It'd had been a rather unusual morning, Castiel couldn't put off this feeling in the back of his mind that he couldn't quite put his finger on.
He'd had a strange dream about a mysterious figure that startled him awake in a cold sweat, clutching his chest as his heart pounded.
He shook himself as he got out of bed and made his way into the washroom to take a bath and dress for the long day ahead. He had too many chores to worry about to be thinking too much on his dream, or nightmare as it seemed to be.
Once dressed, Castiel made a cup of coffee and some toast before getting started on the day. The sun hadn't even fully crept over the horizon when he stepped outside and descended the porch steps.
As he gathered up a bale of hay from around the side of the house, he had a strange feeling like he was being watched.
Shrugging it off, he walked down towards his barn and smiled when he spotted his German shepherd, Gabriel, running around barking at the horses as they grazed.
"Hush now, Gabriel... Leave them be!" he reprimanded the dog, who immediately ceased his barking and came up to greet Castiel with his tail wagging excitedly.
Setting down the haybale by the barn, Castiel reached up to scratch Gabriel behind his ears. "C'mon boy," he called as he entered the barn, Gabriel trotting behind him happily.
Castiel tended to the horses, making sure they had enough to eat and drink. He then made his way over to the chicken coop and gathered eggs into a basket while Gabriel yapped playfully at the hens.
He ran and hid by Castiel when the rooster, who, Castiel affectionately named Lucifer, charged Gabriel to protect his hens. Castiel only laughed, shoo'ing away the rooster calmly.
He headed back up to the house, Gabriel in tow, walking into the kitchen as he set down the basket of eggs on the table going to the sink to wash up when a loud knock on the door made him jump.
Gabriel broke into a barking fit jumping at the door, growling as the hair on his neck spiked up. "Good boy," Castiel praised stepping over to the door, peering out of the small window set at eye level in the door.
Castiel's eyes went wide with a sense of unknown fear and bewilderment, seeing the stranger on the other side of his door, he looked unnervingly familiar. He beared an uncanny similarity to the mystery figure from his nightmare.
Letting out a slow exhale, Castiel calmed himself and gingerly opened the door, putting on a faint smile as the man's intense eyes met his.
"Forgive the sudden intrusion sir, but I wanted to inquire about your need for a ranch hand," the stranger announced, removing his hat to reveal a head of short shaggy, dirty blond hair.
"Oh... Y-yes, I'm looking for someone to help with my livestock," Castiel responded clearing the lump in his throat with a slight cough.
"I'm a hard, honest worker and I don't mind getting my hands dirty... Sir,"
Castiel stepped out onto the porch, unaware that Gabriel had followed him until the dog started barking at the man.
Before Castiel could fuss at the dog, the stranger bent down and patted him on the head, immediately calming his barking.
"That's a first... Gabriel don't usually take to strangers so quick," he was honestly surprised how easily the shepherd took to the stranger's attention.
"Dogs love me, sir..."
"Forgive my manners, I'm Dean," the man smiled brightly offering his hand as he straightened up from petting Gabriel.
"Castiel," he replied with a firm shake, drawing back his hand as a twinge of electricity ran up his fingers at the contact.
"So, when should I start?" Dean questioned, catching Castiel's attention from his hand.
"Well I've already done chores for the day, so how's about tomorrow morning?" Castiel suggested with a half smile.
Dean returned the smile with a big grin and nodded, feeling strangely happen at the thought of having a job.
Castiel glanced around and frowned when he didn't see a horse he assumed Dean had rode on, wondering if he'd left it at the edge of the property.
"If you'd like, you can put your horse up in the stable..." he offered, his frown still present on his face when Dean shook his head.
"I don't have a horse, sir... I walked, got dropped off in town by a wagon headed this way," he explained hoping it would clear Castiel's confused expression.
"Well, you'll need a horse if you're gonna work for me. Come on, I'll show you my mares," Castiel motioned for Dean to follow him to the barn.
They walked the short distance in silence, apart from Gabriel's panting and occasional bark at seemingly nothing.
They entered the stable, stalls on either side, though most of them were empty as most of Castiel's horses were out in the corral for the day. He brought Dean over to one particular stall, inside was a gorgeous mare as black as the night.
"Whoa... That's a beautiful horse," Dean said quietly, as if afraid of spooking her as Castiel opened the stall to lead her over to him.
"Her name is Baby, she's a bit stubborn but I have a good feeling she'll take a liking to you..." Castiel explained as he brought the horse up to Dean, patting her snout.
Dean smiled shyly, nervous that Castiel was being so hospitable towards him, though he was grateful for it.
He patted Baby's nose only to be met with a snort from the horse, her ears flicking backwards.
"It's okay girl, he's gonna take good care of you... Be nice to him," Castiel placed a calming hand on the horse's shoulder, she seemed to understand what he was saying.
Dean couldn't believe what he was seeing, even as the horse pressed her snout against his hand. He hoped to achieve that level of connection with the horse if he were to be riding her during his stay to work.
"Let me show you where you'll be staying," Castiel spoke after he put Baby back into her stall, tossing her a peppermint as they turned to leave the barn.