SPRINGTIME PROMISES *published*

CHAPTER 7: A QUIET STRENGTH

The soft rustling of the wind through the budding trees was the only sound that accompanied Eva Kathleen Curl as she made her way down the familiar path toward town. Spring in Kingston had always brought with it a sense of renewal and hope, but for Eva, the season was often tinged with bittersweet memories. 

At twenty-three, Eva had learned to live with the quiet grief of being orphaned young. Her mother had passed when she was only seven, and her father soon after, leaving her in the care of her eldest sibling, Norman Curl. Norman, a hardworking man, had done his best to raise her, but Eva always felt the weight of not wanting to be a burden. She had grown up quickly, adopting a sense of responsibility and strength that made her seem older than her years, but despite the hardships, Eva's heart remained gentle. Her faith, deeply rooted in the Methodist teachings of her childhood, had given her the courage to keep moving forward even when the future felt uncertain, and now, as the sun cast a golden light over the rooftops of Kingston, Eva found herself thinking about what the future might hold.

Lately, those thoughts were often intertwined with a certain someone—Harry Spencer Bruton. She had seen him more frequently in the past few weeks, their paths crossing at church socials and town gatherings. Harry was serious, perhaps a bit more so than most men his age, but there was a kindness about him that drew Eva in. She could sense something beneath the quiet exterior - a longing for more than the routine life he led, and she found herself wondering what it would be like to truly know him.

As she reached the market square, Eva's thoughts were interrupted by the cheerful voices of townsfolk bustling about their daily errands. She smiled softly, greeting those she knew, and made her way toward the shop where she often purchased supplies for the household, but even as she went about her usual routine, her mind drifted back to Harry.

They had spoken only briefly at the last church picnic, but those few moments had left a lasting impression on Eva. There was something in his eyes, in the way he had looked at her, that made her feel seen—truly seen—for the first time in a long while. It was a feeling she couldn't quite explain, but it stirred something in her heart, something that made her believe there could be more to her life than just the quiet existence she had known.

Later that afternoon, as she walked back home with a basket of goods in hand, Eva found herself hoping that she might see Harry again soon. There was a certain ease in their interactions, a quiet understanding that seemed to bridge the gap between them despite the fact that they came from different worlds. Eva had always considered herself a practical woman, but when it came to Harry, she couldn't deny the flicker of hope that had begun to take root in her heart.

By the time she reached the modest house she shared with her brother and her older siblings, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the yard. The cousins, Ross and Beatrice, were playing outside, their laughter filling the air, and for a moment, Eva stood still, taking it all in. This was her life—simple, predictable, and filled with love—but as much as she cherished it, there was a part of her that yearned for something more. A life that was hers - a love that was hers.

As she stepped inside, Herbert's wife, Carrie, greeted her with a warm smile. "Everything all right, Eva?"

Eva nodded, setting the basket down on the kitchen table. "Yes, just picking up a few things for dinner."

Carrie watched her for a moment, a knowing look in her eyes. "You've been quiet lately. Thinking about anyone in particular?"

Eva felt her cheeks flush and quickly busied herself with unpacking the groceries. "I don't know what you mean."

Carrie, however, wasn't so easily deterred. "I've seen the way Harry Bruton looks at you," she said with a teasing smile. "And the way you look at him."

Eva glanced up, surprised by Carrie's perceptiveness. "It's nothing, really. We've only just spoken a few times."

"Sometimes that's all it takes," Carrie replied gently. "He's a good man, Eva. You could do worse."

Eva's heart raced at the thought. She hadn't let herself dwell too much on the possibility of something more with Harry, not wanting to get her hopes up, but hearing Carrie say it out loud made it feel more real - more possible.

That evening, as Eva sat with her family around the dinner table, her thoughts kept drifting back to Harry. She wondered what he was doing at that very moment if he was thinking of her too, and as the evening light faded into the quiet of night, Eva allowed herself, for the first time, to truly imagine what a future with Harry might look like. It wasn't just about love, though that was part of it. It was about finding someone who understood her, who saw beyond the quiet, reserved exterior to the woman who longed for a life of her own. Harry made her feel like that life was within reach -  like there was more to her story than the chapters that had already been written.

In the stillness of the night, as the rest of the house slept, Eva lay awake, her mind racing with possibilities. Could she open her heart to Harry? Could she allow herself to dream of a future that was more than just duty and responsibility?

The answer, she realized, was yes. For the first time in a long time, Eva felt the stirrings of hope, and as she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts were filled with Harry's smile, and the promise of what might be.