Sinful Secret

Arrangements

As church wrapped up Sunday afternoon, my mother put her hand on my back and lead me towards where the Cooper's were standing. There son was in between them and turned as they saw us approaching.

He looked pretty young now that I saw hi up close. He wasn't too bad looking either. His brown hair was slicked back and his glasses covered his face, just as mine did.

"Winter, this is Edward Cooper. Edward, this is my daughter Winter", my mother spoke graciously motioning me forward. I gave my best smile at him nodding my head.

"Umm.. Very nice to meet you Winter", He spoke seeming to struggle making eye contact.

"You as well", I responded. A minute of silence followed as hi or I didn't know what to say.

"Edward, i'm making a vegy casserole after church. Why don't you come over and have lunch with us", my other suggested surprising me completely. We've hardly had guest over and especially a young boy.

Edward looked over at his parents who nodded in approval and he turned back and accepted the offer. Oh this was going to be nerve-racking.

On the drove home, Edward followed behind us as my father lead the way. "Now, Winter, you are older now and that means it's time to find you a nice Christian man that can help you grow this God. Edward is very respectable and has a lot of young females in the church that would be blessed to be married off to a many of such stature and connection with the Lord, so you have to show him how well mannered you can be, so be on your best behavior", my mother lectured in the car.

"Yes, you must make sure you catch his attention" my father added as we arrived to the house. As we entered the house, my mother went to the kitchen to start dinner and I followed to help, while dad and Edward disappeared into the study.

As mother and I were in the kitchen cooking she decided to give me once again another lecture. " Now Winter, being that there is a strong possibility you and Edward may one day be arried, you're going to be in situations where you are all alone. It is very important to make sure you act respectable and not allow temptation lead its way to you".

"Oh, I promise mother, I will remain pleasing in the eyes of the lord", as I spoke those words, I once said it with complete conviction. now, with Damien I wasn't doing that so much.

"My sweet girl. Just catch his attention with what the lord put in your heart. That is all you need," She smiled at me brushing my hair behind me ear.

----

After dinner Mother and Father thought it would be a good idea for Edward and I to have a few moments to talk alone. This definitely caught me off guard. I knew they were excited to find me a husband but I still had seven months before that happened. They sure were putting plenty of eggs in Edwards basket. We were sitting outside in the garden as I saw my parents watching vigilantly through the window.

"So. What do you like to do for fun", I finally decided to ask. These kind of one on one transactions, I was not particularly good at. Damien was fun because he made up all the conversation.

"Well.... I'm working on becoming a minister myself just as my father. I hav...",

"I mean outside of church", I interrupted, which I knew was something I shouldn't do. But I already knew all the church aspect of him. If we were gonna marry I wanted to know more.
I noticed his body stiffen up next to me. It seemed nothing like Damien's relaxed composure. I had hardly seen anyone as comfortable as him and now, looking at Edward it was evident he wasn't so comfortable.

"Well... I... I play chess sometimes", he spoked softy.

I smiled in excitement. "Ooohhh. I see my father play chess with his coworkers when they come over!" It looks very complicated but I think I learned some things by watching them", I responded. There was something we had in common... kind of.