Authentically izzy, p.18
Authentically, Izzy, page 18
Main Street smelled of popcorn and chocolate, and on the hour a large clock from the historic bank building would chime loud enough to alert stragglers of their tardiness. It made the television shows come to life all the more and gave me a deeper understanding of Isabelle’s world.
After lunch we went to Isabelle’s apartment, which is a little white building nestled on vast farmland with the Blue Ridge Mountains rising in the north on the horizon. Samwise greeted me with the enthusiasm of a long-lost friend. He’s a beautiful golden retriever with a delirious love for peanut butter, and not just the food. When he finishes with the container, he knocks it around like a toy for half an hour, as happy as a lark. My equally enthusiastic reception of Samwise appeared to please Isabelle, because she linked her arm through mine and asked if I’d enjoy sitting by the window and reading from my current book. At first I was a bit embarrassed to admit I was reading Little Women for the first time—at her suggestion—but she put my worries at ease with a ready smile and an exclamation of how fun it would be to hear my accent read over Louisa May Alcott’s words. How could I refuse such a warm invitation?
I don’t recall reading aloud to anyone for a long time, except to Fiona. A quote here or there. But not entire pages or chapters. Yet we ended up spending two hours taking turns reading from our select favorites. She was enjoying Wodehouse and I laughed a few times at her ridiculous attempts at an English accent. I recognize it may sound boring to a large portion of the world, but I’d never had such a wonderful time with a woman. There’s a comfort in sharing the same sort of interests, or obsessions as some may say, but it doesn’t matter when you match so well.
All around, she’s exactly what I expected and so much more. We talked so long tonight that we both forgot supper and we pieced together a meal of sandwiches, some leftover soup, a few delicious bread rolls, and the everlasting southern tea. I think you’d both find my amount of conversations impressive and that surprisingly, I’m not exhausted by them.
She has the weekend planned for a hike, a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a Lord of the Rings marathon. I feel certain that if I was ever going to fall in love, this is the perfect woman for me. In fact, Isabelle Edgewood would make it incredibly easy.
I hope this note finds you both well and happy. I shall write more tomorrow.
With love,
Brodie
PS: Fiona, there’s a sweet fragrance in the air outside Isabelle’s house. It originates from a beautiful flowering tree of white or blushed-pink color, almost as if the hue was brushed on with a painter’s stroke. Isabelle says it is a magnolia. Your fairies would find lovely homes there.
* * *
Text from Izzy to Penelope: Accents and smiles are powerful things. I knew you would understand.
Penelope: Of course. It’s perfectly natural with all the British cinema we’ve consumed. Has he kissed you yet?
Izzy: He just got here!
Penelope: That wasn’t a no.
Izzy: No.
Text from Luke to Izzy: Brodie eats his french fries with a fork. If I didn’t know he had Yoda ears and the Indiana Jones series, that would be a red flag for me.
Izzy: Maybe he thinks it’s weird that we DON’T eat fries with a fork.
Luke: I can speak Klingon and quote Return of the Jedi. He will overlook it.
* * *
From: Brodie Sutherland
To: Brynna Sutherland
Date: May 3
Subject: Re: Your Isabelle adventure
Good morning Brynna,
Isabelle is as charming as you can imagine. I’m attaching a photo of us together in front of the Andy Griffith Playhouse. I find her clothing perfect for her, but I feel certain you will know better than I. As far as tattoos, I haven't noticed any, but I’ve not been in search of them. They don’t matter to me.
You’ve made some excellent changes to the website. Isabelle mentioned exchanging an email with you last night for some additions. Father had a keen vision and plan for Sutherland’s all those years ago, but I don’t think he planned for the changing landscape of the Internet, as it has shaken book sales and even reading. We are behind the times, but I don’t believe we are too late to bring Sutherland’s back to its former success.
