I'll Fight For You

Chapter 23

The following day, Harry woke up thinking about what James had said. He was right, being with Anna was never going to be a smooth road.  There was danger everywhere for such relationships, but theirs would be in proximity, too close for comfort. His father and Mr. Hawkins would do anything to tear them apart before the world did, especially with Elizabeth involved. But all he knew was that he wanted her and was ready to take any challenge that came with having her. At this point all he cared about was to know if Anna felt the same way about him, thats all that mattered. He did not care what his father, James, or the rest of the world thought. 

They connected at the cabin, there was a spark he could not deny. He had had enough, he was going to tell her how he felt, he could not go on dreaming of a future that might never be. So, he spent that day trying to find the best way to tell her. He was a bold man who had never had difficulties expressing himself to women. But it was different with Anna, practicing the lines was not helping ease his nerves.

                                                                                                                   ****

Later that day, just after sunset as Harry walked around the plantation, he noticed Anna sitting at the bench next to the pond wrapped in a grey blanket. Perfect place to find her because he was just getting himself ready to walk to her room and tell her about his feelings. His body heated up. He was nervous.

This is it,' he thought.

"Anna," he called as he approached her from behind.

She turned her head.

"Good evening, Dr. Walker," she greeted with a smile.

"What are you doing out here in the cold?" he asked now standing in front of her.

"I'm waiting for Christine; she went to the garden to pick some vegetables for her friends at church tomorrow."

"Oh, I almost forgot tomorrow is Sunday," Harry said quietly.

"Yes, it is, and she invited me."

"Good," he smiled, "do you mind if I sit next to you?"

"Not at all."

He sat down and mused for a moment. He had suddenly become blank; the words ran out of his mouth. What was it with this woman that made him so weak.

"Isn't it too dark to be in the garden?" he asked.

"That's what I thought too. I suggested we pick the vegetables in the morning, but she wouldn't have it, and she wouldn't let me help her."

They both smiled.

"We haven't really spoken since getting stuck at the lake cabin," Harry said.

She glanced at him and smiled.

"No, we haven't," she said.

"I'm sure you were wondering why I told everyone I took you to see a leg specialist when I didn't."

"I assumed you were avoiding questions."

"I didn't mean to lie, but you're right, I was avoiding questions and people assuming that I was...." He trailed off.

She knew what he meant to say and was glad he came up with that lie because it saved her from answering to Christine who still asked a lot of questions even with the lie about the specialist. She was very suspicious of Harry and said he was up to no good.