Then she appeared, a tall, thin
woman.
She was handsome in her
severe-ness. A linen dress stopped
midway down her slender calves. With her
elegant, long fingers she drew her brown shawl tighter around her bony shoulders. Her face was all sharp lines: her high
cheekbones sloped beneath sloe, crystal-blue eyes to her pencil-thin nose,
which had a slight upturn at its end.
Her wide mouth showed neither friendly nor stern, yet the only thing
soft about this woman was the loose, brown curls that framed her angular face.
Annabelle swallowed hard; she was
not able to look away.
"I am the Forest Wife, Matt
Jones and Annabelle Smith." The
woman’s voice was deep, feminine and rich, like liquid caramel. "It is my cottage in which you find
yourselves. I hope the stew has filled
your bellies."
Annabelle pressed her lips together
before saying, "The stew was delicious.
Thank you. And thank you very
much for your hospitality, but my friend and I," she broke from the
woman's stare to glance at Matt, who stood stricken, "we've decided to
find accommodation elsewhere." Annabelle reached to Matt and tugged his
sleeve. He stumbled to her side.
The woman's mouth widened slightly
further into a smile. "There is
nowhere else," she said. "You
will not survive out in the night. You
will stay here. I will take care of
you."
"Thank you for your warning,
but we'll be leaving just the same."
The conundrum was before the pair
like lightening, and Annabelle gasped while Matt moved between the two women. “Sit,” she said.
Standing so close, Annabelle could
smell the fragrance of fresh trees, petrichor and newly turned dirt wafting
from the woman, who could nearly look 6'1" Matt in the eye.
“Please. I am anxious to hear of your journey."
Matt and Annabelle sidestepped the
woman and made for the door, Annabelle clinging to the tail of Matt’s jacket
like a leash.
"Matt Jones, Annabelle
Smith," spoke the woman.
Matt stopped and lingered at the
door. Annabelle found herself lingering
too, shoulder bag swinging from her hand.
"You will stay. Only terrible danger awaits you out
there. Stay here, where there is a warm
fire and food to fill your bellies.
Listen to what I say; then tomorrow you may make your…decisions."
Something in Annabelle's head, like
a small, insistent voice softly pounded an encouragement to not leave the
cottage. Annabelle shook her shoulders
and guided Matt forward with a hand on his back.
"Thank you, but we really must
be going." She closed the door
behind them.
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