Chapter 1 #2
Working from home for the last few years made me want to leave my house less.
I got too comfortable in my pajama pants and preferred to have my groceries delivered.
It saved me lots of time too. I still have to feed the pigs, collect the chicken eggs, and let the crazy fuckers out for a bit before finishing some online homework.
Of course this all had to happen right before the semester ended.
I could have said no, but my brother has been there for me many times before and we’re all each other really has.
I also saw it as an opportunity for a change of scenery after being laid off from my part-time job and dumped by my boyfriend of three months.
I traded a city full of buildings and traffic for quiet country roads covered in animal shit.
I really was moving up in life and coming closer to the dream I always envisioned.
Instead of the deluxe apartment in the sky, I’m living in an old fixer-upper sitting above an animal wasteland.
I no longer know what the bottom of my shoes look like without shit attached to them.
It’s one of those accessories that eventually ends up wearing you.
At least the hot neighbor was a nice distraction for the day. A knock at the door has me spilling cold soup on my hand as I’m lifting it to the microwave. Sliding the bowl inside, I close the door, and at a few taps of my fingers a buzzing sound fills the air.
Another bang comes to the door. Clenching my fists at my sides, I march toward the impatient visitor, not caring if my white sleeveless shirt shows off all the scratches I've earned from hard work or my lack of muscles.
Lifting hay bales daily has done nothing to improve my lanky physique.
Maybe I need to start bench pressing a sheep or two a day as well.
Placing my hand on the knob, it twists open beneath the grip of my fingers, and a gasp of air is caught in my throat when my gaze lands on the man from earlier.
It’s not until he’s lifting his arm in the air that I notice the wiggling baby pig.
“Not only can’t you keep your sheep on your property, but you’re losing your pigs too. This is just one of several.”
Leaning on the door frame, I look between him and the squealing black animal, because despite what Babe and Charlotte’s Web taught me, not all pigs are pink. In fact, not a single one that my brother owns is. They also don’t have cool spider friends who leave messages in their webs.
“What makes you think it’s mine?”
He huffs out a breath. “Are you saying it’s not?”
Opening the screen door, I pet the piglet between the ears. “I mean it could be, but there’s also a chance it’s not.”
His eyes squint. “Is this your pig or not?”
“Maybe.” I actually have no fucking clue without counting. How am I supposed to remember what they all look like?
“I’m going to take that as a yes.” He presses the squirming animal to my chest. Sighing, I wrap my arm around its twisting body, and before I can step onto the porch, the piglet jumps forward and takes off running.
The man shakes his head, placing his hands on his hips. “Are you going to go after it or not?”
Swallowing hard, I nod. “That is what I should do, isn’t it?”
Not remembering where I left my shoes, I rush forward and run down the porch steps calling out to the runaway animal. “Oh pig! Oink. Oink. Come here.”
“What the hell are you doing?” he asks, staring down at me as I drop to all fours, looking under my car.
“Looking for the pig,” I say, staring up at him, wrinkling my brow.
“If I were you, I’d call my brother and tell him to come back before all his animals become roadkill or worse.”
Standing up, I dust off the front of my pants with my hands. “I can’t.”
“And why not? Is he somewhere he can’t be reached?”
“Kinda.” I blow out a breath of air not ready to make this man aware of how alone I am. For all he knows my brother could be returning any day now. If only.
“Alright then.” He presses between his brows. “I’ll help you one more time, but after this you’re on your own. I have my own shit to tend to and this is the second time you’ve gotten in the way today.”
“I’m sorry. I really am.”
“Too bad sorry won’t keep your animals on your property. Come on. Let’s go catch some pigs.” His attention shifts to my feet. “You might want to put on some shoes first.” Tilting his head, he bites back a smirk. “Maybe even change your socks.”
Lifting one of my feet off the ground, I take in the shit smashed on the bottom and my nose curls. “Yeah, probably a good call.”
I rush inside to not only change my socks, but also to put on shoes before returning to where he is.
The man already has the same pig from before in his arms and this time he’s talking to it the way someone would a cute little baby.
Did someone else come out here and invade his body while I was gone?
Walking closer, I clear my throat. He straightens up where he stands, pressing his lips in a thin line and suddenly the hard-faced asshole from before is back.
I’m starting to wonder whether I bring it out of him and if I need to walk back into the house to give him some more time alone with the pig so he’s in a better mood again.
“This one came right back to me. How about you put him away and meet me at my house when you’re done. I’m willing to bet the rest are still over there tormenting my cat.”
Reaching for the pig, my eyes widen in surprise. “Wait. You have a cat?” I pull the pig into my arms and he’s more restless than before.
“Yes. Why is that hard to believe? You’re the one who can’t handle owning animals, not me.”
“Did you used to have pigs and sheep before or something?”
“Or something.” He grins my way before heading back toward his yard. “See you in a few minutes. Don’t take too long and keep a better grip on that pig this time,” he shouts over his shoulder.
Walking toward the barn, I place the pig back with his momma and head toward my neighbor’s house.
At least I now know he’s capable of doing more than scowling and gritting his teeth at me.
It wasn’t a full smile I got, but a grin was close enough.
Maybe by the end of the day I can have those full lips of his turning all the way up and pressed to mine.
A guy can dream.