Chapter Nineteen
The next day, the skies cleared, and Edith and Daniel ventured into town for supplies.
With warmer weather arriving, the little town was bustling, the sound of clattering carts and lively chatter filling the air as people bartered wares on the street.
Edith stayed close to Daniel, her eyes drifting from the colorful stalls to the faces of the
“Reckon we’ll need more flour before winter hits,” Daniel said, his voice low as he handed her a sack to carry. “Though, if we keep eatin’ like this, I might need to trade for a new belt—unless you know how to sew two together.”
Edith let out a small laugh, shaking her head at his teasing. “I think you’ll survive,” she replied, her heart fluttering at the warmth in his voice.
Daniel grunted, but the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “We’ll see. By next month, I’ll be squeezin’ into that chair by the fire, and you’ll be wonderin’ what happened to the man who used to chop all the wood around here.”
Edith’s laugh grew, the sound lighter than she expected.
His dry humor always had a way of sneaking up on her, catching her off guard, and leaving her grinning.
It had taken her some time to understand it, but now, she found comfort in it.
He might not smile much, but when he did, it always sent a little flutter through her chest, tightening in the most bewildering way.
She found herself studying him more closely these days.
She loved the way he stood just a little too close, always watching out for her without making a fuss.
His protection was silent but unwavering, and it gave her the strength to keep going.
After his confession, she felt that she understood him and his silence just a little bit more.
She felt closer to him, patiently waiting for these glimpses into his heart, the same way he had been patient with her.
Was this love? It had come over her so quickly, almost without her realizing it—like falling asleep, drifting off slowly, and then all at once. She hadn’t even thought it was possible for her. Who could love someone like her? Someone weak, frail, and broken by the life she had lived?
Her heart clenched as she glanced at him again, gripping the sack a little tighter in her arms. She loved him.
She knew it now, with a certainty that made her breath catch in her throat.
But why would he ever feel the same? Daniel was strong and capable—everything she was not.
And even if he had shown her kindness, even if he had saved her, that didn’t mean he loved her.
He was just a good man, and she was nothing more than a burden he had taken on out of pity.
Her thoughts twisted in her mind, a growing knot of doubt and insecurity. She was damaged. Her past, her father, the things she had been through—they had left scars on her soul that no one could see but that she felt every single day. How could she possibly deserve someone like Daniel?
As they moved from stall to stall, Edith’s mind wandered to her prayers, the silent ones she had whispered in the quiet moments.
She had asked God for guidance, for strength to endure, but now her prayers had changed.
Now, she prayed for something more—for wisdom to understand what was happening in her heart, and for courage to accept whatever answer might come.
God, she prayed silently as Daniel handed coins to the shopkeeper. Please show me what to do. I don’t know how to handle these feelings. I don’t know if I should tell him. Please, help me.
She looked down at the ground, her lips pressing together as they headed back to the cart to deposit their supplies.
The uncertainty gnawed at her, twisting inside her like a vine growing tighter and tighter.
She wanted to believe God had a plan for her, that this sudden, overwhelming feeling of love was part of it.
But she didn’t know if she was strong enough to open her heart—to risk it being broken if Daniel didn’t feel the same.
“You all right?” Daniel’s voice cut through her thoughts. He lifted the last package into the cart, then turned to her, his hand brushing her arm as he looked down at her with a furrowed brow. She hardly ever jumped when he came near anymore, even looked forward to these little gestures.
Edith looked up and forced a smile. “Yes, I’m fine,” she lied, her voice wavering just slightly.
Daniel watched her for a moment longer, as if he didn’t quite believe her, but he nodded, his attention turning back to the road ahead.
“We’ll head to the blacksmith next, get the tools fixed,” he muttered, his tone slipping back into that familiar gruffness. It was comforting in its own way. He pulled a few of his tools from the cart, and Edith followed beside him.
As they walked, Edith sent another silent prayer up to the heavens, hoping for some clarity, for some sign of what to do next. Because loving Daniel was something she never thought she’d experience, and now that she did, she didn’t know how to handle it.
As they turned the corner toward the blacksmith’s, the murmur of hushed voices caught Edith’s attention.
A group of women stood near the bakery, their heads bent close together as they spoke in urgent, worried tones.
Edith strained to catch their words as she and Daniel passed by, her heart sinking as the conversation grew clearer.
“Still no word from her,” one of the women said, her voice laced with concern. “It’s been days, and her family is beside themselves.”
“Her mother’s been asking around town, but no one’s seen her. It’s like she vanished,” another woman added, shaking her head.
Daniel’s steps slowed, and Edith felt the familiar prickle of anxiety run up her spine. She could see the way Daniel’s jaw tightened, his brows furrowing as the women continued their quiet gossip.
