Echos of the past

Chapter18

Isla woke to a crisp autumn morning, the sunlight filtering through the canopy of leaves outside her window, casting a golden hue over the forest. She stretched languidly, feeling the remnants of a restless night's sleep dissipate as she prepared for the day ahead. Today, she had plans to go apple picking at Mr. Jenkins' orchard, a favorite seasonal activity that she and Henry enjoyed every year.

After a quick breakfast of oatmeal and tea, Isla donned a warm sweater and sturdy boots, ready to make the short journey into town. Henry was already up, tending to the morning chores around the cabin, his presence a reassuring constant in her life. As she bid him farewell, promising to return before dusk, Isla couldn't help but notice the concern in Henry's eyes—a silent reminder of his protective nature, especially after recent events with Teddy.

The walk to town was brisk and invigorating, the crunch of leaves underfoot and the cool breeze carrying the promise of autumn's arrival. Birchwood, with its quaint shops and bustling marketplace, was alive with activity. Isla made her way past familiar storefronts until she reached Mr. Jenkins' orchard on the outskirts of town.

The orchard was a sprawling expanse of fruit-laden trees, their branches bowed under the weight of ripe apples in shades of red and gold. Isla joined the group of young people already at work, each armed with a basket and ladder, eager to earn some extra coin before winter set in.

She fell into the rhythm of picking apples, the repetitive motion soothing as she reached for the highest branches, careful not to bruise the fruit. The air was filled with laughter and chatter as the group worked, sharing stories and teasing each other playfully.

It was midday when Isla spotted him—Teddy, standing a few rows away, his gaze sweeping over the orchard as he searched for the perfect apple. Isla's heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, a rush of conflicting emotions flooding her at once.

Teddy looked up suddenly, his eyes locking with Isla's across the orchard. A smile spread across his face, genuine and warm as he made his way toward her through the rows of trees.

"Isla," Teddy greeted her warmly, his voice carrying over the rustling leaves and distant chatter. "Fancy meeting you here."

Isla felt a blush creep up her cheeks despite herself, a mix of nervousness and excitement swirling within her. "Teddy," she replied, her voice soft yet tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "I didn't expect to see you."

Teddy grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he reached her side. "Well, fate has a funny way of bringing people together," he remarked casually, his tone light and easy.

They fell into easy conversation as they picked apples together, exchanging playful banter and catching up on each other's lives since their last meeting. Teddy was charming as ever, his laughter infectious as they shared stories of their adventures in Birchwood.

As the afternoon wore on, Teddy suggested a break, insisting on buying Isla dinner at the local tavern—a gesture she couldn't refuse after a hard day's work. They walked together back into town, the setting sun casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets.

The tavern was warm and inviting, filled with the aroma of hearty meals and the murmur of patrons enjoying their evening. Isla and Teddy found a quiet corner table, where they settled in comfortably, the flickering candlelight casting a soft glow over their faces.

Over a meal of roast chicken and vegetables, their conversation flowed effortlessly, each moment tinged with the familiarity of old friends rediscovering each other. Teddy was attentive, his eyes never leaving Isla's as they talked about their dreams, their fears, and the small joys of life in Birchwood.

"You know, Isla," Teddy began earnestly, his voice softening as he reached across the table to brush a lock of hair from her face. "You're even more beautiful than I remember."

Isla felt her cheeks flush at his words, a flutter of warmth spreading through her chest. "Teddy," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she met his gaze with a mixture of vulnerability and longing.

Teddy smiled gently, his thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. "Isla," he said softly, his tone sincere. "I've missed you. I've thought about you a lot since we last saw each other."

Isla's heart skipped a beat, torn between the rush of affection she felt for Teddy and the lingering doubts that clouded her mind. "Teddy," she began hesitantly, searching for the right words. "What... what are we doing?"

Teddy's expression softened, his eyes searching hers with a depth of emotion that took her breath away. "Isla," he replied earnestly, his voice gentle yet resolute. "I care about you. More than I can say. And if you'll have me, I want to give us a try. I want us to see where this could go."

Isla's pulse quickened at Teddy's heartfelt confession, her mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. She wanted to believe him, to trust in the possibility of a future together. But lingering in the back of her mind was Henry's concern, his protective instincts sharpened by the wounds of the past.

Before Isla could respond, a shadow fell over their table, and she looked up to see Henry standing there, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the scene before him.

"Henry," Isla exclaimed, her voice tinged with surprise and guilt. "I didn't... I mean, we were just..."

Henry's gaze shifted from Isla to Teddy, his features hardening slightly as he assessed the situation. He remained silent for a moment, the tension palpable in the air.

"Isla," Henry finally spoke, his voice low yet commanding. "We need to go. It's getting late."

Isla nodded, her heart sinking as she realized how late it had become. "I'm sorry, Teddy," she murmured apologetically, her eyes flickering between him and Henry. "I have to go."

Teddy's expression softened, understanding flickering in his eyes despite the disappointment. "Of course," he replied gently, his tone tinged with regret. "I'll... I'll see you around, Isla."

Isla managed a small nod before rising from her seat, her gaze lingering on Teddy for a fleeting moment before she followed Henry out of the tavern. They walked in silence through the quiet streets of Birchwood, the fading light of dusk casting long shadows behind them.

It wasn't until they reached the edge of town and began the familiar trek back to the cabin that Henry finally spoke, his voice tight with concern. "Isla," he began, his tone gentle yet firm. "What happened back there?"

Isla sighed heavily, her thoughts in turmoil as she struggled to find the right words. "I... I ran into Teddy," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "We... we had dinner."

Henry's jaw clenched slightly, a flicker of emotion crossing his face before he regained his composure. "And?" he prompted, his voice steady despite the underlying tension.

"We talked," Isla replied softly, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. "He... he said he missed me. That he wants togive us a try."

Henry's silence was heavy as they walked, the only sound the crunch of leaves underfoot and the distant calls of birds settling in for the night. Isla glanced at him cautiously, searching for any hint of his thoughts.

Finally, Henry spoke, his voice rough with emotion. "Isla," he said quietly, his tone filled with a mix of protectiveness and vulnerability. "You know how I feel about Teddy. About what happened before. I worry he will only hurt you."

Isla nodded slowly, her heart heavy with guilt. "I know, Henry," she murmured, her voice tinged with regret. "But... but he seemed sincere. He said..."

Henry stopped abruptly, turning to face Isla with a sudden intensity that caught her off guard. "Isla," he interrupted firmly, his eyes searching hers with a piercing gaze. "You can't just let him back in like nothing happened. You deserve better than that."

Tears welled in Isla's eyes, her emotions raw and tangled. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking as she struggled to hold back the tears threatening to spill over. "I didn't mean..."

Henry's expression softened, his features softening with empathy as he pulled Isla into a gentle embrace. "Isla," he murmured softly, holding her close as she finally allowed herself to cry. "I'm not angry. I'm scared. Scared of losing you. Sarah chased after a boy that wasn't right for her. I didn't stop her. Now she is dead. I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you."

Isla clung to Henry, the weight of his words sinking in as she realized the depth of his concern. "I'm sorry," she repeated, her voice muffled against his chest. "I didn't mean to worry you."

Henry held her for a long moment, his arms a comforting refuge as they stood together in the gathering darkness. "Let's go home," he said finally, his voice gentle yet firm. "We'll talk more there."

They walked the rest of the way in silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they navigated the familiar path back to the cabin. When they finally reached the sanctuary of their home, Henry guided Isla inside, his touch reassuring as he closed the door behind them.