Chapter 5

BETH

By Wednesday I was wore out and beat down between finals, working at the clinic, farm work, and dealing with two sick babies. Aiden had woken up Monday morning with a slight fever and pink cheeks so I had started alternating fever reducing meds for him. Aurora started running a low-grade fever Monday night which turned into vomiting profusely Tuesday by noon. Taking them both to the doctor Tuesday after finals and before work resulted in a diagnosis of stomach bugs and ear infections for both babies. So here I was Wednesday evening laying on my bed propped against the headboard, knees bent, trying to study and comfort my two sick babies. Aiden was laying on me, stomach to stomach with his head on my shoulder and legs sprawled on either side of me while Aurora was bottom to bottom with him as she lay stretched out against my knees playing with her stuffed dog. I held a book in one hand while the other one rested alternated between rubbing Aiden's back and Aurora's stomach. "Love, Mama." Aiden mumbled as he turned his face into my neck with a heavy sigh.

"I love you too, buddy." I reassured him as I pushed his hair out of his face so I could press my lips to his forehead to check his temperature, he wasn't warm anymore thankfully. Looking up at his sister I saw her watching me with barely open eyes. "I love you too, sweet girl." I whispered to her as I reached a hand up to tuck one of her curls behind her ear.

She smiled sleepily at me before allowing her eyes to slide fully shut. Laying my book down I placed one hand on Aurora's stomach and the other on Aiden's back and closed my eyes to enjoy the rhythmic movements of their breathing to calm me and relax me. It was moments like this that made all the stress I was under worth it. My kids deserved the world and I was determined to give it to them starting with making this farm more eco-friendly. My phone dinging pulled me from my relaxed state but thankfully didn't disturb my sick and resting babies. Stretching my arm towards my nightstand without moving my body too much I managed to nab my phone and unplug it from the charger. Facebook. One of my college classmates posting about how stressed she was about the finals she had to take tomorrow. If she only knew what real stress was. I had two sick babies and finals to worry about. Deciding to do something spontaneous I pulled up my camera, snapping a picture of me with my two snoozing babies laid out on top of me, and post it with the caption of 'Mommy time vs. Study Time'. I rarely posted anything on social media and NEVER of my kids so this was going to be shocking to people that didn't know about my home life. Since I was feeling spontaneous, I decided to send the picture to Daryl also but changed the caption to How you like my human blanket?

Looks heavy. They okay?

Stomach bugs and ear aches but otherwise just needy. How's the shop coming?

Ouch. It's almost finished, actually. You're not sick are you? I thought you had finals this week.

Sick babies don't care if I have 8 finals to complete in 5 days but I'm just drained. I'm so ready for this week to just be over with.

You working at the clinic too?

No. Last week was my last week because my brother and sister-n-law moved back to take over the place so my dad could retire and I can focus on the farm. All I have this week is the farm, the kids, and finals.

That's still a lot to handle on your own.

I'm not on my own, I have my family to help.

Yeah, but I've seen you in action, you like to do it all on your own.

Ugh.

Sorry but it's true. Maybe you need a break this weekend?

The job of being mommy to these munchkins doesn't come with breaks or vacations.

Really? Your mom or sister wouldn't watch them for a few hours so you could go have some fun?

Are you offering me some fun, Mr. Dixon?

Was thinking maybe you could go check out the shop and store then maybe come splash in my creek with Dog and just relax for a little bit. You said it looked like fun.

Hmm.

Gotta check your schedule?

Yep. But I'm thinking maybe Otis and the guys can handle the work here Saturday afternoon while my sister had the kids for a few hours. That work for you?

Saturday sounds perfect. Want some help with the animals Saturday morning?

I never turn down free help.

And I never turn down free breakfast.

See you Saturday, bright and early, Dixon. Don't be late.

I'm never late. Can I bring Dog?

Of course. It's a farm, animals of all kinds are welcome. See y'all then.

Ok. See you then.

The conversation literally lasted less than 10 minutes but I felt rejuvenated once again so I eased up on the bed and began the tedious process of getting my kids off of me and into their own beds without fully waking them up.

