TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "EIGHTEEN"

 Welcome! The word prompt this week is "eighteen." We have another episode of "Sarah's Dilemma." Find the wonderful Tuesday Tales authors HERE

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Caleb and Sam stood by the door as each woman paraded by in her finery. The men heaped compliments on them. Caleb had one concern.

“Isn’t Sarah’s dress a little too, uh, well, revealing?”

“She’s seventeen, due to be eighteen in another month. That’s marriageable age. She is entitled to dress like all the other grown women,” Abigail said. Her husband nodded.

This was the first time Sarah had worn a dress with such a low neckline. As a young girl, her dresses had always gone all the way up to the neck. But this dress revealed the fully developed cleavage of a young woman.

Sam looked at her and swallowed. “Don’t know how I’m gonna keep Josiah and Ben away from her.”

Sarah raised her chin. “You won’t be doing any such thing. Besides, you’ll be too busy breathing down Becky’s neck to bother with me. You won’t have to worry. No one will take my account anyway.”

 “Yeah? I disagree. Every man at the celebration will be looking you over real careful.”

Abigail made a shooing gesture. “Sam. Let it be. Sarah is old enough to take care of herself.”

After final primping, the women were ready to join the party. They picked their way across the high grass and dirt to the back of Rhodes General Store. At least three dozen people clapped and danced to a lively tune from four fiddlers. When the music ended, the buzz of the crowd chatting filled the air.

As soon as the Chesneys arrived, all eyes turned toward them. When Sarah stepped forward, a hush fell on the crowd. As quickly as the noise stopped, a wave of whispering filled the air.

“That’s her.” A woman said, pointing.

“Who?” The man next to her asked.

“That Sarah Chesney girl. You know the wanton one.” The woman’s voice got louder.

“Oh. I see.” He nodded and turned a cold stare on Sarah.

“The one in green?” Another man asked.

“No, silly. She’s the mother. The young one.” A woman answered.

“She’s fine, the one in green.” He grinned.

She clunked him on the head with her palm. “Shut up, Simon!”

Abby chuckled. Frowning, Caleb pulled her closer.

“That must be her husband,” Simon said, rubbing his scalp and pointing to Caleb. “Lucky man.”

The woman standing next to him elbowed him in the ribs.

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That's it. Thanks for coming! 

Sam stepped in front of his sister.