Since the events of Saturday, much has changed between Waverly and I. The frosty safety blanket she surrounds herself with seems to be slowly melting, glimpses of a winter wonderland peeking through the ice.

On Saturday night Waverly also finally joined us for dinner. I had just smirked into my macaroni whilst everyone else basically choked on theirs when the elusive newbie quietly sat down at the table and grabbed a plate. The tension seeped out of the room after Waverly took her first bite.

Nedley looked over at me with raised eyebrows, to which I just shook my head with a secretive smile. After the initial surprise, the usual dinner conversation flowed easily. Waverly even nodded along or grimaced to the subjects discussed throughout her meal, giving me a small smile when I caught her gaze across the table.

So yes, progress is being made. But even I am not too naïve to consider it smooth sailing yet. Waverly Earp's heart was an iceberg and one bit of ignorance could cause our seemingly budding friendship to end up like the Titanic. So that's why I don't push any boundaries or ask any personal questions. I would wait for her to come to me, that way we might actually reach the safety of common ground without tragedy.

These are the thoughts running through my mind as the quadbike purrs beneath me. The chilly night air causes an involuntary shiver to run up my spine and I pull my coat tighter against my frame. It's now 3h30am on Monday morning and it is my turn to do the night patrol. I have just completed my 7th run up and down the perimeter, not finding anything suspicious or out of place.

Dexter runs up to the quad, taking a seat beside me. His posture is alert as he watches the forest on the other side of the fence. In the distance we see Skip running up and down the fence line, diligently searching for any intruders. I smile at my two companions, who had adapted to their new home very smoothly.

Old Trigger even seemed to approve of them after an initial bout of animosity, which was totally understandable. I mean, how would you like it if random strangers suddenly just arrived unannounced at your house?

But Dexter and Skip seemed to respect that Joy Farm was Trigger's domain first, immediately showing him their bellies on the first meeting. Satisfied with their submission, Trigger had backed off with a huff of approval and the two newbies were released to explore their new turf.

Now the two canines accompany me everywhere on the farm as I go about my daily chores. Their presence does give me a sense of safety, especially when doing the night patrols.

The chime of my phone breaks the eerie silence of the night. Who would be messaging me at this time? I think with a frown, pulling out my phone.

Angelgirl08: Are you awake?

It would seem Angelgirl is a night owl then. And boy, did I like owls.

Haught(givemea)shot: I am here to serve 24/7, baby. Call me 7-eleven Haught, if you want.

Angelgirl08 :..

Angelgirl08: Please tell me you are not drunk?

Haught(givemea)shot: The only thing that gets me drunk is love, and I haven't had that kind of intoxication in a while. Although, I must say, interacting with you always leaves me tipsy :)

Angelgirl08: Eugh, you are going to make me wanna drink with a line like that (though points for the word play). In my experience, love does nothing but cause pain and disappointment. I am not even sure I believe it really exists anymore.

I run my lip through my teeth as I read her message, a frown encompassing my features. It would appear Angelgirl had experienced the deep hurt that only comes from a heart broken after it had naively loved too much. And no one knows the feeling better than myself. I take a deep breath and start writing probably the most serious reply I have ever given her.

Haught(givemea)shot: I don't know the hurt that led to your aversion to love, but I can assure you it is very real and very worth it. And before you argue, I say this after having my own heart hurt and disappointed many times. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that it is never love that's the reason for hurt, but rather the lack thereof.

Angelgirl08: Are you some kind of bumper sticker or walking fortune cookie?

Haught(givemea)shot: Have the courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.

Angelgirl08: Oh, you did NOT just Maya Angelou quote me to prove your point.

Haught(givemea)shot: I plead the fifth.

Angelgirl08: Alright, smartass. I challenge you to prove to me that love is good.

Haught(givemea)shot: You are so on Angelgirl. But on one condition.

Angelgirl08: Hey, this is my challenge! You can't just make up your own rules.

Haught(givemea)shot: Ooh is someone chicken? Buk buk bukkkkk.

Angelgirl08: Gross. I am vegan.

Her reply has me snort so loud that Dexter looks up at me with a frown on his canine features, cocking his head to the side comically.

Haught(giveme)shot: Mmm okay well uh… are you scared of a little tough tofu?

Angelgirl08: That was terrible Haught, stick to puns.

Haught(givemea)shot: :P

Angelgirl08: All right, let's do it your way. What's your condition?

Haught(givemea)shot: If I manage to prove to you that love is real, you have to go on a date with me.

I wait with baited breath, not expecting her to agree.

Angelgirl08: You are on, Haught. Goodnight xx

I look at her response in awe, a huge smile on my face. If I played my cards right and manage to make her see what love can really be like, I could finally score a date with the girl who has had me completely enamored since the first text.

I turn the quad back towards the house to finally get some sleep, when a bark from Skip stops me. He starts running in the direction of the eastern fence on the opposite side of the farm. I squint into the darkness, seeing nothing at first. Then my eye catches movement in the shape of a person moving swiftly from the fence line in the direction of the barn. I feel adrenaline start pumping through my veins at the thought of finally catching the culprit. I press down on the gas pedal and the quadbike practically jumps forward.