Isabelle and I have discussed the business a little, but I imagine we’ll have more opportunities to brainstorm. She seems to enjoy the stimulation of creativity. Her eyes fairly shine from reined-in enthusiasm. So far the only time she’s been overtly emotional is when we’ve talked of books or . . . when I stumbled along the sidewalk and fell to my knees, at which time she ran to my side, wrapped her arm through mine, pulled me into the ice cream shop nearby, and wouldn’t allow me to leave until she’d made certain I was fine. Her determination rivals Mum’s. Imagine that!
Brynna, I came to visit Isabelle solely for the purpose of knowing her better. I have no ulterior motives and am a bit surprised that you would turn your mind in the direction of the stipend. Yes, the financial ramifications of bringing her to Skymar would be a boon to Sutherland’s and help hasten Fiona’s surgery (which is certainly something we all desire), but Isabelle is not (and has never been) a pawn in the story. I would protect her heart as voraciously as I would any of my family, which includes all matters related to the stipend. In all reality, if our relationship should turn in a “forever” direction, I have as much chance of moving to North Carolina as she to Skymar. So put the stipend from your mind altogether. This is a matter of hearts, not funds.
On a different note, would you mind going by to check on Mother and Fiona on your way to the Skern shop? Anders is traveling and I’d feel better knowing you’d checked in.
Affectionately,
Brodie
PS: Now I’m curious, what do my clothes say about me? I’ve never heard them talk.
From: Brodie Sutherland
To: Ellen Sutherland
Date: May 4
Subject: Star Wars Day
Mother, an additional note to share with Fiona:
I’ve been reminded by three people today (complete with lightsabers) that today is Star Wars Day. Luke even cooked breakfast in a cloak with a saber attached to his hip. Isabelle showed up with Princess Leia buns for her hairstyle, her saber (and an extra one for me) waiting in the front seat of her car. Evidently it’s a very important celebration at the library and I’m to attend the Force Party this afternoon. The creativity is certainly strong with this woman.
May the Fourth Be with You,
Brodie
* * *
Text from Izzy to Luke: I thought you were coming to the Force Party at the library today?
Luke: You stole my lightsaber. I couldn't come unarmed.
Izzy: Didn’t you once say your smile was your secret weapon? You could have brought that. And I did NOT steal your lightsaber. I stole the extra one from Jason Rush (the tenth grader who kept arguing with me about Star Wars canon. He definitely didn’t come armed with knowledge . . . and library rule is if you try to hit the teacher with your lightsaber, the teacher gets to keep it).
Izzy: BTW, thanks for taking such good care of Brodie. He’s enjoyed getting to know you better.
Luke: I don’t know how all this is going to work out, but I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who fits your weirdness like him. Isn’t there a quote about that somewhere? Dr. Seuss?
Izzy: Well, actually it was originally written by Robert Fulghum and later attributed to Seuss. But either way it’s perfect. “When we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.” I’m not saying I’m in love, but I’d definitely say we have compatible weirdness.
Luke: Your response just confirmed all the weirdness I think about you and Brodie. Seussian or not.
* * *
From: Anders Sutherland
To: Brodie Sutherland
Date: May 5
Subject: The fast decline of American influences
Brodie,
I had thought you’d come to your senses about this entire online relationship fiasco, but after our phone conversation last evening, I am even more concerned. Why would you ever have your photo taken inside a police car, no matter how vintage? And why are you eating bear paws? Is that some sort of mountain delicacy that I don’t want to know about? And I’m not too keen on this Luke fellow. Anyone who thinks putting vinegar into someone’s coffee is an idea of a good joke cannot be trusted. You know my thoughts about Americans and this just proves my point!
Truly, Brodie. I think you should take the first flight from that place and spend the remainder of your American trip touring New York. Any group of people who eat that much butter cannot be a good influence.
Anders
PS: What in the world is a fritter?
