The Bachelor's Bride

Chapter 35- Winnie

I stepped outside the next morning, admiring the little lilies that were starting to pop up all over the yard. I plucked one from its spot in a soft patch of dirt.

"Good mornin'" I heard Jeremiah approach me. He plucked the lily from my fingers. "It's already time for lilies?"

"Yeah, spring is coming quicker this year than usual." I smiled, breathing in the dewy morning air.

He took a seat beside me, leaning his head back to bask in the warm sunlight. "Hey Winnie?"

My fingers brushed his slightly as I shifted to look at him, "Hmm?"

He tilted his head, and his dark eyes searched my face, his own a stone mask devoid of any emotion."I'm going to be leaving soon."

My breath caught in my throat and I tried not to react to this. "Why? Doesn't your Pa need you here to work the fields?" And I need you here. But I didn't say that. I could never say that to him.

Looking away, he sighed, "I can't make a decent living here, Winnie. The white folk don't like me much and it's real hard to find decent work that pays good."

"You can work for my Pa." I said.

Jeremiah gave me a look, " You know I can't take your Pa's hard earned money. I'm going up North for a while."

"Okay." I said, playing with the hem of my dress. I refused to look at him. "So we won't be seeing each other?"

"No, but I'll write." He promised.

"I'll always respond." I said.

We both knew he couldn't write.
................

Jeremiah left the next day, at the crack of dawn when the roosters were just beginning to ruffle their feathers. I pulled the curtains to my window aside, letting the soft fabric slip through my fingers. My nose left a little imprint on the window as I pressed closer to watch him walk down the street.

When he reached my house, he turned to look up at my window, and my breath caught slightly in my chest. He waved at me. I knew it was too dark for him to see me, but he knew I would be watching. I waved back as he turned to go.

That was the last time I was Jeremiah for nearly eight years.

A/N
I realize it's a short chapter, but I can't bring myself to write anymore. I want to save the rest of Winnie and Jeremiah's story for the sequel, so you'll just have to wait and see what happens! 😁😊

Anyways, thank you all for being so patient with me this month. I didn't get to 50,000 words on my novel like planned, which is kind of what I expected anyways😂. I still plan on finishing it though, so I might upload the parts I have written to Wattpad.

As Always
Stay Awesome Possums
Rosanna 🌸🌺🌵