“Come back down after your shower and I'll put something on your leg to ease the pain” Jordan told Bethany as they walked into the house.

He watched her nod and quickly bolt up the stairs without a backward glance.

Something was happening here, what was it? He had absolutely no idea but he was positive something was happening.

“What was that about?”

Jordan turned to see Joseph sitting on the couch surrounded by files. Clearly he had made a quick trip to the city today which is why I didn't see him out on the farm.

“Nothing” he mumbled

“Sure nothing” Joseph replied

“Mind your own business.” Said Jordan

“Oh aren't you defensive, must be serious” Joseph teased

“I have no idea what you're talking about” Jordan replied folding his hand.

“Denial, I hear that's the first stage” Joseph pressed on

“Shut up!” Jordan exclaimed

“It's about darn time Jordan, it's about darn time. I hope you know what you're doing though”

“That's just it, I have no idea what's going on” Jordan confessed

“Then I'd say you're in big trouble”

“Yeah thanks because I didn't already figure that out” Jordan quipped sarcastically

“What are you going to tell Jess?” Asked Joseph

Jordan looked at his brother before sighing and walking to the kitchen to retrieve the first aid kit from the top shelve in the cupboard. He looked through the contents until he found the ointment and some cotton balls. He dropped onto the closest kitchen chair feeling conflicted.

He was all logic and feigned cool detachment until he touched her skin. Then something not only stirred in him, but it took over his thinking. The rest of his world became an unimportant blur that was banished into the far recesses of his mind. The only thing that mattered was touching her more, being around her more, talking to her more. That was a lot coming from a guy the avoided emotional attachment to women like the ten plague.

“Those all for me?”

He turned at the sound of her voice. The look in her eyes says she is afraid of me more than anything, particularly me.

Good to know I'm not the only one walking around tied in knots.

“Sit, I saved you some dinner. You can eat while I take a look at your leg”

He got up to reheat her food in the microwave before returning to the table. He placed the plate in front of her and handed her a glass of water. He had noticed she was more partial to water than sweet drinks.

“Put your leg up” he told her patting his  leg

He narrowed his eyes as she looked from his face to his foot that he patted, he relaxed when she finally lifted her foot to rest it on his. He pushed her pajama shorts up a bit so he could get a better look at the irritated skin. He hissed when he saw the red blotchy skin. He gently cleaned the area with cool water and cotton, all the while making sure not to press to hard. Then he put the ointment on his finger tips and began to apply it to the area.

When he noticed she had stopped eating he looked up and was shocked to see tears in her eyes. He quickly pulled away his hand thinking he had hurt her and made the pain worse.

“I'm sorry I didn't know I was hurting you” he apologized

“You didn't” she replied looking away with pink cheeks.

“Then why are you about to cry?” He asked suspiciously

“It's just been a while since anyone felt the need do something like this for me. I forgot how it felt to have someone to rely on” she replied

He wasn't expecting that at all. It hit him then that Bethany was alone in the world, which meant simple acts of human kindness was something she just didn't experience. He also realized why at first impression she might come off as a total diva to people, a mean tempered selfish brat, it was all an act, a defense. It was simply her way of keeping the hurt out. Kind of like him.

“Eat your food before it gets cold” he told her

He went back to applying the ointment, the further up her leg he went the more heat he felt in his hands from the skin to skin contact. He looked at her face and found her looking at him.

“What's your story Jordan Walters?” She replied

His arm went rigid and his muscles tensed. He was as still as a statue. The moment had passed as quickly as dipping hot iron into ice cold water. He withdrew his hand and walked over to the kitchen sink.

“Jordan?” Came her soft hesitant voice.

“It's late you should get some sleep for work in the morning” I replied as he washed his hands.

“I'm off tomorrow. Brian said I should take the day to ice my leg” she replied

“I see”

Knowing she would be around all day didn't do much to ease his already tensed nerves. Already he was making plans that would keep him out of the house all day.

“Goodnight Jordan” she said interrupting his thoughts.

“Goodnight” he replied

“You're going to have to let someone in eventually” he heard Joseph say after a few minutes passed.

He turned to see his brother leaning by the kitchen door.

“Says who” Jordan replied

“You like her” said Joseph

“I don't know her” he replied

“That's why dating is a thing. Take her out, get to know her” said Joseph

“It's not that easy” said Jordan

“I didn't say it was, all I said was, get to know her. I didn't say toss her over your shoulder and drag her to the altar to get hitched.” Joseph

“Why bother? As soon as she's back on her feet there's no way she's going to stick around here. She's a city girl” Said Jordan in a cool tone.

“You're making excuses” said Joseph

“I'm being sensible” Jordan corrected

“You're making excuses”

“You're being nosey” Jordan accused

“Only because you're my brother, and I care. It's been awhile since I've seen you happy.”

“I'm happy” he said

“Are you?” Joseph challenged

“I'm fine” he replied

“It's time you let go of the past now”

With that he watched his brother walk out. He abandoned the dishes in the sink and walked out to the front porch. The countryside had been put to sleep under a blanket of white. The boughs glistened with frost; the air hung silent and cold. The more the wind blustered, tousled his chocolate brown hair and cooled his skin, the calmer his mind became.

The night sky stood an inky canopy of darkness freckled only by the fewest of stars, where just hours ago it had been a sky covered by thick white clouds with a hint of blue peeking out here and there. The occasional hoot of a hidden owl was the only sound to permeate the silence until a chorus of footsteps and crunching gravel echoed into the emptiness of the night. As voices quickly followed, the owl omitted a screech of protest and took flight.

Jordan heard the faint sound of feminine laughter followed by the distinct sound of his brother's voice trying to quiet his companion. They appeared from the darkness and came to a standstill obviously not expecting to find company out here at night.

“Bro! I didn't expect to see anyone up at this hour” said Jason with a guilty smile.

They had all agreed never to bring a fling home. It made Jordan wonder if this girl was somehow important to his brother. That however would be highly unlikely since his little brother was a known playboy in town.

Jordan glanced at the woman who was clinging lovingly to his brother's arm as she gazed adoringly at his face. She was obviously expecting more than just a romp in the sack, but from the way Jason's cheeks turned pink under his scrutiny he knew this woman would just be added to the list of broken hearted women in town that had been subjected to his brother's playboy charms.

“Goodnight Jason” he said to his brother as he stepped aside so they could pass by.

The grandfather clock below the stairs in the hallway chimed and signaled midnight. Jordan turned and walked quietly to his room. As he passed the second floor landing he heard feminine laughter followed by the slamming of the door which cut the sound.

At least someone under this roof will go to bed happy tonight.

He opened his door and gazed at Bethany's closed door. He found himself wondering if she was asleep or was she up feeling as restless as he. He shook his head and closed his door.

There was a time, a long time ago that Jordan had been happy.  She however wasn't willing to wait on him while he made sure his siblings recovered after their parent's accident. She had told him point blank no woman would waste their time on him for he was nothing but a lost cause. Less than a month later he had heard rumors that she had moved on. It was a devastating blow considering the day she ended things was the day he had went to the bank and made a hefty withdrawal from his savings account. He had walked into the jeweler's shop into the next town over and purchased her dream ring.

He walked over to the trunk at the foot of his bed and popped the lid open. From the trunk he pulled the red jewelry box that he had kept there over all these years. He opened the box and gazed at the ring. With a frustrated sigh he tossed the small box into the dark corner of his bedroom.

Hey guys! Good morning, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter. Please leave me some comments and votes.