Secret Hearts parts 21-
Secret Hearts
The Music Festival
at long last, here's my next chapter
****
"I don't think it suits me," Ann said.
"Nonsense!" Doug replied in a gentle voice. "You look lovely."
Ann smoothed the skirt of her new dress. It was a soft green, and it was very pretty. But Ann felt uncomfortable in a dress. She was used to wearing pants. She sighed. Doug frowned a little. He gazed at Ann for a moment, then reached up and pulled out her hair-ribbon. He used his fingers to comb out the braid into loose waves.
"Much better," he smiled.
Ann peered into the mirror and gasped. The change was dramatic. Her red hair had been braided early in the morning while it was still wet, and as a result, her hair hung in rippling waves down her back. The effect was like a sunset reflected in a lake. Ann patted her hair, a gesture that was almost shy.
"Come on," Doug smiled. We have to go, or we'll be late for the festival!"
****
Ann and her father hurried through the cool Autumn night. The air smelled of woodsmoke, and damp leaves. Ann inhaled the scent deeply. It was such a wonderful smell. Outside the church, Karen and Carter were standing together, hand in hand. This was a special night for them.
Three years ago, Carter had heard Karen singing a lovely song by the Spring. He had fallen in love with her, right then and there. Carter wanted everyone to hear Karen's voice, so he organized the Music Festival for her. This year was the first time they would be celebrating the festival together.
"There you are, Ann," Carter smiled. "You'd better hurry inside!"
Karen touched Ann's arm. "Your hair looks great!" she said. Ann blushed.
"Thanks," she mumbled.
Inside, Jack, Elli, and Mary were already waiting at the front of the church. The pews were full of people. Ann, Karen and Carter rushed up to the front.
"I'm sorry for the delay," Carter said. "But good things are worth waiting for!"
The Festival began. Ann and Elli played their flutes, Jack played the ocarina that he borrowed from Carter, and Mary played the organ. Karen, of course, sang. Her beautiful voice filled the church. Everyone sat quietly in their seats and listened. Everyone, that is, except Manna. She peered around the church like a curious child, more interested in people's reactions to the music, than in the music itself. She looked at Cliff, who was smiling at Mary, at Carter, who was beaming as he looked at his wife. Manna craned her neck behind her and saw Popuri whisper something in Gray's ear. He blushed and whispered back. Manna smiled, then looked at Doc.
He was watching Ann.
Manna was pleased by that. An idea formed in her head. She nudged Doug, who was seated next to her, and whispered something. Doug's eyes widened, then he smiled and replied.
****
After the festival Ann could not find her father. She looked all around the church, but Doug was nowhere to be seen. Manna waved at her, and Ann went over.
"Oh, honey, I guess Doug went along without you," Manna frowned.
"I thought so," Ann replied. "I guess I'll head home." she added.
"You can't do that!" Manna exclaimed. "Duke and I would do it, but we're going to visit with Sasha and Jeff..." Just then Doc walked past, and Manna beckoned him over.
"Oh, Doctor! Can you be a dear, and escort Ann home?" Manna asked in a honey-sweet tone.
"I guess so," Doc replied.
"Thank you so much!" Manna gushed. "Well, get along now! Its getting late!"
As they left, Manna smiled to herself. It had gone along very well. Ann was too naive to suspect anything, and Doc was to shy to object.
"Just call me Mrs. Matchmaker," she said, and went to Sasha's house humming. Sasha, as you may have guessed, had not invited Duke and Manna over, but Manna went anyway.
Ann and Doc walked together. Good-hearted Ann never suspected that Manna was setting her and Doc up, but Doc knew it perfectly well. And he was glad of it. He would never have had the courage to do it on his own.
Sadly, the Inn was not far from the church, and soon the couple arrived at their destination.
"Thanks," Ann smiled.
"It was no problem," Doc replied. He hesitated, then added, "Your hair looks nice. You should wear it like that more often"
Ann blushed again. "Thanks," she mumbled. Doc smiled, and left.
Doug watched the whole scene from his window. It was working perfectly! Manna was a genius!
to be continued!
Race For the Blue Feather!
Time passed. The air grew cool, and leaves turned brilliant colors on the trees before fluttering to the ground. Manna carefully monitored the progress of the fledging relationships, ready to dive in as soon she noticed anything go asunder. But to her surprise, she didn't have to meddle anymore. Doc continued to call on Ann, Cliff spent all his free time with Mary and Popuri was practically glued to Gray's side. Things were starting to get a little boring.
*****
Jeff smiled as he un-packed his new shipment. He had gotten his hands on a very rare and expensive item. Zack walked in just as Jeff was placing the item on the shelf.
"Hey--Is that a Blue Feather?" Zack asked.
"It sure is!" Jeff beamed.
Zack sighed heavily and grabbed a few things off the shelf. He glanced back at the feather with a wistful expression on his face.
"I hope whoever buys that will be happy" Zack murmured.
Zack had no sooner left than Cliff entered. "I'm here to pick up a few things for Manna...." Cliff's voice trailed off when he saw the Blue Feather. "How much?" he asked
Jeff quoted his price and Cliff's face fell.
