Edie

Edie

SasatheShy

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Chapter Twenty-Eight: Proposal

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A ray of sunlight flooded the captain’s room. Edie moaned as the light hit her eyes. Groaning, she turned over in the soft bed. She yawned as she peeked a single eye open. Her brown orb glanced about. She looked confused, at first. She slowly leaned her head up a bit, but not fully. She turned, seeing Cain smiling down at her.

“Hello,” he whispered. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. He grabbed her snuggly and held her close. “Mm… Sleep well?”

“What time is it?” Edie asked.

Shrugging, Cain kissed her neck. “Early morning.”

“What!” gasped Edie. She pulled away from Cain, upsetting him. She pushed back the covers and got to her feet.

Sighing, Cain eyed her naked body. He licked his lips, watching her jiggly behind as he sat up. “Edie, what’s the hurry?”

“I shouldn’t be here,” Edie said. She fiddled with her dress. “Why did you let me fall asleep? Tonisha was supposed to wait up for me! And I should be starting up the kitchen by now…”

“Whoa,” Cain interrupted. He got to his feet and went up to hug her. “Calm down. Easy, easy…”

“I can’t…” Edie groaned. She turned to stare up at him, trying to avoid his non-erect penis. Though it dangled now, it was still big and fabulous. Edie tried hard not to touch it. “If she finds out I -- stayed here all night. Ugh --”

Cain shrugged. “Relax. I’ll take you home, and if she asks questions, then I can talk to her.”

“No!” Edie squeaked. She quickly covered her mouth, and blushed. She looked away, startling Cain.

“Do you not want her to know?”

“We weren’t -- expecting this to happen. I just think we should keep this between us for now.”

Sighing, Cain rubbed her shoulders tenderly. He smiled at her, though he knew she was scared. If Tonisha knew what they had done, she’d probably chase them both down with a knife. “Alright. But I’ll still take you home.”

Blushing, Edie gazed at him. She leaned forward, kissing him. He kissed her back. “Mm…”

“Thank you,” smiled Edie.

“Of course.”

--

Edie was a bit excited. Cain was taking her home in his fancy carriage, which, from what she had heard, only he rode in. She guessed that Verity never got the chance. She put her hands in her lap as the carriage galloped down the street.

What took many long minutes from walking only took five, at least, by carriage. Edie was facing the inn in no time. She looked up at Cain, seeing that he really wanted to lead her inside. But Edie insisted she go in alone. While they looked at one another for a moment, Edie found herself blushing. She looked down at his jacket. He had changed back into his usual uniform, looking sharp as ever.

Slowly, she hugged him. It was brief, but nice. He hugged her in return.

“I will visit again tonight,” he whispered.

“Okay,” she smiled. She opened the door, waved, and went inside.

Sighing happily, Cain went back into his carriage. That previous night truly had been the best night of his life. And Edie made him feel glorious. He’d surely take her as his bride.

--

A wave of relief washed over Edie the moment she stepped indoors. She had peeked around, and saw no sign of Tonisha nor Leigh. Perhaps they were still sleeping? She could sneak down into her room, and pretend that she had just woken up. She hurriedly did just that, racing through the not yet open inn. She saw Tonisha’s bedroom door was closed.

Lucky break!

Sighing, she made it to her room. But she gaped.

Her door was wide open!

Cautiously, she inched over to her door. She peered inside, gasping to find Lavan looking around. Blushing, she went inside and closed the door. “L -- Lavan?”

“Edie,” he said brightly. He sighed as he went up to her. He hugged her close. “Where the hell were you? I was about ready to go and wake Tonisha.”

“I’m fine, really,” Edie said. She decided that lying was the best thing to do. “I just woke up early, so I thought I’d go for a little walk.”

Lavan raised a brow at her. She hoped that he would believe her. She did not need him to be snoopy. If he found out where she had really been, well -- she did not know what she’d do. She cared deeply for him, but now she also cared for Cain.

She was becoming confused.

“Alright,” Lavan finally said, making Edie thankful.

“When did you get back?” Edie asked, hoping to change the subject. She removed her shawl and walked behind Lavan to set it in the top drawer of her dresser.

“Last night,” Lavan said. “I would have come down to see you, but it was pretty late.”

