Chapter 34 Thomas
THOMAS
Abead of sweat rolls down my cheek as I heft a shovel full of manure into the wheelbarrow.
For the last few weeks, this has been my life.
I start the day out with Hannah in my arms, then Arson and I head to the house and help Ron with whatever he needs.
I’ve turned into his fix it man, and I don’t mind a bit.
Hannah and Dottie are lounging on the porch today, watching us work. She keeps offering me shy smiles whenever I glance her way, and it’s adorable.
“If you keep watching her instead of your feet, you’re going to end up face first in horse manure,” Ron says with a chuckle. I unwillingly rip my gaze from Hannah.
Every single day, she astounds me. In the five weeks we’ve been here, I’ve watched her open up to me, both body and soul.
We spend our days with Ron and Dottie, then we spend our nights on the swings by the pond, talking for hours until we end up getting eaten by mosquitoes.
Then, we go inside and cuddle up on the couch or in bed, and talk even more.
Usually, it ends with her in my arms as we fall asleep.
I think she's still holding back, still holding a piece of herself from me. Sometimes, she shuts down, or ends a conversation before it really has the chance to get deep. I want to know every piece of her, even the stuff that hurts.
We’ve talked to our families a few more times since that first time, and based on our conversations with Elena, they are getting closer to tracking down the person who shot Henry, and the drug circles ringleader.
“I can’t help it,” I respond with a chuckle, focusing my gaze back to the task at hand.
Ron laughs. “I was the same way with my Dottie when we first met. Hell, I still am, only now, I’ve learned from my mistakes and I don’t stare at her when I’ve got shit to shovel.”
I shake my head as laughter rises in my chest. “Wise words, my friend.”
We work in silence for a few minutes more before we head out of the barn. In the distance, I spot an old truck and an idea pops into my head. “Hey, Ron?” I question, pointing to the faded red truck. “Does that thing still run?”
“Hmm?” Ron questions, turning to look where my finger is pointing. “Oh, sure it does. We don’t use it very often anymore.”
“Think I can borrow it for a night?”
“Course,” Ron says with a shrug. “It’s not going to win you any races, but it will get you where you need to go.”
“I was thinking of taking Hannah on a date. Not in town or anything, but maybe a drive to watch the stars.” There are plenty of extra blankets and pillows in the cottage that we can use to lay in the bed if we want.
I’ve been wanting to do something special for her, and I think this may be perfect.
It’s not like we can go into town and go for dinner or a movie, so this is a happy medium.
Ron and I finish up the day's work and he brings me out to the truck, handing over the keys and giving me a rundown on a few gimmicks the truck has. I’ve instructed Ron to keep Hannah at the house for an extra hour tonight if he can, so that I can get the truck cleaned up and ready to go with the blankets and pillows.
I get everything set up with extra fluffy blankets and all the pillows from the cottage. I have no idea why Dottie has so many pillows in the cottage, but I’m grateful for it if it means Hannah can be comfortable.
I close the bed of the truck as Hannah appears at the tree line, walking toward me. “Hey, freckles,” I call when she gets closer. I lean against the truck, my eyes trailing up and down her beautiful body. She’s gorgeous, so fucking gorgeous, I’ll never get enough of her.
“Hey,” she replies. “Where’d the truck come from?”
“It’s Ron’s. He offered to let us borrow it for the night.”
“What for?” she asks curiously, reaching for me. I open my arms for her, loving how she automatically steps into my embrace and wraps her arms around my waist.
“We,” I say, squeezing her tightly to me, “are going on a date.”
“A date?” she questions, her blonde brows raising.
“Yep.” I kiss the tip of her freckled nose. “We haven’t been on a proper one since the street dance, and we deserve it.”
“Where are we going?”
“Unfortunately, our options are limited, but you’ll see. Go change, I’m going to feed Arson.” I reluctantly let her go, and we walk together inside. She heads upstairs and I scoop Arson some food.
He’s going to stay behind tonight. We need some time to ourselves, and I don’t want Arson to steal the cuddles from my girl anymore than he normally does.
Ten minutes later, Hannah floats down the stairs in a light pink swishy sundress. It’s simple, no pattern or anything on it, but it’s beautiful like her. When she reaches me, I pull her in for a kiss and run my hand up and down her spine. “Gorgeous,” I mutter against her lips.
“Thank you,” she mumbles shyly, her cheeks burning up the way I love.
“I’m going to change, and I’ll be right back down.”
I run upstairs to change, putting on a pair of Captain America boxers, and throwing on a pair of dark jeans and a light blue t-shirt. I add some fresh deodorant and a spritz of cologne as well.
I need luck tonight. I have a feeling tonight is going to be a pivotal moment for our relationship, and I cannot wait.
I practically race down the stairs, eager to get our evening started. “Let’s go,” I say, reaching out for Hannah’s palm.
“Is Arson coming?” Hannah asks, turning back to where Arson is curled up on the couch.
I shake my head. “Nope. Tonight, it’s all about us.”
Hannah offers me a soft smile, but I can see the excitement burning in her gaze.
We head out to the truck, and I help her in, making sure she’s buckled before getting in the other side.
Ron drew a map out to another section of their land for the best place to see the stars.
The sun is starting to set in the distance, so it's the perfect time.
I grab the map off the dashboard where I stashed it and take another glance.
“Is that a paper plate with a map on it?” Hannah asks with a laugh.
“Yep,” I reply. “Ron couldn’t find a piece of scratch paper, so this was the best option according to him.”
“I mean, whatever works, right?” she replies.
“Exactly.”
I drive to the road that will take us past the main house, and when we pass, they are sitting out on the porch swings, waving and smiling at us.
I follow the map to a field about a mile from the house.
It’s a bare field, only some tall grass with a tree line on the far corner. It’s perfect for tonight.
Hannah shrieks as we drive straight to the middle of it, a smile growing wider as we bounce over bumps. When we reach a good spot, I shift the truck into park, turning the key and unbuckling my seatbelt to slide across the bench seat. I cup Hannah’s cheeks in my palms and kiss her.
I care so deeply for her, and I know it’s only a matter of time before I speak those three little words into existence. I can only hope that she’s ready for them, and feels the same way.