"I can't afford that..." he sighed.
"I...I'm sorry,"Jeff stammered, "but I really can't let it go for l-less that that."
"I understand," Cliff replied.
Afterwords, Jeff wondered if he should have given Cliff a break on the price, or worked out some sort of payment plan. His stomach twisted as he thought of all the ways he could've handled the situation. He was just taking a dose of medicine when Kai entered.
"'Sup, Jeff!" Kai said cheerfully. Then he stopped. "What's that thing?" he asked pointing.
Its a Blue Feather," Jeff explained. "Its used in these parts to propose marriage."
"Yeah? How much?" Jeff told him.
"I don't have that much on me...."Kai said thoughtfully.
"We-well..."Jeff began, but Kai suddenly left the store. Jeff clutched at his stomach. He fretted about his decision for a few hours, growing sicker and sicker with each passing minute. Finally, Gray entered the store. He, like Cliff and Kai before him, caught sight of the Blue Feather and asked for the price. And again, Jeff quoted the price only to have Gray nod and leave. Jeff sat down on his chair behind the counter. Who would've guessed that a simple feather could cause so much trouble?
*****
Cliff dashed out of the Vineyard and raced towards the Supermarket. His heart was light and he was beaming from ear to ear. As he neared the store, he saw Kai also rushing, with a similar expression on his face. Cliff heard footsteps behind him and realized that Gray was on his way to, though his expression was more subdued than the other boys.
They rushed into the shop and stood in the doorway, breathing heavily.
"Buh-blue Fea-feather...." Cliff wheezed.
"Wha-what?" Kai panted. "But--But I--"
"Its gone," Gray said.
The other two whirled about. Sure enough, the Feather was gone. A large ruck-sack was in its place.
"You sold it?!" Cliff exclaimed.
Jeff nodded meekly. The three men hung their heads in unison, a gesture that would have been almost funny under other circumstances. The trio trudged outside.
"I can't believe this..."Cliff sighed.
"I wonder who bought it?" Kai mused.
*****
After a hard day's work, Zack trudged home. If you could call his shack a home...Zack sighed. Up ahead he saw two figures walking along the beach. He paused and realized it was Doc and Ann. He was too far away to hear them but he could see them pretty well.
Doc took Ann's hand and kissed it. Then he reached into his coat and pulled out something blue. Ann whooped gleefully and threw herself into Doc's arms.
Despite his own sadness, Zack smiled. It was nice to know that other people could find love.
The Music Festival
at long last, here's my next chapter
****
"I don't think it suits me," Ann said.
"Nonsense!" Doug replied in a gentle voice. "You look lovely."
Ann smoothed the skirt of her new dress. It was a soft green, and it was very pretty. But Ann felt uncomfortable in a dress. She was used to wearing pants. She sighed. Doug frowned a little. He gazed at Ann for a moment, then reached up and pulled out her hair-ribbon. He used his fingers to comb out the braid into loose waves.
"Much better," he smiled.
Ann peered into the mirror and gasped. The change was dramatic. Her red hair had been braided early in the morning while it was still wet, and as a result, her hair hung in rippling waves down her back. The effect was like a sunset reflected in a lake. Ann patted her hair, a gesture that was almost shy.
"Come on," Doug smiled. We have to go, or we'll be late for the festival!"
****
Ann and her father hurried through the cool Autumn night. The air smelled of woodsmoke, and damp leaves. Ann inhaled the scent deeply. It was such a wonderful smell. Outside the church, Karen and Carter were standing together, hand in hand. This was a special night for them.
Three years ago, Carter had heard Karen singing a lovely song by the Spring. He had fallen in love with her, right then and there. Carter wanted everyone to hear Karen's voice, so he organized the Music Festival for her. This year was the first time they would be celebrating the festival together.
"There you are, Ann," Carter smiled. "You'd better hurry inside!"
Karen touched Ann's arm. "Your hair looks great!" she said. Ann blushed.
"Thanks," she mumbled.
Inside, Jack, Elli, and Mary were already waiting at the front of the church. The pews were full of people. Ann, Karen and Carter rushed up to the front.
"I'm sorry for the delay," Carter said. "But good things are worth waiting for!"
The Festival began. Ann and Elli played their flutes, Jack played the ocarina that he borrowed from Carter, and Mary played the organ. Karen, of course, sang. Her beautiful voice filled the church. Everyone sat quietly in their seats and listened. Everyone, that is, except Manna. She peered around the church like a curious child, more interested in people's reactions to the music, than in the music itself. She looked at Cliff, who was smiling at Mary, at Carter, who was beaming as he looked at his wife. Manna craned her neck behind her and saw Popuri whisper something in Gray's ear. He blushed and whispered back. Manna smiled, then looked at Doc.
He was watching Ann.
Manna was pleased by that. An idea formed in her head. She nudged Doug, who was seated next to her, and whispered something. Doug's eyes widened, then he smiled and replied.
