For now, though, I sat on the edge of the pond and took some more photos. I was glad I’d brought another SD card for this trip because I’d filled the other one already, and I might still have a week left.
I took a few of Chicken in the water. He would fluff his feathers, move around, and even dunk his head for a second before coming back up.
It was so peaceful out here, it made me feel like I had a second to think. In the city, there was always so much stimulation that made it easy to ignore my own thoughts. But out here there was only the humming of bugs and Chicken splashing. Though it wasn’t something I was used to, I was beginning to see the upside of it. Maybe once things were over, I could come here on vacation.
Then again, maybe that wouldn’t be the best idea. I was here to ruin the beautiful farm I was living on. I didn’t even know what the fuck Preston could want with all this land. He certainly didn’t have any interest in farming, and I didn’t ask when he blackmailed me into this. I couldn’t do anything but agree anyway, so what did it matter?
But every day that passed, every moment I spent with Brooks and his family and in this town made me regret that. I didn’t want to do any of this, but every time I tried to think of a way out, I ended up back at square one. I couldn’t tell anyone what was happening, or I would be fucked anyway.
The wind blew by, a cool spring breeze that fluttered through my hair. I could even smell a bit of Bailey’s body butter I had applied this morning.
I decided to snap a few more of Chicken while he was there. As I was, he bent down below the water’s surface and didn’t come back up. Then he sank lower, putting almost the entire front half of his body in the water.
I expected him to pop back up as he always did, but he just stayed lowered, not moving much. I put the camera down, letting it rest against my chest with the strap around my neck.
“Chicken,” I called. He normally responded to his name, but there was nothing. No feet kicking or moving. Just his body bobbing in the water. Was something wrong with him? I didn’t know anything about ducks. I only knew pigeons, and that knowledge extended to the very small number of fucks they gave about you walking near them.
“Chicken!” I called again, more panicked. I couldn’t tell how long it had been, but it felt like he’d been under for way too long.
“Brooks!” I tried instead, but maybe he was still back at his truck. “Brooks!”
I shifted on my feet, unsure of what to do. If he was drowning and he died, I knew Brooks would be crushed. Hell,Iwould be crushed at this point. I’d spent every morning listening to him pad across the floor, feeding him treats, and pushing his little ball with the bell around.
I needed to do something quickly. I decided I was going to get him. He couldn’t have much time left. I went to jump into the water. At the last minute, I remembered my camera and tried to take it off and set it aside, but I was already on the bank. It was so slippery, my boot caught, and I couldn’t stop myself from sliding down into the water.
Chapter thirteen
Brooks
I whistled the songwe’d listened to on the way here as I walked back with the shears. Today was a new artist, one that had a more melodic tone, which was nice too. I had never been much of a pop music guy, but Sydney might be converting me.
The trees were unusually wild for this time of year, and it was better to trim them back now. The paths needed to be neat when people came for self-picking, and since I had some time, I might as well do it.
It also gave me a minute to go back to what had happened yesterday. Though I had felt my feelings develop for Sydney since we met, that kiss solidified them. I needed to talk to her about how I felt and see where we stood. I knew we lived in different places and led different lives, but maybe we could make it work. I could visit the city, especially when things were slow in the winter, and she could probably come here during the summer. It wouldn’t be easy, but I knew she was worth it.
That was… if she felt the same way. Who knew what was going through her mind? I was just letting my mind spiral with all the different possibilities, which only made me emotionally dizzy.
I was walking back when I thought I heard my name. It was faint, but I was sure it happened. I stood there for a moment and then kept walking at a slightly brisker pace.
“Brooks!” I heard more clearly this time, and it was obviously Sydney. She sounded distressed. I dropped the shears and took off, running as fast as I could. Something was wrong.
I didn’t hear her call again, which seemed worse. When I finally reached the clearing, I noticed the bubbling of water, Chicken popping his head up, and Sydney nowhere in sight.
Inferring what had happened, I threw my shirt off and dove straight into the pond. It was freezing cold, but I barely felt it as I searched for her. It wasn’t long before I felt her and dragged us both up. She was coughing and thrashing but able to wade through the water pressed up against me. I moved us back to shore, throwing her up on the edge before I followed.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
She nodded, coughing up water. I rubbed her back, hoping to be comforting as she caught her breath.
“I-I was sitting here and Chicken went under and didn’t come back up for a long time. There’s something wrong with him. Is he okay?”
I blinked slowly at her. Before I could say anything, Chicken hopped up onto the bank and shook himself off. Looking very okay.
“But… but… I thought…”
“Ducks do that,” I said carefully. “They can stay underwater for a pretty long time searching for food. And that’s probably what he was doing.”
She her mouth was agape as she looked at me. Her hair was wet and pushed back and her wet clothes were clinging to her body. Especially her shirt, which clung to the darker-colored bra she was wearing underneath.
