Chapter 2: Bridget’s Cabin
Now the proud resident of the first single detached home built after the clear-out, Bridget didn’t waste any time in setting up her own garden. Tending to the community garden supplied harvests to tide her over until her own plants were ready. It was tiring work and she often ended her day covered in dirt, but all things considered, things were going really well.
“Good morning,” came a cheerful voice from behind her.
Startled, Bridget turned abruptly. A man wearing a postal service uniform was standing by her mailbox.
“Sorry,” the man chuckled. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“That’s alright,” Bridget said, a bit embarrassed.
She walked over. Despite his glasses, she could tell he had a friendly warmth in his eyes.
“So far it's only you and the boarding house, you know,” he smiled. His smile, too, seemed to radiate warmth. “I hope it's not too long before people start to settle in. My parents say this used to be a cute town before everyone moved away.”
“I'm Bridget,” she smiled back, and stuck out her hand.
He extended his own. “Altman,” he replied.
“Do you live here, then?” Bridget asked.
“No,” Altman said softly. “I live in the city, but my parents live outside of town, so I offered to deliver mail out here when needed.”
“Oh,” Bridget tried to hide her disappointment.
An awkward silence ensued until he asked, “Uh, so, what made you decide to move here?”
“It just seemed exciting, I guess,” Bridget said quietly, still thinking about how to answer. “The town is a blank slate… it’s all opportunity, you know?”
After a brief pause, she continued, “And my grant application to start the community garden was accepted… so that gave me an excuse to leave home.”
“Yeah I know that feeling,” Altman said as he put a hand on the back of his neck. “I’m actually back to living with my parents right now.”
Bridget smiled sympathetically.
“I was in business before this job,” he continued.
“In business?”
He laughed awkwardly. “I mean I worked in an office,” he explained. “But it didn’t work out.”
“Oh?” Bridget asked softly. “Why not?”
“I don’t know,” Altman said with a sigh. “I just wasn’t cut out for it, I guess.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Bridget replied. “I’m sure you’ll find something you enjoy doing.”
“Thanks,” he said. “I do envy your certainty though. Moving here must have taken a lot of conviction.”
Bridget shrugged. “Maybe my parents just aren’t as easy to live with as yours,” she smirked.
Altman laughed again, but this time it had a hearty, more genuine sound. He smiled brightly at Bridget.
“I should get going,” he said. “But it was really great to meet you, Bridget. I’ll see you around.”
“Definitely,” Bridget smiled back. “It was nice meeting you too, Altman.”
In truth, Bridget wasn’t sure she’d made the right choice in moving here. No one else had started building a house nor project with government grant money, and it was starting to feel lonely. She thought about going down to visit the boarding house, but she wasn’t sure if anyone would be there and it was quite a far walk. Between her own garden and tending the community garden, she kept busy and often just wanted to head home and to bed. Maybe buying a plot of land large enough for a farm wasn’t a good decision, after all. Maybe she should have started closer to the boarding house and where downtown would likely be. But she had no money left to change her mind, and knew she had made this decision for good reasons. It felt right... she just hoped it actually was.
The next time she saw Altman she was sure to get his number.
“You should come by sometime,” Bridget told him. “Can be a bit lonely,” she admitted awkwardly.
“I can imagine,” he said. “I haven’t seen any new building projects underway, either,” he continued. “I’ve got more deliveries today, but I can come over tonight or tomorrow?”
“Any time is probably good,” she said shyly. “One of the perks of this self-sufficient life I have, I guess. Make my own schedule.”
She felt like she sounded incredibly awkward. She hadn’t been nervous to talk to him; why was it so difficult? She hoped she didn’t seem like a complete weirdo - a girl who moved to nowhere because she couldn’t hold a normal conversation.
