Free Courting Holly by Lynn A. Coleman Page A

not understand the reasons for keeping me in the dark so long. Who decided on twenty-one?”
    “Your mother. I agreed.”
    “So, John and Mother decided first.”
    “I do not know what John’s discussions with your mother were. I only know she suggested it. I thought twenty-one was a bit old, but she convinced me you would need to be strong enough to handle this information.”
    “I do not feel strong.”
    “Honey, I understand the hurt you are feeling. And I hate to say the phrase ‘we thought we were doing what was right for you’ again, but...”
    “I know, it fits.”
    “What happened between you and Mr. Jarvis today? If you do not mind me asking?”
    “He has wanted to court me for a several years now. My father John had asked him to wait until I was twenty-one. Lord knows how many other men may have come for permission to court me and were told the same. Honestly, if Momma hadn’t died, I would love to be courted by Bryce. He and I have a friendship that is different from any other person I know. But I am not in a mood to be manipulated.”
    “How was he manipulating you?”
    “He was not...exactly. I just felt that my life was being settled without my knowledge. I know many young women would take no issue with that. But I am different. He has purchased a house for us already.”
    Emmett Landers raised his eyebrows and sat back in his chair. “He is a confident young man.”
    “And then some. He is a good man. But recent events have proved that I have been lied to most of my life. Others have decided who I should be, what I should do and when I should do it, and I will not lead a life like that any longer. Not after Momma died. I wish she were here so I could ask her some questions.”
    “You mean, so you could argue with her and passionately dig for the answers you are searching for.”
    Holly smiled. “You knew her well. Which means, I guess you know me some.”
    “Some. Let me tell you a little secret. Your mother and I had some pretty intense arguments. I have my own stubborn streak, so you might just have even a tad more than your mother’s trait in there.”
    “I read Momma’s letter. But she wrote that without knowing how I would react. She wrote it as a ‘just in case’ letter. I cannot talk to her about it, cannot ask so many questions I have that only she can answer. It’s not fair.”
    “No, darlin’, it isn’t fair. So what questions can I answer for you? And, trust me, you can speak in whatever volume and intensity you feel toward me. I am not afraid of your frustration.”
    Holly giggled. “You might just regret having said that.”
    “No, I won’t. But take note. I do not mind passion, but I will not tolerate speaking ill of your mother. Me, I can take it because I am here to defend myself, if need be. Your mother, however, is not here, and I still love and respect her. She had to make some hard choices over the years.”
    Holly looked at the stranger sitting across from her, a man of impeccable honor and grace. She could see why her mother had fallen in love with him as a girl. “First question. Where did you and Momma meet?”
    They spoke until midnight. They spoke until Holly felt her mind growing numb, saturated with information that would need to be digested.
    “I really must get to sleep,” Emmett said with a yawn. “The morning train leaves at dawn.”
    “Can’t you stay another day, Daddy?”
    He beamed, stood and walked over to her. He kissed the top of her head. “I must depart tomorrow. But for you I shall leave on the last train. We will go into the city and you can show me all your favorite places.”
    “I would like that.”
    * * *
    “Bryce Jarvis, what did you do to her?” John Graham slammed the front door behind him, confronting Bryce on the veranda. “She is barely talking to me and she went to her room without dinner last night. What happened?”
    “It is hard to say. She is feeling manipulated, and I did not help put the fire out on those