Page 9 of Nut Grabber
“We never got to go on that walk.”
“Oh! The walk. Sure. That makes sense.”
“If you’re finished up here, I have some free time.”
“You want to go now?” I pull my hand from his and touch the side of my head, feeling my frizzy hair sticking out from under my cap. “I’m filthy and I stink.”
“Of sheep?” he asks, lifting his arm and taking a sniff. “Join the club. We all smell the same round here, right?”
I let out a bit of a laugh. “I guess you have a point there. Give me a minute and I’ll at least get out of these muddy boots and overalls.”
Hayes nods. "I'll take Miffy and meet you out the front of the house then."
"You can come with me if you like. I don't actually live at the main house."
"You don't?"
"Nope. I've got a cottage out back so the newlyweds can have their own space." We start walking and I pause. "Well, I like to have my own space too, actually."
Hayes falls into step beside me, Miffy tagging along with her tail in the air. "Don't we all. Some of the accommodations we have to stay in are shared, and sometimes the end of shearing season cannot come fast enough. Not all bunkhouses are as comfortable as yours."
"You can thank my oldest brother, Theo, for that. He wasn't really into the farming side of things, but he did like to shear. So when he got old enough to leave the farm and do his own thing, he'd still come back each year for shearing season—still does sometimes—and my dad was so mad at him for leaving that he wouldn't let him stay in the house. That’s when Theo made sure that the bunkhouse was as comfortable as possible."
Hayes chuckles. "Sounds like your brother was quite the rebel. And smart too."
I smile at Hayes, enjoying the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he grins. I lead him to my cottage at the back of the farm, feeling a sense of nervousness and excitement swirling inside me. We reach my doorstep and I turn to face him. He looks at me expectantly, as if waiting for me to invite him in.
"Do you want to come in?" The words come out of my mouth before I can really think about them.
Hayes' eyes light up. "I'd like that," he says, his voice low and husky.
I open the door to my cottage and gesture for him to go in, enjoying the way his broad shoulders fill the doorway as he enters. Leaving my boots on the porch outside, I follow him inside, closing the door behind us. The cottage is small but cozy, with a small combustion stove in the center for heating and a worn but comfortable couch that used to be in my father's study where we'd sit and do our homework while he did the farm's paperwork.
Hayes moves through the space, surveying the small living room with interest. I watch as he turns his head, taking in everything from the thick curtains on the windows to the framed photos hanging on the walls. Miffy circles his feet, her tail wagging happily.
"This is a nice place," he says, turning back to face me. "It feels like a home."
I smile at him, feeling a sense of pride at the compliment. "Thanks," I say, my nerves starting to get the better of me. "Do you want to sit down while I change? I can get you a drink if you like."
"The drink isn't necessary, but I will take a seat."
I nod and head to my bedroom, closing the door behind me. My heart is beating faster now, my mind racing with all kinds of thoughts and possibilities. I take several deep breaths and change out of my work clothes into something more comfortable. I pick out a pair of shorts and a tank top, knowing it's still warm enough for that. Then I pull my tangled mess of hair into a messy bun on the top of my head. I don't want to come across as too desperate, but as I look at myself in the mirror, I can't help but feel self-conscious. What if Hayes doesn't like me as much as I like him? What if he's just friendly and I'm reading into this all wrong?
Finishing with my hair, I push those thoughts aside and walk back out into the living room.
Hayes is sitting on the couch, Miffy curled up next to him with her head on his lap. He looks up at me as I enter the room, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"You look beautiful," he says, his eyes roaming over my body. I feel a flush rising to my cheeks at his compliment.
"In this?" I laugh nervously, my fingers touching the hem of my beige shorts.
"In anything," he says, standing up and moving toward me.
I feel a rush of excitement as he approaches me, his eyes never leaving mine. My heart thuds in my chest as he reaches out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch sends shivers down my spine, and I can't help but lean into him.
"Kym," Hayes says softly, his fingers touching my chin and making me look up into his eyes, "I'd really like to kiss you."
"You would?" I ask, biting my lip.
