His shoulders sag as he nods in understanding.
“I wonder what Sutton will think of this.” I change the subject, looking at the rainwater collector I’ve built. It’s very rustic, but it does the job. With any luck, Preston and I will always have fresh, clean water to use in addition to the water from inside that’s supplied from the town.
“You can ask him. He’s back.” Preston grins, and I look up, seeing Sutton’s truck pulling up the road toward the cottage. I can’t help it. My smile is immediate too.
“Is that what you’ve been doing with the junk from the taxi place?” Sutton jumps out of his truck and strides over to me. There’s no hesitation as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me tight, his lips hitting mine so quickly it’s like he’s starved. Every day is like this. During the week, he watches from his booth, brings us home, and spends the night. On the weekends, like today, he spends the day with us, helping around the cottage, hanging out with Preston, or reading a few of the library books we’ve brought home. He’s taken a big interest in bees, which is comical, given his allergy. But it’s nice he’s found a subject he enjoys.
I reciprocate and hold him tight, because being without him lately is like I’m without oxygen. My need for survival is his touch, his kisses, and his attention. I loop my hands around his neck, and he lifts me from my feet, crushing me to his chest before lowering me back to the ground slowly.
“What do you think?” I ask him.
He watches me closely. “I think I want more of you, Tinker Bell…” he murmurs against my cheek so Preston can’t hear. I swat him, gesturing to the pipes and bits, making him chuckle. “Just like everything you do, I think it’s amazing. What is it?” He looks at my rudimental contraption, frowning in confusion.
“It’s a rainwater collection system. Rain hits the roof, then flows down the slant and into the tubing here. I have a mesh layer that filters the leaves and heavy debris before the water flows along this pipe. At the end, I have some muslin cloth that filters it again.”
“But then it just runs into the garden?” He looks perplexed.
“That’s because I need to find a tank or some type of storage…”
“Then what will you do with the water?”
“Well, I’ll probably need to test it to ensure that it’s clean, but out here, there isn’t a lot of pollution. So we could store it for a while. Water the garden in the hotter months, wash clothes with it, or use it in emergencies if the town water ever has issues.”
He shakes his head in what seems like disbelief.
“I still don’t know how you do all this stuff. You really need to take Tanner up on his offer.”
I give him a smile but remain tight-lipped. His eyes flick to Preston, who’s sitting, watching.
“Preston. I got something for you,” he calls out before striding to his truck. Preston walks over, looking at me in question, and I shrug.
“What is it?” Preston asks.
“Electric bikes.”
“What?” we both say in unison, eyes bugging.
“Well, Preston can’t keep riding a pink bike around town. That’s social suicide. And I was going to buy you a car, but I thought you might freak out over that, so I thought the electric bikes would go quicker and take less energy after a long day at work. They’re good for the environment… Plus, I got myself one too so we can ride around here together,” he lifts three brand-new big black bikes from the back.
I don’t know much about bikes, but they look top of the line. The wheels are chunky, heavy duty, to make it easier to ride out here on the grass and dirt.
“Maybe you can charge them using your turbine?” He looks at me expectantly, and I stare, open-mouthed. He’s right. I wouldn’t have accepted a car. The fact that he even considered that astounds me. But it’s the way he thought about the turbine charging it, the way he isn’t remotely skeptical of the rainwater system, that he isn’t looking at me like I’m some crazy chick here in a run-down cottage, making things with junk. He’s being supportive and thoughtful with his generosity.
“No way!” Preston finally breaks free of his frozen state, in awe. As am I, but for two totally different reasons. I watch quietly as Preston slams into Sutton, hugging him, and shock soon gives way for Sutton as he pulls my little brother closer. I nearly melt.
Preston hasn’t had anyone else in his corner except for me. There were a few kids at school he was friendly with, but once Mom died and I went to college, Maribel refused to take him to birthday parties or other social gatherings. Preston turned in on himself at that point. Becoming more introverted, burying his head in books, all while locked in his room. Now, as I see him hugging Sutton, I feel that Preston is stepping into his confidence. I haven't noticed it till now. Before Sutton, Preston and I were just going through the motions. The most important thing for me was survival.
“This is so cool.” Preston grabs a bike that Sutton rolls over to him and jumps on, then starts riding all over the lawn haphazardly, giggling. “This is awesoooommmeeeeee!” he yells as his bike speeds past us again faster and takes off toward the forest.
“Be careful! Watch my apple tree!” I call out to him as Sutton laughs. I smile, watching him, weaving in and out among the trees. He knows the forest behind the cottage as well as I do. When we first arrived, we spent a lot of time outside.
“Thank you. You didn't have—”
“I know, baby,” Sutton interrupts me softly, walking back toward me. “But it kills me when I can’t bring you home after your shift. It hurts my heart that you walk or cycle every day. I need you home safe. Both of you. I need you home as fast as possible and warm in the winter. I need you to be able to get to me if I can’t get to you.” He swallows audibly, and anxiety of the unknown gnaws at my skin.
“Are you still going to be here in the winter?” I look up at him, my heart heavy. Winter isn’t too far away. The days are getting shorter, the temperature cooler.
“I have no plans of leaving… Besides, Thanksgiving is coming up soon.”
