Even though Laura had done everything as "correctly" as she could, and the worst thing that could happen next was that Shane would refuse her offer- Laura still felt a bit of dread as the start of the day approached. Sunday evening had been a bit stressful, with hand wringing, and the creation of plenty of sweets, cranberry candies, mini blueberry tarts, even a overly pruned pink cake, with the edges of the frosting so sharp and crisp you could slice your finger on it. Each food item was immaculate, as her stress pushed her into perfecting each delicacy. In the haze of cooking, she'd also made pepper poppers which, ironically, she'd spent the least amount of time preening over, and now looking at them, a little burned and lumpy, she seriously considered chucking the plate but went against that thought. When thinking rationally, Shane wouldn't care what they looked like. Being home made alone was a big treat for him.

Her eyes darted up at the clock and a shudder ran down her spine in anticipation. 5:45, and Shane was typically there and went right to working at 6. The nerves raking through her body also caused her to consider Marnie's words with much more vigor.

"So you're not romantically interested in Shane?" "Don't worry, Laura! Your secret is safe with me!"

It was something she was far from admitting out loud, to others and even to herself. But when she dug deep and pulled at different strings of her heart, the chord rang out loud and clear. After the couple years of knowing him it was right there- she was in love with Shane... Shane...

How can I be in love with someone and not even know their name?! Laura thought to herself, groaning inwardly at the idea of asking him that question someday after they'd already known each other so long. It was unlikely, though, that Shane would be aware of hers either. Serrano... more than likely, next to no one knew it besides maybe Evelyn, George, and Lewis seeing has Grandpa has been her paternal grandfather.

Deepening thoughts had left he deafened to the outside world for a short, peaceful moment- and it was the third ring of the doorbell that had her jolt out of the fog and without a moment more she was at the door and swinging it open quick and wide, the air blasting her hair behind her face, eyes shining bright with anticipation. She already knew who it was, and it was absolutely uncommon for him to come up and ring the bell. Shane jumped a little, obviously surprised by the sudden arrival, but recomposed himself quickly to save face.

"You're late. Sleep in or something?" Shane asked, his hands shoved in his pockets as he looked more towards the peep hole in the door than at her. Not unusual.

"Oh! Uh... Yes! Sorry about that. Um. Well... how are you?"

"Good." he responded. And after a quick look up at her, hesitantly said, "You?"

"I'm good! Good as can be." She wasn't. She was desperately trying to claw back her normal composed demeanor, it was unusual to show so much of this anxious emotion, people knew her as strong and quiet, and she tried her best to emulate that, although right now she was failing hard with it. "Um... Would you like to come in and talk? Or... later? Or?" and left the question open to any suggestion by him.

"We can talk now..." and she nodded swiftly, taking a quick step to the side and watched as he walked in, and closed the door, facing the outside once again as she closed it, peeking out at her farm for that one moment before encasing herself in the walls of her home with just herself... and Shane.

Meow

And Ooma. Who was rubbing up against Shane's leg, tail flicking back and forth with quick and sudden movements, Laura took notice when he bent down and gave the cat a quick scratch behind the ears, which Ooma pressed her head into.

"Do you like cats?" Laura asked softly, making her way over to the kitchen table and gestured for him to sit down with her, which he nodded to and obliged.

"They're fine I guess. As long as they don't mess with the chickens." he answered with his eyes still on the cat. It made Laura laugh a bit, so enamored with the idea of this cold and hard man who blocked out humans and any contact with much happiness, but with such a passion for an unlikely animal.

"Ooma's a good girl. Really keeps to herself for the most part. Already warming up to you, you two would get along well.. if... ya know, you chose to want to live here. Which... did you decide or talk to Jas about that?" Laura's heart was racing, and wished so badly that Shane made more of a habit of looking at people, it was so much harder to read someone who rarely even looked you in the eye.

"I did talk to Jas about it, and Marnie- who I hear spoke to you as well."

"She did."

"Yeah, not entirely pleased with that... I'm not trying to bring all sorts of speculation down here but... I talked with them and, I think I'm going to take you up on your offer. Jas was up for it as well. It could... be a good change for us." he finished, and looked up for a moment, just as Laura let out a huge inaudible sigh. Her face reddened deeply, knowing it was obvious she'd been holding her breath at the answer she really hadn't been expecting. She'd spent so much time bracing for a no that the yes was a bit jarring.

"Oh! That's great news, I'm so pleased!" and she really was.

"How much, though? For the rent?" and his question had her staring owlishly at him. Rent? It hadn't much occurred to her to charge him anything. He already worked for her, and very hard too.

"Nothing!" she responded quickly, and as he opened his mouth to protest, probably something about him not being a charity case she went on, "You work on the farm already! And do so much, I might think you have more time to work here, since you won't be walking as long. I wouldn't want to charge you any rent. I don't even pay a mortgage thanks to grandpa." and she smiled warmly at him, trying to get across that no money would be changing hands, and she was going to stick by that. He harrumphed a little, rubbing at his bearded face as he was known to do now-a-days.

"Maybe we can start the move in process next Monday? Give you time to pack for yourself and Jas?" and Shane looked at her for a bit now. It was like electricity running through her body at his stare and she stared back, longing for meaning behind his eyes. But he looked away shortly after, back down at Ooma.

"Sure." he said.