15. Reeves

fifteen

Trekking through some snow drifts, and over the tops of some of the more compact piles, I traipsed to the barn. Unfortunately, the old-style red barn had fared even worse than my rundown house as the whole structure seemed off-balance. If I listened hard enough, I could hear it creak under the pressure of the snow. I had joked when I first saw this barn, that one good storm would blow it away. I trod carefully into the open space, hoping today wasn't the day I would test that theory.

I was anxious to build a new home next summer for Hank, my Friesian horse. Hank was twenty years old and had come with the property. I saw his age as a bonus more than a liability, because he was smart, more intelligent than most horses I'd ever owned. Even though we'd only been family for the last week, I could tell he liked me. This was evident by how he willingly left his place guarding his oat bucket to meet me halfway.

"Wind's blowing today, boy." I patted his snout and grinned at the way he showed me his giant teeth. I could stand here all day if I didn't have anything else to do. He was just an easy keeper. "Do you need some treats?" I strode to the sacks, easily found his favorite oat blend, and carried it back to his bucket. He moved behind me, watching me with giant eyes as I filled his bucket. "We have company today," I filled him in. "A princess."

I moved the bucket closer to him, and he didn't waste a minute pushing his snout in. "I know what you're thinking. A real princess?" I nodded to myself. "Yep. A real princess." I tsked, as if I was in pain. "Tell ya what, she looks amazing in my shirt."

I threw my head back, slamming my eyes to the heavens.

Stop thinking about that, Reeves! Get a grip. She's a princess! She's only being nice to you because you're marooned together. Give it another day, and she'll be on her way.

And that's the craziest thought of all.

Just how fragile this whole situation was.

I had to stay focused and see it as it was, or I would suffer in the long run. She wasn't here to fall in love with me.

She has this habit where she rubs her neck when she's deep in thought. The first time I saw her do that, it was in my field and her expression was wistful, as if she was lost in a fantasy world. The last couple of days, her face has been pinched, and serious. Either way, I just stare at her hands and daydream, wondering what it would feel like to press a kiss into her neck.

And there I go again!

Stop. Don't even think about her. I slammed my gaze to the ceiling beams. Think about something else. Anything but her. Gotta stay busy.

I rolled up the sack, sealing it as best as I could, and set it out of Hank's reach because I'd already made the mistake of leaving it open with him once.

There. I brushed my hands on my jeans, looking around for something else to do. This chore did nothing to take my mind off of her. If anything, it had only filled it further. I passed back out the barn door, pulling it closed. The wood had long since been warped and didn't match in the middle seam the way it should, but I sealed it as best as I could, and secured the latch.

I flicked my gaze to the clouds, praying for the sun. Sun was the only way I was getting myself out of this close-encounter predicament. As soon as this storm passes, she'd be gone.

All I saw was gray looming clouds, threatening to dump out more snow.

Pulling my single glove out of my coat pocket, I slipped it on. I had plenty of chores to keep me busy, including feeding my cows. The tractor had a heater, and plenty of fuel. It would give me a place to hang out without the distraction . . . Yeah, it sounded like a good plan to me.

Avoid the house until dark.