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turn.

"I must see you again, that's what I must do,

even if it's only to chat. Surely you will turn my

grayest days to blue sky. And," he said, forcing me to

turn so I faced him, "I will fill your heart with

happiness. I promise."

I started to shake my head, but he brought his

lips to mine to kiss me gently.

I broke away. "I must help Mama," I muttered,

and charged out the front door.

Mama had two couples at the stand, the women

going through our linens and towels, the men off to

the side smoking and talking.

"Gabriel, fetch those pillowcases we wove day

before yesterday, please," she said the moment she

heard me approaching.

"Oui, Mama."

Pierre stepped out on the gallery as I hurried

back and into the house, passing him without a word.

When I returned to the stand, Pierre was conversing

with the men, getting them interested in buying jars of

swamp insects.

"They'll make great conversation pieces on

your desks in your offices. Not something easily

acquired in the city, n'est-ce pas?" he told them. They agreed and bought two jars apiece to add

to the items their wives had taken. When they left,

Mama thanked Pierre for making the sale.

"It's nothing, madame, but it was more fun than

being in the canoe hunting," he added. Mama smiled.

He asked her about some of her herbs and listened as she described how to use them and what they would cure. I could see he was very impressed with her. He