Again, Edie was relieved. She had to thank the Lord that her night with Cain, thus far, was safe. But for all she knew, Tonisha had stayed up to wait for her. And once discovering she had been gone for far too long, had the idea that either Cain forced her to stay or something happened while she was on her way to Cain’s.

No. If that had happened, the inn would be a wreck like it had been when Amana was gone.

She had to be safe.

Suddenly, Lavan’s strong, nature-smelling arms wrapped around her. He blew into her ear, causing her to shiver. “I missed you.”

“Y -- you too,” she stuttered. But she pulled away. She saw that she had surprised Lavan by doing this. “Sorry. I’m tired. And I should start prepping the kitchen for the day.”

“Let me help,” he said.

Knowing she couldn’t say no to his offer, Edie nodded. She jumped when she felt his hand slither into hers. She looked up at him. He was smiling nicely. Suddenly, a tinge of guilt met Edie. She lightly smiled back, but it was faked. She looked ahead as they went into the kitchen.

“Thanks for the help, Lavan.” Edie smiled as she opened the freeze box. She pulled out a pre-made pot of stew. She turned to find Lavan starting a nice fire for her.

“It’s not a problem,” he said. He took the pot from her, since it was heavy. He put it over the fire.

While the stew heated, Edie got out some balls of frozen dough. She set them on the counter to thaw, and then she started a fire under the wood stove for baking pies. She was glad to find that the kitchen was clean and ready for her. She knew that with Amana’s absence, it would be more difficult to run things. She would need Lavan taking orders and cleaning tables in Amana’s place. Did he know about what Amana had gone through? Should she tell him?

“We did good,” he then said out of the blue. Well, Edie could talk with him later. “We got two does and a rabbit. We’re pretty packed in. I think that that’s all we’re going to hunt.”

Gaping, Edie looked over at him. She was stunned, for she was not expecting him to bring something like this up. “Are you -- going to leave?”

“They all want to,” he nodded. “And I don’t blame them. I’ve kept them here for long enough.” Pausing, Lavan slowly made his way over to Edie. He stood before her, almost sensing that she was cowering to keep from discussing the subject. He smiled gently at her. He took her hand in his. “So I -- I was wondering if we could talk. I mean -- I have been meaning to talk with you alone… And well, we’re alone now.”

“Lavan,” she whispered. She received a shaking head, and a squeeze to her hand.

“Please, let me finish,” he insisted. “Edie, I do miss Naltin. I miss my people. I miss my home, there. And I do want to go back. But -- I don’t want to return empty-handed…”

“You won’t be empty-handed. You have all of that frozen, cut up meat. And you have your friends…”

Laughing, Lavan shook his head. “That’s not what I meant.” Sighing, he looked down at her. Her hand was now shaking, and this caught his attention.

Was she scared?

“Edie,” he continued. “That one thing I’m missing is -- well, is you…”

She had backed into the wall, but Lavan went on.

“I want you to come with us, Edie,” he smiled. He rubbed her hand reassuringly. He wanted her to know that he was meaning every word that was spilling out of his mouth. “Come with us. Come and meet my people, see my village.”

It was almost like a dream. Some fantasy come true. Edie could hardly believe what she was being offered. Such an opportunity would surely be amazing to accept! However, could she accept?

“B -- but my -- kitchen,” she said, trying to think up an excuse. She knew that it had sounded silly. She regretted it, even. She bowed her head, feeling ashamed.

“Not a big loss,” replied Lavan. He didn’t seem to notice the sadness she was showing. “We can come back here again, later… Maybe -- find a nice place…” he paused. He went red as Edie’s eyes swiftly met his. He gaped, seeing that her eyes were very grand.

“La -- Lavan?” she managed to gasp.

Taking a deep breath, Lavan slowly got on his knees. He stared up at Edie, resting both his hands over hers. He smiled up at her, encouraging her to take in what he was about to ask. He saw that her entire body was shaking greatly. She seemed about ready to faint on him. He hoped that he’d keep her steady by holding her hands.

“Our time together hasn’t been that long,” he whispered. “But I feel as if we truly were destined to meet, Edie. I can feel that we were. And I want you to know that I’d do anything and everything for you because…” Pausing, he took a deep breath. He smiled. “Because I love you, Edie.”

