SPRINGTIME PROMISES *published*

CHAPTER 20: THE EVE OF CHANGE

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink, Harry Bruton paced the small, tidy living room of his family's farmhouse. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Tomorrow was the big day—the day he would marry Eva Curl, yet, despite the overwhelming joy he felt at the prospect of a future with her, a nagging uncertainty churned in his gut.

What if he wasn't ready for this?

Being the younger son of Archibald Bruton came with its own set of expectations. As a clerk in Kingston, Harry was often caught between the demands of his job and the looming responsibilities of family life. The pressures weighed heavily on his shoulders, like an anchor pulling him into the depths of his fears. He had watched his older brother, Earl, settle into a comfortable life of farming even as he dreamed of his own future family, and while he admired Earl's steadfastness, he couldn't help but wonder if he was cut from the same cloth.

"Harry?" came a gentle voice from the doorway. It was his sister, Edith, her expression soft with concern. She had a way of sensing when something was amiss, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside him. "You've been pacing for quite a while. Is everything alright?"

Harry halted his restless movements and sank into a chair, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Edith. I love Eva, but...I can't shake the feeling that I'm not ready for this. What if I can't be the husband she deserves?"

Edith crossed the room and settled into the chair opposite him. 

"You're not alone in feeling that way, you know. Marriage is a big step for anyone, but especially for someone who feels the weight of their family's expectations as you do."

He nodded, grateful for her understanding. "It's just...with the clerk job, the pressure from Father, and now marrying into the Curl family...I feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions. What if I disappoint everyone?"

"Harry, listen to me," Edith said, leaning forward slightly. "Disappointment is a part of life, but the most important thing is being true to yourself and the person you love. You're marrying Eva because you want to build a life together, not because you're trying to live up to someone else's vision of happiness."

Her words resonated with him, but the anxiety still bubbled beneath the surface. "But what if I'm not good enough? What if I can't provide for her the way she deserves?"

Edith's expression softened further, and she reached across the table to take his hand. "You are good enough, Harry. You've always been hardworking and dedicated. You'll figure it out together. Remember, marriage is a partnership. You and Eva will support each other, just as you've always done with your family. You've grown closer with each passing day, and that connection is what truly matters."

Taking a deep breath, Harry thought of Eva's warm smile and the way her laughter filled his heart with joy. 

"I want to be that man for her - the one she can rely on. I don't want to let her down."

"Then be open with her," Edith advised. "Share your fears - your doubts. You'll find strength in each other. Love is a journey, not a destination. It's not about perfection; it's about growth, understanding, and compromise."

He looked at his sister, her calmness a soothing balm to his turmoil. "You really think so?"

"I know so," she replied confidently. "Besides, if you two can weather the storm of family expectations and differing beliefs, you can handle anything that comes your way."

Harry's thoughts wandered to the upcoming wedding, the blending of the Bruton and Curl families. The tension of tradition weighed on him, but the thought of standing by Eva's side, promising his love and commitment, ignited a flicker of hope within him.