Unwillingly Arranged(Liam Payne/One Direction Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty-Three (Sage's POV)

I bounced excitedly in my seat, pressing my face against the window as I watched the city scene turn slowly into rolling hills of the country. Little farm houses dotted the area, a few of them having livestock out in grassy pastures. Large oak trees scattered everywhere, their leaves yellow and orange hues from the upcoming fall season.

"This is beautiful," I breathed, pressing my hand against the glass as I continued to inspect the scenery in awe. 

"Not as much as you," Liam countered. I turned to glare at him, despite my burning cheeks, reluctantly ripping my gaze away from the postcard worthy scenery.

"Oldest line in the book, Payne," I smirked, before dropping my gaze and murmuring, "but thanks though."

"Anytime." The car then fell into another comfortable silence. I settled into the plush seat so that I was facing forward, leaning my arm on the middle compartment, my other arm resting in my lap. A few seconds later I felt the presence of something dancing across my skin, before my fingers were captured into Liam's, fingers tangling together with a gentle squeeze.

The scenery changed again, only slightly as a large red barn came into view. It was a typical cliche barn that a little child would draw on their papers at school for a farm. Bright red paint slathered in perfect streaks, white trim around the doors and windows that crossed down the middle. Some of the window doors were open, and one had a horses head poked out. It looked like a gentle black mare, her mane tossed over her eyes as she dozed in the afternoon sun.

Pastures covered both sides of the barn. Large white fences seemed to stretch for miles off into the distance. Thick, green grass grew up three inches or so. Four or five horses were up close to the barn, their noses burried deep into the sweet flavored grass, only raising their heads to flick their heads to rid them of flies, or swish their tail and stomp their feet. 

As soon as the tires stopped crackling on the white dusty gravel, I was out the door, not bothering to wait for Liam as my converse carried me toward what appeared to be the front office; a small bulding with many posters slathered around the outside.

Liam caught up with me easily, right before opening the door catching my hand and tugging me slightly backwards. "Excited are we?" He whispered, leaning down to whisper in my ear. I couldn't help but shiver at his closeness, but I managed to nod, yanking on his hand to pull him inside the office with me, the door clanging shut loudly behind us.

A petite middle aged lady sat at a small desk in the middle of the office. Her brown hair swept to the side, falling in waves down her left shoulder. She was shuffling papers around on her desk, but stopped at the door's annoucement, her small beady eyes peering up over the top of her thick rimmed glasses.

"Oh! Liam! I thought you called," She pushed back her desk chair, coming to her feet to show she truly was short, only standing about four foot tall at the most. Someone shorter than me. "Is this the girl you told me about? Sage, is it? I'm Ms. Gray, but you can call me Maria."

I smiled warmly, my cheeks tinting slightly pink as I offered my hand out to her to shake. She shook it firmly, smiling up at me. "Nice to meet you, m'am."

She smiled brightly, bringing both of her palms together to rub them back and forth, she pursed her lips and turned back to me. "So, Liam said you ride? I understand you used to have horses back in your home town?"

The thought of Jewel struck a small thorn into my heart, but I pushed it away quickly, swallowing the sock sized lump down my throat and nodding. "Yeah, I had a pretty mare that I mostly rode on trails. But I have done a little bit of jumping."

The tiny lady nodded, her forehead creasing into noticable wrinkles as she pushed past both Liam and I, making her way out the door.

Confused, I turned to Liam with a frown. "Does this mean she wants us to follow her?"