Altman, however, didn’t think anything of the sort. He was relieved to see a bit more awkwardness from Bridget. She’d seemed incredibly confident when they first met - which, he had to admit, had made him quite taken by her. He couldn’t imagine just picking up and moving to a brand new, blank slate of a town, never mind being so confident that it was the right thing for them. The awkwardness Bridget was now showing reassured him that he didn’t need to be as nervous about her. It reminded him that no one really has things all figured out, and no one is confident all the time.
Little did Bridget know, Altman was struggling with his recent move into the Postal Service. He dreamed of being a CEO, but he’d gotten to a point where he felt he had to leave the office environment, and now he felt lost. He was attracted to Bridget’s drive and her leap to follow her dreams in a new place, and he had been sure she’d have no interest in someone as lost as he felt. But maybe there was hope yet.
“Well, I have your number now,” Altman replied. “I’ll give you a call before I head over.”
“You know where I live!” Bridget said. Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought.
Altman laughed a little and waved to her before she turned back towards her garden. He was happy – he might really have a shot – and with someone far more interesting than anyone he’d met in his crappy town. Would calling that night seem too eager?
Bridget was less awkward when Altman visited later that day. Maybe she was just off that morning, or maybe she was tired out from working outside all day. Whatever the reason, she was glad she was as calm and happy as she was. He was the first visitor she welcomed into her cabin, and she made a salad with fresh ingredients from her garden. Altman was impressed and commented several times on how good it was. At first she simply smiled and thanked him. Later she added that the fresh, homegrown ingredients made such a difference. Eventually she couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s just salad,” she said. “It can’t be THAT amazing.”
“Well, it’s by far the best salad I’ve ever had,” Altman said with a grin.
Bridget laughed a little and their eyes met. There was a short silence, then Altman said, “I’m having a really nice time. I’m glad I came over.”
Bridget smiled and looked down at her plate. “Me too,” she replied, fidgeting with her fork.
Altman felt a small sting of disappointment that she’d looked away. She had beautiful green eyes. In that instant, Altman’s gut told him to be careful or he’d definitely fall for this girl. But the thought made him smile to himself – he was already falling for her – and his gut also told him that getting to know Bridget was worth the risk of heart break.
“You know, if you really like it, you’re more than welcome to take some food from the community garden,” Bridget said, still fixated on her fork. “That’s why it was built, and I was sure to plant all these ingredients,” she added, looking back up at him.
His smile grew when he could see her green eyes again, but faltered when he realized his reply might disappoint her.
“I haven’t actually been down there yet,” he admitted.
Far from disappointed, Bridget’s face lit up and she practically jumped out of her chair. “Come on, then!” she said cheerfully.
Bridget took Altman’s hand and led him out the door before he could object, but he didn’t mind. As they walked down the hill, Bridget rambled on about the different plants and tools available for anyone to use. “It’s pretty at night, too,” she chirped. “There are a couple lanterns and nearby streetlights that create just enough light.”
When they arrived, she showed him around and then they relaxed on a pretty bench on one side, where they had full view of the garden beds and fruit trees protected by the high wooden fence.
“It’s really impressive,” he said softly.
“I’m starting to think you’re just easily impressed,” she laughed. “But thank you.”
“Really though,” Altman said, turning to her. “It’s impressive that you have such a strong passion and conviction that you could get this set up… and the courage to move here… I wish I had that kind of determination to follow my gut.”
“No one is completely certain about what they should do,” Bridget replied softly. “I’ve had my doubts about whether moving here was the right decision… I thought more people would be moving in, I guess.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Altman smiled. “The town has to start somewhere. I think it’s incredible how you jumped on this opportunity, and I’m sure others will follow your lead.”
“Thanks,” Bridget blushed. “But you really are easily impressed.”
“You’re too modest,” he said.
She smiled at him, then she looked back out at the garden. He was disappointed he’d lost sight of those green eyes again. But the disappointment didn’t last long – she put her arm around him, gave him a squeeze, and put her hand on his arm.
It was the first of many nights Bridget and Altman spent together at the community garden. They saw a lot more of each other over the following days (and, happily, got a bit less awkward in their interactions).
