by Catori, Ava
Kristin blushed. “Thank you.” She felt her cheeks heating up, and didn’t know what else to say.
“We should be going,” he motioned toward the door, breaking the awkward feeling.
“Right,” she said, wondering why she wanted to stay longer. “Thank you for dinner.”
“My pleasure,” he said, wishing he could reach down and hold her hand. It looked so small and fragile. She was decidedly feminine, everything about Kristin said she was a woman, and Ty hadn’t been around anybody that had stirred him that way in ages. He had no idea how this girl from New Jersey had gotten under his skin, but he wanted to spend more time with her.
The drive home was quiet, neither knowing what to say. There was something hanging in the air between them. It wasn’t like some heated chemistry sizzling, but more like a slow burning ember that wanted to spark, but couldn’t find the way to get started.
Pulling up into Kristin’s driveway, Ty thanked her for her company. Hopping out of his truck, she said good-bye. It wasn’t until he pulled out of her driveway that she realized she was lonelier than she thought. At least Molly was waiting for her.
Taking the wrapped up scraps inside, she surprised her dog with the treat.
On driving home, Ty wondered if there was a chance that Kristin might grow to like him. He felt foolish, like a clod, rough around the edges. He wished he was smoother right now, but he was who he was, and he couldn’t pretend to be anybody different. He was certain she was used to smooth, city guys who knew the right thing to say, and could impress her with their fancy clothes and fancy cars. He was just a vet who wore jeans and lived in a log cabin. His truck was beat up, but still run, and there was nothing special about him.
Nobody had captured his attention since his last girlfriend, Charlotte, which had been years ago. When she ran off with someone who came through town, throwing money at her, and impressing her with tales of adventures, she went away with him, and broke Ty’s heart in the process. He was going to ask her to be his wife – what a foolish thing to do. He hadn’t trusted his heart to another woman since.
Chapter 5
Chester Hills was named for one of the families that settled there. The Chester’s ran a good part of the area, owning the small market, the notary, a tavern, and most of the land at the center of town.
There was talk of getting a traffic light put in sometime during the next year or two. A little bit more traffic was finding its way here, with a newer exit built off of the interstate highway. A fast food restaurant tried to build at the exit, but the town voted to keep them out. While it would mean a few jobs, it would also mean gaudy lighting, late hours, more traffic, and the possibility of more trash and litter. They were trying to hold off on the progress. They knew once they were in, next it would be big box stores that were popping up all over. They already saw what happened in Lawrence with the amusement park, and what the owners left behind.
Ty would hate to see the town he knew and loved turn into another city of franchises and big box stores. And what would become of all the small businesses – they’d be forced to close, and families that had worked for years, would be displaced. No thank you, they didn’t need that around here.
Ty had only left the area one time to go to school; he needed to go to the city. He knew it wasn’t for him, and promised himself he’d settle back in a quieter, rural area when he graduated. Growing up on a farm, he wasn’t afraid of hard work, and longed for open space and being outdoors.
Stopping in the post office, he chatted with Sadie for a bit, a little woman with gray hair down to the middle of her back. Tomorrow was vaccination day, the day of the month he offered free or low cost vaccinations for family pets, and it was usually busier. He was enjoying the slower pace today.
Kristin drove into town, wanting to see if a package had arrived. Going into the post office, she found Ty at the counter chatting with Sadie. Her package wasn’t there quite yet.
“Well, hello there,” he smiled. “How’s Molly doing?”
“She’s good. She’s getting steadier on her feet every day.” She was happier to see him than she expected.
“I’m offering free or low cost vaccinations tomorrow if she’s not up to date on her shots.”
“We took care of those before we headed out here, but thanks so much for the offer.”
“Sure thing,” he said.
Sadie watched the couple talking. She hadn’t seen Ty smile that big in ages. Did this woman realize that smile was for her? She glanced at the new girl, Kristin, and saw a matching smile. She wondered if they’d figure out there was something between them.
They lingered, not sure what to say, but neither wanting to leave. What was it drawing them together? There was an attraction, sure, but Kristin wasn’t even looking to meet someone, and certainly wasn’t ready, and…she found excuse after excuse, but still didn’t want to leave.
Sadie interjected, “Regina just made some fresh blueberry pie. You’ve absolutely got to try it, both of you.”
“That sounds good, I could go for a slice of pie,” he jumped at just the right moment.
“I haven’t had blueberry pie in ages.”
“Would you care to go get a slice? Regina makes everything from scratch, good eats.”
“Only if I can have a scoop of vanilla ice cream on it,” she said, smiling bigger than she meant to.
Making their way over to Regina’s shop, Ty felt the urge to reach down and hold Kristin’s hand, but resisted. He knew it was forward, and didn’t want to force things, but something was going on between them, he was sure of it. She had a wall around her, and he understood why, but he couldn’t turn off the feelings that were starting to bubble up inside of him. It had been such a long time since he’d been interested in somebody. She wasn’t even his type, and dear goodness she was from New Jersey of all places, but there was something that spoke to him, leaving him wanting to spend time with her.
