Okay so hopefully at least someone is reading this chapter. I promise it will get better. I literally did this really quickly jut because I felt like it would be something fun to do, so I don't take it too seriously. If you like it leave some reviews. Those would make me happy :)
Molly's P.O.V
The guys had gotten back at around six o'clock. I had nothing to report, except for a request by the Mayor to hurry up with the remodeling. Why he couldn't just walk over and tell them that himself I wasn't sure, but I didn't question it. I just delivered the message.
Luke walked outside with me, axe in hand. He started going on and on about how his dad never gave him a break, complaining that there was no need for him to get more lumber but his dad forced him to anyway.
"I mean, it just isn't fair," he spat. "Bo gets to sit on his ass and do nothing for the rest of his night, and I have to go work even harder. All by myself." He tilted his head back and looked up at the sky.
"Maybe it's just cause he trusts you more. With the work I mean," I offered.
Luke opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a call from behind us.
"Yo! Luke!"
We both spun around, our eyes fixed on the man running toward us from the building on the other side of the carpenter's. He was tall, with shaggy auburn hair and strong arms. As he got closer Luke called back to him.
"Owen, what's up?"
Owen slowed his pace and stopped in front of us. "Nothing man, I was just wondering if you wanted to go get some food at the Inn. I'm starving." He glanced down at me, and he stepped back a little once he noticed I was an unfamiliar face. "Oh, hey. You're new."
Before I got a chance to speak I hear Luke say, "Yeah this is Molly. She's gonna run that old farm down the road."
Owen smiled down at me, offering me his hand to shake. I took it. "Nice to meet you, Molly," he said. "I'm Owen."
Of course, I had already guessed that, but a mixture between his smiling down at me and actually saying his name made my stomach feel strange. Once I realized I was staring I smiled back weakly.
"Nice to meet you too," I said. And just like that, the moment was over.
"Anyway, what do you say to dinner, Luke? Oh, and of course, you can come too, Molly." Owen smiled again, keeping his eyes on me for a second and looking right back to Luke.
"Naw man, I can't. Dad's got me working late again."
Owen's face fell. "Dale, always ruining our man dates," he sighed. "Aw well, maybe tomorrow right?"
"Right," Luke said, smiling widely.
"What about you, Molly? You hungry?" Owen was staring at me again, his gray eyes sparkling.
Again with the staring. I shook myself out of the hypnosis. "Oh, well I—sure. Sure I'll go," I stuttered.
"Sweet. Have fun guys." Luke turned on his heal and headed toward the forest, leaving Owen and I standing there alone.
"You ready to go?" he asked nonchalantly. He turned and looked over his shoulder at me as he walked toward the Maple Districts.
The silence, to me, was deafening. It didn't seem to bother Owen at all though. He kept his hands in his pockets, staring out at nothing in particular. Every once in a while I would glance over at him, but I never kept my eyes on him for too long. The only sound around us was the scuffing of our feet against the dirt road, and the faint sound of that Toby guy throwing out his fishing line.
In the distance, I could see the Sundae Inn coming into view. The lights lit up the porch, and Jake was outside sweeping the dirt off the sides. Owen still didn't speak, which was strange to me. Ever since I had gotten to town all anyone ever did was talk to me. Mayor Hamilton wouldn't leave me alone, Luke did nothing but talk when we walked together, Dale went on about how to work the register for, like, an hour, even Ruth lectured me about proper soil care for a lot longer than I imagined she would. And here was Owen, who didn't say a word to me until we walked into the Inn.
He held the door open for me, and I walked through. That annoying, Maya girl shot up from her seat when she saw us walk in.
"Hi, Owen! Hi, Molly!" she cried, waving at us from across the room.
"Hey, Maya," Owen said. "I hope you have some good food tonight because I am so hungry."
Maya met us at the table next to the bar. I sat down across from Owen and glanced over into the kitchen. That guy Chase was eyeing me again; just like he had done the night I had met him. He held a mixing bowl in his hands, and he was stirring something around with a wooden spoon with this nasty look on his face. I couldn't tell if it was directed toward me or if it was directed toward whatever he was stirring. When he saw me glance over he looked away quickly, turning his back to me.