Since Bridget was so busy with her home garden – her only source of income – and making sure the community garden she’d built also survived, Altman would come into town to visit her in the evening after all his deliveries were done. It quickly became a habit for him to stay over.
He’d often wake up to find Bridget already out of bed. If he had the day off, he’d open the book he brought and relax in bed flipping through its pages. Bridget’s cabin was small and studio-style; the bed was only a few feet from both the bathroom door and the fridge. Altman didn't mind, though. He wondered if his sense of comfort was because of the cabin's cozy feel, the fact that the bed was more comfortable than his own, or simply because Bridget was nearby.
Bridget typically started her mornings with a walk-through of the garden, watering the plants and seeing what else she would have to do that day to keep them happy. When she came back inside, she’d always kiss Altman good morning before jumping in the shower. Since neither of them knew how long she’d take with the plants, Altman eventually agreed to let himself relax until she came in. If he reached a good point in his book to stop reading, he’d start breakfast. As much as he’d try to have it ready before Bridget was out of the shower, she was so quick that he hadn’t managed to yet. If Altman was in the middle of a particularly riveting part of his book, he would finish his section and then they would make breakfast together. He always insisted on at least helping with breakfast, to which Bridget would bristle that it wasn’t necessary, but truly appreciated all the same.
“It’s become quite the routine you have here,” Bridget smiled brightly at him one morning.
“Might be even better if I lived here,” he smiled back and returned to flipping pancakes.
“Practically already do,” she teased, nudging his arm.
“I’m serious, Bridge,” he laughed, paused, then added, “I want more time with you.”
Bridget was quiet. He glanced over; she’d moved towards the end of the counter and looked lost in thought. He turned off the stove and turned to her.
“You okay?” he asked softly as he walked over.
“If either of us should move, it should be me,” she said quietly. “I don’t want to take you away from your job, your life… No one new has moved in here yet… it wouldn’t make sense for you to move here.”
“Hey, don’t say that,” Altman replied. “You’re following a big dream here, it isn’t time to give up yet. Look at what you've already built. You have a steady income, we have a routine,” he smiled and touched her cheek gently. “I want to be here to support you in that.”
She returned his gaze, but still seemed sad. “Have you really thought about this? What about your dreams to run a company?”
Altman laughed. “A technophobe CEO? In this day and age? I don’t think I have much of a chance at that anymore. And I’ve come to terms with that, I think. I’m happier here than I am in the city.”
“You’re sure?”
“Bridget, if your hesitation is about something else, it’s okay,” Altman said. “Really, I wasn’t planning on bringing this all up this morning, it’s just been on my mind lately.”
“No, no, I’d be happy to live with you,” Bridget replied quickly. “I guess I just don’t want you to move in and then regret it and resent me."
He smiled at her and caressed her cheek. “I won’t,” he said softly. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she smiled shyly, then perked up. “Next weekend, then?”
Altman laughed again. “Seriously?”
“Well, I mean, you’re off next weekend, aren't you?”
“Yeah,” he chuckled. “But I have to pack up and sell some things. Not to mention find a renter to take over my lease. Give me a couple weeks, okay?”
“No, this is an all or nothing deal,” Bridget laughed. “Of course, Altman, take whatever time you need. I’m just joking around. But you really are welcome to move in anytime; It’s not like I have much to set up.”
Bridget visited Altman a few times over the next few weeks, but mainly used her free time to build a proper fence around her crops and install a new sprinkler system. It was all ready when Altman arrived to move in.
“Well haven’t you been busy?” Altman smiled as he walked up to Bridget, who was adjusting the gate on the fence. “What’s this?”
“My sorry excuse for a fence and gate,” Bridget smiled and shook her head. “It’ll keep the deer out, but hopefully it doesn’t trap me in!”
“Looks like more than a fence,” Altman mused.