****
After the festival Ann could not find her father. She looked all around the church, but Doug was nowhere to be seen. Manna waved at her, and Ann went over.
"Oh, honey, I guess Doug went along without you," Manna frowned.
"I thought so," Ann replied. "I guess I'll head home." she added.
"You can't do that!" Manna exclaimed. "Duke and I would do it, but we're going to visit with Sasha and Jeff..." Just then Doc walked past, and Manna beckoned him over.
"Oh, Doctor! Can you be a dear, and escort Ann home?" Manna asked in a honey-sweet tone.
"I guess so," Doc replied.
"Thank you so much!" Manna gushed. "Well, get along now! Its getting late!"
As they left, Manna smiled to herself. It had gone along very well. Ann was too naive to suspect anything, and Doc was to shy to object.
"Just call me Mrs. Matchmaker," she said, and went to Sasha's house humming. Sasha, as you may have guessed, had not invited Duke and Manna over, but Manna went anyway.
Ann and Doc walked together. Good-hearted Ann never suspected that Manna was setting her and Doc up, but Doc knew it perfectly well. And he was glad of it. He would never have had the courage to do it on his own.
Sadly, the Inn was not far from the church, and soon the couple arrived at their destination.
"Thanks," Ann smiled.
"It was no problem," Doc replied. He hesitated, then added, "Your hair looks nice. You should wear it like that more often"
Ann blushed again. "Thanks," she mumbled. Doc smiled, and left.
Doug watched the whole scene from his window. It was working perfectly! Manna was a genius!
to be continued!
Race For the Blue Feather!
Time passed. The air grew cool, and leaves turned brilliant colors on the trees before fluttering to the ground. Manna carefully monitored the progress of the fledging relationships, ready to dive in as soon she noticed anything go asunder. But to her surprise, she didn't have to meddle anymore. Doc continued to call on Ann, Cliff spent all his free time with Mary and Popuri was practically glued to Gray's side. Things were starting to get a little boring.
*****
Jeff smiled as he un-packed his new shipment. He had gotten his hands on a very rare and expensive item. Zack walked in just as Jeff was placing the item on the shelf.
"Hey--Is that a Blue Feather?" Zack asked.
"It sure is!" Jeff beamed.
Zack sighed heavily and grabbed a few things off the shelf. He glanced back at the feather with a wistful expression on his face.
"I hope whoever buys that will be happy" Zack murmured.
Zack had no sooner left than Cliff entered. "I'm here to pick up a few things for Manna...." Cliff's voice trailed off when he saw the Blue Feather. "How much?" he asked
Jeff quoted his price and Cliff's face fell.
"I can't afford that..." he sighed.
"I...I'm sorry,"Jeff stammered, "but I really can't let it go for l-less that that."
"I understand," Cliff replied.
Afterwords, Jeff wondered if he should have given Cliff a break on the price, or worked out some sort of payment plan. His stomach twisted as he thought of all the ways he could've handled the situation. He was just taking a dose of medicine when Kai entered.
"'Sup, Jeff!" Kai said cheerfully. Then he stopped. "What's that thing?" he asked pointing.
Its a Blue Feather," Jeff explained. "Its used in these parts to propose marriage."
"Yeah? How much?" Jeff told him.
"I don't have that much on me...."Kai said thoughtfully.
"We-well..."Jeff began, but Kai suddenly left the store. Jeff clutched at his stomach. He fretted about his decision for a few hours, growing sicker and sicker with each passing minute. Finally, Gray entered the store. He, like Cliff and Kai before him, caught sight of the Blue Feather and asked for the price. And again, Jeff quoted the price only to have Gray nod and leave. Jeff sat down on his chair behind the counter. Who would've guessed that a simple feather could cause so much trouble?
*****
Cliff dashed out of the Vineyard and raced towards the Supermarket. His heart was light and he was beaming from ear to ear. As he neared the store, he saw Kai also rushing, with a similar expression on his face. Cliff heard footsteps behind him and realized that Gray was on his way to, though his expression was more subdued than the other boys.
They rushed into the shop and stood in the doorway, breathing heavily.
"Buh-blue Fea-feather...." Cliff wheezed.
"Wha-what?" Kai panted. "But--But I--"
"Its gone," Gray said.
The other two whirled about. Sure enough, the Feather was gone. A large ruck-sack was in its place.
"You sold it?!" Cliff exclaimed.
Jeff nodded meekly. The three men hung their heads in unison, a gesture that would have been almost funny under other circumstances. The trio trudged outside.
"I can't believe this..."Cliff sighed.
"I wonder who bought it?" Kai mused.
*****
After a hard day's work, Zack trudged home. If you could call his shack a home...Zack sighed. Up ahead he saw two figures walking along the beach. He paused and realized it was Doc and Ann. He was too far away to hear them but he could see them pretty well.
Doc took Ann's hand and kissed it. Then he reached into his coat and pulled out something blue. Ann whooped gleefully and threw herself into Doc's arms.
Despite his own sadness, Zack smiled. It was nice to know that other people could find love.
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