One Cold Moment

Chapter 6

Days after the incident at the plantation, Yankee found himself back there again. He had told Pedro how much he enjoyed being at the plantation, and feeling pleased by that, Pedro encouraged him to visit whenever he wished.

Dressed in a simple dark blue tee and black jeans, Yankee strolled along the path where he had seen Marina the day before. A part of him was curious about her. Who was she? That question wouldn't leave his mind.

Even though he denied it every time Tony teased him about liking "the girl from the plantation," deep down he knew he was drawn to her simplicity. Still, he told himself he didn't have feelings for her. He just wanted to know who she was.

Meanwhile, Marina picked up a basket full of cocoa and delivered it to the food store. She walked out of the small building where she had emptied the basket, swinging it casually as she returned to the pile of cocoa gathered under a tree. She looked surprised the moment she saw the guy from yesterday. Part of her felt embarrassed remembering their encounter.

His lips curved into a smile when he saw her, and she smiled back.

"Hey, what are you doing here again?" she asked.

"I... just came to check if you were alright."

"Alright?" she echoed, confusion lacing her voice as she reached the cocoa pile.

"Yeah," he said, walking toward her. "You could've caught a cold after falling into the water."

"Oh," she smiled appreciatively. "Thanks for checking up."

"I'm Yankee," he said, stretching out his hand.

Marina looked at it, then up at him, before deciding to take it. "I'm Marina."

"Thanks... A beautiful name for a beautiful girl like you," he said nervously, mentally cursing himself for saying that.

"A girl like me?" she asked, rising up with a basket full of cocoa.

"Yeah," he replied, following her as she walked. "I mean, you're beautiful. And 'Marina' means beautiful water."

"Wow," she stopped and turned around to face him. "How did you know that?"

"I... studied mythology in high school history class."

"Oh." She turned back and continued walking.

"So, do you stay around here?" he asked.

Marina suddenly stopped and turned to face him, looking upset.

"Why do you care?" she retorted. "I don't even know you. I told you my name. Who the hell are you?"

"Wow... I didn't see that coming."

"Saw what?" she asked, raising a fist toward his head, even though he was a foot taller than her.

"Nothing, nothing. My name is Yankee. I was here yesterday..."

"You think I don't know that already?" she cut him off.

"Okay. I just came to New Mexico three weeks ago to stay with my brother."

"You don't live here?" she asked.

"No." he replied.

"So why do you keep coming to this plantation? Who even authorized you to trespass here? Are you sure you're not a thief?"

"No, no. I wasn't trespassing. I was just checking out the plantation yesterday."

"What? You want to buy it? You don't even look rich. I said who are you?"

"Calm down..."

"Calm down?" she scoffed. "Do I look like I have fire burning over my head?"

Yankee was lost for words and just stared at her, amazed. Then Marina burst out laughing, taking him by surprise.