Chapter 9
LAUREN
Even though I’m sick of wearing it, Grant insisted on re-wrapping my ribs.
The feel of his large hands and the heat from his skin as his arms surrounded me was intimidating and exciting all at once.
As I kept my hands over my bare breasts, it makes me wonder for a moment what his naked skin would feel like upon mine.
The moment he lowers my nightgown back over my head, I practically run out of the room, flustered and completely overwhelmed by him. Shivers wrack my entire frame as I run a cold, damp rag over my skin before donning my new clothes, my thoughts consumed with waking up in his arms.
Changing my undergarments, I lay them on the bed to be washed later, only to struggle to bend down and slide my stockings on.
Once done, I’m practically out of breath.
Stepping into the new skirt, I tug the adjusters in place and twirl around playfully, watching the material flow around my legs.
Holding both shirts up, I decide to wear the tan one to match this dark, rust-colored skirt, hoping the colors will look nice together with my new apron.
My fingers work quickly, buttoning up the shirt’s small, shiny buttons before tucking its long tail into the skirt, adjusting it again to fit snugly around my waist.
Running my hands down the long sleeves, I can’t help but smile when I find a button just a few inches below my shoulder.
Rolling the cuffs up, I quickly find the narrow strip sewn inside the sleeve, with a hole for the outer button, so the sleeves can be secured in place while working.
I had seen a few girls in town wear shirts like this in the summer months and was always envious, thinking the simple design was so useful to keep your sleeves out of the way.
Smoothing down my outfit, I twirl around once again, smiling as I have never worn anything this pretty.
Picking up the mirror, my smile fades when I see the yellow and green bruises on my face.
The pain lingering in my now healing body has painful images floating through my head.
Grant’s voice on the other side of the door pulls me out of my dark thoughts.
“You ready?”
“Just have to braid my hair … I’ll be right out.”
Rapidly running the comb through my hair, I pull it over my shoulder, my fingers making quick work of my waist-length hair. When I open the door, I’m shocked to see Grant sitting at the table with two steaming bowls in front of him. A flattering whistle leaves his lips.
“You’re a vision, Lauren.”
“It’s just the clothes but thank you.”
“It’s not the clothes, but the curves filling them that got my attention. Come on, have a seat before these oats get cold. I would have loved to have some bread with this, but I’ve never figured out how to fix it.”
“I could fix some pone bread really quick if you’d like?”
“Nahh, I’d better get to it. I spent most of the morning lying around in bed with a pretty girl and now the world is yelling. However, if you ever get the urge to make bread, I would highly appreciate it.”
“I’ll remember that.” We both dig into this meager breakfast, and I can’t help but sneak little glances at him from under my eyelashes. For such a huge man, he seems almost graceful, as if it takes no effort to move that immense frame.
“How is it?”
“What?”
“The oats?”
“Ohh, sorry … they’re fine, but I’m not a huge fan. To be honest, it’s something about the texture I don’t care for, but I always eat what’s placed in front of me.”
He pushes the bowl away, “Glad I am not the only one; I have to force myself to eat them. Leave the bowls, I’ll help you clean up this mess once I tend to the animals.”
Pushing the bowl away, I get up and follow him out. The morning is a little chilly, but you can tell that summer is close at hand, because the air no longer holds that deep chill. “Grant, did you build all of this or was it here?”
“No, the back part of the cabin was finished and Toby had started the barn; the main frame was up, but that was it.”
A large, cinnamon-colored quarter horse is running along the barn fence, kicking and playing.
“Who is that beauty?”
“That’s Rebel! His liveliness is what caught my attention and I love to watch him simply enjoy life.
Star is the Clydesdale in the corral with him.
Don’t let her size make you think she’s slow because as large as she is, she’s extremely fast. Bolt is probably still in the barn.
Thankfully, he’s my gentle giant, because at twenty hands tall, if he wanted to, one mere human couldn’t stop him. ”
I walk a few steps behind Grant, only to be shocked when he stops suddenly, turning around. “Why are you walking behind me?”
“Ummm … habit?”
“Not in my world, Little Mouse. You’re right here either in front of me or beside me where you’re the safest, but never behind me.”