"You know we always have good food, Owen," Maya giggled. "Especially for you."
"You're too kind, Maya. I'll have a burger then, and a beer. What about you, Molly?"
My head snapped back to Owen. He and Maya were staring at me, waiting for me to reply. "Oh, um. Well what do you suggest?" I asked.
Maya smiled. "Well, Chase made this absolutely amazing chicken pot pie a little while ago. It was totally delicious."
"Yeah. Alright I'll have that," I replied. And just like that she was skipping off to the kitchen.
When I looked back up at Owen I was expecting him to be looking away again. In fact, was kind of hoping he would be looking away. There was something about him that made me uneasy. I was seriously dreading agreeing to come to dinner, no matter how hungry I was. When I turned to look at him though, he was still staring at me, his lips curving into the smallest smile.
"So, Molly," he finally said. "What made you decide to be a farmer?"
I straightened up a little bit, and reached out for the glass of water Maya ran over and placed on the table. As I reached for my glass Owen reached out for his beer, and for a split second my hand grazed against his. I recoiled my hand, leaving my water sitting in the middle of the table.
"Um, well, I don't really know," I started. "I saw an add for it when I was at work back home, and something just kind of drew me in."
He nodded, taking a sip of his beer and keeping his eyes focused on mine, like he was waiting for me to continue.
"So, uh, I just decided that I needed something different. And I moved here."
"Table two is up, Maya." I looked over at Chase again. He was placing our food down on the bar, his eyes focused on Maya who was talking to whoever was at the table in the back. For a second his eyes met mine again, and he turned again and disappeared behind the fridge.
Maya rushed over to the bar and grabbed our plates, sliding them down in front of us. "Enjoy," she said, smiling. Then she was gone again.
"Did you farm back at home or something?" Owen asked, pulling his plate closer to him.
"Actually no, I've never even been on a farm before." I blushed and stared down at my food. Like I needed more people to know how unqualified I was for the job.
Owen chuckled, and when I finally mustered up the courage to look up at him again he wasn't looking at me like I was ridiculous, more like I was…
"Man you sure are brave," he finally said. Right. That. "I mean, going into work that you have no idea about is one thing, but something like farming? Man that takes a lot of strength."
I managed a smile, "Well thanks for believing in me," I joked.
Owen laughed again. "I'm just saying. It's a lot of work." He ate a few more french-fries before he spoke again. "But hey, if you ever need any help I would be happy to help out." He bowed his head and pushed his fries around. "I mean, I don't really know anything about farming, but two people that no nothing about farming are better than one, right?"
"I think I'll be okay," I said, taking a moment to blow on my food before eating it. "But if I do need anything, I'll let you know."
Owen just smiled at me and went quiet again, focusing more on his food than anything else. He was strange, to say it lightly.
One meal, two beers, and slice of apple pie later, Owen dropped his fork onto his plate and stretched back in his chair. The conversation had stayed light the rest of dinner. Mostly just talk about what it was like around town, and what Owen had to do at his job as a blacksmith. He talked about mining and the different kinds of gems he's found there, even how deep he's mined before. Surprisingly time flew by. Talking to Owen came so easily to me.
Now, we were walking down the path to my house in the Caramel River District. As much as I had protested, Owen had insisted on walking me home. He claimed that he was raised to be a gentleman, and if he let me go off on my own he would earn a bad reputation around town.
"So you're gonna be working at the Blacksmith's huh?" We walked by a fork in the road where the river ran next to us. Owen stared up at the sky as he talked, like his thoughts were straying away from the conversation.
"For a few days, yeah," I answered. "At least while I work up enough money to buy some food and some more seeds, maybe even a cow." He glanced at me then, just as we stepped up to my front door.
"Well, again, if you need any—"
"I know, I know," I cut him off. "If I need any help I'll let you know." I fumbled around in my pocket for my house key, pulled it out and stuck it into the lock. I jiggled it until it clicked open. "I promise."
Owen stepped back and said, "Good. I'll see you later, Molly."
I stepped inside, closing the door behind me and walking over to the front window. As he walked down the road I watched him until he disappeared behind the trees to the mining district.
