My head was foggy and the bright sunlight of day beamed through my curtains onto my face, I groaned and rolled over to bury myself into the sheets. When I woke the second time, my room was lit with the sunshine, but it only made my head throb. I dragged myself to the bathroom but not even a shower made me feel batter. I drank some water and lit a cigarette turning on some daytime talk show for background noise. I looked to the wall clock, it was nearly 1 in the afternoon.

"Shit," I muttered to myself while rubbing my temples. I need to make Thomas lunch... I waited a few more minutes before venturing outside into the heat. The day was scorching, must have been at least 90 degrees with no clouds or wind. Thomas was nowhere to be found, not in the stables, the pen or anywhere. I went back inside and dialed Mary's number, but no one picked up.

"Mhmmm," I hung the phone up and made 2 sandwiches, one for me and another in case I somehow just didn't see Thomas. I drank more water and sunk into the couch, my A/C was on full blast setting a nice cold tone in the house. Now all that was on was sports, I tried to pick up a new book and read but my head couldn't handle it. I took some aspirin and felt a little better.

The clock now read about 4:10 and Thomas was nowhere.

Maybe he didn't come today, I told myself eating the sandwich I prepared for him. I wonder why... I guess that means I need to go feed everyone. I finished my sandwich and went out to do the chores. Blossom and Peppermint were greedily eating when I gave them food and then I fed the goats. When I went back inside, I was still tired, so I just took a sleeping pill and went to bed.


I woke up really early the next morning at around 4 am and could not go back to sleep, so I got up and made some eggs. The whole day before I had refused to think about the events that unfolded outside Dock's. But today now that I had a clear mind and no hangover, there was no way to avoid it.

Sherry is cheating on Andy... ANDY KISSED ME! Oh shit, I closed my eyes as the eggs crackled in the pan. What do I even do with that? Well, I mean Andy kissing me and Sherry hooking up with that guy, does that even out? I don't know, seems like Sherry's been cheating for a long time. But maybe Andy cheats too, who's to say he doesn't go kissing every other girl in town. That could be why Sherry is so possessive.

I flipped my eggs onto a plate as the side door opened and Thomas stepped in.

"You're up early," he noted. "Most days you don't get up until after I come."

I shrugged," Yeah, just... stuff I guess. Here, eat some eggs," I set the plate down and went back to the stove.

"Thanks," he sat at the table. "So how'd the other night go?"

I cracked the egg onto the skillet," Fine. It was fine," I tried to sound light and casual. "Uh, what about you, you didn't come in yesterday," I switched topics.

Thomas took a bite of eggs," Oh, just was helping mama out with the house," he mumbled.

"I called but no one answered."

"Oh.. it was... outside help," he sounded flustered. "But the bar was good? Girls night was fun."

"Not much of a girls night," I muttered and turned off the stove. "Kurtis and Andy tagged along with us," I told him as I sat down across from him.

"Really?"

"Yeah, but... it was fine. I got a chance to see Kurtis have fun, he's kind of different when he doesn't hate you."

Thomas smiled," I'm glad things went well."

"Yeah," I did not want to talk about it anymore.

Thomas must have seen right through my fake smile and rushed words.

"Caroline? You good?"

"Yeah, all good," I took a bite of eggs.

Thomas put his fork down," Tell me."

"No... I don't want to talk about it."

"Caroline?"

I sighed and dropped my fork, it made a loud clang as it hit the plate," Thomas, I really just can't talk about it."

Thomas sat there, I could feel him watching me, I was looking into my lap. I didn't mean to snap at him, it just sort of came out, how would I tell him about everything that happened? Should I even tell him, maybe it's best he doesn't know.

"Did you want to start work on the garden today?" he asked me, completely bypassing my little outburst.

"Uh...No," I shook my head and picked up my fork. "I think Tuesday would be best, it's supposed to rain on Monday and I read the moist soil is the best for planting."

Thomas nodded," Yeah, that makes sense. I've never had or helped with a garden before, farm work yeah, but it's a different scale."

"No need for a tractor," I tried to laugh but it came out weird.

"Okay, I'll see you," Thomas stood and took his dishes to the sink before slipping back outside.