“She went out to the fields that day, and no one’s seen her since,” the first woman said, her voice dropping lower. “You don’t think—”
“Don’t say it,” another woman interrupted sharply. “But I know what you’re thinking. We all are. And it doesn’t sit right with any of us.”
The group fell silent for a moment, their eyes darting around the market as if afraid to voice their darkest fears aloud.
Daniel cast a glance at Edith, his expression grim. “We’ll head on,” he said, his voice low. “No sense lingering here.”
Edith nodded, trying to shake off the growing unease. As they continued toward the blacksmith, the sounds of the women’s worried whispers faded into the background, but their words had distracted Edith from her own internal thoughts about Daniel.
“I hope they find her,” Edith whispered, more to herself than to Daniel.
“So do I,” he said quietly. “We can pray on it tonight.”
Edith gave a small nod, but the worry gnawed at her. She couldn’t help but wonder—how many more would disappear? And why did it feel like the answers were slipping further out of reach?
As they neared the blacksmith’s shop, Daniel and Edith bumped into Pastor Lucas, who was making his way down the street, his expression grave when he saw them.
“Good afternoon, Pastor,” Daniel greeted, nodding respectfully. Edith offered a small smile in return, though the heaviness in her chest lingered from what they had overheard.
“Daniel, Edith,” Pastor Lucas said with a nod. “Good to see you both.”
Edith hesitated for a moment, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her shawl, but she couldn’t shake the worry swirling in her mind. “Pastor,” she said softly, “we overheard some of the women in the market talking about the girl who’s gone missing. Is there any news?”
Pastor Lucas’s face darkened, and his brow furrowed with concern. “I wish I had better news, Edith,” he replied, his voice quiet but steady. “I’ve been counseling her parents. They’re beside themselves with worry, as you can imagine. It’s been days, and no one has seen or heard anything from her.”
Daniel’s eyes flicked toward the ground, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. Edith could sense his tension, the same unease that had been gnawing at her since she’d heard the rumors.
“Is there any idea of what might’ve happened?” Daniel asked.
Pastor Lucas shook his head, letting out a heavy sigh.
“Nothing concrete, I’m afraid. The town’s done what they can to search the surrounding areas, but it’s like she vanished into thin air.
” He paused, glancing between them with a worried expression.
“There are… whispers, of course. Some folks fear she might’ve been taken.
Others think she might have run off, but that doesn’t seem right.
She wasn’t the type to leave her family behind. ”
“Her family must be devastated,” Edith said quietly, her voice soft but filled with empathy.
“They are,” Pastor Lucas confirmed. “They’re holding on to hope, though. As we all are. Prayers are what’s keeping them going, but…” He trailed off, his expression clouded with worry. “It’s hard to comfort them when there’s no news, no closure.”
Edith swallowed hard, glancing at Daniel. She could see the same tension in his eyes, the way he mulled over the pastor’s words. Pastor Lucas was right—prayer was all they could offer right now. But it didn’t ease the growing fear gnawing at her insides.
“We’ll keep them in our prayers,” Daniel said firmly, his voice steady, though Edith could sense the unease simmering beneath it.
Pastor Lucas nodded. “Pray that she comes home safely.”
Edith sent up a quiet prayer for the girl’s safe return. And for the strength to face whatever darkness was lurking just beneath the surface.
After they finished with the blacksmith, they loaded back up into the cart. Daniel kept glancing at Edith as though she wasn’t watching. They headed out of town, and Daniel turned to Edith. “No need to hurry home on such a nice day, huh?”
Edith cocked her head. “What do you mean?”
“Let’s sit a spell, enjoy the sun,” he explained.
Daniel steered the horse toward a quiet spot by the nearby river. The gentle sound of the water rushing over the rocks and the rustling of the trees provided a peaceful retreat from the bustle of town. They found a grassy patch to sit and rest for a moment, both lost in their thoughts.
Edith sat beside Daniel, her fingers idly tracing the edge of her dress as she stared out at the river.
Her heart still felt heavy with the talk of the missing girl, but as the cool breeze brushed against her skin and the sound of the water filled the air, she couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude wash over her.
Daniel had been her rock, her protector in so many ways.
Even without knowing it, he had saved her more than once—physically and emotionally.
She snuck a glance at him, sitting silently beside her, his eyes scanning the riverbank. Her heart beat a little faster as she watched him, and before she could stop herself, the feeling bubbled up inside her—this overwhelming affection, this deep gratitude for everything he had done.
The warmth of the moment, the peace of their surroundings, and the intensity of her emotions pushed her forward before she even realized what she was doing. Without thinking, Edith leaned toward him and pressed a soft kiss upon his lips.