Bridget put her arms around him and gave him a quick kiss. “It’s a sprinkler system,” she smiled. “So I don’t have to get up so early to do the watering.”
“Oh really?” Altman raised a hand and gently placed it on her cheek. “Want more time in bed with me, do you?”
She smirked. “Maybe,” she answered coyly.
They kissed and their hands wandered until the sprinklers sputtered on and Altman jumped.
Bridget laughed. Altman was a bit embarrassed, but joined her.
“Could’ve warned me,” he laughed.
“That the sprinklers were going to water the plants?” she asked, holding back more laughter.
Altman rolled his eyes, “So funny.”
“I’m sorry,” Bridget said. “And sorry I’m still smiling.”
“It’s okay,” Altman was still smiling, too. “I can’t help but smile when I’m with you, either.”
Bridget rolled her eyes this time. “So cheesy,” she groaned, but her smile stayed.
They stood there, smiling at each other. If Bridget had seen someone else doing this a year ago she would have scoffed in mild disgust (but she didn’t think about that).
“The truth is, Altman, I really do smile a lot more with you around. And I’m really excited for you to move in,” she said.
“You care so much about me and my goals... I’ve never met a more supportive person. We didn’t meet that long ago but somehow I don’t know what my life would be like without you, and I don’t want to think about it,” Bridget said. She started to get down on one knee.
“Bridget..?” Altman started, but trailed off.
“I know how much you love me and I want to make sure you know I love you just as much,” she said, taking a ring box out of her pocket.
“I want to marry you,” she added softly, opening the box.
Altman was shocked, staring at the ring.
“Well?” Bridget laughed. “Would you like to marry me?”
“Yes!!” Altman exclaimed. He laughed at himself, realizing he’d acted like every girl he’d seen in a proposal video online.
“Come here, get up,” Altman said, beaming. He wrapped his arms around her in a big hug.
“I love you so much,” he said softly into her ear.
“I love you, too,” she said into his shoulder.
He slowly released her from the hug. “I have to admit something, though,” he said shyly.
“Oh?” she replied.
“I may also have bought rings,” Altman smiled. “I was going to ask you the same question tonight, after making you dinner and walking down to the community garden.”
Bridget looked at him as if he was a cute puppy. “Oh my gosh,” she said. “That sounds perfect. Did I ruin it?”
Altman laughed. “Of course not. We just got engaged even sooner!”
Bridget smiled brightly at him as he took out his own ring box.
“Will you, Bridget Tevellyn, do me the honor of marrying me?” he asked.
“Yes!” she quickly replied.
They both laughed softly, and she leaned her head on his affectionately as he took her hand. He slipped a ring onto her finger.
Bridget wiped tears from her eyes. “This is crazy,” she managed to say.
“And here I was worried that I was buying a ring way too soon,” Altman said, holding Bridget’s hands.
“I was worried I’d be asking you too soon!” Bridget laughed. “Honestly I’d marry you today if I could,” she admitted shyly.
Her green eyes stared into his, sparkling with tears waiting to stream down her cheeks.
“I may have also bought wedding bands,” Altman laughed nervously. “So if you want to skip a lengthy engagement, we can get married right now,” he added, half joking.
The tears cascaded from her eyes. “Are you serious?” she choked.
Altman nodded. He realized he’d started to cry, too.
“It’s crazy,” he said so quietly it was almost a whisper. “But I’ve never been more sure. I’ve never met anyone else like you and I never will. I love you, Bridget, and I know I’ll love you more tomorrow, and the day after that. I want to marry you.”
She brushed away the water her cheeks. “Do you really have wedding bands?” she laughed through more happy tears.
Altman nodded and took out another ring box.
“I want to marry you,” Bridget said.
Altman laughed, but opened the box. Beaming at each other, they each slipped one of the bands onto to the other’s finger without a word. Altman wrapped his arms around Bridget's waist and she kissed him eagerly. The morning had gone better than either of them had expected, and they couldn't have been happier.
