Peter didn't have time to think about much of anything for the next few days. His buddy David drove Peter's horses down in a trailer and stayed for the weekend. David was a grad student now, but in college they had part-timed and worked summers at a farm together. David was always full of energy and was used to talking enough for the both of them. They spent most of the time taking care of Fancy and Jenny and getting them adjusted to their new home.

When David left, Peter's modest farmhouse felt cavernous. He realized just how alone he really was. Other than Fancy and Jenny, who were great listeners but didn't have much to say, there wasn't a soul around for acres. Of course, the closest were the Phillips. Peter even thought once or twice about asking Ellie to come over to help with something, but there wasn't really anything urgent to be done that he couldn't do himself.

Most of his work now would involve planning when to breed his horses or purchase more, and at some point finding riding students. He worked some on the coop and garden, but it wasn't worth asking for help with.

He felt silly trying to come up with tasks. A few weeks ago he wouldn't have dreamed of even asking. Ellie had already done so much, and that was no way to treat someone.

You could just ask her to hang out, he thought. But that was off limits. He wanted to make a real life here. He couldn't just start dating the girl next door because he was a little lonely. If his business went well, they could be neighbors for years, or even their whole lives. Peter knew he couldn't jeopardize that.

The days passed slowly. On Wednesday, Peter was fairly sure he hadn't spoken a single word. Sure, he wasn't the most outgoing and liked his alone time, but this was a little ridiculous. On Thursday night, it started raining. Peter rushed out to the stables to make sure the roof wasn't leaking, and to his relief, the repairs were holding up well. But the storm picked up, and the horses were starting to get anxious. In a new place, all this thunder and lightning was the last thing they needed. Luckily, Peter had set up a cot in the stables for times like this. It was going to be a long night.

A whinny from Fancy and the glaring early morning sun woke Peter the next morning. A big rain always feels like a reset button on the world. And for some reason the birds all chirp with renewed vigor and double the volume. Peter saddled up Fancy and rode along all the fences on the property to make sure none had come down, and luckily they hadn't.

By the time he got inside after feeding and watering the horses, it was later than he thought, around ten. He checked his phone which he'd left in the house overnight. One new voicemail from Ellie Phillips.

"Hey Peter, it's Ellie. I just wanted to ask if you had some time to give us a hand over here. We had a tree come down on a fence. No worries if you're busy! See ya."

The Phillips had so many visitors that the driveway was starting to look like a used truck lot. Mrs. Phillips directed Peter toward the downed tree. "The boys are all down that-a-way," she said, "though I doubt they'll give you a turn."

In any other circumstance, Peter would not have referred to this pack of middle-aged men as "the boys," but given their child-like excitement, it seemed appropriate. Peter remembered Ellie mentioning her dad's new chainsaw and his friends' excitement. News of a tree coming down and a new chainsaw being tried out must have spread among the farmers of Wrenview. They likely all have their own chainsaws, but there's something special about a new toy.

"Peter! You made it!" Mr. Phillips called. "You have got to give this a try." Peter never expected Gordon Phillips to be this animated, and he suspected he never would again.

"Peter, you've probably met Bill from the farm on the opposite side of your property, and this is Jeff, Andrew, and Harry." Peter made his introductions with the group of gruff-but-friendly men. Then they went back to slicing and dicing up this tree. They made quick work of it, each taking a turn while the others carted off wood to be split later. They got the fence back up in no time.

"I only got to go twice, isn't there anything else we can test this bad boy on?" Andrew said, wielding the chainsaw.

"Peter, didn't you have that trail you needed help clearing?" Gordon suggested.

"Sure, but it's not urgent," Peter replied.

"No, we insist!" Bill laughed.

So they packed everything up and trekked across the fields to their cars. Ellie must be busy today, Peter thought. But just then he saw her leave the barn. He called out to her and jogged over. The dad squad was too busy picking who would ride with whom to notice.

"Ellie, wait up!"

"Hey Peter, you made it." Ellie set down the bucket she'd been carrying and wiped her brow with the back of her arm.

"Are you busy tomorrow? My horses are settled, so I thought we could take them for a ride. We're going over now to clear the trail, so it'll be all ready to use." Peter gestured back at the men fussing around his truck.

Ellie looked away toward nowhere in particular. "Well, I actually don't really ride." She looked back up at him, squinting in the sun. "Sorry."

"Ah." Peter got out, surprised and somewhat disheartened. What girl raised on a farm isn't into horses? After a moment, he said, "Well, I'd still like you to meet them." He grinned. "You'll like them, I promise."

"Alright. I'm free in the afternoon," Ellie answered, letting a smile sneak into her expression.

"See you then!" Peter called, already heading back to the trucks. He had picked up on Ellie's insist-on-something-then-leave-before-they-can-disagree tactic, and he was going to use it. Peter had certainly not expected Ellie to not ride horses, and didn't know why it hadn't come up until then. But Fancy and Jenny would charm her like they do most everybody. He was sure of it.