It'sthemorningafterthe rodeo and we're just sitting down to have breakfast together. Though I could tell something was up last night, I didn't feel like it was the right time to bring it up. I want her to trust me and feel like she can open up to me and I know that will come in time. Even still, I have this feeling that I can't shake that something’s wrong.
"I was wondering, and don’t feel like you have to answer if you don't want to,” I say. “But I was curious why you did this mail-order bride thing," I ask, hoping to get some insight.
"I was raised by my father. When I was really young, my mom took off, though she was never really in the picture. During my senior year in high school, my dad got cancer and fought hard. It went into remission, but we were left with a stack of bills. Both of us worked hard to pay them off, but then the cancer came back and this time he lost his battle. With the sale of the house, I was left with just enough money to cover his debt, but I had nothing. After the..."
She stops and clears her throat. "After the funeral, I moved in to a women’s shelter for a while and one of the women there told me about the website. I figured with everything it was best to get out of town."
Listening to her, it's very clear she's hiding something, but whatever it is she's not comfortable telling me. The last thing I want to do is pressure her and push her further away. Whatever she's hiding, it doesn't matter because she's here with me. And what matters the most is she's safe with me.
I'll do everything in my power to keep her safe. Though it would be much easier if I knew what I was up against. No matter what it is, she doesn't want to be found. Yesterday, it was obvious by the way she acted toward the photographer taking pictures in our direction. I make a mental note to avoid large crowds like that for the time being.
"What about you? Why did you do it?" she asks.
I was expecting her question, as I can't ask something of her that am not willing to share myself.
"Emelie, who you met last night tried to get me on a few online dating websites. Since I’m the last one of us not married, I think she saw something in my eyes when I would watch them. I have to admit that I want what they have badly.
But I didn't like the website that she shared. Then I went down black hole of different websites and somehow ended up on the mail-order bride one. I thought it was interesting because I didn't realize they still did the mail-order bride thing anymore. So, I decided to take a look and your picture caught my eye and it was just something about you."
"Me?" she asks a little shocked.
"Yes, you even from your picture, I felt this connection that I couldn’t explain. When I saw you get off the bus, the feeling was even stronger."
Hopefully, I'm not scaring her off, but I want her to know that I'm telling the truth. She studies me for a bit like she wants to say something, but she's not sure she should. Then not quite meeting my eyes, she offers me a smile.
"I feel safe around you and that’s saying a lot because I haven't felt safe since my dad passed."
I tuck that little bit of information away because I feel like it's going to be useful trying to figure her out.
But I'm glad she feels safe, and I'll make sure that when I’m around she continues to feel protected at all costs.
Even though the rest of breakfast is comfortable and the conversation is us getting to know each other, something in the back of my head is uneasy. I can’t help wondering what it is she needs to feel safe from and how I can make her feel completely protected and secure again.
After breakfast, I head out to do some chores with the animals and she stays inside to clean up and do whatever else she has decided to do to keep her busy.
Though I hated being at the rodeo in the crowds and other than the photographer, she seemed to have a good time. But until I know what she's running from and how to protect her, I think it's best to keep her away from crowds. Tonight, I can talk to the guys about it and get their opinion.
And then tomorrow we can take a nice relaxing day and I can show her the property. The top of my list is to make sure she knows at least the basics on how to get around and where she can normally find me.
Once I'm done, I go inside to take shower and get ready.
When she steps out in jeans and a t-shirt that’s nice and simple and make her curves pop and her long legs stand out, she looks absolutely stunning. Her light brown hair frames her face perfectly.
While she seems slightly nervous on the way over to Emelie's house, I assume it's because she's meeting new people. But we both know they're going to be asking a ton of questions.
"I was thinking maybe we just tell people that we met at an online dating website and leave the mail-order bride part out of it," I tell her as we’re driving.
At first, she doesn't say anything. But then she looks over at me. "I think that's for the best. It means fewer questions and we can always tell them later if we want to or not. They’re your friends, so I'll let you make that decision."
"Well, I'm hoping over time they'll become your friends too," I tell her honestly, I hesitantly reach for her hand trying to offer her a bit of encouragement.
"I hope so, too. Making friends was never easy for me."
We are the last ones to get to Axel and Emelie's. Even though this is where everyone tends to meet, their place is harder to get to since you have to park and then walk up their driveway instead of being able to park the car right by the house.
As we reach the door, I can pick up on her nerves, so I wrap my arm around her waist to give her some comfort and strength.
"The guests of honor have arrived! Come in, come in." Emelie greets us at the door with a warm smile and a hug for both of us.