Kristin hadn’t intended to like the guy. In fact, he was a bit gruff, and certainly not her type. And yet when he was around, she felt better, happier, and she didn’t even know why. It didn’t make sense, yet here she was happy to spend a little more time with him, even if it meant getting a slice of blueberry pie. She hated blueberries, but she didn’t want to give up the chance of sitting and talking to him a little bit longer. She’d choke down a few blueberries if it meant she could look at his smile and take that image home with her.
The little café was quiet. The wood paneling on the walls went waist high, and framed black and white pictures lined the walls, one above each small table. The place could use another coat of paint, but was clean none the less. Sitting at one of the tables, a waitress took their order.
“Two slices of blueberry pie, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on each please,” he ordered, and got a couple of drinks to go with it.
They sat looking at each other, both realizing something was going on, almost afraid to say it.
When he reached across the table to take her hand, she let him. “Maybe we could try dinner again sometime.”
“I’ll think about it, okay.” Looking into his eyes, she was slowly melting. “I almost feel guilty being attracted to you.” There, she said it, admitted it out loud.
“Why?”
“I feel like I’m betraying him.”
He pulled his hand away. “I’m sorry.”
“Please, don’t be. It’s almost been a year. I’m just not sure how to process the new feelings that are cropping up.”
“So are you supposed to be alone forever, to punish yourself somehow?”
“I don’t know,” she said, her blue eyes pooling with tears. “I’m sorry,” she was embarrassed, and hadn’t meant to get so emotional.
“When you’re ready, okay?”
She nodded. “I need time, but I am interested.”
“I understand.”
“Thank you,” she said, just as the pie arrived.
She ate the ice cream, and played with t
he edges of the pie.
“Not hungry?”
Kristin flushed, admitting she didn’t like blueberries, but wanted to spend time with him.
Ty laughed, “I’ll eat it, no need to let blueberry pie go to waste.”
She pushed the plate over to him, grateful he didn’t find her a fool.
“I’m glad you came for pie too,” he smiled.
There was something in the air, though even admitting an attraction, it couldn’t move forward. It meant they were exactly where they started.
Ty could wait, he’d waited this long to meet somebody that caught his attention, he’d wait longer.
Kristin thanked him for the pie, and excused herself before getting drawn in. He wasn’t the smoothest man she’d ever met, he was rough around the edges, but something kept pulling her back. Maybe it was his confidence, he sure of who he was, not trying to go out of his way to impress her and be something he wasn’t, and he had this raw masculinity.
There was no denying the physical attraction. He was a man’s man, strong, with a solid body, and not afraid of hard work. She felt safe around him, and didn’t even know why. It was almost a natural reaction should couldn’t explain.
Heading back to her truck, Kristin realized she was smiling. It was nice to smile again. It had been so long.
Driving back, Kristin hummed and realized she was growing more comfortable with the roads, and recognizing where to turn now. On pulling up toward her house, there was something in the driveway, a dog, no….a gray wolf. She slowed to a stop, reality hitting her she was in the wild. Honking her horn, she scared it away, and then sat in her truck gripping the steering wheel. Was it gone? Would it pounce when she went outside? She realized she didn’t know their predatory habits, and never really investigate the wildlife she might come across.
She hit the horn again for a good measure and made a run for the front door. On getting inside, she set about pulling up information on Wyoming wildlife. Thankfully with satellite on the house, she was able to access the internet.
Would she panic every time she had to walk out to the truck now? Suddenly, the serene home and peaceful environment felt like a zoo without cages. Sitting out on the porch swing all this time, she was so vulnerable, and never thought about it.
Once the fear subsided, she reminded herself there were ways to deal with the wildlife, and most wouldn’t bother with her. It was surreal, she’d been living here and was oblivious – and now she had heightened awareness due to one gray wolf.
Putting Molly out back, she stood watching the grounds around her, nervous the wolf would be back. Was Molly seen as a threat? Suddenly everything she did, she examined and went over with a fine tooth comb, realizing she needed to be more aware – more cautious.
Not only that, but winter would be coming – and she was certain it wouldn’t be like back home, where town snowplows cleaned out the streets. She’d need to be stocked well to get her through snow and ice storms. Nobody would be clearing the dirt roads here. She should have thought things through better.
Kristin’s heart raced, thinking of the wolf lurking nearby. Grabbing onto the door handle of the back door, she gripped it with more force than she expected. Her mind started racing, realizing it was a mistake not to think things through before moving here. Her breathing grew ragged, and as she talked herself down from the edge, she reminded herself she’d been living here without a problem so far. She’d handle things, figure it out, plenty of people live out in the country and get by.
Calling Molly, she went back inside and dropped onto the sofa. Focusing on slow, deep breathing, she cleared the panic and anxiety out of her, trying to calm down. For the first time in a long time, she felt completely alone.
A hot tear rolled down her cheek, and letting go of her past, she sobbed. She was alone, and had to start over. Her body shook as she cried. She didn’t choose this life; she didn’t choose to be lonely in the middle of the woods – did she? She did run away wanting to escape, Ty was right, but it didn’t change anything. Whether she was in Wyoming or New Jersey, her heart was still hurting from her past. She clung to it like a life preserver, and realized until she let the pain go, it would hold her prisoner.
