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Chapter Sixteen
Brax arrived at his shop the following morning and was surprised to see Lottie sitting on the bench in front of Shirley’s place. “Morning, Lottie. He doesn’t open until ten.”
“I know. I’m waiting to speak to you.”
He found that curious. “Okay. Come in.”
He put his key in the lock and entered. The Clemons sisters hadn’t arrived yet, so he led her into his small office. “Have a seat.”
As she complied, he sat down at his desk. “What can I do for you?”
She didn’t reply right away. He got the sense that she was searching for the right way to begin whatever she’d come to talk to him about, so he waited.
“I don’t think we should marry.”
Because of his feelings for Raven, he was relieved but nevertheless surprised. “May I ask why?”
“I saw the way you looked at Raven when shefirst came out of the back with Miss Hattie. You love her, don’t you?”
“I admit to having strong feelings for her, yes.”
“I saw it in your eyes. You’ve never looked at me like that, Braxton.”
He didn’t know how to respond.
“I’m not faulting you. It’s—it’s just I realize I want the man I marry to view me the way you viewed her. I watched you watch her the entire time Mama and I were here, and I envied her.”
“Until I met her, I didn’t think love was needed, Lottie. I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you.”
“Oh no. I’m not hurt. Please don’t think that. It made me see what I might be missing by settling for what you and I were going to have. You’re an extremely wonderful man, Braxton, and a stellar friend, but I know now that I want more.”
“And there’s nothing wrong with that, Lottie.”
“Mama’s going to think so.”
“You won’t be marrying her.”
She smiled. “Raven certainly put her in her place yesterday. Your Raven’s very brave, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she is.”
“After we left here yesterday, Mama ranted on and on about her. I’d like to be that brave someday.”
“You’re probably braver than you know.”
“That’s very kind of you to say, but I have a ways to go before I think of myself in thoseterms.” She got to her feet. “Thank you, Braxton. I don’t want to take up any more of your time. You’ve always been a good person to talk to and I needed to tell you what was on my mind. I hope we will remain friends.”
“Of course.”
“And if you and Raven do marry, I’d like to be a friend to her, too, if she’d agree.”
“I believe she’d like that.”
“Good. I’ll see you soon, and thanks again.”
“You’re welcome.”
She exited and left him alone to ponder the amazing ways things in life worked out.
