AllFreeNovel
Share Us
1
Jo
My sleepy village is waking up to the promise of autumn as I stroll to work.
The sweaty vacationers fitting in their early morning runs greet me as they conquer the cobbled streets. I nod and smile at them, casually sipping the strong coffee in my hand.
It’s a normal, pleasant morning, just like any other in Mirror Lake. I breathe deeply of the brisk air that hints at changing colors in the coming weeks.
I can’t wait to take my woolen knits out of storage soon. And after that, it’s a fun and festive autumn and winter with loads of activities to keep us villagers busy during the quieter months. I could go snow skiing in Europe, I suppose. But what can I say? I enjoy the simple life.
I look forward to the comforting rhythm of the seasons here. In September, the tourists still come and go at a regular clip, but they aren’t quite bursting from the shuttle bus every hour on the hour anymore.
A couple passes me on the street, the two lovebirds on their way to the coffee shop I just left. They hold hands and laugh about something. They see me coming and say good morning with their glowing, contented, sun-kissed faces. Sailing enthusiasts or kayakers. They look so happy they make me blush when I return their greeting.
Stop thinking about sex, you silly pigeon. Not everyone who’s flushed and giggling just had sex.
But those two? Definitely just had morning sex.
Summer in Mirror Lake is fun and busy and necessary to keep our community in the black. But it’s also exhausting. The kiosks of yarn, apples, and warm drinks will soon open up. The air will be scented with distant campfire smoke and spice from the cider mills.
Mirror Lake is lovely during the slow season, even if I have no one to share it with in my little cottage in the woods.
I imagine wild morning sex with someone I love, but I don’t yet know what being in love is like.
I once loved someone. But that was an innocent childhood sort of love.
As I turn the corner onto Main Street, a familiar figure catches my eye. The village postman, Mr. Lundgren, waves a stack of letters in my direction, his bushy white mustache twitching. I’m amused as I approach him. What’s this all about?
“Morning, Josie.” His voice is cheerful despite a guarded expression. “Got something here for you.”
“I’m guessing these are not food vendor invoices that got misplaced in the mail.” Not this many at one time; that would be a catastrophe. We don’t have a lot of those here.
Mr. Lundgren shrugs.
I accept the stack of old, weathered letters, my fingers brushing against the faded paper. The address on each envelope sends a shiver down my spine—an old, nearly-forgotten address.
Breathe, Josephine.
I’ve tried to put that place behind me since…all the unpleasantness happened.
The postmark on the most faded letter on the top is dated fifteen years ago.
“Mr. Lundgren, where did you find these?” I ask, my voice barely more than a whisper.
I search his face for answers, but I can already see he has none.
“They turned up at the post office in Arenhammer city center, tucked away in a forgotten corner,” he explains with a shrug. “Seems they’ve been waiting for quite a while. Someone must have checked the nationwide database and saw this was your most recent address. So here we are.”
With a nod of thanks, I continue my journey to the market. Turning the twined stack of letters over, I spy the return address. Only the first line stands out: Jakob Sterling.
My gods…
I feel as if I’ve had the wind knocked out of me.
Jakob? That Jakob?
I could rip the letters open and read them all here on the street with my heart in my throat. However, the Josephine that’s bound to duty and order knows better. I should wait. Yes, that’s what I should do. Of course, that’s what I should do.
