Egypt Valley

Chp. 2

I slowly walked up the dirt path to the Hunter’s place. I trailed my hand alongside the wooden fence as my thoughts wandered randomly. I was so distracted that I ran into a man that was leaning on one of the fence posts.

My face turned red as I looked at him with wide eyes. I could feel my lips moving but no sound was coming out. He was the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. Well, I’m assuming he was a man because he had a small beard and mustache.

He stood in front of me and smiled. He had the whitest, straightest teeth I’ve ever seen. Somehow, they glistened brighter than the morning snow.

“Good morning miss.” He gripped the tip of his hat and nodded his head. “What is a young lass like yourself doing out in this cold so early in the morning?”

I took a deep breath in and raised my chin, summoning all of my confidence. “Good morning to you kind sir. I am heading to work at the Hunter’s place.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. Why am I telling this stranger where I’m going? Oh my goodness, I can’t possibly be this stupid.

His smile grew broader. “Alex Hunter? Why, I work at his coal mine! Thomas Carr is the name.” He stuck out a gloved hand toward me.

I looked at his hand and hesitated. I turned my brown eyes up to look into his blue ones as I fidgeted with my hands. I finally stuck my hand in his and shook firmly. He tilted his head with respect. “Your father must have taught you how to shake a gentleman’s hand properly.” His eyes sparkled. I don’t know what came over my body but I felt very serene. I felt I could trust this man.

I shook my head and lowered my eyes, shoving my way past him. “I have to go,” I said quietly. I had no idea what this warm feeling was in the pit of my stomach. Being a new sensation, it terrified me.

He grabbed my arm, catching me by surprise. I closed my eyes and bit my lip before turning back to him. I looked at him and saw that damn captivating smile. At this point, I was becoming very irritated. I snatched my arm from his grasp and ran the rest of the way to the Hunter’s house. I didn’t look back.

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I reached the Hunter’s front door, panting heavily. I leaned against the door gulping in deep breaths of air. My heart rate finally returned to normal and my breathing was steady. I knocked on the door only to be met with silence. I glanced around but didn’t see anyone. I tried the door knob and the door opened easily.

“Hello?” I called out. “Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, I’m here to take care of my duties.”

I quietly shut the door behind me. They have always told me to just come in if no one answered. I took off my coat, hat, and gloves and hung them by the door. I also took off my boots and left them by the door. I certainly didn’t want to make a mess that I would have to clean up.

I headed to the kitchen to get started on the morning dishes and scrubbing the counters and table. After I finished with that, I cleaned the ashes from the stove and put fresh wood in it. Mr. Hunter always brought the wood in for me. I never understood why because I could easily go to the shed and get it myself.

After the kitchen was cleaned, I went from room to room dusting, sweeping, and mopping. It never took long because Mrs. Hunter always tidied up before going to bed. Sometimes I wondered why they even hired me. I guess they felt bad for my family.

Feeling content with my work, I put my winter gear back on and left the house. I decided to check in on the chickens and pigs. Both pens had fresh feed and water. I knelt down to say hello to my piglet friend, Patricia. She wasn’t really a piglet but she was extremely smaller than the other pigs. I think Mr. Hunter kept her around just for me. Same with the chicken I call Beatrice. She hasn’t laid an egg in years and is considerably frail but healthy none the less. I finished up with my farm friends and headed back to the path leading to my home.

“Louiza! Louiza! Come here girl!” I spun around on my heel, looking around for Mr. Hunter. I spotted him waving to me from the horse stables. I sighed. Of course he was there. Why didn’t I think to look there?

I briskly made my way through the snow to him. I stopped dead in my tracks when that man (Thomas was it?) stepped out from the side of Brownie, this huge gray and white steed. He grinned and winked at me. Okay, that’s creepy.

“Louiza, come on over here and meet my coal miner, Mr. Carr.” I hesitated, eyeing him as he waved for me to come closer. “What is wrong with you child?”

I shook my head and forced a smile. I couldn’t take my eyes off of that man as I inched closer to them. He, again, tipped his hat and said, “mornin’ miss.”

“Good morning sir,” I muttered. Mr. Hunter looked at me with a strange expression.

“Oh, I beg your pardon Mr. Hunter. We met on the path heading to your home sir. I just never caught her name.”

“Well then! Thomas, this is Louiza and Louiza, this is Thomas.” Mr. Hunter introduced us while tugging on his suspenders.

