She reaches over, grabbing my hand with hers. "I'm glad you did."
Seven
Paisley
I think about the words I just said to Chase. Am I glad he did? Especially with it being so soon after I attempted to end my life? Honestly, yes. It's not as if I'm cured of what bothered me, or completely happy with my life all of a sudden, but I like it here in his house. I'm thankful to have had the opportunity, and I wouldn't have had it if he hadn't stepped in and saved me.
He clears his throat roughly, and together we keep fixing the breakfast. It's in silence, but it's not one of those awkward situations. I find that I like being here with him. His strong presence props me up, and makes me feel less lonely.
When we're done, he sits back and rubs his stomach. "Thanks for helping."
"You're welcome. It was nice to be a part of a team." Clamping my lips together, I'm afraid I've said too much.
He doesn't say anything as he reaches over and grabs my almost empty plate. "You done?"
"Yeah. Thank you."
When he gets up, it's as if his body takes up the entire space of the kitchen, and all of the air in it too. I've never met someone with as big of a presence as this man has, and I like it. When he's done, he turns around so that his back is to the sink. Crossing his arms over his chest, he looks at me, tilting his head to the side. "Wanna get out of here today? I've got to go feed my horse, and check on things outside. That snow is starting to come down harder."
Glancing out the window, I notice he's right. What had been light flakes earlier are now so thick I can barely see the barn at the back of the property. "I'd love to, are there clothes I can wear?"
"We'll get you situated."
I'm not used to someone taking care of everything for me. With my ex I was always the responsible one, which is why I probably ended up in this mess to begin with.
An hour later we're outside, me wearing layers and a pair of his older coveralls. He's dressed much the same way, but with fewer layers. The wind is high as we walk from the cabin to the barn, but he's ahead blocking it as we slowly make our way across. Once we get inside, I can still hear the noise in my ears.
The barn is small, with just a couple stalls. In the corner, I see the horse that we rode out on the other day, and I can't help but walk over. It's as if there's an invisible string between us. When I get there, he dips his head down, mane flopping, and snorts as he sniffs me. "Is he nice?" I ask, before I put my hand on his muzzle.
"Yeah, he ain't gonna bite ya or anything."
"What's his name?" I glance back at Chase who has moved over to a pile of hay, and starts lifting it into a wheelbarrow.
"Blackjack, and he loves to have his muzzle rubbed. So if you do that, you're going to have a friend for life."
I grin as I reach over and start rubbing. "Thank you for getting me out of that situation," I tell him.
"He's famous for that," Chase says as he starts putting the fresh hay in his stall. "He's gotten me out of more sticky situations than I can count. Have you ever been around a horse before?"
"No, I'm definitely a city girl at heart." But I can't deny I would like this.
"But I can see it in your face," Chase says as he finishes and stands next to the door to the stall. "You're interested in all of this. Aren't you?"
There's no point in denying it. "I am. It's completely different than what my life was like a few days ago. Maybe that's a good thing though, because my life a few days ago wasn't great."
He opens his mouth and I get the distinct feeling he wants to ask about my life. "Paisley..."
"I know, I owe you an explanation about where I came from and why I was in the field on your property. I realize all of this, and I promise, I'm going to give it to you. Right now though? I just can't. Can you be patient with me?" I'm begging as I look into those dark eyes of his.
"You don't owe me anything," he says quietly. "I was just curious."
"No, I do. You saved me, and it's just human nature to want to know why I was there, and why you had to save me."
He dips his chin into his chest. "I want to know, but the reason I do is because I want to be on the lookout for it if something like that happens to you again, Paisley. We're stuck out here together until the spring, and I don't want to wake up and find this has all been too much for you." He lifts his head up, hazel eyes bright. "Promise me I won't do that."
Swallowing roughly, because I know what he's asking, I nod. Reaching out with my hand, I lightly grab his. "I promise, if I have those thoughts again. I'll tell you."
"That's all I can ask for. Let's head on back in."
