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Chapter 4

A stranger's kindness

Tris' POV

My body feels stiff, rolled up in a tight and comfortable warm ball of blankets on the small couch. The wind is blowing hard against the structure outside, making me more thankful that I found such a place to stay for a while. I'm almost tempted to thank the owner for letting me stay. Although I would imagine they wouldn't be too happy about me being here without their permission.

My face peeks out of the blankets, my eyes still close as a small smile shines upon my face. I haven't slept this well in so long. Safe and warm. My eyes finally flutter open, trying to focus on my surroundings, until I have blinked several times before my eyes can focus. That's when I see him sitting there behind his desk, staring at me. Watching me sleep. Immediately I begin to fight with the blankets that are on me, having the urge to stand on my feet. I keep my hands to myself, not wanting to appear like I'm the dangerous one here, but I keep them balled up ready for anything, just in case. It feels like forever in a day until he finally sighs, standing up slowly. He lifts what I see is a rifle up from the desk, only he points it downwards and only in one hand. Obviously trying to show me that he doesn't plan to use it on me unless he needs to. My breath is labored by the shock, I try so desperately to get a hold of myself. Not wanting to show any fear.

The man is tall and very handsome. His body is well built and muscular, no doubt he can over power me if need be. The only thing I'm beginning to wonder is if I would want him to over power me? His ocean blue eyes are something I know I can get lost in.

"What's your name?" He finally says, breaking the silence between us.

"My name…" Holy shit, I can't remember. "It's…. B" Oh God no not that name. It was my grandmother's name, my mother wanted to keep it in the family and pass it on when she died. Although I'm honored to carry it, I never really felt like a Beatrice.

"Is it a hard one?" He asks, not sure why I'm so stumped on what my name is. My mind continues to run as it's not sure how to answer. "You can pick a new one… If you want to, but make it good. You don't get to pick again." He encourages me. His voice is deep and the sexiest thing I have ever heard.

"Um… Okay," My name, right. Shit…. "My name is Tris." I finally breathe out.

"Well, Tris. Welcome to Dauntless Christmas Tree Farm." He says, as he makes his way around the desk. He begins to head towards the door of the barn before he pauses for just a moment and says, "Follow me. You must be starving." And I am.


I follow the man out of the barn after he puts out the fire. He closes the door but doesn't lock it behind us. I sigh when we both get outside, breathing in the frigid cold air. I feel chilled to the bone as we adventure out and towards what I can tell is a two story house. The snow is much deeper now, it's harder to walk through as my shortness doesn't make it any easier to work with. With every step I take my legs get buried nearly half way up my thighs. It feels like I'm really climbing, not so much walking. The man sees my struggles and without one word he arranges his rifle strap over his shoulder and lifts me. Wow, he is monstrously strong as he lifts my petite body with only one arm. I grit my teeth to stop from screaming or squealing knowing he is just trying to help me vs meaning anything else. Perhaps he is just as eager to get out of the snow as I am.

I sit down and calmly wait where he tells me to. Without a word, he passes me a mug filled with delicious hot coffee. I curl my fingers around the cup, warming my hands as I watch in complete awe as I watch him cook, really cook a breakfast. I can't help but admit the arousal that I felt watching him move so swiftly around his kitchen. Cracking the eggs with one hand, one by one, throwing the shells out in the trash just by tossing them. Never missing, not once. He even cooks the bacon, never once getting splattered by grease or burning them. He even manages to butter the toast when they come out of the toaster. It's a sight that I have never seen before. A man that knows his way completely around the kitchen. Not even my father had such skills; he cooked Sunday breakfast for my mother and us kids.

With in no time at all, he slides one plate my way as he places his own plate on the table and slides into his seat. I more than eagerly pierce the eggs with my fork and scoop them into my mouth. Instantly I fight the urge to moan, the eggs are so delicious. The bacon is just as good, crispy just like I like it.

I want to say so much at this point. Thank you for the food, thank you for not shooting me, and thank you so much for not being upset that I broke into your barn last night.

"What are you doing here?" He says, with his strong jawline flexing.

"You made me breakfast," I reminded him. Maybe something is wrong with him. Maybe he is an ax murderer.