“So, Edie -- I was wondering if you’d -- well -- if you’d marry me?”

She wobbled in place, nearly losing control. She took her hands back, needing them to keep balanced. Lavan had quickly gotten back to his feet, ready to catch her if she fell. He stayed up close to her as she took in his unexpected proposal.

“M -- marry…?” she asked, stuttering.

Immediately, Lavan knew that it was too soon. He took a step back, realizing that he should had waited for an opportune moment. He glanced down, but he kept his composure. He took a deep breath before looking back up at her, smiling. He nodded as he reached forward to massage her arm. He attempted to make her agree.

“Yes,” he smiled. “I love you, Edie. And I want to marry you, and live with you somewhere -- somewhere nice. I want to be able to comfort you all the time.”

Gulping, Edie looked down. She started to sweat. Currently, she did not feel comforted. In fact, she felt rather uncomfortable. She felt tight. She pulled at the neck of her dress, feeling as if she was being choked. She eyed his fingers resting on her arm. She knew that she was hurting him, but she knew that she could not accept his proposal. She just couldn’t. Not after her night before with Cain. Not while all these bizarre, strong emotions were running through her veins hauntingly.

Instead, she simply answered, “I -- I have to think about it.”

By the way Lavan stepped back, she knew she had just stabbed at him coldly. She knew that he was hurt. But she knew it was for the best.

Right now, at least.

“I -- I see,” he answered, muttering. It was obvious he hadn’t expected to be turned down. He had been absolutely certain that she loved him in return.

Thinking back on what his friends said in the forests made Lavan growl. He looked to his left, watching steam rising from the heated stew. He shook his head. They had been wrong. His fucking friends knew nothing! He knew they were not at fault. He knew that they were only being supportive of his decision.

But it had been wrong.

“I’m sorry,” Edie said, then. She felt as if she could cry at any second. She did not need that. She had had a wonderful night with Cain. And she knew she’d keep that secret from Lavan.

He shook his head. “D -- don’t worry about it. Take all the time you need.” Turning, he went back to work. He worked silently.

Frowning, Edie went on with her own work. A heaviness pushed against her heart. As the day processed, she continuously rubbed at her chest every time she saw Lavan.

She was torn; torn between two men that both loved her; two men that both wanted to marry her.

What was she to do?

--

“What! She said no?”

Glaring, Blythe found her hand hitting Roddy on the backside of his head. He gasped, and glared back at her. They had just heard the news of Lavan’s embarrassed moment. The four were upstairs, gathered around a circular table. They each had a glass of ale, and some bread and cheese for snacking on. It was evening now, and the kitchen was closed.

“Sorry, Lavan,” frowned Pip.

“It wasn’t really a no,” Lavan sighed. He took a large gulp of his drink, needing the refreshment. “She just said she needed to think about it. I mean -- I know she loves working here… She loves cooking…”

“Of course,” Blythe said reassuringly. “Just give her time to consider it. I’m sure it will happen.”

Lavan grumbled under his breath. But he would not argue with his friends’ support. He only nodded as he took another swig of his drink. He belched softly, and leaned back. He was troubled. He felt as if there was more to Edie’s attitude towards the whole thing. She had not acted like he had imagined. Sure, he had the feeling she’d have small tremors, and would nearly faint. But her reactions had been stronger, unclear, and frightening.

Ascertain that there was more to it, Lavan lowered his head. He closed his eyes, prepared to think.

But just then, his answer walked through the front door.

Turning his head, he watched, horrified to find Captain Cain entering the inn with Mark and Hyatt at his sides. To Mark’s side was Aleah, her being there due to Mark’s promise of keeping her at bay.

His face fell. And Roddy then read him like a book.

“Maybe he’s the reason.”

“Roddy,” shrieked Blythe. She gasped, watching Lavan get to his feet. “Lavan, what are you doing?” She covered her mouth, shocked.

Her friend was storming over to Cain in heated rage.

“Don’t do anything crazy,” she squeaked. She turned her head, eyes bulging as Roddy and Pip went to join Lavan. She shook her head, knowing that this would not end well.