Thread: You Lied to Me, so Right Your Wrong (Raivh & Loveme)

Kayden halted almost immediately after taking a few steps through the snow drift that he had fallen into moments before. Standing there, he made no attempt to reply as she approached. He watched the horses and his breath as it moved away from him in puffs. The closer she got, the louder her voice became, less and less muffled by the shortening expanse of snow between them, and the louder the snow crunched under her feet. When she was near enough, he turned around to face her, staring down at her as she stared up at him, her arms crossed. Silence surmounted between them. The wind and the distant popping of tree branches were the loudest sounds, and seemed to echo in his ears along with her interrogative barrage of questions. Looking away from her, he moistened his lips and sighed, the stream of warm air filtered into the air and disappeared. If youre not going inside just yet, he replied, dodging her questions for the moment. His green eyes were locked with hers. He swallowed hard, remembering the tears that had flowed from those eyes of hers the night before. Then you can come with me to the barn and show me where the horses grain is. Its been so long I dont remember where your father keeps it. It was small lie. Alright? Reaching out, his knuckles and the back of his hand grazed over the front of her jacket, and he slipped his hand between her crossed arms and chest to gently pry her wrist away. His hand slid from her wrist to hers, and he could feel the chill of her small fingers against his. On impulse, he tightened his grip and smoothed his thumb over the back of hers. He stared at her for a moment longer, before turning to cover the rest of the distance from where they stood to the barn. As they neared the rusted red gate, he released her hand to open it. The contraption groaned, its hinges protesting as it swung open. Outside, the horses stamped their feet and snorted, gradually making their way back into the shelter of the barn as Kayden entered. Opening a door to his left where Jim had always kept the feed, he found the large bag and lifted it with little difficulty. When he turned, spinning so that he could step down from the small room, he caught her eyes. I said your cheeks looked pink, not pale. But your face will be pale if you get sick. Setting the heavy bag of feed down, he shucked his coat off and stepped toward her. He swung it behind her and draped it over her shoulders. Pulling the bottom edges together, he zipped it up without waiting for her to either slip her arms into the sleeves or protest wearing it at all. The bitter chill of the wind nipped at his bare arms, causing them to flex and tense. That itch at the back of his throat was rising again, and he coughed into his shoulder as he turned from her. Hes got a couple new fillies it looks like. Mares almost. Got to be at least a couple years old, he called over his shoulder, lifting the feed up off the straw covered ground. He grabbed a nearby scoop. Grain clattered against the wooden base of a long trough behind the wall. Standing on a stool a foot or two off the ground, he set the bag down when he figured there was enough for all five horses. Then he jumped back, landing sturdy on his feet, shoulders back and chest out, and turned to face her. He stood there for a minute or two and studied her face, admiring her wind-flushed cheeks and nose. Dropping his gaze to the bag of feed, he grunted as he picked it up. I read a few of your letters, he breathed, speaking just loud enough for his words to reach her ears, as he crossed in front of her and into the small room again. Setting the bag down, his footsteps were heavy as he exited, stepping down to the barn floor again. His eyes caught hers. Read them at about five this morning, long after youd gone upstairs to bed. Exhaling, his gaze drifted away as he turned to close the door, and then back to her. A frigid gust whipped into the barn rattling the grey fabric of the shirt he wore. Furrowing his brows, he brought his arm up and coughed into his elbow. After clearing his throat, he crossed over to her. His hands came up to the zipper of his coat just below her chin. Your lips are turning blue, he murmured, looking down into her face as he slid the bronze zipper down a few inches. Youre sure youre not cold?