Chapter Eight
Julia dragged me back into the main room of the animal shop and paused only to yell over her shoulder, "We'll be back later, Mom!"
Mirabelle flashed me a sympathetic smile, "You girls have fun now!"
I groaned and almost tripped over the top of my boot as Julia dragged me outside. Julia snickered at my show of clumsiness and I glare at the back of her head. I concentrate on the patter of our feet on the pathway, trying not to kill myself. We stop just short of Taro's home and she changes her mind. She drags me to the beach and stalls at the edge of the sand. She looks around for a moment before gasping suddenly. She drags me forward again and shoves me forward when we get close to a certain cowboy. I thud straight into his broad frame and my breath flies out of my lungs.
He staggers back a step before glaring down at me, "Watch where you're going." he advised in a tight, unfriendly voice and I struggled to find words to respond.
Why the hell was he so rude? I mean, I know I haven't made the best example the two times I've talked to the man, but hell. I don't think the things I've done to him, on accident granted, are enough to give him a reason to hate me. If I were in his shoes, I would be annoyed, but I wouldn't be acting like this. So cold and cruel.
I take a quick breath, "I'm sorry. Julia kinda-" I broke off my sentence when I realized Julia was nowhere in sight.
He looked around, "Why would you blame someone for something that you clearly did?" he asked, perplexed and angry, before sighing suddenly, "Never mind, I don't have time to deal with petty stuff right now. I have work to do."
I watched him walk away, confused and irritated. What ever was shoved up the cowboy's ass, a fine one at that, needed to be removed, because right now he was acting like a first class asshole. I sighed angrily and turned around, only to be startled when I saw someone was behind me.
"Don't do that to me. I took karate when I was little. I think I could break you into little pieces with the snap of a finger." I warned Denny, who just laughed and flexed his impressive bicep.
"I don't think a twig like you could take on all of this." he joked and I sighed.
"You're probably right, but that's not the point right now. The point is not to scare me like that again." I advised and he nodded.
"It's noted." he stated, then a confused look entered his face, "What's up with cowboy? Did you piss him off or something?" he asked and I sighed.
"He hates my guts."I stated sadly and Denny crinkled his brow in confusion.
"How could anyone hate you? You're such a sweet girl. Granted you do get embarrassed over simple things, but still." he tried to comfort me, but his words didn't take place in my heart.
"That doesn't make me feel better about this though." I griped and Denny smiled suddenly.
"You know what will?" he asked and I shook my head no.
"Going fishing with me!" he exclaimed happily, and I couldn't help but to laugh in response.
**/**
"You are in so much trouble!" I exclaimed as I trudged into Denny's home the next morning.
He looked up from the fish we had caught together in surprise, "What did I do?" he questioned, his brow wrinkled in effort to figure out what he did wrong.
I broke out of my tense facade and smiled at him from ear to ear, "I've become accustomed to your presence that it feels weird when you aren't around."
He breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh, I thought I did something bad. I was about to cower at your feet and beg for my balls to be spared from being kicked. I was seriously worried for a second."
I laughed at him for a moment while settling down on a mat on his wooden flooring, "Aren't you worried about the fact that I've become attached to your presence?" I questioned, curiosity getting the best of me.
He shot me a sideways glance, "It's a part of my sinister plan in hooking the fairest maiden on Sunny Island." he said seriously, making my heart jump and my cheeks heat up.
He burst out laughing when he saw my blush, "My Goddess, Chelsea, this is nothing that should make you blush. Now, if I stripped down to my birthday suit? I'd sure as hell hope you would blush, or I'm going to think you swing the other way." he looked at me and wiggled his eyebrows.
My blush grew even more radiant, "Why does every word that comes out of your mouth have to always hint at you getting naked?" I asked quickly, trying to reign in my embarrassment.
Denny smirked at me while getting up to inspect his fishing rod, "It's just who I am." he muttered to the fishing pole before turning back to me and crouching in front of me.
He grabbed my chin between his thumb and index finger, "Would you like me to get naked, Chelsea?"
My blush grew even more painfully bright, "There's no right answer to that."
He laughed and released my chin, "That may be correct, but answer the question anyway." he demanded and I cleared my throat awkwardly.
"I wouldn't... object... to you... getting... naked." I choked out and Denny smirked at me.
"I knew you wanted my hot body." he joked while reaching up to swipe a stand of hair out of his eyes.
I laced my fingers together, needing the security and comfort in the action, "That doesn't change the fact that I solely view you as a... friend. That's what my brain is telling me, but my body... finds you attractive in... another way. If that makes sense..." I struggled to explain my situation, and was failing miserably.
"I understand. I'll just have to show you that I can do more for you then just be a friend." he said, settling back down on the floor.
"Do I have a choice in the matter?" I asked hesitantly, afraid of the answer.
He though for a moment, "I won't force myself on you. I'm here until you order me away." he trailed off, his eyes holding a strange light.
Even with that, I still felt like I was being forced into something way over my head, and it scared me like no other.
**/**
I really need to get a damn radio. This silence in my house is eating me alive. The early morning light was shining into the house, making it have a home-y feel to it, but the silence is what is killing me. Every step I take bounces off the damn walls, making them echo. There's nothing, not even one of those damn bird's that don't shut up, no matter how many times you threaten to kill it and it's family. I look around my small home and decide I better get to work now.
I walk over to one of the windows and take a deep breath. I grab the edge of the cardboard there and pull. It comes free with little struggle and I inspect the damage. Whatever had broken it, it left a huge hole. Maybe a rock? No, a rock would break the whole window, not just make a massive hole. I shook my head, I didn't have the brain power to think about it. I placed the card board in the window and looked at the other one. It was surely in the same shape as its friend here, so I would need two panels of glass, and I knew just the man who could help me.
I walk into the main part of town and to Gannon's carpentry shop. I knock on the door before opening it and stepping inside. I spot Gannon's large frame behind the counter work and I smile and wave at him. He copies me as I walk forward and lean down on the counter.
"Good morning. Chelsea. You're looking pretty today." he complimented and I grinned at him.
"Well, thank you, Gannon. Say, do you have any glass sheets around here cut to make a window?" I asked and he nodded and leaned down to pick up a sheet of clear glass.
"You mean like this?" he asked and I nodded, "Why? Did you break out a window?"
"No, it was broken out before I even moved here. How much do you want for it?" I asked, already swinging around my rucksack to pull out my wallet.
"Well, 5,000 G for one. 10,000 G for two I suppose." he said thoughtfully and I about choked at the numbers.
"Why so much?" I asked, shocked that he couldn't give me a deal.
He looked at me, offense in his brown eyes, "I hand made this glass. You don't want to pay for it, it's not my fault." he explained, all friendliness that was here a second ago now gone.
"It's not that, I just have 250 G to my name right now. How much is a new piece of cardboard and some duck tape cost?" I asked, hope clear in my voice for a small number.
He sighed and produced what I wanted, "Just take it. I would make you pay for it, but you sound so pitiful right now. Now, go before I change my mind." he shooed me out of his store, slamming the door behind me, almost catching my shirt I was so close.
I stood there for a moment, before sighing. I really needed to go scavenger hunting for things I could ship. My money situation was so sad. I trudged back to my house and took down the piece of cardboard, replacing it with a new one. I taped it to the siding of the wall, acutely aware of how pitiful it did look. Hey, what ever keeps the rain out right? I taped the other one down as well and admired my handiwork. I sighed sadly and slid down towards the floor. What the hell was I going to do?