Chapter 21
Jake
“Fuck.” The word practically rolls off my tongue with a low growl in my throat.
“That’s so good,” I mumble to myself as I take another bite of the delicious bread Scarlett gave me earlier.
I see now why she said she’d let me decide if I wanted to give Cami her loaf.
Because honestly, I’m debating it now. What Cami doesn’t know won’t hurt her right?
I slice off another piece and spread a small portion of whipped honey on it and another unholy moan comes out of my mouth.
How does she make the crust so crunchy while the inside is so soft and moist?
That word brings dirty thoughts to my mind.
I can’t go down that road. Keep the thoughts about bread, Jake. And damn, it is good bread.
For a moment I picture my dad meeting Scarlett and trying this bread.
I could see him taking one bite and looking at me, “You better wife her up, son.” I chuckle just thinking about it.
But it would be ridiculous to think about Scarlett that way.
First of all, she doesn’t even like me. Granted, I’ve given her no reason to.
Second of all, she just called me an ogre.
I still don’t even get that one. And finally, it would be insane to try and start something romantic with my neighbor.
How awkward would it be if it ended badly?
Then we have to tip-toe around each other all the time?
Seeing her work in her yard knowing that we fucked it up?
Let’s be real, I’d probably fuck it up. No thanks.
Before I know it, I’ve had way too many slices of bread and I attempt to hide Cami’s loaf away from myself so I don’t eat it too.
I need to get out of this house and away from the temptation so I go check on Henrietta.
She’s already had her morning feed and milking but she hops over to the gate as I walk in.
“Hey girl,” I say as she nudges my hand with her nose.
She may not cuddle but she is not shy when it comes to asking for head scratches.
Once she’s satisfied with my scratching capabilities, she stomps away to play with her ball.
She pushes it all around her pen with her nose, tossing it up into the air sometimes, other times she’ll bite it with her teeth and shake her head side to side like a dog.
Henrietta is the only goat I’ve owned. I knew they could be playful but I didn’t realize just how crazy they could be.
I was a mess when I first got her. Surely a five foot fence would be enough to keep a goat contained right?
Wrong. If you let a goat get bored they will find a way to not be bored anymore.
And that doesn’t usually happen inside their pen.
Which is nearing pigsty territory. While Henrietta plays I go about mucking her stall.
And it seems temptation follows me out here because my thoughts wander over to the neighbors.
I still can’t quite figure out why she thought to bring me bread.
It was kind, thoughtful, and more than I deserved.
I know I’ve been out of touch with the dating scene but I can’t remember the last time someone did something so thoughtful for me.
As if I could summon her with my thoughts, Scarlett comes out of her house carrying a bucket.
From inside Henrietta’s pen I can see her, but I’m not entirely sure she can see me.
She pulls her phone out of the front pocket of her overalls and points it upwards.
At first, I think she’s trying to get a signal and then I hear her talking.
“Alright guys, the chicks have been settled in for a week or so now,” She turns her phone around and points it at said chicks.
“And look at how cute they are,” she coos.
“So, from the polls I put out last week I’m happy to introduce you to Polly, Gary, Fred, Chickster McGee, Goose, Craig, and of course Pedro.
And I’m hoping for my sake that there are not that many roosters in the bunch but only time will tell.
Keep posted for updates on how they’re growing.
” It’s hard to see from this far away but from what I can tell, she has a genuine, ear to ear smile on her face as she puts her phone back into her pocket.
“Hey guys, I hope you don’t mind the names.
I know some of them are silly. Chickster McGee, I’m not sure if you got the cool name or the short end of the stick but here we are.
” She chuckles to herself and I find myself getting closer to the edge of the stall.
Something about her pulls me in. Especially this version of her.
She looks so free and happy. It makes me want to be closer to her.
One of the chicks jumps into her lap and burrows into her hand.
It curls up in a ball and looks like it may have fallen asleep.
Scarlett’s face melts from joy to something inexplicable.
She stares down at the little body in her palm.
Before too long it’s hard to tell but it sounds almost as if she’s quietly sobbing.
Her shoulders shake but she tries to keep her hand from moving.
This woman is not at all who I thought she was when we first met.
Obviously since she’s not a thief but it’s more than that.
This woman is like a puzzle and suddenly I wish I had been better at puzzles growing up.