Dexter and Skip barrel in the direction of the intruder, with me short on their heels. I watch as the trespasser spots the dogs and then starts running faster in a desperate attempt at escape. They do not make it far, however. Their own feet seem to be against them as they trip and fumble to the ground. The dogs waste no time in pinning the person down, Dexter clamping his jaw onto their ankle and Skip standing over them with a menacing growl. Got you now, bastard! I think smugly.

I get off my quad and rapidly walk over to them, more than ready to confront the offender who has cost me many hours of fence work in the merciless sun. But as I near the criminal, my smug victory mantra gives way to confusion. The body beneath the two dogs is rather small and distinctly feminine, the backpack she wears adding the most of the bulk to her frame.

With a furrowed brow I grip her shoulder and turn her towards me. My body freezes when the scared face staring back at me is that of the young girl who I had chased in town the other day. "Shit." I curse under my breath as I grip the girl's arm and start pulling her towards the barn.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

I pace up and down in the barn as I wait for Nedley to arrive. The girl looks at me with an annoyed expression on her face from her position tied to a chair. Dexter and Skip sit in front of her, watching her every move like a hawk.

"You are making me nauseous. I am literally going to puke if you don't stop pacing."

I stop and fix her with a steely gaze, pointing my finger at her. "Hush, you. You have a lot to answer for, missy. And the big man is on his way. I wouldn't look so smug if I were you."

Asif on cue, a very disgruntled Nedley walks into the barn. "Well now. Have we finally caught the bloody infidel who…" His words die on his lips as he observes the girl, the frown lines on his forehead deepening rapidly. He walks over to her slowly, his face contorting in utter disbelief. "Rachel Valdez?"

I do not recognize the name, but he seems right on the money. The girl stiffens and avoids his questioning gaze. My father figure releases a heavy sigh, the strain on his face making him look years older. He wipes his tired eyes, before addressing her again. "What are you doing here, kid? You know your mother is going to be so worried…"

She releases a scoff, interrupting him. "My mother is dead. Ain't nobody worried about me but me." I feel an ache of sympathy towards her, familiar to the feeling of having one's mother lost to death's cruel embrace.

Sadness seems to seep into Nedley's posture, his shoulders slumping as he runs his hand through his thinning hair. "I am really sorry to hear that, kid. Your mom was a great woman and the best pharmacist Purgatory ever had."

I watch a flash of agony flicker in the girl's gaze before her mouth forms a straight line, her jaw clenching. The anger she displays is all too familiar, my mind bringing up images of a certain brunette newbie.

When she offers no reply, Nedley speaks again.

"Look, kid. I don't want you to get into trouble. I'd like to help you out. Help me understand why a good kid like yourself starts breaking farm fences?"

I can practically see her clam up, her jaw setting as if to help shut her mouth even tighter to prevent any words from spilling. With a sigh I pick up the backpack lying next to the bolt cutters I had confiscated from Rachel on the floor.

I zip open the bag and reveal the contents to Nedley. "She has been stealing veterinary drugs." I say simply at the vials protruding from the inside. "She was about to try and snatch another batch of Joy farm's best, and probably would have succeeded if the dogs hadn't spotted her."

I turn to face the little crime doer. "And we are not the only farm you have been hitting, huh? Shorty mentioned his brand-new box of Xylazine had also disappeared without a damn trace."

Worry deepens on Nedley's face as he addresses Rachel too. "Why, kid? What could you possibly do with veterinary drugs? Are you a junkie now?"

She scoffs and looks at the bag in disgust. "I would never touch that shit."

I suddenly remember the events of Saturday. "I saw you in town Saturday. You were doing some real dodgy deal with that man I saw you with." I look back at the bag with a frown. "But this stuff won't give you much of a high. Unless it's been cooked with a bunch of other crap into meth." My eyes meet hers, gauging her reaction. The way she avoids my gaze and the nervous up and down motion of her leg tells me I was on the right track.

"You are selling these to someone who cooks, aren't you?" Her head snaps up, her eyes meeting mine. It almost looks like she is about to speak, when she decides against it and clamps her mouth shut. I do catch a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes, despite her silent resolve. I release a frustrated sigh at her tenacity, which embarrassingly turns into a frown as my tiredness finally catches up with me.

Nedley grips my shoulder gently. "I think you have had enough for one day, kid. Why don't you head to bed? I'll sort this one out." I am about to protest when he fixes me with his no-nonsense stare. I smile sheepishly and relent with a nod. "What are we gonna do with her?" I ask, nodding my head towards the girl in the chair.

"She can stay in the schooling shed till we figure out what to do with her. Jeremy set up a makeshift bed in there for when he wants to study late." He turns to her with an apologetic look. "Going to have to keep you under lock and key till morning, sorry kid. It's either that or a jail cell." She gives him a shrug in reply, completely unfazed.

I watch as he unties her and starts leading her by the shoulder to her new lodgings. When another yawn overtakes me, I direct my own feet toward the house. We finally seemed to have caught the culprit. But something tells me there is much more to Rachel Valdez than meets the eye. Why do all the women in my life seem to fit that description nowadays? I think with an exasperated sigh as I climb the stairs to my room.