Fate's Call #3

Like the last one, I guess I don't have much to say here. Hope you like it and you check back for the next segment! I am going to Chicago Thursday, so my next segment might be a lil delayed. Forgive me if it's Friday instead of Weds.

Limbsheavy, his chest constricted with crushing disappointment. He couldn't findher. Jarek had scoured the market and the surrounding area—even three of thebetter taverns with rooms for rent. No sign of the girl or her father. It wasas if the whole exchange had been some phantom he'd imagined. Had his fathernot been a witness, he really would have thought he'd lost his mind.Wherethe hell had they gone? Dalunas Main was not so large that one couldn't coverit in a day. Were they in Lower Dalunas? Jarek shuddered. No. For the girl's sake, it couldn't be.Eveningwas settling, and with it a chill in the air. The breeze carried the scent ofimpending rain. Jarek sent a quick prayer to the Blessed Spirit that she waswarm, safe and stayed dry for the night. He admitted defeat. If he didn't headhome, his father would worry. Not to mention Anais. Hisfather was laughing when Jarek entered their quarters, located on the oppositeside of their storefront. Laughing. Hestared for a moment, looking back and forth from Kirgan and the woman that satat the table with him. Whyhad he never noticed how lovely the widow was? Anais wore no bonnet, her fairhair neatly coiffed at the back of her head, and her face was radiant as shelooked at his father.Washe intruding? He was hesitant to enter his own home."Jarek,"his father exclaimed as he noticed him hovering in the doorway. Anaisshot to her feet as if she'd been caught doing something wrong, her cheekscrimson. Jarek would have taken a moment to reassure her, but it could resultin further embarrassment, and he didn't want that. He loved the idea of themtogether."Wherehave you been, lad? I was starting to worry," Kirgan remarked. Onecorner of Jarek's mouth lifted. His father had looked content…and far too busyto be worried about his adult son.But it warmed his heart anyway."Letme get you something warm to eat," Anais rushed her words."I'mfine," Jarek told her with a gentle smile that got him nowhere as she hurriedto the hearth. As soon as she lifted the lid from the pot of stew she'd made,the pleasant aroma tickled his nose and his stomach growled. "All right, I'lleat."Anaisthrew a smile over her shoulder as she spooned his supper in a bowl. "I thoughtas much, this is your favorite.""Youknow us so well," his father mused. Jarek glanced at him and saw a tendernessthere as the older man gazed at the widow. He hadn't seen that before. It's about damn time. What had changedthe awkwardness Kirgan had displayed this morning?Hisheart skipped a beat as the stunning girl danced across his thoughts. He didn'tknow her, yet he could imagine gazing at her in much the same way. She'denchanted him."Ishould think so," Anais said, grinning as she came back to the table. "I havebeen caring for you both for turns."Kirgannodded and Jarek slipped into his normal seat."Hereyou go, love.""Thankyou," Jarek told her as his father handed him a spoon. He nodded thanks to himas well. Anaisslipped her arm around his shoulders and squeezed him in a hug before she satback down next to his father. She'd moved too fast for him to return theaffection, but Jarek wanted to. He flashed her a smile instead and took a biteof the thick bread she'd made.Hegroaned in appreciation and Anais rewarded him with another grin. She had toldhim many times that preparing food held no joy unless she could share it withothers who would also delight in it. She was a fantastic cook."Wheredid you go?" his father asked.Theyboth watched him. Too closely. Howmuch should Jarek admit? They would both likely think him foolish. He didn'tunderstand the drive to find the girl himself, how could he explain it to hisfather?"Ilooked for the lass," he admitted. Kirgan'sbrows drew together. "But why?"            Anais's expression also heldconfusion, but Jarek didn't stop to recite the happening of that morning,although his father might have mentioned it.            "I can't explain it, Da. I need tofind her."            His father looked even moreconcerned. He rested his calloused hand on Jarek's forearm. "Be sure you're notconcerning yourself with something that isnone of your concern."            Jarek sighed. He didn't want to hearthe sense of his father's caution. He just needed to find her. He couldn'texplain the whys.            "He should find her, Kirgan, if hefeels that strongly. Perhaps it's fate," Anais said softly. So, his father hadtold her what had happened after all. Jarek shot her a grateful look.            Kirgan looked deep in thought for along moment before he spoke. "Fate?"            Anais smiled at them both. "Don'ttell me such things are only for foolish women. I'm beyond believing that."            Jarek grinned and his fatherchuckled.            "I would never call you a fool, mydear," his father whispered.            Anais beamed and squeezed his hand.            "Smart man," Jarek put in. "If youdid, Da, she might never feed you again, and we all know what a horrible cook I am." They all laughed.            His father and the widow gazed ateach other as if he wasn't there. Jarek shifted on his seat. Quite odd to bethe uncomfortable one in his own home. Bigsky blue eyes and blonde plaits entered his mind again. Why was she hauntinghim? Did it really mean something? Was there such a thing as fate, as Anais hadsaid? Heexcused himself from the table. His father and Anais barely noticed. Jarek wasfine with that. When she retired for the evening—provided it was to her ownbed—he would tell his father that he had his blessing. Perhaps it would assistKirgan along with things, although based on what happened at the table, maybehis father had finally girded himself against shyness. He laughed and shook hishead. What a thought that was.Jarekbusied himself preparing for bed, but the fair haired girl wouldn't exit hismind. He was more determined than ever to find her.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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