Since I wasn't working at the clinic anymore I had more time to spend at home with my mom. "Momma, can I ask your opinion about something?" I asked her Thursday afternoon as I sat on a stool in front of the two high chairs to help my kids eat their lunch of fish sticks and carrots.

"You know you can, sweetheart. What's this about?" She asked as she leaned against the counter to give me her full attention.

Sighing heavily I pushed Aurora's juice cup towards her so she would take a drink. "I want to make some big changes to the farm and I don't know how to tell Daddy and Otis about them."

"What kind of changes you talking about making? You've already done a bunch in the past two years."

I laughed and nodded. "I know but I have big ideas, momma."

"You always did dream big and I suspected that this would be no different." She said with a bright smile on her face.

"I wanna sell Daddy's tractors and farming equipment." I whispered as I watched her face for a reaction and I got it as soon as the words registered. He eyes got wide and her jaw dropped a little bit. "He's gonna be mad, ain't he?"

My momma shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know but how you plan to keep up with the fields and garden without a tractor and other stuff?"

"Horses. I wanna do everything with horses." I told her with a confident smile on my face. "What do you think?" I asked, slightly nervous.

She crossed her arms over her shoulders as she looked at me. "Tractors are used because it makes the jobs easier and quicker but they are also expensive and eventually have to be replaced. One thing horses can do that tractors can't is breed and reproduce."

I nodded along with everything she said because it was all true but I had done my research and looked over the books of the farm for the past ten years and I KNEW that we would save thousands of dollars over a ten year period using horses instead of tractors. We would still have a few fuel operated machines but they would be pulled by horses instead of tractors which not only would save on fuel costs but it would also cut down on the damage to the soil that the large tires and sheer weight of the tractors caused. "Past the initial investment of obtaining more work horses the only costs I will have for them is feed, water, and the farrier. There is no fuel costs, parts to buy, or mechanics to pay. To me, it is a win-win situation." I explained as I pushed a carrot towards Aiden.

"Seems like you already have your mind made up then."

Looking at her I smiled because that was true. "I do but I still would like to hear Dad and Otis's opinions because they have been working this farm longer than I've been alive."

"Both of those men sat down and agreed to put this farm in your hands because they both believed in your ability to make it something more than just an ordinary cattle farm. They will support whatever decision you make but you are probably gonna have a fight on your hands over selling your Daddy's new tractor." She said with a wink in my direction before turning back to the stove where she had strawberry jam going in a huge pot.

"He can keep the dang tractor, just keep them off my fields." I said with a chuckle causing my momma to giggle too.

"We'll see about that. What other grandiose ideas do you have for the place?" She asked as she stirred the blood red liquid.

With a huge smile on my face I excitedly told her all of my plans, both short term and long term, for the farm. "What do you think?" I asked her when I was finished.

"I think I am so very lucky to have you as my daughter." She whispered as she walked over to me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "You are going to do amazing things in your lifetime, Beth, and I'm so proud to be your momma." She whispered before going back to her pot of jam.

"Thanks, momma." I whispered as I grabbed the wet washcloth to clean the kids hands and faces up before turning them loose to go play. "Oh by the way, Daryl is coming to help with the morning chores on Saturday. Just wanted to let you know so you could fix enough for breakfast." I told my mom as I walked out of the kitchen after the kids.

Driving home from my last final on Friday I saw a huge white banner with 'AUCTION' wrote in huge red letters on it and decided to go take a look. My mom and I had been going to auctions since I was a little girl, most of the time we didn't buy anything huge but I had seen massive things go for tiny prices so it never hurt to look at auctions. Pulling off the highway I followed the signs down a dirt road and into a driveway that was littered with vehicles and people. About 250 feet from the road stood a massive old farmhouse that had definitely seen better days but was absolutely magnificent and HUGE! I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and immediately called my mother as I headed for the house to look around on the inside. "Momma, you'll never believe what I found!" I said excitedly as soon as she answered the phone.

