A Time To Love

Chapter 7: "A Glimmer of Hope"

Audrey seemed to have blinked and opened her eyes to find that another year of her life had gone by. February 8th, 1907, marked her 19th birthday. Her family had an intimate celebration for her, fit with her favourite meal, chocolate cake, and
precious gifts that she would cherish for the rest of her life.
When Daniel found out about her birthday, he made sure to add to her happiness with his own little
celebration for her. He took her back to Tilly's, and the two had a lovely chat. Before they parted ways, Daniel gifted her a lovely cream coloured hat, rimmed with delicate lace, and dried babies' breath. She was estatic, of course. The two had
become really good friends over the last five months. In Audrey's mind, they'd remain friends till the day they died, if God permitted it.
It would seem that the Harris house was now a sanctuary for unlikely friendships, for Rachel and Caleb Ward seemed to be quite chummy now. Rachel was hesitant to be so cordial with him, but he had gained her trust. It was revealed that some time ago, she let him read a manuscript of the novel she had been working on. She expressed to him how difficult it was for her to get published. Well, never in a
million years did she expect that Caleb would come knocking at her door to tell her that he had sent her manuscript off and got a response back. A publishing company
was finally going to put Rachel's book in print! Most of her family were thrilled for her, although a particular one, that shall not be named, wondered whether the ideas
she shared in her novel would lead to her getting run out of such a Christian town as Maple Grove. Caleb, the pastor's son, didn't seem too concerned about it, though.
Perhaps one doesn't speak for the majority.
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"Oh, Daniel, I almost forgot to tell you!" Audrey and Daniel walked side by side down the snow-covered roads of Maple Grove. The two seemed to spend more time in each other's presence than anywhere else.
"And, what's that?"
"My sister, Rachel, is having a book published!" Audrey had an elated tone and a skip in her step.
Daniel gasped, "You're kidding? That's a wonderful thing, Audrey." He paused before adding in, "What does Katherine think about it?" It would seem that Daniel had
gotten familiar with some of the quirks of the Harris girls.
Audrey shook her head and let out a short sigh, "She's the same way she always is. She doesn't quite agree with it, but Henry is very proud of Rachel, so I think because of that, Katherine is holding her tongue on the matter. Although she doesn't really
have to say anything, since Rachel already knows what she thinks."
"It's too bad, although, I'm sure Katherine has her reasons as well." Daniel added in, to which Audrey replied, "I think so as well."
The pair had made their way around the town and found themselves back to their starting point; main street. Audrey took a look around and couldn't help but notice
the pub, to which she turned to Daniel, and exclaimed, "Daniel. I want to meet Mr. Wilson."
He looked straight at her, with his eyebrows raised, "What? What do you mean?"
"Mr. Wilson's important to you, right?"
"Well, sure -"
"So, I want to meet him!"
Daniel stood stunned, "I-I..." He was at a loss. Audrey hadn't met Mr. Wilson prior, because there was only one place to find him; the pub. The last thing Daniel wanted
to do was to bring Audrey there. Surprisingly, Daniel had found himself going less and less to his old favourite spot. When he was with Audrey, he didn't even think
about the drink.
"Audrey, I...I'm not sure." He finally told her.
"Aw, why not? Will Mr. Wilson not like me or something?" She asked sincerely, with those big, puppy dog eyes of hers.
"It's certainly not that. He hasn't even met you, and I know he likes you already..."
"So? What is it then?" She questioned and continued, "You can tell me, Daniel. You can tell me anything."
He sighed and responded with, "The tavern's not a place for someone like you, and that's the only place you're going to meet him. He lives and breathes that old pub."
"I know that, silly." She laughed, "I want to go there. To the tavern."
"Huh?" Daniel thought he was hallucinating, or perhaps Audrey had gone mad,
"Audrey, if people already have enough to say about me and you being friends, what will they think if they see you going into the tavern with me? You know the way
these people talk."
"Let them." She stated plainly, with a cheeky smile on her face. Daniel didn't say anything but just looked at her, and in that very brief moment of silence, all Daniel could hear was the rhythm of his heart as it picked up pace. The silence didn't last
long though, for she added in with a chuckle, "It's not like I'm going in there for a drink, anyway."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wilson thought he'd fall out of his chair as he watched Daniel walk into his bar, being tailed by none other than Audrey Harris.
"Daniel?!" Wilson exclaimed. "You know this is no place for a lady."
"I know, but she insisted." Daniel replied, as Audrey stood at his side, with a bright smile on her face.
"Well, are you going to introduce me to her, or what?" Wilson said, cutting to the chase.
"Right. Wilson, this is Audrey Harris." He then turned to Audrey and continued,
"Audrey, this is Mr. John Wilson. The best bartender in town."
"I also happen to be the only one, Daniel." Wilson chuckled heartily, emphasising the rosey apples of his cheeks. He swiftly came to the other side of the counter, so he
could put out a hand to Audrey and say, "It's nice to meet you, Miss. Harris."
She put her hand in his and shook it mightily, "It's even nicer to meet you."
Wilson turned to Danie  and said with a smile, "I like this girl!"
Wilson offered the two of them drinks, but only water, of course. Wilson was relieved to see that Daniel had very much been telling the truth about his dream girl.
She was just as he had said she was. Wilson couldn't help but worry, though, for he could tell that Daniel had fallen head over heels for the girl, and he couldn't really blame him, but he knew Daniel wasn't in the right place for a relationship, especially
not with someone as sweet and innocent as Audrey. But, there was a glimmer of hope, Wilson figured. Perhaps, if the girl was willing to follow Daniel to a place like
this, she might follow him anywhere. Even into love.

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Author's Note:

Sorry for the delay in updating. It was a busy Thanksgiving weekend, but we're back in business now. Till next time!