Unjustified Flames

Chapter 13

I awoke with a start the following morning to a loud pounding on the door. Down the hall from Sawyer's room, I heard a loud thump followed by a string of curses. I giggled; while he had been blessed with copious talents and virtues, Sawyer could not move gracefully or carefully to save his life. The string of curses echoed down the hall as Sawyer stumbled down the stairs to the front door. I heard muffled voices, followed by footsteps entering the house. I rose from the bed as they climbed the stairs and approached my room. The door opened as I drew my shawl protectively around my exposed cleavage. I knew it was ill-advised to wear such a scandalous nightgown to bed. Sawyer's face reddened as he took in my appearance and he looked to the wall as my neighbor, Madam Harding, entered the room, clutching an envelope. When Sawyer did not explain her presence(I blushed nearly as heavily as he did upon the realization that I had left him speechless), she cleared her throat and began to speak.

"Good morning, Miss Weatherbury. I have a letter for you. Your mother wrote it a while ago and gave it to me with instructions to only give it to you if she passed before you turned 18. And since you turn 18 today..." she explained, holding out the envelope.

Aye, I had forgotten it was my 18th birthday today.

"Thank you, Madam Harding. I am glad you remembered to deliver it to me. I shall read it when I have time," I stepped forward and took the letter from her.

"Of course, lass. Happy birthday, and have a good one." Madam Harding smiled as she grasped my hand in hers before sweeping out of the room.

I dropped the shawl as Sawyer approached with curiosity.

"A letter from your mother?" He echoed.

"It would appear so. Do you mind leaving me be to read it?" I requested.

"Aye, I shall be downstairs if you need me."

I nodded as he left the room. I gingerly tore open the envelope and unfolded two pieces of paper. One was a document of some sort. I set it aside and began to read her letter, feeling tears pricking my eyes as I recognized her neat handwriting.

My dearest Gracelynn,

If you are reading this, I am no longer with you, and for that I am sorry. Now, I have news for you. Shortly after your father died, I spoke with Sawyer's father, Kennedy. We talked of you and Sawyer reaching the age of marriage, and we had an idea.

You and Sawyer are such dear friends, and we have noticed that you two have feelings for one another outside of friendship, even if you two have not noticed yet. Do not be embarrassed; Sawyer is a kind, caring, handsome young man. He reminds me of your father. Kennedy and I talked and we decided to go to Mayor Thatcher and get a document signed to request that you two be married once you are both 18, if we were no longer around. Of course, you do not have to go through with this, and neither does Sawyer. His father and I simply thought it would be a good idea since you both work together so well as friends(though I suspect you two have privately engaged in acts that would label you as more than friends. Do not be ashamed if I am correct; your father and I shared a bed multiple times before we were married).

At this, I tossed down the letter, my face feeling as though it were on fire.

"MOTHER! Even in death, you tease me," I hollered, then added in a quieter voice, "we have only slept in the same bed and held one another, nothing more."

Once my face was no longer aflame, I picked up the letter and continued reading.

I certainly do not wish for you to end up with anyone else, because you and Sawyer are a wonderful match. No one could care for you the way he does, certainly not Adrian Thatcher, who I know wishes to snatch you up once you turn 18, just as he tried to do with your sisters. I would die before I let that happen. And Kennedy feels the same about Petunia Gardenia with Sawyer. I find myself agreeing; that woman is insufferable. So enclosed in this letter is the document Kennedy and I signed. Once you are 18, should you wish to go through with this, you and Sawyer will take this document to the mayor, who will have no choice but to sign. Even if Matthew Thatcher is no longer mayor when you reach 18, there is absolutely no way this document can be overwritten, unless a god or goddess descends from Olympus to object, or if an immediate family member over the age of 18 wishes to object. As I am your last surviving family member and Violet is only a child, there will not be any problems with getting this document approved. Not even Adrian can deny the request of this document. Kennedy has a copy and a letter for Sawyer as well.