"I mean why were you in my barn?" He asks, correcting himself. Oh right, the barn. He has the right to ask that. Right? No, no red flags there. But how do I tell him, what do I tell him. Everything? No. I can't do that. I stare at my plate thinking about what to say.

"I just needed a place to stay and wait out this storm." I admit.

"Where were you headed?" He asked. I try to open my mouth, wishing for the right words to come out, but nothing does.

"I-" I actually get out, before my words die out. Unsure of what to say. "My car… It broke down on the way out of town." I decided to go with. It's true, I'm not lying. "I was just trying to take cover from the storm."

"I see," he begins, "Well I can help you get it up and running. I have a friend who is a mechanic."

"Thank you… But I…. I don't have any money," I say, with shame laced all over my voice. I place my fork down, my hands falling into my lap. I look down, refusing to look back up at him.

How did I let things get so bad? How did I get here? I was smart. So smart. I knew better and now….

"You can work it off here…" He offers simply. As if I'm not a stranger. He continues, "I'm short staffed, actually I have no staff… I could use a hand, it's my busy season and in return I can arrange for your car to be fixed and I can offer you room and board in the meantime."

"I don't want your pity,'' I blurted out. Hating the thought of anyone feeling like they had to help me all because they feel sorry for me. I got myself in this, I'll get myself out of it in one way or another.

"Good. Cause you wont get it." He spits out right back. He walks his plate to the sink, turning back towards me, he leans his hip against the counter, placing his arms across his chest. "The way I see it…We are both in a sticky situation where we can both benefit from helping each other. I need help, you need to fix your car and in the meantime a place to stay." He continues, "So do we have a deal?" He steps closer to me, holding out his right hand as if in some kind of agreement. Wait a minute.

"Where? Where will I stay?" I ask, making sure he doesn't expect anything from me. I'm not that kind of girl.

"In the house?" He answers, his voice confused as to why I'm asking such a question. I wonder for a second if the barn is an option?

"I mean…. Will I have my own room?" I ask, trying to be a little more clearer.

"I have a guest room." He laughs lightly. "Follow me." He pushes off the counter and gestures for me to follow him down the hall..For a moment I contemplate my decisions. Sure I can leave, but then what. I'm still stuck outside in the cold snow with a broken car and going nowhere. Or I can stay, possibly get killed in my sleep, at least I'll be warm…. He is very nice to look at.

I drag my body forward down the hall and towards the unknown. The house is dated, but cozy with a large TV in the front room with a few couches and another room that holds a large twelve person dining room table. It's an odd feeling, feeling like it was once a home, but not anymore. There aren't a lot of personal items. There are no photos or knick knacks throughout the house other than the few pictures of the same woman hung in each room.

"The first door on the right on top of the stairs is your room." He says, climbing the stairs two at a time. He swings a door open, letting me glance into the room. It's nothing special, really, just a bare queen sizes bed, along with two night stands, a dresser and a small love seat in the corner. But I'm suddenly so grateful for breaking into his barn last night. "The bathroom is down here, I have my own… So this one will be all yours." He continues as he gestures towards the next door. "The closet over here has spare towels, sheets, blankets and toiletries… Everything you might need."

"Thank you. This is great," I nearly whisper, so touched by this kind stranger.

"No problem. Is there anything else you need?" He asks awkwardly, standing in the hallway.

"Your name?" I ask, just realizing he knows mine, but I don't know his name.

"My name is Four." He says, his jaw once again tightening. An uncomfortable habit.

"Four, like the number?" I ask, without thinking. Fuck!

"Exactly like the number. Is there a problem?" He says, his voice harder than before.

"No. Of course not," I say, deciding not to push.

"Good." He says, "I'll let you get settled in. My room is the last door down the hall in case you need anything." He points out.

"Are you sure your wife won't have a problem with this?" I ask, I know as I speak the words the answer. It's clear in his voice as I speak the word wife, that she isn't here.

"There won't be a problem. She's dead." He says bluntly, as he turns around and stocks down the hallway to his room and closes the door behind him almost too hard. I guess I shouldn't have asked.


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Revised by FDFobsessed