Echos of the past

chapter 21

As Birchwood bustled with the festive spirit of Christmas, Isla and Henry arrived in town, their truck laden with furs and a small supply of fresh meat. The air was crisp and filled with the scent of pine and cinnamon, and Isla couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment as she glanced at the meager basket of eggs beside her.

"It's just not enough," Isla murmured to Henry as they unloaded their goods near the marketplace stalls. "The chickens aren't laying well in this cold."

Henry nodded sympathetically, his weathered face reflecting understanding. "We'll manage, Isla," he assured her, patting her shoulder gently. "The furs and the meat will still fetch a good price."

They set about arranging their stall, Isla carefully laying out the furs while Henry displayed the cuts of meat, his practiced hands arranging them to showcase their quality. Around them, other vendors were busy too, some selling handmade crafts, others offering baked goods and seasonal treats.

Once everything was set up, Henry urged Isla to wander around a bit while he attended to potential customers. "Go on, Isla," he encouraged her with a small smile. "Take a look around. Maybe you'll find something you like."

Isla nodded gratefully and set off, her boots crunching lightly on the dusting of snow that adorned the cobblestone streets. The town was a spectacle of Christmas cheer—storefronts adorned with wreaths and garlands, windows glowing with twinkling lights and displays of festive merchandise.

She wandered into a quaint little shop that specialized in handmade ornaments and trinkets. The smell of cinnamon and pine greeted her as she stepped inside, and she found herself drawn to a display of intricately carved wooden figurines. Isla traced her fingers over the delicate carvings, marveling at the craftsmanship.

"Finding something you like?"

The voice startled Isla, and she looked up to find Teddy standing beside her, a warm smile on his face. Dressed in a wool coat and scarf, he looked every bit as charming as she remembered.

"Oh, hi," Isla greeted, feeling a rush of warmth in her cheeks. "Yeah, just looking around. This shop has some beautiful things."

Teddy nodded, his gaze lingering on her with an intensity that made her heart flutter. "It does," he agreed, his voice soft. "But I think I've found something even more beautiful."

Isla blushed deeper at his compliment, unsure of how to respond. Teddy chuckled softly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Isla, I... I've been thinking," he began, his tone earnest. "There's something I want for Christmas."

Curiosity and nervousness mingled in Isla's chest as she met Teddy's gaze. "What's that?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Teddy stepped closer, his expression earnest. "A kiss," he confessed, his eyes searching hers for a reaction.

Isla's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks aflame as she processed his words. She hadn't expected such a bold declaration, and yet, she couldn't deny the flutter of excitement it sparked within her. A kiss would feel magical or at least Isla assumed it would. She had never been kissed.

"I..." Isla started, her mind racing as she struggled to find the right words.

Before she could respond, Henry's voice cut through the moment. "Isla!"

Both Isla and Teddy turned to see Henry striding purposefully toward them, his expression a mix of concern and annoyance. Isla's cheeks burned hotter as she realized she had been caught in a private moment with Teddy.

"Henry," Isla greeted nervously, her eyes darting between Henry and Teddy.

Henry's gaze settled on Teddy, his expression unreadable. "Teddy," he acknowledged curtly, his voice clipped.

Teddy, ever the charismatic one, extended his hand toward Henry. "Nice to see you again, Henry," he said with a polite smile, though there was a hint of tension in his voice.

Henry clasped Teddy's hand briefly before releasing it, his gaze never leaving the younger man. "Likewise," he replied tersely, his stance protective.

Isla shifted uncomfortably, acutely aware of the tension between the two men. "Um, Teddy, this is Henry," she interjected quickly, hoping to diffuse the atmosphere. "Henry, this is Teddy."

The men exchanged another brief nod, their mutual wariness palpable in the air. Isla bit her lip nervously, wondering how she could salvage the situation.

"Well," Teddy spoke up, breaking the awkward silence, "Isla and I were just... admiring the decorations."

Henry grunted noncommittally, his eyes flickering to Isla briefly before returning to Teddy. Isla felt a pang of guilt for putting Henry in this position, but she also couldn't deny the flutter of excitement Teddy's presence stirred in her.

"I should get back to the stall," Henry said abruptly, his tone dismissive. "We've got furs and meat to sell."

Isla nodded, relieved for the distraction. "Right," she agreed quickly, turning to Teddy. "I'll see you around, Teddy."

Teddy smiled warmly at her, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Looking forward to it," he replied softly, his gaze lingering on her before he turned and walked away.

As Henry and Isla made their way back to the stall, Isla couldn't shake the swirl of emotions Teddy's unexpected visit had stirred within her. Henry's silence spoke volumes, and Isla knew he was waiting for an explanation.

"Isla," Henry began as they reached the stall, his voice low and measured, "be careful around that boy."

Isla nodded solemnly, her heart torn between her growing feelings for Teddy and her deep respect for Henry's opinion. "I will, Henry," she promised earnestly, her gaze meeting his with sincerity.

Henry sighed heavily, his expression softening. "Alright then," he said quietly, his tone tinged with resignation. "Let's get back to selling these furs."

They spent the rest of the day attending to customers, the market bustling with holiday shoppers eager to purchase last-minute gifts and seasonal treats. Isla did her best to focus on the sales, pushing thoughts of Teddy to the back of her mind.

As the sun began to set and the air grew colder, Henry packed up the remaining furs and meat, their coin pouch heavier than usual despite the lack of eggs. Isla helped him load everything back into the truck, her thoughts drifting back to Teddy and his unexpected request.

"You okay, Isla?" Henry asked quietly as they drove back toward the sanctuary of their cabin, the snow-dusted forest passing by in a blur of white.

Isla nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her inner turmoil. "Yeah," she replied softly, her gaze fixed on the darkening horizon. "Just... thinking."

Henry nodded in understanding, his eyes on the road ahead. "About Teddy?"

Isla hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah," she admitted quietly. "He... he asked for a kiss."

Henry grunted softly, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "Bold move," he remarked gruffly, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Isla blushed furiously, feeling both embarrassed and flattered by Teddy's boldness. "I didn't know what to say," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. Part of her wanted a kiss, but another part terrified her. Surely Henry has kissed other girls. What if Isla's kisses disappointed him.

Henry glanced at her with a small smile. "You'll figure it out, Isla," he assured her gently. "Just... take your time."

They drove the rest of the way in companionable silence, the warmth of the truck cocooning them against the cold of the winter night. Isla couldn't help but feel grateful for Henry's steady presence and wise counsel, even as her thoughts wandered back to Teddy and the promise of Christmas just around the corner. The thought of his lips pressed agaianst hers made butterflies fill her stomach. Would a kiss feel magical? or would it feel like nothing at all? Only experiencing it would let her know. Isla couldn't help but experiencing her first kiss with Teddy. The thought of a kiss made her cheeks flush.