When the door shut, my head fell into my hands, What the fuck was that? Why am I being like this... I need to process what happened, figure out what to do next. So Andy kissed me, I hadn't been expecting that BUT I didn't kiss him back. I stopped it. Whatever that was, it's between him and Sherry, I don't think it really has anything to do with me. But then there's Sherry; if I hadn't seen her get fucked by some biker behind I dumpster I could just go to her and tell her about what happened with Andy. Should I tell Andy what I saw? Maybe I shouldn't say anything about what happened at all that night. Or I could talk to Savannah, but she would probably take Sherry's side since they've been best friends since they were kids.

I had washed our dishes and was cleaning the kitchen while I thought it all through.

But maybe if I-...

My thought were cut off by the phone ringing. What if it's Sherry and she found out, I panicked as I stared at the wall. Or Worse! What if it's Andy!? I reached for the phone and then drew my hand back, Maybe I should just not answer, but I did it anyway.

"Hello?," I cringed and prepared for the worst.

"Hello, Caroline? It's Jeremy."

Oh, it's Jeremy.

"We met on Friday at Dock's," he added.

"Yes, I remember. Hey, Jeremy," relief flooded my entire body.

"Yeah, I thought I'd call you up... I had a good time with you."

"Uh, yeah, it was an... interesting night," I tried to find the right word.

"So, I don't know if you remember, you were kind of drunk," he laughed. "But I asked you out that night."

I did remember that now that he brought it up, Jeremy had not been high on my priority list. Oh right.. he drove me home.

"And... you had said yes," he reminded me nervously.

"Yeah, I remember that."

"So... I, uh... I'm callin' to see when you'd like to go out."

"Oh... well, I don't really have anything big coming up his week at all. I'm free most days."

"So, if I said Thursday?"

"Thursday sounds fine."

"Great," Jeremy sounded exited. "How do you feel about bowlin'?"

"Bowling," I stifled a laugh. "Well, I haven't been in a long time," I admitted. "But, yeah sure, it could be fun."

"Great, can I pick you up at 5?"

"Thursday at 5, I'll see you then," I confirmed.

"See you then," he said before I hung up.

A date? A date? Really? I don't need that... but Jeremy is nice, only downside I've seen is being Sherry's brother. He was funny, he's kind of cute, a gentlemen. Maybe a date could be nice. I haven't been on date since my ex- boyfriend took me out.

Back to the issue at hand, I redirected myself as I wiped down my kitchen table. What would Savannah do if I told her... she might blame me, it's possible. Sherry seemed to think I was sniffing around, maybe others do to. I did have Andy come help me put down carpeting, what if they all think I'm some sort of homewrecker?! But they can't, can they? I asked Andy about proposing and he did not seem like he wanted to... even Kurtis knew it. But I don't like Andy, not like that anyway. He's nice and all but I don't need that drama, especially being the new girl.

I sat on my couch, I definitely need to talk to Andy, tell him that nothing like that can happen ever again. Especially not while he has a girlfriend... but if I see him, I know I might spill about what I saw. Then that will only make things worse; what if Andy breaks up with and tried to date me?! Or what if everyone thinks I made it up so I could be with Andy.

Okay, alright, I need to stop spiraling. I need to relax.

I drew myself a bath, put loads of bubbles in and sat to soak. It felt great, I had been pushing my body to extremes while putting the house together and making it all perfect. I sat in the tub for awhile, I brought a book in and red until the water got cold, so I got out and dried myself off, I felt better. I then went in and laid on my bed, the worrisome thoughts came creeping back. I could hear Tommy outside, so I peeked out my window and watched him work with the animals for a few minutes before laying back down.

Maybe Thomas would be the perfect person to talk this out with... maybe I could ask Mary? She might have some tips on how to handle this gracefully but then I run the risk of her telling someone and it spreading. Thomas may be the only option I have.

I just laid in bed while contemplating until I heard the door open.

"Thomas?"

"Yeah, it's me."

I hoped out and went to the kitchen to see him pour himself some water.

"Hot out today?," I asked.

He nodded while chugging his cold beverage, I took the moment to look at the clock, it was nearing 11.

"Oh god, I've spent all morning in bed," I shook my head.

