Page 10 of Malachi
“Enough questions,” he pushed me off, heading to the closet. I decided that was my cue to leave. I stepped out of the room quietly, leaving him to dress as I nearly pranced down the stairs in excitement. I grabbed a few pieces of fruit from the fridge for my breakfast as I turned to leave. I had just made it to the door when he appeared yet again.
“Where are you off to? I thought we talked about you scampering off without a word.” I winced at the accusation. He was right.
“I only thought to get a little sunlight this morning. It’s good for the body and the soul, you know?” I replied with a smile, turning to face him. He slowly descended the staircase, looking even more handsome in his jeans and flannel button up. I wasn’t sure how one could pull off such a look and be so handsome. There was something rugged and earthy about him. Perhaps he was a nature child too, just as I was. Though, I had to admit, nothing about him seemed child-like in any way, shape, or form.
“I suppose that’s fine, but stay in the yard. I don’t want to have to go chasing you down again.” His voice boomed through the small foyer of the home. With a giggle of delight, I opened the front door, stepping out in the morning light. I had been right. The day was beautiful; sunny and fresh, with only the slightest breeze to keep one cool.
The yard was kept, but still somehow wild, full of tall grass and plants that begged me to run through them. It was landscaped, and I found a path that ran around the side of the house. It called to me, and I could not help but answer, racing along it to the open space behind. This area I was more familiar with after last night. The grass was shorter, and there were several gardens, all neat and orderly. I inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of fresh earth, plants, and something unique to the open wilderness of the mountains.
The tree line called to me, begging me to frolic through the trees to the grassy meadow I had found last night, but Malachi’s stern words stopped me. Instead, I looked through the gardens, finding a plethora of plant life and vegetation. Fruits and vegetables in various stages of growth burst with color and life.
A small flower garden sat towards the back of the yard, near the trees. I found a safe place to sit without disturbing the plants and made myself comfortable. The sun was already warm, warmer than one would expect this early in the morning. Covering my eyes a bit to the sun’s rays, I looked up, noticing the sun was also higher in the sky than I had expected. Perhaps we had both slept later than planned. Definitely later than normal for me.
It was to be expected, I supposed, after a day like yesterday. I looked down at the simple gold band on my finger. Married. I was now a married woman. The thought filled me with delight, though likely not for the reasons most women would think. Marriage meant freedom. Or, itcouldmean freedom. That’s all I had hoped for. When my parents had told me I would be marrying a Temple son, I was filled with dread. The Temple family was a renowned one here in Zion, and I feared what that would mean for me. I did not wish for a life like my mother led.
It was all crap, the life that most women led here. I wanted something more. Something exciting. Adventure and freedom and something utterly happy. Utterly my own. It wasn’t the life my mother wanted for me. It wasn’t the life any of my sisters had, either. And that suited me just fine.
I caught sight of Malachi stepping out onto the back porch, a mug in his hand as he stretched in the warmth of the sun. I waved my arm over my head, calling his attention to me.
“What are you doing out there?” he hollered out.
“Enjoying nature. Come join me!” I offered, hoping he would do just that. He stood there for a moment, sipping what I could only guess what coffee as he pondered my request. Instead of joining me, however, he simply shook his head and sat perched on the railing of the porch trellis.
I fought the urge to pout at his lack of social etiquette. How was I supposed to get to know this stranger, the man I now called husband, when he closed himself off to me? My mind pilfered through thoughts as I lazily ate my breakfast there in the garden bed. My mother had once told me, in the knowing way all mothers do, that if my husband did not greet his wife with enthusiasm regarding her own pursuits, then it was up to a woman to find common ground with her husband. For all the trivial blithering my mother’s advice could be, that one kernel held some truth.
With a renewed sense of purpose and excitement, I stood from the garden bed, brushing off my skirts and gathering up my dishes. It was going to be a lovely day of getting to know my husband. On his own turf, this time. I sprinted through the backyard and up the steps of the porch. All the while, Malachi’s eyes stayed nonchalantly fixated on me. His thick brows were furrowed together, creating a great wrinkle just between them as he stared on in perplexity.
I smothered a giggle at the look, skirting quickly into the house to dispose of my dirty dishes. Once the kitchen was in right and tidy order, I returned to the back porch once more, only to find Malachi nowhere in sight. My eyes scanned the yard and the tree line behind, searching for any hint of his plaid shirt, or his soured scowl, but was met with only disappointment. Deciding not to be thwarted by his lack of presence, I set off into the back yard. I knew he had not come back inside the house, for I would have seen him. He must be outside, but where? I looked around, finally spotting a small garden shed at the side of the property and then, in the distance behind, a large barn.
The search had begun. I felt my heart pattering in my chest as I searched for Malachi, considering myself a bit of an adventurer, even if the adventure was something as silly and trifling as this. The shed proved to be nothing more than a home for gardening tools and seeds, not that I was surprised by that tidbit, so on to the barn I went.
The exterior was nothing much to look at. Faded paint and a large door that was open by a few inches. Just enough for me to peek in.
Jackpot.
Malachi was hunched over something as the sound of tools rang through the space. I opened the door slowly, not wanting to surprise him and cause injury. The barn was filled with tools, random pieces of wood, and items covered in cloth. My curiosity was immediately piqued, wondering what was underneath. Furniture? Or perhaps something more mysterious?
“Fuck!” Malachi exclaimed, shaking his head as he reached for another tool. The sound of the curse falling from his lips intrigued me. I wasn’t used to such language, though I couldn’t say that I minded it all that much. I never did understand why the adults got so up in arms over mere words. In my opinion, it was much more of a horrific thing to turn angry words towards another person, rather than to utter a curse when one stubbed a toe or something.
I made my way further into the barn. Streaked beams of light filtered down from the loft above and through the gaps in the slatted roof, creating a soft light that was littered with specks of dust shining like gold. It was beautiful.
I felt my nose twitch, tingling from the heavy dust in the room. I couldn’t hold it back, and suddenly sneezed loudly, my eyes clenched tightly as I sniffed. When my eyes opened again, I saw him. He had turned to me, his full focus on me now. So much for a stealthy entrance.
If I didn’t know any better, I could have sworn he growled. His eyes were narrowed at me, his breath coming in heavy pants. I could see his chest rising and falling with each intake of air.
I stood there in silence for several awkward moments.
“Hi,” I called out with a smile. I cringed inwardly at my lame attempt at breaking the tension that rose in the room.
“What are you doing?” he grumbled, his eyes searching mine. For what, I didn’t have the slightest idea.
“I’m coming to say hello,” I replied with a shrug.
“Go back to the house.” His voice was low and rich, the command causing a shiver to run down my spine. There was something dark and brooding about the way he spoke that gave me a feeling I had never felt before. Yet, I felt no fear.
“I’d rather stay out here with you,” I replied, shoving off his words without a care.
“Go back to the house,” he muttered slowly. His hands were fisted at his sides, a flat tool in one hand.