He motions me forward, and I walk into the barn while he holds the main door open. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dimmer light, but a whinny at the end makes Grant laugh. “Oh, I’m coming Bolt and I brought you a new admirer.”
The next thing I know, this massive form is moving toward me and I feel myself backing up. “He’s not in a stall?”
“They all have free rein of the place. When I finished the barn, I built individual stalls but Bolt kicked down the wall separating him from Star. Since then, I usually leave the back doors open so they can come and go as they please. Star enjoys being outside whether it’s snowing or pouring rain.
Bolt however, heads straight for the barn whenever the weather shifts.
Rebel stays in his stall a lot, but they all tend to mingle together through the night.
I’m not sure if it’s for warmth or just for company. ”
Before I realize it, I’ve backed up to the point where I can feel the barn door behind my back, looking up at the massive horse that is only a few feet away.
Reaching my hand out, I wait for him to smell my hand before rubbing his nose gently.
“My goodness, you are quite handsome, aren’t you?
” Bolts jerks his head up and down, whinnying loudly and we both laugh.
“Yes, he is and he knows it. I have been approached several times by other farmers wanting to use him to breed their mares, but I’ve never agreed. He’s rather attached to Star, and I don’t want to mess up their harmony. Here, give him this and he will love you for life.”
Grant slides a small sugar cube into my palm and I hold it out for Bolt. His gentle lips quickly snatch it up before he steps forward, his nose pressing into my hand looking for more. Hearing us talk to Bolt must have gotten the other two’s attention, as I can hear their hooves moving toward us.
“Come on Bolt, let’s get you all fed.” Bolt turns around like a well-trained puppy, following behind Grant faithfully.
I stand back, watching the way he interacts with each of them as he gets their feed from several buckets.
When he walks outside the barn with a couple of water buckets in his hand, Star gives me the side eye.
I can tell she’s not sure of me yet, and it’s going to take more than a sugar cube to win her over.
While he feeds and cares for the horses, I decide to make myself useful and head to the chicken coop.
Grant’s large rooster meets me at the gate, squawking and clucking angrily.
“My goodness, what a fuss you’re causing.
Give me a minute to get this gate open and you can go play while I clean out your pen. ”
I half expect him to charge me but the moment the gate is open, he struts out, circling around as the hens follow along.
Grabbing the dirt rake that was leaning up against the fence, I quickly scrape up all the droppings before lifting the sides of the coop to gather the eggs in a small basket sitting inside, checking that the straw doesn’t need changing.
Afterward, I fill their water only to turn and find Blue sitting on the post, face-to-face with me.
“Look at you showing off for the girls,” I coo at him as he tilts his head one way then another.
Before I can duck out of the way, he launches himself at me, only to land on my shoulder.
Leaning my face away, I instantly start to put my hands up to protect my eyes when he rubs his beak against the side of my head, gently picking at my hair.
Giggling, I reach up slowly, rubbing my hand down his feathers.
“Pretty Blue isn’t mean … he’s a little sweetie, isn’t he? Blue just wants some lovins.”
He chirps lowly, pushing his head against my own. The hens cluck and preen around my feet, wanting attention as well. Gathering my skirt up, I lean down, expecting Blue to jump off, only for one of the hens to climb up in my lap. This is how Grant finds me when he comes out of the barn.
“Well, I never,” I hear him say as he walks my way. “Do you need saving? I think they’ve officially adopted you.”
“I will say, I wasn’t prepared for them to be this friendly, especially the way you talked about my darling little Blue here.”
“Darling my ass, that damn rooster’s a menace!”
The moment Grant steps inside the coop, Blue launches himself off my shoulder, crowing and strutting around, pecking at Grant’s boots aggressively.
“You ungrateful … woman stealing, major annoyance. You are going to taste great with dumplings. Just keep it up.”
My laughter can be heard all around the farm as this huge man squares off with a pint-sized chicken. “Blue, my little darling, come here. I’ll save you from the mean old human.” I click my tongue and he turns away from Grant, walking right up to my side.
“Good thing I’m not a betting man, because I would have lost dearly. I ran out of the barn when I heard the chickens getting all riled up, thinking Blue had cornered or hurt you. Never dreamed he would be grooming you while the others lay content in your lap.”
“Blue doesn’t see me as a threat. You on the other hand, are large and intimidating.”