Cole Opening Paragraphs

Just two more hours, he thought. Just two more.
Cole was so consumed by anxiety and eagerness that he couldn't concentrate on his carving. Trying to focus, he repeated the words, using them like a mantra to calm himself and his overactive brain. He had a job to finish before he was free to do anything, and the more time his brain spent on other things, the longer it would take to complete his task.
It was unlike Cole to be so unstable in his thoughts. Usually he was persistent in his duties. As a young boy he learned the hard way that a man's worth was decided by his actions. Since then he has had an insatiable quench to prove himself in all things that he did. Doing odd jobs to earn a night's keep, he discovered within himself a knack for carpentry, and preforming such tasks with grace and skill gave him a sense of great satisfaction. Not only did he excel in creating wonderful woodcarvings, but the carving gave him a feeling of peace and mental acuity that he did not find anywhere else. Today though, he could not find the peace he so desperately sought after. Instead, Cole could think of nothing but what he saw in the marketplace this morning, and the consequences that could come from it.
This morning, while walking through the marketplace on his way to work, he saw an average man buying food. Normally, Cole would have never given it a second thought. Such an ordinary scene wouldn't have even registered in his mind, except that the man looked familiar. For a glimpse, Cole could see the man's face, and it sparked something in his memory. He didn't know what at first, but digging deeper, he realized exactly where he had seen that face before.


* This is the first couple of paragraphs from a new story I'm writing (I know I jump around a lot) Places in need of work, questions, and random comments accepted and encouraged!

Thanks,

Two Paragraphs

You proposed!?! Kyliea stared at him, bug-eyed.
Joreth bit his lip. “ Well, not exactly.”
“Not exactly?”
I asked her father for her hand.”
“And he said yes.”
“No. . . but he gave me an ultimatum. He told me he would give me his blessing if I can save enough to own land.” Joreth stirred the flame, keeping it strong. “It's why I was so willing to take this job so far away from home. When I finish this commission I'll have enough to buy a parcel of land near the Shalim Falls. A good size, just enough to build a homestead.”

Kyliea smiled. She was happy that her older brother had been fortunate enough to find love. Though she hadn't met Carysse, Joreth had painted a picture of her in Kyliea's head. She had been the subject of many of the midnight meetings they shared together in confidence, away from prying ears. The two had met when Joreth had been on a delivery to need town. It was his first time there, and had trouble finding his way to the town's blacksmith's tents. Carysse had helped him find his way. After that Joreth always volunteered to make the delivery to need town, in hopes of seeing her again. And see her again he did. Through his visits he had fallen in love with her.

*So, what do you think? Is the dialogue reasonable? Are things explained fully? Does it leave you with questions?

Thanks,