“Remember what counts, Erica, remember what counts.”
It was easy for me to remember what counted. Ethan, Clara, and Franny were with me around the clock for five continuous days. Lily and Abel stayed far from me and I couldn’t have been happier. Neither of them saw me without one of my personal bodyguards in the room. Everyone could see that it bothered Abel, but no one cared.
Franny was braiding my hair that morning when Clara skipped into the room. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and squeezed me tight.
“You’re looking so much better,” Clara gushed.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I looked like a whole new person. My raven hair was shiny and my curls were bouncy and full of new life. My eyes weren’t the pale mud color they’d been before. They sparkled.
“Maybe I should catch this plague,” Clara giggled.
“Don’t even joke,” I warned her. Although I looked so much healthier now, I was still weak.
Clara pursed her lips and rolled her eyes. She sat down on the seat beside me, nearly toppling me over. “I heard a rumor,” she whispered, pressing her lips close to my ear.
“Clara,” Franny snapped, “you behave yourself.”
Clara widened her eyes and pouted. “Oh Franny, let me have a little fun.”
“What did you hear, Clara?” I demanded.
Clara smirked and fanned herself with her hand. “It’s so humid in here,” she whined. “You know that means a storm is coming?”
“Clara,” I begged, clasping her hands.
“Oh alright,” she sighed dramatically, “but you didn’t hear this from me.” She only continued once I had nodded. “I heard Abel saying that he was going into the city today for some last minute wedding preparations and that he would be gone all day long. Such a pity isn’t it? You’ll be stuck in this big old house with only me and Ethan to keep you company.”
A large grin spread across my face. “You aren’t kidding with me are you?”
“Me?” Clara cried, covering her heart. “How could you even suggest such a thing as that?”
“Clara, please.” Franny groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. I’d noticed she become less and less patient with Clara the more time she spent taking care of me. The poor woman was probably exhausted.
I stood up and wrapped my arms around her grandmotherly frame. She seemed shocked by my actions, but returned my gesture just the same. “I never thanked you for all you’ve been doing for me.”
“It’s my job, child, there is no need to thank me.” Franny scoffed, but I could see in her eyes that my thanks meant the world to her.
YOU ARE READING
Imported Love
RomanceErica York has lived her whole life in her small village with her family. Her parents work night and day to support their ever growing brood of children, but there never seems to be enough money. Desperate to keep their family alive Erica's father s...
