I started coming to the farm earlier every morning because Inna began to rely on me to get the breakfast routine going and, as I became more competent, my confidence grew. And so did my compassion for this inviolable, immensely strong older woman who fought her increasing frailty with ferocity.
The only trouble with letting Inna sleep in was that, when Husband and the men arrived for breakfast, I would be alone in the kitchen and, without the anchorage of Inna’s instructions, I would flounder and get flustered because the two cowhands would watch me expectantly from the kitchen table, and Husband would often grin or wink at me on his way to the bathroom, or to check on his mother, or to the dining room where he and I would eat breakfast alone together and awkwardly.
My big love for him was something I desperately tried to hide, but every time he said “Jules!” in his booming voice, I would blush from the neck up.
One morning he bounded into the kitchen after milking, grabbed my hand and pulled me outside to see the moonflowers. “They only bloom once a year,” he said, still holding my hand. I was amazed by the beautiful flower, but I was more amazed by his huge hand holding my little one. His hand was rough and dirty and sort of gravelly in texture, whereas mine was tiny and soft and pale and scared.
jmgoyder 
Yayyyyyyyyyyyy! Another Love Story. I wish wordpress had a ‘love’ button as well as the ‘like’ button. The holding of hands…..so sweet and innocent.
Our son is the age I was then and he seems to be just as innocent!
Julie I am thoroughly enjoying reading this! Whenever I see the newest link I always click on it straight away, regardless of what I ‘shoiuld’ be doing. I love this week’s link with the moonflowers which you’ve posted about in your blog before, and I love the description of your hands. In the old days I might have said you really were writing a page turner, but it’s not quite relevant here… I wonder what the modern equivalent term might be? A hyperspeed link clicker? Hmmm…. I’ll have to think more about that one. Looking forward to the next installment….
Thank you for the encouragement!! You should come out and visit one day!
So sweet! Love in bloom! *sigh* Is the flower in bloom now? I’m not sure I’ve seen a moonflower.
I just put a photo of latest bloom into that post.
that is such a nice story
The nasty bits are coming – argh!
Julie I am totally loving reading this. Anytime I see the link come up to the next paragraph or two of your love story I click on it, regardless of whatever it is that I am actually supposed to be doing at the time. I love your inclusion of the moonflowers this week, creating that lovely link with your moonflower posts in the past, and I love the description of both of your hands. I’d like to say that you’ve created a real page turner here, but that’s not really relevant is it? What is the modern day term for this phenomena? A hyperlink clicker? A page scroller? Hmmm… I’ll have to give more thought to that. Looking forward to the next installment… 🙂
Your story makes me think of The Beauty and The Beast! In a good way…
That’s a commpliment!
You’ve got us all waiting impatiently for the next installment.
Yes I can feel the pressure to write more – hehe! Can only manage it ‘scene by scene’!
I love moon flowers- they remind me so much of Dardanup and our old verandah- I can picture you two gazing upon it as well 🙂
I just added a photo of latest bloom!
Love this story!!!!
It’s making me terribly nostalgic!
You have me completely hooked with your story!
Okay – great but I am not sure why people are liking it so much. Perhaps it’s that whole innocent thing? Thanks so much!
Wellllllllllllllllllllll……….You’re meant to say “he turned and looked lovingly into my eyes, and ever so slowly moved his face closer to mine. His lips touched mine lightly, fleetingly. And then…………………….”
Yeah well that took another few years! I think you should be writing this – you are good at it – haha! Can’t stop laughing so thank you!
Finally! Sigh…
More please. ~ Lynda
I’m doing my best – hehe!
And that is all we can ask for. 🙂
It’s great Julie and a good idea doing it scene by scene cos sometimes as writers we don’t know where to start … but it does’nt matter where we start as long as we start somewhere – as they say – you can’t edit a blank page!
You should write a book; this is like a romance novel – a real page-turner 🙂
It’s kind of hard to write but am trying to keep it going. Thanks so much for that great compliment.
This chapter is precious Jules! The metaphor of the blooming flower and the contrast of your delicate hand -vs- his bold one. Very powerful! Best-seller in this story – and then screenplay!! The Moonflower is gorgeous (book-cover image?) 🙂
Thanks Robyn – very encouraging words – how are you? Julie
Love is a blooming! Lovely moonflower.
Readers sigh as love gently opens it’s petals to the sun… “The nasty bits are coming” you warn like thunder heard in the distance. But we know no romance can grow and flourish without a healthy dose of wind and rain.
You are a poet!
Oh, don’t kid yourself . . . I think his hand was a bit scared, too!!!
Oh!
You have such a way of capturing emotion. It’s unique.
That’s a great compliment – many thanks!
I love your writing style… and you express so beautifully… There is such a beautiful romance too. I loved your story dear Julie, Thank you, but also I want to say another Thank you too, dear friend especially for your nice words for my emotional post today. You are so nice. With my love, nia
Beautiful! Love this series.
Oh thank you so much Ruth!
Juliex
No wonder those wonderful moonflowers have such a special significance – how lovely, Julie
This is beautiful!
Bella and DiDi
Shucks!