"What?" she asked, chuckling at my hyper excited tone.

"A beautiful old house that is going up for auction in a little bit." I said, giving a little squeal as I stepped onto the porch that beautiful detail that was a rare find in this day and age. "It's fantastic, Momma."

"What are you thinking, Bethie?" My mom asked with a sigh.

I couldn't contain the smile on my face as I walked through the old heavy front door that needed a little bit of work to make it easier to move but was otherwise perfect. "I want it. But I want it on my spot." I whispered as I stepped into the foyer of the main floor, grabbing a flyer with all the details of the home printed on it.

"It's expensive to move a house, Beth. And what about the plans to build your dream home?" She asked as I walked through the rooms downstairs.

As I walked through the rooms I was making a list in my head of what each room could be used for. The downstairs was massive and had two stairways that led to the upstairs which was traditional in an old home like this with one being a servants stairs accessed from the kitchen. I also was taking a mental not on what would not be able to make the 9 mile trek to the farm such as the brick fireplaces and most likely the two massive porches that had that old world southern character that people paid thousands trying to recreate. "Momma, this house is amazing and huge." I told her excitedly as I headed back towards the staircase by the front door that led upstairs. "I'm gonna hang around to see how much it goes for."

"Okay. See anything else that looks neat or interesting?" She asked, getting her auction enjoyment spirit back.

"Lots. I'll bring you home some things too." I told her confidently as I climbed the stairs cautiously to the second level. "Give my babies hugs and kisses for me. I'll see you guys in a little bit." I told her as I tested each step before putting my full weight on it.

My mom sighed. "Don't overbid on the house but good luck."

"Thanks." I said as I hung up the phone just in time to gasp at what I saw as I stepped onto the upstairs landing. Old original wood on the walls, floors, and ceilings with huge windows at either end of the hallway that had four doorways off of it. "I've got to have you." I whispered to myself as I finished exploring the partially demoed upstairs.

After walking through the inside and outside of the house I was absolutely in love with it and more determined than ever to get it. I kept my enthusiasm to myself as I wondered around the tables set up outside and then into the barn that was almost as big as the house. In the barn I saw some harnessing equipment for teams of work horses which is about the only thing in the barn that I was interested in so I headed back outside to mingle around by myself while I waited on the auction to begin. It wasn't long before I heard the auctioneer call for everyone to gather around so they could get started. Knowing how these things worked I knew I would be here for a while because the auctioned off all the little stuff first before moving onto the bigger things like the equipment and the houses. As discretely as I could I snapped pictures of the house and saved them to my phone. My mom didn't have a cell phone, only the house phone, so I couldn't text her the pictures unfortunately. While I waited for the auctioneer to get to the things I was interested in I decided to send Daryl a picture and see what he thought about the house.

*annetaylorphotographyanddesign*dot*zenfolio*dot*com/p878719467* See what I found!

How old is that house?

Looking at the piece of paper I had folded up and stuffed in my pocket while I explored the house I was shocked to see exactly how old the home was. It was built in 1890!

I think that constitutes as old. I'm beginning to think you have a fetish for old stuff.

Maybe. Isn't the house beautiful though? The inside is absolutely magnificent. I think I'm in love!

It's a gorgeous house. Who are all those people?

Other people attending the auction that just started.

You're at an auction to get a house?

Well it wasn't my original intent but now that I have seen the beauty of it, yes I'm at an auction to buy a house.

Good luck. It's incredible that it is still standing at 128 years old.

Thanks! I told him as I stuffed my phone back in my pocket to pay attention to the auctioneer once again as he rattled quickly about the items on the auction block so to speak.

It was nearly two hours later before the house itself came up for bid, as a whole. "Now we're gonna try to auction this beautiful old lady off as a whole before we start piecing it out but a few details first, huh? This beauty was built in 1890 with the side addition added in 1912, offering up 4,552 square feet of living space. We had Wolfe House Movers come appraise this beauty for all of y'all. The brick chimneys, all five of them, have to come down before this lady hits the highway. The side addition has to be removed and transported separately because it makes the house too wide to travel. How about we start the bid at three thousand dollars shall we?" The offers quickly started being shouted out but I smartly kept my mouth shut until several of the bidders gave up with a huff and shook their heads when the auctioneer pointed at them. "Nineteen thousand. Going once!"