She needed to move forward, stop being afraid to feel things, to lose people, and it was time to live life again.
Chapter 6
Molly was getting better each day. She was steadier on her feet, and seemed to stumble less. Kristin was grateful her friend was healing and would soon be back to herself. She noticed that while the day temperatures were warmer, it got cooler at night, which only reminded her fall and then winter would be coming. Winter was going to be quite the experience on a back country road.
Kristin found herself thinking about the veterinarian more and more, and though it hadn’t been that long since she’d met him, there was definitely something there, whether she wanted to admit it or not. It’s not like she wanted a relationship, or even romance, but she liked being around him.
She really should make him some muffins, just to say thank you for all he’s done. It was the least she could do. Drawing up a list of ingredients, she checked the cabinets to see what she had and what she would need. Heading into town, she gathered up the necessities for the baked goods along with a few other things.
Singing in the kitchen, she mixed the ingredients in a bowl. She somehow felt lighter, happier. Something had changed, almost like an acceptance that she needed to continue living. Turning on the oven, she slid the muffins in to cook, and sat at the table to wait. She’d run them over while they were still warm.
The house smelled delightful, and inhaling the aroma, she smiled. Thinking back to the blueberry pie with Ty, she blushed remembering his hand coming over hers. Something kept drawing them back together.
When the muffins were ready, she wrapped them up carefully, and then headed out to her truck. Molly came along for the ride. She’d drop them off, say a friendly hello, and then be on her way.
She was actually looking forward to seeing him, but hoped dropping by wasn’t an inconvenience. On arriving, he wasn’t there. She was disappointed she wouldn’t get to see him, but left the muffins on the porch. Digging through her glove box, she found a pen and a scrap of paper. Leaving a small note, she placed it inside the bag and left it at the door. She was about to pull away, when she realized leaving food out wasn’t the smartest thing to do out here. Picking up the muffins, she brought them back with her. It was foolish to drop by unannounced anyway.
On driving back toward her house, she was pleasantly surprised to find Ty’s truck in her own driveway, waiting on her.
Getting out she laughed, “I was just over at your place,” she handed him the bag of muffins. “I made you something.”
“How sweet,” he smiled. “I appreciate the thought. I wanted to drop by and let you know I won’t be around for a bit. My father’s not doing well, and I’m going to help out on the farm. Between my own work and his, I won’t have much free time. I’d hoped to see you before I headed out.”
The air crackled between them, a growing attraction beyond their control.
“Can I help?”
Ty laughed, “That’s funny, a Jersey girl on the farm.”
“Hey! We have farms in New Jersey, we are the garden state!”
“I’m sure you do. I just can’t see you working on a farm.”
Kristin blushed, “Maybe I don’t have a lot of experience, but I have two hands and can learn.”
“I appreciate the offer, really I do, but we’ll be fine. Thank you.”
They stood looking at one another, not sure what to say or do. What they wanted to do, they didn’t, knowing it wasn’t their time. It would be eventually. They let it linger in the air between them.
“Do you want to come inside?”
“I should get going,” he said, not wanting to leave. “I need to head to the farm and get settled in. The days start early and go all day. I’ll be in town for my appointments, otherwise there
’s work to be done.”
“Right, I won’t keep you.” They stood staring awkwardly. “If you need help,” she offered.
“Thank you.” He wanted to kiss her, to run his fingers through her soft hair, to hold her in his arms, but instead he got into his truck and left.
Kristin watched him pull out of the driveway. She wanted him to kiss her, she wanted him to take her into his arms, and yet she was terrified of how she would feel if he ever did. She washed with guilt and longing, trying to cross to the other side.
She hadn’t even known him that long, had only spent a bit of time with him – and yet she wanted more. She wanted to sit and get to know him better, she wanted to feel his lips on hers, and she wanted to openly admit that she was ready to move forward. She felt a small twinge in her chest, was she ready to move on?
What would her friends or family say? Would they think she mourned long enough? Would they tell her to live again, to feel things again, to love again, or would they call her a whore for wanting more, wanting another man so soon. It shouldn’t matter what others thought…why did it matter? The inner turmoil tore her to shreds. It was ridiculous that she even cared how others might judge her – and yet she did care.
On not seeing Ty for a few weeks, the pull wasn’t as strong. Maybe it was a sign. Maybe there wasn’t magic between them after all. Kristin buried herself in writing, knocking out the first few chapters of the book she was working on. She’d have to pull it apart on edits, and would scribble notes, figuring out what worked and what didn’t. There was no path, she’d never done it before, but it was clearing her head, keeping her distracted.
She wasn’t expecting the knock on the door, and got up to answer it. There was a piece of her that hoped it was him. It’s not like she knew many others around the area.
On opening it, she was surprised to see a sheriff.
“Good day,” he said. “We’re just notifying you that there’s been a cougar spotted in the area on the prowl. It took out a dog a few miles down the road. Watch your pets, and keep your eyes open. They usually don’t stick around this area too long and move on. Wildlife official are aware and are looking to draw him back into a less populated area.”