“I will, but only if it comes to that.” She couldn’t believe she managed to speak the words confidently. A shocking realization sent a shiver down her spine.
“Thank you.” He kissed her, squeezing her shoulders. His lips were warm on hers and sent a delightful burst of pleasure through her. He broke the kiss slowly.
“I’ve got to go.”
“I’ll see you later. You keep yourself safe.”
“I will, just for you.” He grinned, but his eyes didn’t light up with cheekiness.
Raven watched him walk from the room. While the last few days her thoughts were full of doubt about whether she could cope with life on the farm, she just had a small revelation—she didn’t think she would be able to walk away from the farm not knowing if she would be able to return.
Raven walked down to the kitchen in search of a strong cup of coffee. She suppressed a yawn as she walked in and rubbed the remaining sleep from her eyes. Surprised Janette wasn’t there, she picked up the kettle and took it to the sink. Looking out the window to the backyard as the kettle filled with rainwater, she spied Janette hanging up Ben’s work clothes on the clothesline.
That’s odd.
She didn’t think that it would be a good idea to hang out clothes when there was a fire nearby.
Surely, they’d end up smelling of smoke and would have to be rewashed?
Raven set the kettle to boil, then realized that Janette might not be aware of the fire flaring up. She went outside.
“Morning,” called Janette from behind Ben’s jeans as she pegged them to the line.
“Morning.” Raven paused, sure from the happy tone from Janette that she indeed didn’t know.
“Thought you two might enjoy a little sleep-in.”
Raven’s cheeks brightened with heat. She was still mortified she’d been caught with Ben. Besides, it was only just after seven in the morning, and Raven didn’t consider this anything close to a sleep-in by her city standards.
“Where’s Ben, anyway?” Janette turned and picked up a red checkered shirt and gave it a sharp flick before pegging it to dry.
“Out fighting the fire.”
Janette’s face whitened. “But I thought it was out.”
Raven shook her head. “He got an early call this morning.”
Janette sighed heavily. “This isn’t good.”
“No.”
“Better take these clothes inside then, and here I was thinking I was getting ahead. I’ll need to start prepping for Christmas today.”
“Let me help.” Raven took down Ben’s damp jeans and slung them in the laundry basket.
“Thanks.” Janette looked stoic as she picked up the basket.
“Here, let me,” offered Raven. She was beginning to feel helpless again.
“I’ve got it. Come on inside. Best start the day with a cup of tea.” She put on a brave smile. “Perhaps a coffee for you, though.”
Raven tried to smile back, but she was too worried about the fire. Finally, Janette seemed to be getting the hang of her tastes in hot drinks. A small step, but to Raven, it felt significant.
A gush of wind whipped around her, its breath warm for the morning, yet a chill went through Raven. “Did you feel that?”
“Wind’s changed direction.”
Raven couldn’t shake off that was a bad omen as they returned inside. She went to finish making herself a coffee and got a pot of tea brewing for Janette while she hung the clothes on an airing rack inside. She didn’t think she could stomach breakfast this morning as her stomach was a roiling mess of fear and worry. Of the fire. For Ben. Even for Janette. And of course, the farm and the animals.
