He stands around six feet and some inches with a lean build but also has some muscle I can make out through the flannel and dark jeans. The skin on his hands looks tan and leathery, like he’s spent too many days out in the pastures, and if he has any hair, it’s hidden beneath a cowboy hat.
“Don’t come any closer!” I bark, attempting to seem more intimidating than I look. Between the sack I have for clothes, my unkempt hair, and the scars marred over my body, I probablylook like a homeless squatter. “I don’t want any trouble. I just needed somewhere to rest my head for the night,” I explain, hoping I don’t have to fight my way out of this mess.
“You slept here all night?”
“That’s what I just said.”Is this guy dense?
He chuckles, shaking his head. “You could’ve just knocked on the front door. My Winnie and I would have offered you shelter.”
Eyeing him warily, I can’t tell if he’s being serious or not. Who would just let a stranger into their home? Especially one that looks like they’ve been sleeping under a bridge.
“I’m Harvey. And truth be told, I’m surprised Licorice let you in here. He’s normally pretty standoffish to newcomers—even to me some days.”
“Guess I’m the horse whisperer,” I joke, and I’m grateful he finds it funny.
“Why don’t you come in and get something to eat? My Winnie is cooking up breakfast while I get the farm all set up for the day. You could also grab a shower if you would like,” he offers, and at the mention of food, my stomach responds for me with a low grumble.
His eyes cast down toward the sound, raising an eyebrow.
“I think I’ll pass. If you could just point me in the direction of the next town, that would be great.” He looks taken aback at my refusal, but I don’t want to take that risk. For all I know, Callum and whoever else could be right down in the forest.
“Suit yourself.” He blows out a breath before continuing, “The next town is about five miles north.” He turns to point behind him. “You’ll follow the dirt road until you come across a trail that runs through the trees, another two miles down that way will spit you out in the middle of town.” With those instructions, he turns to walk out of the barn.
That’s a long way. But I can do it. I did more than that over the last two days, this should be a piece of cake. Now an image ofcake is plastered to the forefront of my mind, and I think about the food he offered—and theshower.Hot showers I used to take for granted but now come sparingly. A luxury I hadn’t been afforded in all the time I was held.
I weigh my options, deciding to shower quickly, eat even faster, and be on my way. Should things go south, I’ll burn this place to the ground.
Stepping off the hay bales, I rush toward the opening, spotting Harvey unlocking a pen that houses goats and sheep.
He spots me, and I swallow my pride before relenting, “If that offer is still on the table, I’ll take it.” He nods his head with a smile and wordlessly starts walking.
I keep my distance while Harvey leads the way to his home. It’s very charming. A white single-story farmhouse with a wraparound porch. I note the two rocking chairs placed near the front door, a table resting between them, housing two empty coffee cups.
The sounds of cows mooing and chickens clucking out in the distance are replaced by the sound of dishes clanking in the nearby kitchen. Harvey opens the screen door, holding it open for me as I navigate over the three steps leading onto the porch.
“Honey, we have a visitor!” Harvey announces. Footsteps skate across the hardwood floor, and I barely notice the woman standing in the center of the room while I take in their home.
It’s small and quaint. Floral furniture sits in the living room along with a coffee table that’s littered with books. A glass cupboard is pressed against the far wall, housing pictures and what looks like memorabilia.
Instantly, I’m hit with the overwhelming scents of perfume and bacon. An odd mixture, but something about it puts me at ease. Maybe it’s a false sense of security.
“A visitor at this hour?” the woman—I’m assuming Winnie—questions. When our eyes lock, her face looks stricken, like she’sseen a ghost.
The woman stands a few paces away, wringing her hands on a drying towel. A long-sleeved flannel is worn underneath her overalls, and she has working boots on her feet. Her curly, gray hair rests just below her ears, and the front pieces are pinned back.
Her gaze bounces between me and her husband, confused and…worried? But before either of us can say anything, Harvey breaks the silence. “Winnie, dear, I found this young lady sleeping in Licorice’s stable.”
“Licorice? Of all the horses.” Her smile lights up the room, and she shakes her head.
“I didn’t catch your name,” Harvey says, looking over his shoulder at me.
“I didn’t offer it.” He finds my commentary funny, apparently, as he laughs again, looking back at his wife. “I offered her food and a shower. Perhaps you have some clothes she can wear?”
“Of course! Make yourself at home, dear. I’ll get another plate set while you get cleaned up. Just a moment and I’ll put some fresh clothes on the counter in the bathroom for you.” With those parting words, she disappears through the open doorway ahead. Harvey dismisses himself and goes back outside to tend to the animals, I assume.
When Winnie re-emerges, she tells me to take as much time as I want. Although the offer is tempting, I make quick work washing up, only staying in the scalding-hot water a few extra seconds before shutting it off and getting redressed.
The black long-sleeve shirt is breathable and lightweight, and despite Winnie being around my usual size, the shirt hangs low on me like a dress, and the pants she laid out for me, dark-wash jeans that barely stay up on my newly narrow hips, need a belt. I try not to harp on that fact long.
