Free Courting Holly by Lynn A. Coleman

overbearing?” Bryce rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you recall what happened when I defied Father and changed my major to business instead of law?”
    “He wasn’t pleased.”
    “Perhaps that is all you saw, but I had to go through weeks of long letters, a summer of constant questions and debates on the merits of law over the merits of business. Fortunately for me, debating classes were ones I excelled in. He does not like change, and once he sets his mind on how something should be, it takes an army to sway him in another direction, or in my case, years. I simply did not have time for the arguments if I were to improve the property in a timely manner. You do turn twenty-one in a few months.”
    “Ah.” Holly looked away.
    “Holly, have I upset you?”
    Holly sighed. “Bryce, I know you mean well. But this talk of marriage and courting...it is a little overwhelming.” She paused. “It is not just that Momma died, although that is there. My biggest problem is the manipulation of my life. First my mother and father decide not to tell me who I really am. My real father leaves me without consulting me. Of course, I was only five, but I still feel as though I should have had some say. Now you are bringing me to a home you planned to present me with after we start to court. And your intention is to marry me. It is just too much. I know I said there was hope for a future. But right now I cannot take the added stress, or for that matter, someone else telling me what I should and should not do.”
    Bryce’s back stiffened and waited for further blows. He had told his mother he’d wait, and what had he done? Invited Holly to his home. “Forgive me, Holly.”
    “I think if the issues of Mother dying and my having another father had never come up, I wouldn’t have a problem with this. But I am different now. I have little patience for people telling me what to do. I am sorry, Bryce. Would you please take me home? I cannot do this right now.”

Chapter 7
    B ryce didn’t say another word on the way home, which Holly appreciated. Once home, she excused herself from dinner, ran up to her room and set about reading her father’s letters. After the third, she tucked them back in their envelopes and retied them together. She felt she finally understood her father’s love and rationale. He was not without blame, to be sure, but he seemed as much of a victim as she. They needed to talk.
    A gentle knock at the door startled her. “Holly?”
    “Not now, Bryce.”
    “Holly, please.”
    She went to the door and opened it. She gave him the look she knew he’d understand from years of growing up together.
    “I have failed you. I am sorry. I only wanted to give you a secure place where we could have some privacy reading the letters. I should not have suggested going to my house at all.”
    “Bryce, I know you didn’t mean any harm by it. I am uncertain about everything.”
    “I know. And I am sorry. I will not suggest marriage, courting, kissing, anything of the sort again, I promise.”
    Holly relaxed her posture. “Give me time, Bryce.”
    “Call when you wish to speak with me. I shall not impose myself upon you again.” Bryce stepped back.
    She wanted to pull him back and tell him that wasn’t what she meant. But she had meant it. She still meant it. She needed space from him, from her stepfather and possibly even from her father. “Goodbye, Bryce.”
    He nodded and silently made his way to the stairs.
    At the same time, Emmett Landers came down the hall. “May I have a word with you, Holly?” he asked.
    “Yes, come in.” She stepped back and held the door open for him.
    He glanced at the bundle of letters on the bed. “I am glad you received them. I fear my presence is causing you further anxiety, so I have decided I should return home at first light.”
    “Please, sit. I do have some questions for you.”
    He sat on the chair and she on the bed. “First, I understand why you chose what you did. I just do