The Price of Innocence

meets

n Cole stood on one edge of that square, observing for the last time the old sights and sounds of his ancestral home-from a distance. It had been ye

nd laughing, though warm winds already carried their voices far away. One girl actually did distinguish herself from the others; she was the most

re and untampered, that stole his breath. A tiny hope lit within him, the kind that

l silent, looking at him with interest and amazement. The beautiful girl looked down shyly, he

ftly, her words like mus

e is

erved, with her brown eyes trailing the floor as she spoke. Yet, she bore an inner strength, a sense of dignity and grace that touched him. He respected her; sh

ther with household chores and tidying up her little farm. She spoke softly-as if every word were from an innocent mouth-and

eam of?" Damian asked,

ly after. "I have really never thought about it. Life here, in the village, is all about

ntrast to the very women he had known in the city-so pure and so

Got Cap

her family's farm from time to time, bringing her things and offering assistance in the work. He listened to her share her stories of what

seat on the porch of her home. The hot air was being perfumed by blooming flowers, and in the backgro

or ages. Someone pure, someone honest, someone who would see me for me. I know we do not have much time t

flushed a rose color. She looked down, hands trembling in

want to say anything right now, you don't have to," he said. "Just think

be for the very first time that he had seen an emotion lurking in her gaze. Th

her - the woman who would love him for who he w