From: Ellen Sutherland
To: Brodie Sutherland
Date: May 5
Subject: Re: Star Wars Day
Dearest Brodie,
What a wonderful message you sent us last night and then the additional note this morning! Fiona was quite enraptured by Samwise and his antics. She’s determined to uncover whether Vaskr’s tongue can reach to the bottom of a peanut butter jar now.
And the whole idea of being greeted with lightsabers and cloaks? I do believe these people are our sorts, Brodie. Pay no mind to Anders. He’s always been terribly short on imagination, but he’s excellent at spreadsheets.
The photos you sent were wonderful. I don’t recall seeing you smile so broadly in a long time. You two make a fine pair. Has she given you any indication of her feelings other than friendliness? I know you’ve just met, but in all actuality you’ve known each other for months to this point. I must say, her smile appears quite as enamored as yours, but my mother’s heart would only wish for the very best for you. And there’s still the distance to consider, of course, should her heart turn in the direction of yours.
Fiona laughed so much over my description of the photo in the vintage police car. I of course had to rewatch a few of the episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and Fiona listened to the accents. She loves the way they talk. Does Isabelle sound like the characters on the television show? Fiona has been attempting to replicate the accent and I must say she’s rather fantastic at it.
And Isabelle. How would you have known that a simple “trial” on this dating site would end up changing your life forever? For it has. You are not the same as you were in February, Brodie dear. I have seen you grow in your comfort around others and your overall joyfulness. It does a mother’s heart good.
I know your initial choice to join Heart-to-Heart was at the encouragement of the government’s stipend plan, but look how God did something even better than you could have thought. Whatever the future, and even if we have to wait another year or two for Fiona’s surgery, Isabelle has been a beautiful byproduct of you taking this chance.
What is the temperature like there? I cannot wait to hear about your Star Wars party this afternoon.
Please ignore Anders as much as possible. He desperately needs a romance of his own to shock him out of his terrible stagnation.
We look forward to learning more about your trip.
Love,
Mum (and Fiona)
From: Anders Sutherland
To: Brodie Sutherland
Date: May 5
Subject: Mother!
Brodie,
Do not listen to Mother when it comes to this entire ordeal with your American online-woman. I just got off the phone with her and she talked as if you were ready to settle down and marry this stranger.
Anders
PS: You know Mother is a romantic. She cannot be trusted.
From: Brynna Sutherland
To: Brodie Sutherland
Date: May 6
Subject: Isabelle
Brodie,
You know I meant no offense whatsoever, but the financial benefits have to play in the back of your mind a little, don’t they? Truly, it’s a win all around. A darling romance for you, a speedier surgery for Fiona, and a bit of additional support for the bookshops. I don’t see how you cannot think about the possibilities. But I shall refrain from alluding to the Foreign Spouse Initiative any longer.
And thank you for the photos! Isabelle is absolutely lovely! And won’t she stand out over here with all that dark hair and those eyes! I have to think very hard to recall any one of my acquaintances who has dark eyes. I cannot wait to meet her! It’s no good taunting us from a distance if we won’t get the chance to see for ourselves, is it?
Just this afternoon she emailed me with some examples of graphics and she offered to make some for Sutherland’s to show how they could appeal to different populations. Her creativity never stops. I love her for it. Brodie, if you don’t marry her, would you at least give her a job? Or both! What a wonderful pairing you two would make both privately and professionally. And as the stipend report suggests, marriage AND employment offer an extra financial benefit! (Excellent thoughts, if you ask me.)
I’m utterly amazed at Isabelle’s ease in coming up with ideas that perfectly fit what we need. She reads voraciously. From website designs to social media graphics to even some fun in-store activities to engage the locals and tourists alike, her initiatives boil over. She’s a whirlwind of creativity and so generous with her ideas. In fact, I believe she’s energized by . . . what did she call it? Brainstorming. How delightful! I’m not certain how to enact all of these things, but I imagine you and your mother could help. I’m attempting to watch a few videos on building websites and graphic design for marketing. Whether I can make the computer program work for me or not may be the issue at hand.
