvious, but did he really want to marry her? She was also a bit too young for his taste.
He looked over at her tending to the food that was left over and hanging above the fire. She was focused on her chore but was still talking to her friends. She laughed and he found a twinkle in her eye. He had known many a boy who had sighed over her presence but he found that he himself was never one of them.
She had many traits about her that made her dear. Wherever she went, she would skip. She was a girl who could brighten someone’s day by being near them. Her generosity made her a very sweet girl. She didn’t intentionally make men and boys follow her but still, she stole hearts.
This didn’t mean that this was the kind of girl that Paul was after. He loved all of her traits. He just didn’t love her. Was it the fact that she was George’s daughter? Was it the level of attractiveness in her? Was it the length of time he had known her? He didn’t know. This could create a problem between him and her father, the chief of the town.
She just wasn’t the one for Paul. The one he’d care for. The one he’d look out for. The one he’d consol. The one he’d celebrate milestones with. The one he’d always be there for. He knew that even though he hadn’t found that someone yet, Ruth just wasn’t that girl. He didn’t believe that she was heaven-sent. His other half was out there, it just wasn’t meant to be Ruth.
His gaze drifted back to around the fire to Ruth, who was waving goodnight to her friends. She continued around the fire picking up stray goblets and cloths. She started cleaning some mugs out so that they’d be alright to use the next day. She went back inside her hut after she had picked up a few stray logs and seats. Paul remained outside to stick with his thoughts.
If they did get married, what could she do to keep a prosperous marriage in place? Will her smile light up his day? Can her laughter make him smile? Will she do everything she can when he’s troubled? Will she help things become alright? Will she make him feel bored, or fill up the day? Paul wasn’t sure. He did know that she was definitely a worthy prize for any man.
How he was so sure she wasn’t sent to him from heaven, he didn’t know. She’s not the one that he’ll lovingly care for. Ruth is just not the one for Paul.
