Love and other calamities

July, 1998

The persuasion of love leads to vulnerability but, the power of love restores faith.

July, 1998.

Her auburn hair waltzed with the wind in a rhythm that left him transfixed and nailed to the ground. He watched as her small body swung around the grassed area, often disappearing amongst the tall straw. She sang a gentle tune as she skipped around the field; her small, unblemished arms swinging around in the air above her head. She giggled and tilted her head back as she let the high summer sun heat her body even more. She always loved the summer time.

He stood watching her from a distance, a small smirk tickling his lips as he tried not to smile so boldly. He always enjoyed watching her. He often found peace in witnessing her unashamed youthful innocence take hold of her. She had her head tilted towards the sky before she suddenly looked behind her. He thought to hide but, her eyes caught his before he could move. She grinned before letting her lips pull apart into a large smile that showed all of her teeth. Her dark eyes twinkled, even from her place at the bottom of the hill. He could see her clearly and what he saw was the subtle tweaking of her index finger as she beckoned him over. He shook his head and she raised her brow daringly. He sighed before carefully trotting down the rocky hillside.

He dodged lose rocks and sparse dry sand as he begrudgingly made his way towards the open field where she stood. When he was within earshot of the young girl, he stopped.

"How long were you watching me this time?" She asked him with her back to him.

He blushed and scratched his head. He was nervous. They didn't speak often but, he always wished they did. He'd liked her from afar for a while now, always wishing to know what went on in her head. "How did you know?" He asked softly.

She shrugged, "I always see you but, I've been waiting to see if you were brave enough to approach me. You haven't been so far so, I thought I'd just be brave for you."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, Elijah. I like that you're always here." She turned to look at him and he sucked in a breath when his eyes met her large soft ones. She stared right at him, unafraid and curious.

"I like watching you dance," he said with a deep blush. "You're good."

She giggled, "Want to know what I'm practicing for?" He nodded eagerly. He had been curious since he saw her two weeks ago in the field on her own. "I'm practicing for my wedding. Daddy says it's going to be a big party where I get to wear a big dress and everything."

She bounced excitedly on her toes with a grin and he smiled in return. He liked that she was excited to be married. Not many children their age were. "Do you know who you're marrying?" He asked.

She frowned, "Daddy says he hasn't decided yet." She wrinkled her forehead in thought. "Maybe he'll let me marry you."

He gaped, "We're only ten years old Ruth." He replied in astonishment. "I can't marry you."

She giggled before walking up to him and reaching for his hands. "I know that you goose. But daddy says that when I'm eighteen, I'll get married. We can get married then."

"Why do you want to marry me? Why not marry Jebediah? His daddy is the pastor."

Ruth shrugged and pulled her nose up in disgust. "I don't like Jebediah. He's mean to me and always pushes me. I want to marry you because you like my dancing."

He blushed, "I want to marry you too."

"Good," she nodded her head. "Now practice with me so when we get married we dance well."

He hesitated, "Ok but, I don't know how."

She giggled and held his hands in her own. "Just stick with me goose."

He smiled, liking the sound of that.

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A/N: This story will be updated every Wednesday until its completion. But to be kind, I'll be updating three parts at once, only today. Hope you enjoy this short story. Let me know what you think of it in the comments.