by Ava Catori
Chapter 7
She couldn’t think about the future, she’d only think about today. They had time right? She’d be here for at least for most of the year. Besides, maybe they’d run their course, have a small fling, and then go their own ways. Only something told her this was different, something she didn’t understand. She only knew that she wanted to be around him, and when he was here, she felt comfortable, safe, and secure. She hadn’t felt that way in a very long time.
She went back to the sink to finish the dishes, and without thinking, dipping her hands into the soapy water, sliced her finger with a steak knife. Snapping her hand out of the sink on contact, she checked it. Quickly pulling the drain, she turned the water on and rinsed the cut. She scolded herself over her carelessness, and checked it again. It was in moments like these that she realized how far away from town she was. Thankfully it wasn’t deep enough to need stitches, but what if it was? She’d have to drive at least forty minutes into town, and she didn’t even have a clue where the nearest hospital was if it was an emergency.
Her good mood slid away, the moment of elation with Ty turned into frustration once again realizing that living in Wyoming was a different world that her suburbia in New Jersey. Maybe if she lived near a larger city, but that damn dart landed on Chester Hills and she never put much thought into how remote it was. It was a good enough reason for her to come out here, but it didn’t mean she had to stay.
But she would stay, Ty was here, her heart told her she wanted to spend time with him, but her fondness for Wyoming, or at least this portion of the state was wearing thin. There was wildlife, dangerous wildlife, roaming freely around the area, amenities were far, and what if there was an emergency? And she most certainly wasn’t looking forward to the weather – winter would be an eye opener living this far out of town. She didn’t think this through…and realized it was a mistake.
Maybe fate had brought her here. Maybe she was supposed to meet Ty, but Kristin couldn’t honestly see herself staying here. This didn’t feel like home, and as much as she loved the peaceful feeling she got much of the time, she missed her shopping malls, franchise restaurants, and gas stations on every corner just the same.
Digging through the drawers and cabinets, she found a bandage wedged in the corner of the bathroom vanity drawer. Pulling the adhesive strip onto her finger, she dropped onto the sofa, feeling frustrated that her mind jumped back and forth between wanting to spend time with Ty, and knowing that Ty called Wyoming home.
She told him they could try, they could take things slowly, and she wanted to. She wanted to spend time with him. He made her heart sing, but what did their future hold if he wanted to stay in Wyoming and she went back to New Jersey? Shaking her head, she forced herself to think about something else, anything else. When it came down to it, she could only take it one day at a time, and couldn’t control the outcome. She’d just see where things went.
Ty drove back to the farm, excited that she was ready to move forward. He didn’t know what the future held for them, but he knew he wanted to spend time with her. Kristin made him happy. When he’d see her, his face would light up with a smile. His heart felt full, and he wanted to pull her into his arms and sweep her off her feet. He wanted to kiss her passionately, make her his own. One day at a time, he reminded himself, one day at a time.
He’d be back in a week’s time, and they’d have dinner. He had plenty of time to think about things, and plenty of time to figure out how to convince her to stay.
When he returned, he brought her flowers. He’d picked out some daisies, and cleaned up before going to see her. Only on knocking she wasn’t there. He should have called first, she was probably in town. He decided to wait on the swing, only when she still didn’t show for a while, he headed home, leaving the flowers on the swing. At least she’d see he’d been here.
When he still didn’t hear from her, he started to worry. She should have been home by now. She would have called. He tried to reach her, but she didn’t answer, damn spotty signal.
He drove over again, but the flowers were right where he’d left them. He looked in the window, but couldn’t see anything noticeable. He couldn’t see Molly. Her truck was gone, so she obviously wasn’t here. He drove into town, looking for her, but still couldn’t find her. He didn’t pass her on the roads, she wasn’t parked in town.
His heart dropped. Did she get scared? Did she run away, going back home? Ty’s stomach knotted up, as he turned his truck back home. A lump sat in his throat. She was nowhere to be found. She hadn’t called and left him a message, and he knew she was scared. Had he pushed her too hard, sharing his feeling so soon, kissing her, holding her…did she need to escape from her own emotions?
When Kristin got home, she saw the flowers on the swing. She smiled, sorry that she’d missed him. It was too late to call him now. She’d call in the morning. If she hadn’t cracked her tooth on that walnut, she wouldn’t have had to go a couple towns over looking for a dentist who was open late and could take her in. The drive was crazy enough, trying to find her way to an area she’d never been, and then she got lost trying to find her way home. Thankfully he’d been able to put a temporary crown over it. She felt so much better, and was grateful the dentist fit her in on such short notice.
She was proud of herself for staying calm and figuring out what to do. Her own small town didn’t have a dentist. Settling in for the night, she propped the flowers up in a vase of water. She hadn’t expected him, it was a nice surprise. She wished she would have been here to see him. Kristin was excited to be back in Ty’s arms, finally knowing it’s where she belonged – at least for now.
Kristin fell asleep with a smile on her face. Ty fell asleep uncertain of his future.