"There's nothing wrong with that," Thomas shrugged.

"Have you ever done that?," I asked him curiously. "I just mean, you seem so up and at 'em... could you have a lazy day?"

Thomas chuckled and looked down, I saw his dimple poke through again," I could... I don't normally though."

"What would your ideal lazy day be?"

"Laying outside under a tree, reading a book, glass of lemonade," it sounded like a distant dream when he talked about it. "You?," he turned.

"I'm not sure. I used to have days where I would just wander the streets in Burlington... stop at eat at my favorite bistro, do some window shopping."

"Do you miss it?"

"Actually," I crossed my arms," I haven't really thought too much about back home."

"Really," Thomas turned to lean against the counter.

"Yeah," I was surprised myself. Since being here, I only thought about home a few times and called one or twice. Maybe I should call up someone back there, spill the drama here and they could help?

"Crazy to think there's a place out there worse than here," he scoffed.

"I wouldn't say worse... just different. I really like having animals, being near mountains, it feels more open here."

"Idaho," Thomas nodded.

"You're a what?"

He cracked a smile," Idaho, the state, you know?"

"Yeah... I've never been."

"I have," he told me. "There's where my momma's dad used to live, I'd go there as a kid sometimes. It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen."

"Wow, what's it like," I sat at the table.

"Tall pine trees, forests cover the mountains and it all looks like it could go on forever," he said it like he was looking at it again.

"It sounds beautiful."

"It is," he nodded. "My grandpa had a cabin, kind of ranch there too, but he died."

"I'm sorry, Thomas."

He shrugged," Yeah, it sucks... everybody dies though," he shuffled his feet.

"Did you want some lunch," I offered. "I can make sandwiches."

"I'm okay," he reached for the door. "The eggs are keeping me filled," he told me as the door shut behind him.

Eggs are not enough, he's working so hard out there. I'll make him a sandwich.

I went out with the sandwich," Thomas?," I called out as I made my way to the back.

He came running out from behind the house," Stop, don't come any closer!," he said frantically.

I jumped back," Is it a raccoon!"

Thomas through his head back and laughed," No! Why would it be a raccoon?"

"I don't know.. I just have a fear that raccoon is gonna come here and I'll have to bat it away with a broom or something... God, Thomas, don't scare me like that."

"Sorry," he stopped laughing,"I just don't want you to see it yet."

"See what?," I peered behind him.

"It's not ready," he stepped in front of me.

I grinned," Is it a surprise?"

"Yeah, kinda."

"Well now you have to show me!," I pleaded and stepped to the left to get around him.

Thomas stepped too and blocked me," But it's not ready."

"Please!," I even clasped my hands together.

He sighed, "Okay, but it's not done," he moved so I could go around the corner.

"OH," I gasped when I saw it. "Thomas!," I turned around to look at him wide eyed. "You didn't!?"

It was the vanity I had found it Delilah's room, Thomas has it completely stripped of it's old white paint.

"It's so beautiful," I felt tears prick in my eyes," Thank you Thomas."

"I still need to put another coat of varnish on it," he told me.

"Oh.. my... god," I stepped closer to it, it sparkled in the sun. The deep brown wood was stunning," I can't believe anyone would paint over this," I inspected it closely. "Thomas, this is so amazing. Thank you," I wiped the single tear away.

"Well, you're always do nice things for me, I wanted to return the favor."

"I just can't believe how beautiful it looks," I gawked at it some more. "You did better than I ever could! Oh it's beautiful!"

"Well, I'm glad you liked it, you mentioned wanting to strip it down before so I thought I would just do it for you."

"Thomas, I love it," I jumped up and gave him a hug. "This is the nicest thing you could have given me." Thomas hugged me back for a split second before I pulled back and jumped in the air giddily. "This just made my entire day."

"Really? Well, I'm happy I could do that for you," Thomas' cheeks turned a slight rosy color.

I looked up to the tall bashful man in front of me, he really was my new best friend here. He liked books, poetry, animals and I saw him pretty much every single day. He had to know me better than anyone else here in Baxter.

"Thomas?"

"Hm?"

"You're like my best friend."

Now the color darkened and his cheeks were burning red," Y-You're my best friend t-too, Caroline."

