AN: So I am hoping to wrap this up in about nine more chapters. A lot of you have told me that you hope that I keep them together and don't split them up. If you've listened to the song you know how it ends (if you haven't do so) I know that the ending isn't exactly a happy one, but I may surprise you with how I end this. Just stick with me and I promise I won't disappoint you. This chapter is just to get us to the next bug event without jumping straight to it. Sorry nothing too exciting happening here.
Chapter Twelve (Emma's POV)
Unfortunately there was work to be done the next day, and Regina and I were the ones that had to do it. So after a few more hours of cuddling and heated kisses we had to part ways. I watched out my window while she had walked back to her house, just as I had done my first night on the farm. She was truly the most amazing woman I had ever met. I couldn't believe that everything had worked out like it did, surely I was in some dreamscape that I would wake up from soon only to find myself still stuck in foster care in Minnesota. Who would have thought that I would have found everything I had ever wanted while hitchhiking through a small town in Kansas? Certainly not me. I didn't even care that I had only known her for three weeks; she was too incredible not to see myself not falling completely in love with her.
I found out rather quickly that after only one night with Regina I was going to have trouble sleeping without her beside me. I strategically place pillows that still smelled like her all around me trying to convince myself that she was there. The only thing that seemed to accomplish though was reminding me that she was a hundred yards away probably sleeping peacefully in her own bed. So I had tossed and turned for the majority of the night and by the time I fell asleep I was only going to get maybe two hours of sleep, if I was lucky.
When I woke up almost an hour and a half later I had to bribe myself into getting out of bed with the fact that I was going to get to see Regina in just under an hour. I slept through half of my shower and even had trouble brushing and saddling Ro without leaning against his solid frame and dosing off. It was in one of those moments when my gorgeous brunette tiptoed up behind me.
"I hope you have a good explanation as to why you're sleeping on the job. I would hate to have to fire someone as beautiful as you." She said in a mock threatening tone, and I barely caught a girlish scream before it escaped my throat.
"I had trouble sleeping without you." I admitted quietly not turning to face her due to the blush that I could feel rising on my cheeks.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one. " She smiled against my cheek before pressing a kiss to it.
I hummed in appreciation and leaned into her body, ready to collapse on the floor of the barn and sleep for hours. "He's ready for you," I answered instead.
"Thank you," She sighed and pulled away from me to mount her steed. Damn I wished I was that fucking horse.
"What do I need to do today boss?" I asked absolutely dreading the thought of working at all, but the world didn't stop just because I finally had my woman.
"Mow the lawn, also the grass along the drive way is high enough to get lost in, there's a weed eater in the shed, go ahead and take care of that." She ordered looking down at me from her high seat atop the horse.
"Yes ma'am," I smirked.
"Then I will fix you lunch, we will take a nap, and I want to show you the back field, there's more hay to be baled." She informed me and while my spirits were temporarily lifted at the thought of a nap with her, my whole body groaned at the idea of baling another field of hay. "I'm sorry my sweet I know you hate it, but it needs to be done, because next week I am going to need your help in the fields." She apologized.
"The sunflower fields?" I questioned, confused as to why she would need my help.
"They will be ready to harvest next week and although it's only a few acres, I need you to help me gather and carry." She further explained.
"Okay, no problem now go ride your horse and after you're done I'll get to work." I told her patting the side of Rocinante's neck.
I watched as she rode out of the barn before urging Ro to a canter in the field. I worked quickly, knowing the routine well by then and when I looked up ten minutes later Regina was standing at the barn door with Rocinante by her side.
"What's wrong?" I asked walking towards her.
"Nothing," she assured taking my hand and running a soothing thumb over the back of it. "I want you to ride with me." She said then.
"Um no," I replied flatly before turning back to the cleaning supplies I had left.
"Emma, there is nothing to be afraid of," She countered standing her ground.
"I could fall, he's huge. Yeah sure he's nice to look at and pet, but you've lost your mind if you think I am climbing up on him." I disagreed.
"Please," she begged, and I finally turned to her.
"No." I answered, but I could feel my resolve fading at the sight of her pleading eyes and comforting smile.
"I won't let you fall; I will even ride behind you just please I want you to experience that with me." She requested once again.
That was all it took, the promise of feeling the freedom I had witnessed come over her every time she rode. Not only experiencing it, but getting to do so with her, "okay," I mumbled, rolling my eyes at her stubbornness and my absolutely nonexistent ability to tell her no.
"Thank you my sweet, I promise you won't be disappointed." She said moving forward to clasp my hand in hers. I was pulled beside of the beast and she slid her hands down to my hips. "Now slide your left foot into the stirrup, pull yourself up, and swing your right leg over the saddle." She instructed.
I followed her teaching and quickly found myself in the saddle, it was much higher than I had even imagined. "I want down." I whispered, afraid that if I was any louder I would alert Ro to my fear.
