Finding Love

Chapter 7: Arriving at Brampton

After what seemed like no more than 15 minutes, I woke up. My heart stopped for a second before I recognized my surroundings and I remembered the various events that had happened in the morning. The air was much colder now but my side was surprisingly warm. I looked down and realized I'd moved closer to Michel while I was asleep. His hipbones were pressed up against mine his arm was spread out above my head. I felt a warm blush spreading across my cheeks as I looked up to his face. My heart beat slightly faster as I realized his blue eyes were open and he was staring back at me. He looked unguarded and vulnerable as he took in the position we were sleeping in before giving me a small smirk. He looked me up and down slowly before moving away to stand up. The cold air hit me so suddenly and the tension I'd felt in the air moments before was gone.

"Oh you're awake. Well then its time we get going, we're already behind schedule," said Jack as he came into view. He'd brought the 3 horses and handed me the reins of mine after I'd stood up.

"You sleep well?"

"I'm sure she did," said Michel with a grin on his face. I punched his arm lightly before mounting my horse. I felt my neck prickle and I looked back to notice him staring at me with an unguarded expression on his face.

"What?"

He shook his head before turning away and forcing his horse into a steady gallop beside Jack's.

It was around 5 in the evening when we arrived at Brampton. The town was definitely quite big and was clearly a trading hub. It was a hive of activity, full of carriages, horses and hordes of people. It also seemed to have many theatres, restaurants and shops. No wonder my mother had chosen such a place. The area was full of life and thrummed with energy of its own. As we rode past street after street, my hopes of finding my mother slowly began to dwindle. Michel must have noticed a dip in my mood as he slowed his horse to match the pace of mine.

"You okay?"

I nodded but it was clear that he didn't believe me. He then began to point out his favorite places in the town, them being the theatre and a beautiful garden with massive fountains. His enthusiasm seemed almost childish and it was hard to resist the urge to smile as he pointed out place after place. It was then that I realized he'd missed this place.

"You love this place don't you?"

"It is my home after all," he said with a smile on his face and I felt my chest tighten at his words as I fought against the sense of nostalgia that washed over me.

"It can be your home too for as long as you're here," he whispered softly. I looked up and realized his eyes had softened as he looked at me with a genuine smile on his face. It was almost like he understood, like he knew why I'd come here in the first place. I slowly felt a smile spreading across my face matching his own.