AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s gorgeous, Gray. It has a good feel to it.”
She stares at the landscape out of the window, and when we reach the clearing, the sunset shines down over the spot where I want to build my house. It’s like a scenic postcard of some magical, far-off place; not my property.
“God, I love it here,” I add, turning the wheel so the backend of my truck faces the lake.
I turn off the engine and jump out. Hartley is right behind me, eager and adorable in her farm girl outfit.
I take her hand and we walk toward the creek. I point out all the tracks where me, Gabe and Brooklyn used to ride when we were younger. My, how I miss it.
I have to end this feud; I realize. With my brother. This has dragged on for too long, and I need to be the bigger person.
“I can see why you fought so hard to keep this,” she says, turning to face me as I try not to get lost in her. I can’t fucking help it. I see our future here. Me and Hartley, and our unborn children. Yet, I don’t know how she feels in her heart.
Is it too soon? Will I scare her off? How will my heart recover if I get hurt again? All good questions.
I know how I feel about her. It’s an overwhelming sense of ease and contentment, I've never had that for anyone.
Releasing her hand, I pick up a stone. I throw it, skimming it along the creek’s edge.
“What do you see for your house?” she asks, surprising me with her interest.
“Ideally, I’d love a log cabin. Two story, country style but with a full, modern chef’s kitchen since I like to cook.” I met with my contractor last week and we looked over my plans. It’s all doable according to him.
“You like to cook?” She says the words slowly.
I laugh. “Is that hard to believe?”
“No. I just… I’m learning new things about you all the time.”
I smile. “We’d have a chicken run right here, then stables over there. I’ve been told by my very animal friendly nieces that we can’t eat any of the animals, so they’d only be pets. I think they’d let us use the fresh eggs, though.”
We’d have a chicken run?
I hope she didn’t notice that little slip up…
She chuckles. “That’s cute. Chickens make good pets. Not that I’ve ever had any. Dad's allergic to cats and growing up Mom didn't want a dog, so I only had a goldfish.”
I smile. “Did you keep it alive?”
“Yes… for about three weeks.”
“Let me guess, a toilet flush burial?”
"Yep, my brother wasn't impressed. Of course, his fish lived for over a year.”
“Typical.”
“I think that’s why I’ve always liked the idea of the country,” she goes on. “Like I told you in New York; we vacationed often in the Smoky Mountains. I have an affinity with it, and with the fresh air and sound of water running. It’s unbelievable that a place like this exists.”
“It’s why it’s the most precious thing I own, material wise. I’ve always seen myself here since I was a boy.”
“I love that.”
I swallow hard. “Maybe I love it too much.” I skim another stone and we watch it bounce off the water.
“The peacefulness reminds me of a vacation we took with my mom, just before she died,” she says out of nowhere.
“Hartley? I’m so sorry.”
