16

She sighed glad to have it all out and done with she dumped the carrots into the pot simmering over the playful fire. Martha turned to look at Nathan.

"Lily, I am sorry I left you to face all this by yourself," he got up from the table and hugged her. Then he whispered in her ear "you look awful cute in that apron." Martha pulled away laughed and and fained offense as she playfully whopped him with a towel. He laughed "Thank you I deserved that and thank you for tell me your story."

15

"Very well thank you, I would like you to meet my wife Mrs. Jane Taylor." Christopher spoke as if we where old friends and nothing else. My heart fell into my feet "Nice to meet you" my voice shaking a little "excuse me" I turned and walked calmly away tears starting to fall but as soon as I was in the woods I ran to the meadow and plopped myself down and just cried." Nathan watched Martha peel potato's she had her head bent low so he could not see her face.

"All I ever wanted was a home a place where I could know I would never have to leave security that's what every girl wants, I had lost my secure world twice once when ma died and once when I lost who I thought was my best friend. I cried myself to sleep awaking to someone picking me up. It was Joseph he carried me home and set me in my rocking chair next to the fire. "Martha" he said "Be strong you're all dese chillen have dey look up to ya, dey love ya and dat will never change. I know wes didn't starts out on so good of terms but I've come to think of yous as a granddaughter listen ta me your smart, your pretty, and your prudent if he didn't take ya he tisn't worth havin'. "Ya don't have ta snatch da first one comin along." With that he patted my shoulder and left.

well I wasn't myself for a few weeks I soon got into a rut keeping to my close friends and family.
Although I was scared to go to town town for fear I would see him I soon plucked up the courage to go and found it got easier each time I went. And.....well....that's my story"

14

The Next day Dawned bright and with a few white fluffy clouds. Nathan took the gift tied a red ribbon on it think how much she would love it! The next day dawned bright with a few white fluffy clouds. Nathan took the gift with him when he walked to the garden. Martha was no where in sight he waited and waited still no smiling girl showed up. Almost in disappear he trudged to the house that he had followed her to the other day. There he found Martha Lily hanging dripping wet clothes on the line she had on an apron of lavender her hair was pulled back into two braids with a handkerchief on her head. Nathan reached in front of her with a rose and a music box in his hands. Martha gasped and turn around to face him, Nathans arms still around her. "I forgot Ian I am so sorry I have to work late at the house." He smiled and brought the gift in front of her again. She took it in her hands as her eyes glistened. Martha undid the red ribbon gracefully she smelled the rose. Smiling, she opened the box and as the figure twirled around Martha's eyes brimmed with gleaming tears. "Thank you so much I love it!" she blinked back the tears and then stepped she simply walk up the porch steps and laid the box down with care on the a small table. Walking back to her clothes basket she took out a dress and hung it on the line. "Martha, will you tell me the rest of your story, while you work?" To Martha's surprise Nathan picked up a pair of pants and attempted to hang them on the line. "Yes, Ian, I will. The house began to look like a real home I felt just like a mother hen with all her chicks. I worked at Joseph's most of the time taking the children with me to help out some. Joseph taught Philip how to hunt, trap, and fish. I finally felt I could again breath all was safe and smooth sailing was ahead." Martha sighed as she put three loaves of bread in the stove. Turning she started on the pile of dirty dishes.

"About two months after I got my family I went to town to visit and elderly lady. I often went to visit and help her, for she was old, lonely, and nice. I walked past the train station and saw Christopher I was elated I ran to greet him but right before I reached him a young woman, in the latest Paris fashion, took his arm and they laughed together. Next they started walking down the street toward me. I thought well I will turn and run maybe he won't notice me, I was to late he saw me and called out. "Miss Martha, what a pleasant surprise to see you here."

As he neared me my face grew red "How do you do Mr. Taylor?" was my graceful reply.