Free The Visions of Ransom Lake by Marcia Lynn McClure Page A

pulling the pin from her hair to let it cascade down her back and around her shoulders.
    Dan and Myra both smiled, and Yvonne, who stood behind the counter, sighed and rolled her eyes in exasperation. “It wouldn’t be so bad if she charged them a penny apiece,” Yvonne murmured.
    “ Hush, sweet thing. Let the children enjoy the tale,” Myra said.
    “ For you see, Rapunzel had long flaxen hair that shone like gold in the sunlight. She was kept prisoner in a high, high, way up high tower—a tower that had only one window through which the gentle breezes and yellow sunlight could enter. And that one window was Rapunzel’s only view of the world. ’Twas a wicked and ugly old crone who kept her locked in the tower so that her profound and glorious beauty could never be seen, for you see, the crone was ever so jealous of the great loveliness possessed by R-r-r-r-r-apunzel.”
    Sometime later, when heavy sighs escaped their lungs and clapping made their hands ache, the happy children rose, tears apparent in their eyes at hearing the tale of the blinded prince and how his sight was restored by the loving tears of his beloved Rapunzel.
    “ Thank ya so much, Miss Vaden,” one of the smallest Wimber girls sighed, tenderly taking hold of Vaden’s hand.
    “ You’re welcome, Violet,” Vaden said with a smile. Then, bending to speak into the girl’s ear, she whispered, “But wait a few days to return or my auntie will have my hide for not getting my chores done.”
    Violet smiled, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she looked up at Vaden. “I think ya look just like R-r-r-apunzel, Miss Vaden,” the child sighed.
    Vaden smiled, flattered at the child’s adoration. “Even though her hair was as gold as the morning sun and mine is as dark as night?”
    Violet Wimber nodded. “It reminds me of chocolates on Christmas morning.”
    Vaden was enchanted. She bent and sweetly kissed the child on one cheek. She affectionately watched the children as they left, waving and calling out their goodbyes to her.
    Turning, she was prepared for the disapproving expression she would find on Yvonne’s face.
    “ Oh, come now, Vonnie. Let them be children! Remember how wonderful it was to be a child? To believe in princesses and princes, magic, and true love?” Vaden asked.
    “ I only remember wanting to grow up so I could dress like a princess, Vaden,” Yvonne sighed. “Now, while you’ve been out wallowing in the mud…I’ve been telling Jerome Clayton to come back every fifteen minutes for the past two hours!” When Vaden sighed with disappointment, Yvonne could hold her tongue no longer. “What is wrong with you, Vaden? He’s adorable! He’s kind and courteous and polite and—”
    “ And average,” Vaden finished.
    “ He’s far from average,” Yvonne contradicted. “Any girl in this town would love to have his attentions…which he seems to be directing at you and which you almost rudely choose to ignore!”
    “ Yvonne…you know how I—”
    “ Hello, Mr. Clayton. Again,” Yvonne interrupted, winking at her sister.
    Drawing in a deep breath, Vaden turned to face the handsome young man as he entered the mercantile.
    “ Hello, ladies. I forgot what time it was ya told me to be here this evenin’, Mrs. Valmont,” Jerome stated to Vaden’s aunt. “For supper, I mean.” He smiled at Vaden. “I forgot to tell ya, Miss Vaden, your aunt invited me for supper tonight, and I just wanted to let ya know how much I’m lookin’ forward to it.”
    “ Why…how wonderful,” Vaden said through gritted teeth. “I guess we’ll have our time to talk after all.”
    “ Yes. One way or the other,” Jerome said pointedly.
    “ We’ll expect ya at five thirty sharp,” Myra answered. She looked like a child who had just been caught stealing cookies. “Is that all right, Jerome?”
    “ That’s wonderful, ma’am,” Jerome nodded. He tipped his hat and said his goodbye.
    When he had gone, Vaden turned to Yvonne,