Nathan shucked off his work boots, flopping down next to her on the couch. "I can't believe I have to go back in a few days."

What? "It's not that close is it?"

"The Sisters said I had till midsummer. It's the thirteenth."

Suddenly the watering schedule on her lap didn't seem nearly as important. "Nathan, you know I promised – "

"I know." He stared at the plaid fabric seat, gangly boy body slumped. "Just not yet, right?"

It felt like she was repeating the same old excuses. "Once the lambs grow up and I've paid Mirabelle back, I want you to stay here with me. This is what we've wanted."

And he wasn't such a boy anymore. Farm work had changed him; he even seemed taller. What did she look like now?

"Natalie's salad looked good, even if it didn't win," he said quietly.

She shook her head, "Write me. Swear you will, I'm not leaving you. This farm is ours."

He finally looked at her. "Only if you promise me something too."

"Anything."

"Stop working so hard. These people love you. So don't shut them out."

He wilted as her face turned hard, Rachel grabbing her papers and leaving the house.

"Rex! Come!"

The dog bounded over a hill, tail flying, and zoomed circles around her as she met the bridge.

Don't shut them out, stop by, where have you been, you know how worried I am, talk to him. You know what, fine. Buying fodder at Mirabelle's was a decent excuse, and if he was there, she'd offer a smile and say hello.

"Let's go to town."

The collie was off like a shot over the wooden boards, that phrase one of his favorites aside from "get the sheep."

Elliot waved as she passed the house; Charlie played with Eliza down at the beach.

"Oh!" Mirabelle came from behind the counter, sweeping her up into a fierce hug. "We've missed you!"

She scanned the store for him over the woman's shoulder. Nope.

"What can I get for you?" Mirabelle asked, fidgeting with her apron. "It's about time for more fodder, isn't it?"

Why did she feel this disappointed? "That's right."

"Nathan's been coming, so you wouldn't know, but we keep it out in the barn now, Vaughn will help you."

"What am I helping with?"

Her stomach dropped at the clunk of boots on the stairs. Shirt untucked, hair messed. Violet eyes narrowed behind it, and he quickly grabbed his hat from the railing post, pulling it low. "Come on."

She bit her lip as he took her to the shed, keeping a solid few paces ahead. "Heard you won with the blue."

"It's Bane now."

The cart only squeaked a little as he lined it up in front of the door, starting to load.

"That's good, though. I hoped someone from the Islands would win," she offered.

He grunted, moving another bag. Frowning slightly, she lifted one on her own, staggering under its weight, and loaded it.

"You shouldn't have sent Nathan for these so often. You used to be able to lift."

Sighing tersely, she grabbed another, landing it with a solid thump. "Nathan's going home. I'll have to do it from now on."

He showed no expression. "So you'll be showing up more?"

"I'll try not to bother you," she said darkly.

He paused for a split second, but continued working. "That should be enough for the week."

She leaned against the cart as he went to get one of the mares, scuffing dirt with her toes. Rex bounced around the horse as it was hitched, panting and snuffling around its feet. Within a few minutes they were ready to go.

"Thank you for the help."

"No problem."

The bridge shook as the mare's hooves hit, its face impassive. The bridge had held for a hundred years, no way it was giving out now.

The cowboy slowed. "Oh…!"

Rachel scanned for anything out of place, heart freezing. Rose loose again? Wild dog?

"The place has really come together."

Her hands tingled as the adrenaline left them. Violet grazed with her flock in the near field, and nothing was digging up the tomatoes.

Unloading was quiet, Nathan coming out to help, and finished quickly.

Maybe nothing would happen. Maybe things were over.

"Bye Vaughn." Nathan shook his hand. He wouldn't see him again, Rachel realized.

"Good working with you," he said quietly.

She felt empty as he left with the mare.

…She'd lost Vaughn.

"Did your bandana fall off?" Nathan called from the barn.

Rachel reflexively touched her head. "No, what is it?"

He came out, examining something red. "Here, it was near the feeder."

Minus some floor dust, the square of fabric was brand new and had the trademark paisley design.

"You think he dropped it?" she asked.

Nathan took the one from her head, comparing it. Plain and sun bleached, with some staining, sweat dotting parts of it.

"He only wears that white one. And he doesn't keep an extra in his pocket."

She glanced up, able to see the end of the cart before it turned the corner of Chen's store.

"I think it's for you."

"Maybe he wanted you to have one, you guys must have gotten to know each other – "

Nathan wouldn't take it. "It's for you. I know it."

It felt crisp and new in her hand, fabric still stiff. "I don't want to keep it if he only dropped it."

Nathan shrugged, starting toward the house. "So take it back."

"But – !"

"See you at dinner," he called back.

Brand new. No way he'd want to lose this if it was his.

"Rex! Go sheep!"

The dog jumped to its feet, hurrying to watch over the flock.

She ran after the wagon tracks, sun beating on her head – she'd left her old one with Nathan. "Vaughn!"

Boots skidding on the wooden planks, she veered around the corner, shouting again. "Vaughn!"

The mare turned her head, flicked an ear at the familiar girl, and didn't slow.

"Wait!"

Frowning, he tilted his hat back and stopped.

"You – you dropped… this," she panted.

He stared at her outstretched hand. "What, you won't even take it?"

"You left it," she tried again.

"Look, I know you don't want to see me, but just take it. At least I can say I tried."

What?

"And good job sending your brother every time you needed the shop, I wasn't going to bother you."

Her hand dropped.

"You know what? I even asked Julia to talk to you for me. I can't believe – "

She looked at the bandana again. "You got this for me?"

"Yeah, I got it for you!" he shouted as if she was deaf and slow.

It took three steps to reach him, and half a second to put her arms around him.

"You're so stupid!" he said, setting his jaw, but not squirming.

"Thank you," she said into his shoulder.

He fumed quietly for another moment.

"Can I walk back with you?"

"Fine."

The mare seemed unaffected, plodding along once Vaughn took the reins. Rachel rested a hand on her shoulder, scratching absently, and allowed herself a smile.

She helped untack the horse, catching him glancing at her, but paused as he began brushing the dust off of it. Rather than stop him, she leaned against the wall. The stress of not knowing, of the argument, drained from her as the mare lowered its head with a sigh. If she closed her eyes, she could hear Julia clanging pots in the kitchen as dinner cooking started.

"Am I boring you?" he teased.

She shook her head, smiling, eyes still shut. "No."

Her ears tuned in to every footstep, tracking his progress around the horse. On the other end of the barn a cow lowed.

She jumped as he spoke much closer. "Done."

Smirking and looking him right in the eyes, she tied the bandana around her hair.

His shoulders stiffened, and he bit his lip. "Rachel…"

She faltered. "What?"

"I don't want to mess up again, so just tell me if – "

His work glove came off easily as she tugged it, and the hand closed around hers with little invitation.

"…if you want anything from me," he said slowly.

With her other, the left glove slid off.

"Because I'm horrible at this."

She shook her head. "Shush."

In a heartbeat, the hat tipped back and he kissed her.