Jasmin

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Saturday I take the bus to the centre of town to where the large market is set up. With fall racing towards us people are switching from fruits and vegetables slowly to the home based crafts that will get the markets through the winter. I had been here a few times when I was younger as it was a warm place to hide out, but with all the tourists it was dangerous. I finally stopped going when one well meaning woman tried to take me to an officer to find my missing parents.

By the time I had gotten there the market was just starting to get into swing. The large former storehouse doors wide open to let people unload trucks into their booths. People arriving to wander as some tables are still being set up. I wandered around through the long rows of tables to see where Marcus' pack had set up. As I get through all the rows of heavily decorated booths and stations I started to get confused. As they were not regulars I did not see them anywhere. Getting upset would not help so I found another large set of warehouse doors that were open and walked outside to clear my head. There they were set up under a tent outside with a few other tents around them. The large Christmas market expanded into the lawn area out back.

I see the group of people finalizing the set up, no Marcus in sight yet. I hope he had come, he said he would. Anxiety and doubt creep back into my chest making it start to ache. With shoulders back I step up to look over their spread. I understand why they got pushed outside as they have so many tables with such different items spread out. I don't look at the jewelry long as it never really interested me. Though I see some earrings that Sally would look great in.

The warm quilts took me a while to go through as I saw that someone had made pillow quilts, I looked and thought how wonderful an idea that would be at my site. Looking at colours and designs and thinking about what would be the best, until I saw the price and realized just how much work such an item must take. The knives and painting, bowls and baskets all had such craftsmanship. I wanted to touch them all.

Then I got to the carvings. There were not many, but they caught my eye like nothing else. A five inch bear cub with a stone eye somehow embedded, its fur looking almost moveable. A tall standing moose that I wonder how they made the legs so thin yet look strong enough to hold up the massive animal. As I continued to look at these beautiful objects I felt a hand on my back. I never let people touch me, yet I did not flinch, before I turned around I knew who it was. Like a sixth sense that I was safe, and will not be harmed.

"Do you like the beaver?" Whispered in my ear. I can not stop the smile on my face as a place the wood animal down on the table and turn. I lift my face to his that was lowered to speak in my ear and just kiss him. My first kiss. Our first kiss. Marcus wraps his arms around me as I stretch my body against him, my hands wrapped around his muscular upper arms that feel like steel under his shirt.

Not ready for much more, I quickly dip my head and try to speak. "Yes, its very detailed." It comes out as such a quiet whisper into his chest I am unsure if he could even hear me.

"Thank you." I look up at him. Thanks for the kiss?

"It took a very long time to get his tail right, I am still not quite happy with his teeth, they should be less prominent, but his teeth are his weapon and I wanted to show he is not a weak creature." He lifted up the object we were discussing from the table, using the motion to give me the space I needed. His hands cradling the large piece of wood so gently.

His words solidified in my head, "You made these? They are gorgeous. I love them." I smile and look once again at the beauty of such artwork. He puts down the beaver and grabs my hand in the same gentle way he touched the carvings.