I shoved my hand in the air quickly waving around the flyer with the house details on it. "We've got another one interested at twenty thousand. Anyone else?" He asked as he looked around the crowd of people that had considerably thinned out in the past few hours.

"Twenty-three!" The young man that had been bidding consistently since the beginning shouted above everybody else.

"Twenty-four." I said loud and clear with a glare at the young man who wore dress pants and a button-up shirt to a farm auction. "Jackass." I mumbled under my breath. He seemed like the type of piranha that came to buy these old farmhouses with the plan to tear it down for the parts and pieces.

He rolled his eyes at me before crossing him arms over his chest. "Twenty-five." He said in my direction.

"Six."

"Nine."

"Thirty thosuand." I said firmly with a smirk on my face. Just because I was young and dressed in ripped blue jeans and an old t-shirt didn't mean anything when it came to my determination. And I was determined to save this beautiful old house from that man's grimy hands.

The guy shook his head. "I'm out. Good luck." He said sarcastically as he shook his head again at the auctioneer's point in his direction.

"Well young lady, thirty thousand dollars for forty-five hundred square feet, going once! Going twice!" He called out as he scanned the crowd for another bidder while I held my breath anxiously. "Sold to the young lady over there in the yellow shirt." He said pointing to me. "Congratulations. Please see my associate about payment and move details."

I nodded as I headed to the side table where the other auction workers were collecting money for the items already auctioned and bought. "Congratulations on the house, she is a beauty." One of the workers, a lady probably in her late forty's, said as she handed me a clipboard to fill in some information. "Just fill this out and we'll get the deed transfer started as soon as the money clears the banks but you don't need that to have the house relocated, just our bill of sale will do." She explained as I looked at the paperwork she had handed me.

"Thanks, I knew as soon as I pulled up here that this house was destined to be mine." I told her as I started filling out the paperwork. "I also have lots 7, 13, 28, 41, and 59."

The woman nodded to me as she punched some numbers into the calculator. "That comes to a grand total of forty-four-thousand-one hundred-fifty-six dollars." She says as she took the clipboard from my hands. "You have twelve days to have the house removed from the property or it will be torn down. The house moving company's information is in here too, the auction house works with them on all estate auctions. Any other items need to be removed promptly or other arrangements made." She explained with a grimace on her face. "I hate saying that part." She whispered to me. "How are you paying for these items?" She asked softly.

I smiled at her as I handed her my bank card and driver's license. "The plastic way." I said with a chuckle. Not many people knew about the money I won in the battle with the University of Georgia but the money simply sat in the bank gaining interest until I needed to make big purchases. Otherwise I used the checking account I had been using since I was a junior in high school.

She swiped my card and within five minutes I was almost forty-five THOUSAND dollars poorer but the proud owner of a beautiful old house that I now had to figure out how to get it moved to my five acres without falling completely apart. For an extra two-hundred dollars the auction employees agreed to set all my purchases inside the house since I had no way to haul the big items home. I signed a piece of paper relinquishing them of any liability in case something happened to the items until I could get back to haul them home.

With that done I hopped in my SUV to head home, giddy that I had actually won the beautiful yet giant house.

It was less than 10 minutes to home but I looked at the drive in a whole new way now that I was going to be moving a two story almost 130 year old house along this same route. My excitement had lessened some as the worry began to set in but when I pulled into the drive it came back when I saw my parents and children sitting on the front porch. Quickly turning my car off I hopped and raced up to the porch. "I got it!" I told my parents as I knelt down to hug and kiss on my babies.

"That's great, Bethie. I guess it's a good thing Abraham has been so busy that he hasn't gotten started on your house plans yet." My dad said somberly.

