Page 84 of Authentically, Izzy
Penelope:What did Brodie’s kiss say to you?
Izzy:Just one kiss wouldn’t do.
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From: Brodie Sutherland
To: Ellen Sutherland
Date: May11
Subject: An answer to the visit
Dear Mum,
This evening I met Penelope, Isabelle’s youngest cousin, who has auburn hair a little lighter than Fiona’s. I believe Isabelle referred to it as strawberry blonde. She appears to be the most different in appearance of the cousins, not in her hair color alone but also with her gray-green eyes. She stared at me so long at one point, it became a bit uncomfortable. Isabelle remarked on her “slack-jawed expression like Uncle Herman every Christmas dinner,” to which Penelope quickly corrected her expression witha delightful laugh. She doesn’t appear to be hindered by one emotion for too long before it complies to another.
It is evident how much the cousins love one another. Very much as siblings. Their affability is more demonstrative than our family’s, but the camaraderie is just as obvious and sincere. I had the sudden awareness of what Isabelle would have to give up to join me in Skymar, should our relationship continue its present course. How could I ask her to do that? I certainly wouldn’t wish to leave the life I’ve built in Skymar, but I can’t imagine, now that I’ve spent this time with her, planning a future where she isn’t a part.
I’m sure that sounds premature, but I recall you mentioning how you knew Father was “the one” for you within the first week of your acquaintance. I feel the same about Isabelle, and with such certainty it’s shocking. Whether she returns my affections with the same intensity, I do not know, but I feel as though I would be willing to redirect many pieces of my life to keep her nearby.
In response to your question from last night’s phone conversation, today Isabelle and I spoke about our previous relationships. At first she was reluctant to discuss them, but after a little prodding, she opened up to me. She’s borne the brunt of some scoundrels, Mum. It explained why, even after we’d agreed to officially begin dating, she seems cautious. My situation with Skye was nothing compared to Isabelle’s heartbreak and humiliation. She apologized for her suspicion, for her disbelief that my intentions were true, and gently asked me to be patient with her as she took careful steps toward truly believing that “someone like me” could care for “someone like her.” I hate the way her past has misconstrued her view of herself, but it helped me understand more about what you’d mentioned in trustingthat Father truly loved you. How your heart must have been wounded for you to live in such self-doubt. I am determined to show her the truth. Not all men are scoundrels.
I am grateful beyond words for the example you and Father displayed of what love truly looks like.
Affectionately,
Brodie
PS: Please let Fiona know that Samwise likes to sing to the sound of emergency-vehicle sirens. He’s quite good at it. The first time I heard him, it shocked me to such an extent I shot up from the table where Isabelle and I had been playing chess. Needless to say, my fast movements sent the chessboard and all its pieces vaulting through the air, and, to my utter humiliation, the black knight hit Isabelle directly in the eye. However, everything turned out fine. I took your long-held motherly advice and kissed her wound. She seemed to heal rather quickly after that.
From: Anders Sutherland
To: Brodie Sutherland
Date: May12
Subject: Preposterous!
How on earth have you managed to convince yourself of this attachment to a practical stranger! And one who lives across the globe in some rural township in America! I have always thought you to be sensible, but I see you’ve taken leave of your senses in this account. Her hesitation provokes all sorts of warning signs, if one would take the time to push aside the hazy bloom of “love” and see clearly. I would wonder if her heart isn’t distant oreven attached elsewhere. How do you know someone who lives thousands of miles away isn’t carrying on some dalliances while you wait all dreamy-eyed and forlorn?
I feel as though I’ve entered a Dickens novel and there is no way of escape!
Wake up, Brodie. If the money is not your objective, then detach your heart. It shouldn’t be difficult. You only truly met her two weeks ago. How entrenched can one’s heart become over such a short space of time?
I only say these things because I am concerned for you. You cannot know someone so quickly. It takes years to truly understand how two people will sort out a happy life together, so imagine the added difficulty of two different cultures. If you need an example of a southern American woman, I performed a quick Google search and the top listing was Scarlett O’Hara. Now think of that, I tell you.
Anders
Chapter16
Brodie took the now-familiar trek down the sidewalk of Main Street toward the library, enjoying the wide variety of scents, from cherry blossoms to fried apple pies and the faintest hint of freshly brewed coffee. The town held an element of charm different from those at home, but he couldn't quite put his finger on the exact quality of difference. He’d observed that small towns across the world seemed to have a certain connectedness to them, but sprinkled in with their own uniqueness. Mt. Airy reminisced to bygone days of Andy Griffith, if Brodie guessed rightly. A barber’s pole swirled in red, white, and blue colors, a colorful invitation to step inside for a trim. The ice-cream parlor welcomed patrons onto their parquet floor, the servers donning white caps and matching bow ties as if from a classic movie. And the pace fit into what he enjoyed most about Skern. Pleasantly relaxed.
The library came into view, its simple white-columned entrance setting it apart from the brick buildings framing each side of the street. Brodie increased his step, the call of books and his favorite book-loving lady drawing him forward. He’d seen her read to the children via Luke’s video chat during the Book Parade, and she’d completely and utterly enchanted him with her faux accents and expressive dialogue, but the idea of watching her in real life ushered up a grin. She fit him in an oddly perfect sort of way.
He’d spent so many years hoping, without much real belief, that someone as book-obsessed and at times awkward might actually exist, and after two rather hurtful relationships—where both ladies turned out to be false—and a trip around the world, he’d finally found her.
And he was certainly hanging on for the happily ever after.