“It’s nice to have a name for that pretty face,” Thomas said with a wink. I could feel my body getting warm and that strange feeling rose within me again.

“Mr. Hunter. The house is clean and I checked on the chickens and pigs. I will be taking my leave now,” I said quickly.

He c****d his head to the side and narrowed his eyes as if in thought. Eventually, he said, “Well get on home girl. Do return before sundown because the Mrs. has something for the family.”

I nodded in acknowledgement and took my leave. The walk home was full of random thoughts. Thoughts that would make the pastor blush. My face reddened as my home came into view. What is wrong with me? I feel so..dirty. And not in a physical sense. Is this normal?

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“Well, Thomas, it seems young Louiza has taken a fancy to you.” Mr. Hunter held his gaze steady on Thomas. Thomas smiled and looked down, kicking at the snow.

“She is a beautiful girl. When you say young, how young do you mean?” Thomas looks at him with imploring eyes.

“The lass’s birthday was today. She is thirteen I believe.”

Thomas smiled. “Well that isn’t too much age difference. Less than ten years. I would very much like to court her.”

Mr. Hunter stared at him for a few minutes before finally replying, “I know her parents very well and they take everything very seriously. If this is just a whimsical fancy, I won’t even bother to tell them.”

“Oh no sir. I want to marry her. I want her to be mine forever.” Thomas’s face turned bright red. “I’ve never seen such beauty.”

“In that case, I will call on her parents to meet us for a dinner within the next few days. I will let the Mrs. know as well because she does better at coordinating these types of things.”

“You won’t regret it sir!” Thomas exclaimed gleefully. He started whistling as he saddled the horse. “I will see you at the mines.” He galloped away as Mr. Hunter stood and watched him, unsure of what he had done. Thomas is a good man. What could go wrong?

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When I got home, I put on my pretty dress that Mother made and we celebrated my birthday. I had a smile on my face but I felt disconnected. I didn’t know how to feel. So I just enjoyed the celebration into womanhood the best I could. How could I explain all these emotions? It seemed too draining.

As we were celebrating, I noticed that the sun was starting to set and I suddenly remembered I had to go back to the Hunter’s place to pick up whatever it was that Mrs. Hunter had for us. I explained my abrupt departure and hurriedly put on my winter clothes and rushed out the door. My mother started to say something but I couldn’t even make out what she started to say. I was in such a hurry. I hated walking in the dark, no matter how close we lived to each other.

I reached the Hunter’s house in record time. I knocked on the door and Mrs. Hunter answered with a warm smile. “Hello sweet girl! Happy birthday to you! Come in! Come in!” She gushed as she ushered me through the door. “I won’t keep you long. Wait here.” She squealed with delight as she left the room.

She came back holding a covered tray. As she handed it to me she said, “Now dear. This is a very freshly made ham with potatoes and carrots. I also made you a small cake.” She winked and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Oh, and tell your parents to be here for dinner tomorrow evening.”

I narrowed my eyes and frowned. “Why?” I asked curiously. There was always a motive when they asked us to dinner.

“Don’t you worry about that just yet dear. Just make sure that you come.” She was wringing her hands and her smile wavered. She seemed a little nervous.

“Okay,” I said suspiciously. I turned to leave, thanking her for her kindness.

The sky was already dark as I walked along the path. I saw a shadow from the corner of my eye and froze. I looked around but didn’t see anyone or anything. I found my feet again and continued on.

“Why are you walking alone at night?” That voice. That f*****g silky voice.

“Thomas?” I whispered.

“Yes ma’am. Let me take that parcel from you.” He took the platter from my arms and I felt instant relief. I didn’t even realize that it was that heavy.

“Thank you,” I said quietly. We walked side-by-side until my house came into view. He handed me the platter back.

“Have a good night miss.” He tilted his hat at me. All I could muster was a smile and nod.

Before going into my house, I looked behind me. He was gone. I silently entered the house. Mother greeted me and took the platter.

She was delighted as she fixed plates and handed them out. I just sat and poked at my food. The only words I said were about dinner at the Hunter’s place tomorrow which seemed to delight both my parents and my little brother. I wasn’t so sure if I was happy about it or not.

I went to bed with so many mixed feelings and thoughts that it was difficult to fall asleep. Eventually, I fell into a restless sleep.