Looking at him I saw the worry on his face. "The house is magnificent, Daddy. And I got for a fraction of what building a new house would have cost me. And the thing is massive and old and beautiful." I gushed as I pulled out my phone to show them the pictures I had taken earlier. Later that evening as I sat in the chair in the corner of my bedroom just looking out the window at the night sky my dad knocked on the doorframe. "Hey Daddy." I whispered to him with a smile.

"The kids asleep?" He asked as he came into the room, taking a seat on the foot of my bed.

I nodded. "Yeah, they went down shortly after their bath. Everything okay?" I asked cautiously.

He chuckled and nodded. "Everything is fine. I was just coming to talk to you about the farm hands."

Sitting up straighter in my chair I raised an eyebrow at my dad. "What about them?"

"Otis mentioned this afternoon that the guys were making comments that they wasn't taking orders from a girl." As I opened my mouth to say something he held his hand up and shook his head. "Otis set them straight but he wanted me to tell you that you may have some issues with them come Monday since they are used to it just being them and Otis."

With a huff I sat back in my chair. "If they don't want to take orders from me directly then they can hit the road and not come back." I said firmly.

My dad chuckled and smiled at me. "Otis and I knew you would say that, which is why he advised them to keep their traps shut come Monday and just say 'Yes ma'am' every time you asked them to do something."

"That'll be the smart thing to do because if it wasn't for me working on Saturday's, Sunday's, and every school break these past two years they wouldn't have been having all that time off." I told him with a sweet smile on my face. "Plus, I may not need them soon enough if everything goes according to plan."

Dad raised an eyebrow at me and inquired. "What do you mean you may not need them? Bethie, you amaze me at how much you get accomplished but you can't run this farm by yourself."

I shook my head. "I'm not going to but I have a plan to allow high school and college students to volunteer and intern here in return for academic credits. Once I graduate, I plan to set up meetings with several local high schools as well as a few universities."

"Like I said, amazing. Want to explain to me why your momma tells me I may want to enjoy my new tractor while I still have it?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Plastering the sweetest and most innocent smile I could muster on my face I began to explain. "Starting next spring I want to use only horses and horse drawn equipment on the fields. Which means I won't have any use for the tractors or large equipment anymore so I plan to sell them to offset the cost of purchasing several more work horses and horse drawn equipment."

"What's wrong with using tractors and modern equipment? It is made for a reason." He argued.

I shook my head. "Just because it's convenient and easier doesn't mean it's the best way. Our fuel costs are outrageous and so is our mechanic repair bill. Horse only require minimal maintenance and they reproduce their own replacements. You can keep your one personal tractor but I want it kept off the fields."

"You know how much we've paid for all of that equipment? You won't ever get all that money back, Bethie." He continued to argue.

Shrugging my shoulders. "It's fine. I've already had the equipment appraised and I will actually get back 83% of what you paid for them. And I've got my eye on some amazing work horses that are just about ready to be released for work duty."

My dad's eyes got big as he sighed and nodded in resignation. "I gave the farm to you because you have the passion for it and a vision of the future and I'm not going to start questioning you about it now. You do whatever you want to with whatever you want to. This place is yours to do what you want with, except sell or lease the land."

I laughed. "I would never sell or lease our land, buy some more maybe, but never sell."

"130 acres ain't enough for you?" He teased.

I shrugged. "Don't know. I've got big plans that require lots of land, including a four-acre vegetable garden, 2-acre fruit orchard, and a 1-acre herb garden." I said with a bright smile.

"Wow." Dad said with a shake of his head. "And just what are your plans with all of that food?"

"You are the first person to ask me that!" I said excitedly as I adjusted myself in my chair to face my father fully. "I plan to sell some of the produce at the farmer's market in Atlanta but the majority will hopefully go to local restaurants and stores. That's not going to happen until next year though I will spend this year marketing for it."

With tears in his eyes my dad walked over to me and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "Absolutely amazing, Bethie. Don't ever let anybody dull your shine, sweetheart."