Brynna
PS: I hope you can convince Isabelle to come to the islands! It’s truly a perfect fit for everyone.
From: Ellen Sutherland
To: Brodie Sutherland
Date: May 8
Subject: What a match!
Brodie,
I spoke with Brynna at the office today and we were both fairly enraptured over your new friend. Brynna took me to Mt. Airy’s library website and I couldn’t help but see the creativity you boast of in Isabelle on every page. And the videos of the Book Parade? Oh my heart! I don’t think she realizes what a natural gift she has for celebrating books. She seems to have no idea of the gifts and talents she possesses with all this self-effacing and second-guessing. She draws people to stories and fairly exudes a love for them, and people, if you will note. She’s always reaching out to help others in those videos. How lovely! And the video of her promoting a new release? Despite her introversion, she fairly beams on the screen when she discusses those beloved stories! She is certainly a young woman after our hearts, isn’t she?
There’s something unique about her uncanny way to match books to people. Is she a book whisperer? Yes, I laugh at that notion as well, but I cannot shake the underlying reality. Could you be in her life for much more than only a possible romance, but within the growth of your relationship you help her realize her true talents? That is what your father did for me. I would never have ventured into illustrating children’s books if he hadn’t used his endearing machinations to orchestrate opportunities. Even as he helped your grandpapa operate the bookshops as I took care of you children at home, he’d reserve one day a week to relieve me so that I could pursue my art. Every week. He was the dearest man in all the world and saw something in me I hadn’t even realized yet. Love is a beautiful sort of magic in that way, isn’t it?
I don’t know what may evolve between the two of you, but from all you’ve shared, I can see some of myself in her—the uncertainty, the wandering spirit—but also potential. Oh, my dear boy, when a man loves a woman well, and she is a woman of any worth at all, she not only blooms beneath his love but takes every opportunity to love him in return. She cannot help it. And what a story that is to watch bloom!
Fiona and I look forward to your next report.
With love,
Mum
PS: Fiona asks for you to ring her. She misses your voice.
Chapter 15
Text from Izzy to Luke: Eli sent me another bouquet of roses. How many of those mean that he hasn’t quite understood the “friendship” thing yet?
Luke: The fact that you’re asking is probably your answer.
Izzy: Time to reiterate the “just your friendly editor” conversation.
Luke: Be clear, Izzy. Men need clear. So . . . be less southern.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood
Date: May 10
Subject: Sonnets and romance
Brodie has completely redefined romance for me. How could I have settled for those other guys? Was I just so messed up in my head and heart that I took whatever I could get? If I’d known a relationship could be like what I’m beginning to understand with Brodie, I’d have saved myself a lot of undue hardship. Yes, he’s dorky and incredibly quiet around strangers—and even around Luke at times—so I’m the one generating conversations (weird, right?), but when we’re together it’s a constant flow of either excellent conversation or contented silence. There’s comfort and excitement and anticipation and sweetness all wrapped up into these interactions. And he wants to hear from me! My ideas, my thoughts, my voice. What is that!!!
AND (as juvenile as it sounds) we held hands yesterday. He took my hand to help me over a stream while we hiked up Sugarloaf and then . . . he didn’t let go. If there had been any uncertainty about our compatibility, it began to dwindle when he took my hand and was completely decimated by lunch when we debated between Lord Peter Wimsey or Hercule Poirot as the better literary detective. (Of course I had to fight for Peter, especially since he’s paired up with the marvelous Harriet Vane . . . and the two EVENTUALLY fall in love.) Brodie held to his adoration of Poirot, though he did admit to the fact that “the right woman makes all the difference in any man’s story.” ACK!! I think you could have cooked bacon on my cheeks for a solid five minutes after that! How wonderful is that?? My heart declared right then and there that Brodie Sutherland is all he appears to be and so much more. (He also smells delicious.)