"You're fine." She promised while pulling herself up to sit behind me. "I promise I won't ever let anything happen to you," She continued, and the tremble in her voice and the underlying meaning of her words caused me to tremble.
"Okay then let's go Ms. Mills." I said taking hold of the saddle horn and leaning back into her.
She nudged her heels into the horse's side and gave an adorable clicking sound and we were off. She took it slower than she usually did and I was so thankful for that at first, around five minutes later though I was turning my neck to tell her to speed things up. It was freeing, the morning air blowing across my face and neck, sending my long pony tail back to tickle at Regina's cheek. I would laugh every time she brushed it away. It was like flying, and if I closed my eyes I could almost imagine that I was.
I wondered if she had always been around horses, surely she had. When had she got her first horse? When did she fall in love with the feeling of moving with the horse? Had she first felt so completely high while riding with Daniel? I hoped so. I loved the thought of sharing something so intimate with her. It made me feel so giddy to know that she allowed me into her heart, I planned on never leaving. Which meant I had to think about what I was going to do at the end of the summer, I needed to talk to her sooner rather than later because it was the first week of June and after august she wouldn't need a farm hand anymore. Would she still need a lover and a partner in her life? I needed her to; I needed to stay with her on that farm, with that horse forever.
It all seemed to end all too soon and when she slid out of the saddle and reach up to help me down I felt like a kid leaving the notorious candy store. "Can we do that again tomorrow?" I requested a dizzying feeling taking over my body as my equilibrium tried to reset itself.
"Yes, I may even let you ride by yourself by the end of the week," She grinned and led Ro back to his stall.
"Okay," I agreed excitedly.
"Now it's time for us to get to work," she practically taunted me.
"Okay," I agreed a lot less excitedly. She leaned in to press a quick peck to my lips. I swooned and attempted to deepen it. She pulled away and grinned at me before sauntering away.
"The faster you get the yard work done, the faster you can lie down beside of me." She called just before she passed through the exit. I groaned out loud, hoping she could hear me.
I had never complained about working, not even when I had to bale the hay on the hellish day, but damn it I was tired and it was her fault for being so addicting. Nevertheless I got to work, working just as hard as usual and looking up to try and catch a glimpse of her in the field. When I did I smiled brightly, she always wore this wide brimmed straw hat with a multi colored ribbon around the center, it made her look like something right out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. I could have looked at her all day, but she had made that sarcastic quip about disappearing in the driveway and I needed it to be perfect for her.
It was the first time I had ever used a weed eater and although I wasn't nervous about it, I was slightly at a loss with how to work it. I ended up digging through her drawers of instructions for a half hour, and then had read the wrong ones for ten minutes before I finally figured out how to work the God forsaken thing on my own. It wasn't a hard job, but I was so aggravated with the machine by the time I walked through her kitchen door it must have surrounded me like a force field.
"What's wrong?" She inquired without ever turning around from whatever she was preparing for lunch.
"I hate that stupid weed eater. I'll use scissors next time." I explained wile plopping down on a kitchen chair. It slid a half an inch across the hardwood and made an eerie screeching sound.
"It couldn't have outsmarted you that badly." She teased, placing a plate with a grilled cheese and French fries in front of me.
"It did. Plus my hands have this weird tingling thing happening and it's freaking me out." I whined, taking a too big bite of my sandwich then shoving some fries in my mouth.
"How I am attracted to you is beyond me." She teased, taking a napkin and wiping grease from my chin.
"Ah eh uking ot," I tried to speak with my mouth too full, only resulting in making a fool of myself when more grease fell to my chin.
"Oh yes dear you are so fucking hot," She jested, and if she hadn't been making fun of me I would have been so turned on by her choice of words.
I finally swallowed my bite and glared at her, "so I think I want you to teach me all that you know about horses so that when I am done working for you I can get a job working horses somewhere." I informed. I had thought about it all morning, even if I didn't leave and go to Texas at the end of the summer, Regina couldn't continue to pay me. That would be weird, and almost illegal. I had no real skills, but I was good enough with Rocinante and I figured with Regina's help I could learn to be good with all horses.
"I would love to, just as soon as we are done with the harvest, we can start your training," she winked. I was taking my last bite of my lunch just as she was taking her first.
"Good, now I am going to go lie down and wait for you," I placed my dishes in the skin and yawned into my hand.
"My room is at the top of the stairs on the left." She informed, and although I had planned on heading back to my space I was too tired to argue. "Don't fall asleep without me," she husked and I gulped loudly.
Suddenly I wasn't so tired and it was official, she was going to be the death of me.
AN: I know it wasn't that exciting or anything, but it is an important step to get us where we are going. I hope that you like it and keep reading. Seriously guys review or pm or something and let me know what you want to see happen. I love to hear your feedback! Thanks for all the follows, favorites, and the amazing reviews. I love you all!