I nodded. "I won't, Daddy. Are you sure everything is okay?" I asked him as my phone dinged from where it laid on my nightstand charging.

"Everything is fine. Just planning to enjoy my retirement and I can do that if I know each of my children are doing what they love and are successful at it." He said as he squeezed my shoulder. "Love you, Bethie. Goodnight."

"Love you too, Daddy. Goodnight." I called out to him as he left my room while I went to check my phone for the message that just came through.

How'd the auction go?

My bank account is crying but I am now the proud owner of a 128-year-old mansion that has to be moved 9 miles to the farm.

Congrats on the new house. I'm sure the pictures don't do it justice at all.

Thanks, they really don't show how magnificent the place is. You still coming in the morning?

Yep. Dog and I will be there early in the morning.

Okay, see you then. Get some rest, Dixon.

Night Greene.

The next morning I got ready for work quickly in a pair of old blue jeans, a t-shirt that was a few sizes too big knotted at my lower back, long hair tossed messily onto the top of my head, and boots on my feet. I quietly crept into the babies room to give each baby a rub on their backs before heading downstairs where my mom had a pot of coffee waiting for me. When I moved into my own place I would definitely have to invest in a coffee pot with a timer on it. Without a word my mom handed me a cup of the rich goodness. I took a sip and sighed immediately as I melted onto one of the bar stools, setting the baby monitor down with a grunt. "Good morning, mama." I told her softly.

She smiled at me as she sipped her own cup of coffee. "Good morning, sweetheart. When is Daryl supposed to be here?"

"Soon." I mumbled as I blew onto the hot coffee in my hands. "He scares me." I mumbled, halfway hoping my mom wouldn't hear me but desperately needing to talk to someone about this situation with Daryl. For the first time since I was violated at that frat party two and a half years ago I felt something other than bad feelings towards a guy that wasn't family.

My mom sat on the bar stool next to me, patting me on the arm. "The good ones always scare us at first. He's a good man, Bethie."

I nodded in agreement. "He is. But he's older and he don't know my whole story."

"Honey, your college tragedy absolutely does not define who you are as a person. And any man, woman, or child who thinks differently can go kiss a toad." She said as she sipped her own cup of coffee, acting like she hadn't just gone all mama bear on me. Before I could respond a set of headlights danced across the walls letting me know that Daryl had just arrived. "See you two at breakfast!" Mom said cheerfully as she hopped off the stool, grabbing the baby monitor and heading out of the kitchen.

With a grumble I quickly finished off my cup of coffee, rinsed it out before setting it in the sink, grabbing two granola bars, and heading out the kitchen door to greet Daryl and Dog. "Morning." I told Daryl as Dog trotted over to me with a soft 'whoof' in my direction. "Hey boy. Are you ready to do some work today so we can splash and play this afternoon?" I asked him as I knelt down so I was face to face with him.

The dog gave another soft 'whoof' before nudging my hand with his head causing me to chuckle as I scratched his head between his ears. "Maybe I should take him with me more often if he reals in folks like this."

Giving Dog one last head scratch I stood up to look at Daryl. "He's a charmer, for sure, but you're not so bad yourself."

"Me? I'm just a rough and tumble old country-boy trying to do right." Daryl argued as he motioned towards the barn. "We starting in the barn first?"

I nodded as I began the trek towards the barn. "Yep. My sister comes to pick up the twins at ten o'clock so I would like to be finished by then so we can leave."

"Yes ma'am." Daryl said, mock saluting me as he fell into step next to me.

Rolling my eyes at him I remained silent as we neared the barn.

DARYL

By the time I heard the breakfast bell ring out I was more than ready for a break. Hard work was nothing unusual for me but it quickly became apparent that Beth had taken it easy on me the last time I was on the farm. "Come on, old man, time for breakfast." Beth said with a chuckle as she fastened the gate to the pasture we had just herded the goats into.

"I'm coming." I told her as I fell into step beside her as we headed for the house.

She giggled as looked over at me. "Not used to farm work?"

