After Ever After

Chapter Sixteen

The Farmer's Market

Sunday Morning

Elsa strolled lazily past the booths at the farmer's market, perusing the selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, handmade jewelry and baked goods, and potted plants. She loved the farmer's market, preferring the haggling and friendly conversation with locals over the sterile environment of a grocery store. Plus, the farmer's market always smelled vaguely of cinnamon from the snickerdoodle vendor who went that extra mile to bake fresh cookies on the site.

Her white-blonde hair was braided and resting on her shoulder, but a few pieces had escaped and were blowing around her face. When she stopped at a jewelry booth and tried on some earrings, she saw her bright blue eyes in the mirror, framed by her eyeliner and a thick layer of eyelashes.

She was beautiful, even she could admit that. But, for some reason, she was alone. For a long time, she just wanted to be alone. The life of a professional figure skater was filled entirely with training and competitions, leaving very little time for romance. Now that she was retired, however, she was ready to meet someone and start a family of her own, but she couldn't seem to find someone who wasn't intimidated by her.

Maybe she should try smiling more. She gave the mirror a grin, but it made her look like she was in pain. Her lopsided mouth was almost permanently in a smirk, which made her look like a bitch. Even the men who could look past that were gone once they figured out who she was.

It's funny, she thought, that I make men feel "inadequate"--as many of her exes had said--yet their rejection makes me feel strangely inadequate.

When she straightened up, she saw the owner of the booth giving her a strange look. Elsa suddenly realized she had been staring at herself in the mirror and pulling faces for several minutes. She hastily bought the earrings--tiny, white snowflakes--and left the shop, certain she'd never be able to show her face in that booth again.

With her mind on her recent humiliation, Else wasn't paying attention to her surroundings. She collided with a solid object, which she discovered was a man when she heard him oof and felt his arms go around her in surprise.

"I'm so sorry!"

"Man, what is with the women in this town? None of you ever pay attention to where you're going," his words rang out clear as ice, with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Elsa looked up at his face and was immediately taken aback at his handsome appearance. He had beautiful ice blue eyes and white blonde hair, while his mouth rested in a crooked smirk. The similarities in their appearances weren't lost on her, but she chose not to dwell on them.

"I am so sorry. I just embarrassed myself at that booth, and I guess I was thinking about it and not paying attention. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he said with a laugh. "Are you okay?"

"I'm...great. Just great." Elsa smiled, not a smirk but an actual smile. The man smiled back at her.

"You have a beautiful smile...." he paused at the end of his compliment, waiting for her to speak.

"Elsa."

"Elsa. Nice to meet you. I'm Jack."

"Nice to meet you too, Jack."

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Anna and Kristoff's Farmhouse

Anna was laying in bed with the blanket wrapped tightly around her body, making her look like a human burrito. Kristoff was supposed to be home soon, and she knew she should be unpacking, but she just didn't have the energy today.