I smiled," Now we can get matching tattoos!"

"What!?," he looked up alarmed.

"I'm kidding," I laughed and Thomas laughed too. "I... I brought your sandwich," I scurried back around the house to get the plate I had set down, Thomas followed me. "Oops," I saw that I had in fact dropped it, so the sandwich was ruined. "Here, come inside, I'll make you another one."

I threw the sandwich away and pulled out more bread, Thomas came in and shut the door.

"I really don't need it Caroline, I'm fine."

"You're working in the sun all day, you need to eat," I told him.

"So is this when you tell me what happened?," he raised an eyebrow.

I squirted some ketchup on the meat," I... I just don't even know."

"What could have been so bad? Did Sherry throw you out of the car?"

I smirked at the idea," No, she didn't even drive," I carried his sandwich over and slid it across the table. "Okay... so it's kind of a... I just can't even describe it," I flopped into the chair.

"I'm listening," Thomas leaned in.

"So, we go to the bar and Savannah tells me that Kurtis and Andy are coming too, so that caught me off guard, but it wasn't a big deal. It was fine, we were doing shots, having fun and I go outside..."

Thomas looked worried," Some bad things happen there."

"Well, I was outside and Andy came... and.. Andy kissed me," I looked away from Thomas as I said it.

"Andy Montaeu? The Sergeant?!"

I nodded silently.

"Wait, you're saying Andy kissed you!?," I heard real anger in Thomas' voice, none like I had ever seen from him.

"He did and I was surprised so I kind of ran away."

"So you didn't want to kiss him?"

I shook my head," No... but he didn't follow me or anything."

"That doesn't matter, he shouldn't have kissed you without your consent to begin with."

I raised my head to see Thomas was visibly upset, his eyes were wild and he was biting his nails.

"You're right," I agreed. "He shouldn't have... but that's not even the weirdest part."

Thomas clenched his fist," What happened?"

"Thomas," I reached out and covered his fist with my hand," Calm down, okay. I'm alright."

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath," I'm calm. Tell me what else happened."

I leaned back again," Well when I ran away," I stopped. "Thomas, you can't tell anyone this, okay. This is BIG secret."

"I promise I will never said a word."

"I went around the building and I saw... I saw Sherry with some guy."

"Sherry Lewis? Andy's girlfriend?"

"Yeah."

"Well... that's crazy, but not too crazy."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, from the gossip mama brings home, Sherry's cheated on Andy before."

"Has Andy ever cheated on Sherry?"

Thomas shook his head," Not that I've heard."

I moaned," That only makes things harder. Now everyone will think that I caused this, that I want Andy or something," I dropped my head into my hands.

"Don't think like that," Thomas told me. "People here will think anything you tell them to. A book I read calls it 'small town savagery', where people just go for the kill to make something more entertaining."

"Thomas, that doesn't help."

I heard the chair scrap the floor and Thomas crouched next to me," Hey, you shouldn't let it get to you, even if they do talk."

"Which of course they will," I wiped the tears before they could fall. "I just don't want the story to get twisted."

Thomas sighed," It probably will, that's just how things happen around here. But you shouldn't care what Baxter thinks."

"It'll be harder to live here if they all hate me," I sniffled.

"No one will hate you for this," he said placing a hand over mine. "They might gossip, say some nasty stuff, but hate? I don't think so."

I looked up to Thomas, he gave me a small comforting smile.

"I just don't even know what to do."

Thomas sat back on his heels," Well it depends if you want people to know. Because the way I see it is, Andy's never been caught cheatin' before so if he has cheated in the past, he hides it good. This means he won't go around telling people about the kiss, but if you tell people... I don't know what he'll say."

"So, you think I should talk to him?"

Thomas' jaw tightened," I think you should punch him in the face."

It might me giggle, just the idea of it," That certainly would stir up the drama."

Thomas smiled," It sure would."

"Oh gosh, I didn't even tell you the weirdest part! Sherry like threatened me before hand, she basically said she'd kill me if I ever laid a finger on Andy," I almost laughed as I said the next part," then I see her getting drilled against a dumpster fence."

"Small town hypocrisy," Thomas grinned," at it's finest."