"Not at all but butchering animals isn't exactly light work either, Greene. It just doesn't involve chasing goats or wrestling pigs." I grumbled as I rolled my eyes. "Maybe you should come help me butcher a cow one day and lets see who is the one complaining at the end of the day."

With a shake of her head she smiled at me. "I'm good on that part, thanks though."

I just laughed as her phone rang from her back pocket. With a hand to my elbow she stopped me in my tracks. "Hold up for a second while I take this." She said before swiping across her screen to answer the call. "Hello?" She paused for a second before she looked at me curiously. "I should be able to make it this afternoon to discuss moving the house." At her raised eyebrow, because we were spending the afternoon together, I shrugged and nodded. "1 o'clock, okay for you?"…. "Great! I'll see you then." She said before hanging up the phone with a bright smile on her face.

"The moving company?" I asked with a smirk on my face.

"Yes!" She said excitedly as she did a little dance right there in the middle of the dirt path that led from the barn to the house. "They want to start getting the beams under the house Monday so she can get on the road by Wednesday morning. I'm so excited!" She exclaimed. "Do you wanna go see the house with me? Before we go swimming in your creek?"

I shrugged. "Sure, sounds like fun. And who said anything about me joining you in the creek? That was supposed to be all you and Dog." I told her as I started walking towards the house and breakfast again.

"You're not gonna join us in the watery fun?" She asked as she reached over to poke me playfully in the side causing me to jerk away from her because I was super ticklish on my ribs. "Oh, ticklish, are you?"

I simply grunted as I wrapped my hands around my waist to protect my sides from her wagging finger. "Maybe a little." I grumbled sullenly.

Smirking at me she quickly sent several jabs in my direction causing me to squirm and grab for her hands. To effectively stop her tickle assault I spun her around, wrapping my arms around her waist, enclosing her wrists in my hands. "That's enough of that, Greene."

When she didn't send a smartass comment back I quickly scanned her body language. Stiff back, quickened breathing, hands gripped in tight fists. "Beth?" I questioned as I slowly loosened my arms to turn her around to face me with my hands held loosely at her elbows. "You okay?" I asked hesitantly as I searched her face for a sign but instead she just started trembling beneath my light grip on her elbows. "Hey, it's just me, Daryl. We're on the farm. Take a deep breath." I rattled as I rubbed my thumbs across the skin of her elbows to give her something to focus on. She followed my instructions and took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. I watched her face and saw her grimace before looking up and meeting my eyes, actually seeing me now instead of someone else. "You better?" I asked hesitantly as I released her elbows and took a small step backwards to give her a little space.

She nodded. "Sorry, that hasn't happened in a while." She muttered before hanging her head. "You must think I'm a freak show who can't even handle goofing around."

Putting a finger under her chin I lifted her face so I could look her in the eyes. "Not at all. I recognized the signs from my own traumatic past. It took me years where I didn't jump or my heart didn't feel like it was going to beat out of my chest at certain noises. I don't know for certain what happened to you but hopefully you will trust me enough to tell me eventually."

She nodded as she stepped forward to press her forehead against my chest. "I'm sorry I freaked out on you. I didn't hit you did I?" She whispered as I slid my hands from her elbows up to her shoulders, wrapping my arms loosely around her shoulders.

"No, just froze in place. Is this okay?" I whispered against her ear.

Wrapping her arms around my waist she nodded before turning her head to press her ear against the middle of my chest. "It is." She mumbled as she pressed her palms flat against my back, running her palms along the raised skin of my scars. "We'll talk later, is that okay?"

I nodded as I squeezed her quickly before releasing her. "No rush, Beth, whenever you are ready to talk I'll be ready to listen. Now how about you go get some lovin' from two tiny humans and then we'll eat the breakfast your momma fixed for us?"

She ran hands over her face and nodded. "Yep, sounds like a plan. What are you waiting on, Dixon?" Beth chirped as she walked a few feet ahead of me. "Let's go!" She called quickly as she took off towards the house at a jog with Dog barking at her as he playfully chased her to the house. I followed behind them with a smile on my face.