The Turning Point

CHAPTER FIFTEEN- O'CONNOR FARM

Heloyse

At home, I was still reeling from what had happened.
Somehow, it had stirred me in an unexpected way. I took a shower, trying to erase the thoughts that haunted me, but it was useless. At night, when I went to the Ferrels' house, I decided I wouldn't talk about him. The truth is, I wanted to forget, but unfortunately, I couldn't.
There was something in me, something strange, a restlessness I couldn't explain. Every minute, I caught myself thinking about him. Who was he? What was his name? And those eyes…? Those lips? Why wouldn't they just leave my head?
"You alright, chava?" Thom placed his mug on the table and looked at me with concern, his brow furrowed.
"I'm fine. Just a headache. I think I stayed in the sun too long."
"Lisy went swimming in the O'Connor farm river," Cielo commented casually, unaware of the impact those words would have on me.
Thom raised his eyebrows and leaned forward.
"I promised Cielo I'd take her, but unfortunately, I've been busy. How were you received at the farm?"
I had no intention of telling what happened. It wasn't something I could share. So, I chose a simple and safe lie.
"I didn't actually go into the farm. I followed the road and stayed at the spot where people usually swim."
"That's a shame. Will's farm river is one of the most beautiful places. It has good shade, perfect rocks to rest on. The place is a piece of paradise. I bet you saw that."
"I think I saw enough."
"I guarantee you didn't. And tomorrow morning, I need to go there. I want you to come with me."
"I think I'd rather not. I plan to help Cielo make pies."
"Nonsense! I can make them by myself. I want you to get out of this farm for a bit. We've seen everything around here; you haven't. You'll get to know the place."
I took a big gulp of coffee, hiding my discomfort with a smile.
Would I see him again?
And that's when I realized something curious and alarming: I hadn't thought about Michael for even a second. He was just a lost name in my mind. Because now, all that occupied my being was the image of the green-eyed man.

***

The next morning, I woke up anxious, as if something big was about to happen. The anticipation pulsed within me, making even breakfast impossible to swallow.
I chose a white shirt, dark jeans, and put on my boots. Thom had already told me I could ride Thunder whenever I wanted, so I saddled the mare and went to meet him. He was waiting, mounted on Cometa, looking as calm as could be, unlike me.
We headed to the O'Connor farm. The sun had barely risen, and the morning freshness still lingered in the air. The large gate appeared on the horizon, imposing and inviting, surrounded by beautiful trees. A gentleman came out of the guardhouse, short, with a thick mustache and a worn hat.
"Good morning, Thom."
"Good morning, Joseph! Is Will in?"
"Yes, he is. I'll open the gate."
"Thank you!"
My mind was racing. The green-eyed man knew my name. Probably, Thom must have already told some of the employees or even Will himself about me. I tried to convince myself that Mr. O'Connor wouldn't mind my little "trespassing."
The gate opened, revealing a scene that seemed to come out of a painting. The dirt road lined with palm trees led to a house that stood in the distance, majestic in its rustic aesthetic.
After we handed the horses to an employee who took them to drink water, we were greeted by a gray-haired lady, kind and warm.
"Good morning, miss. Thom. You can come in."
"Good morning, ma'am," I greeted with a smile.
"You can call me Eva," she said, leading us inside the house. "You can sit down. Will is in the yard and will be here soon. Would you like something to drink?"
"No, I'm fine, and you Lisy?"
"No! Thank you," I said.
"Well, if you want anything, just call."
"Is Calvin around?" Thom asked her.
"He must be in the barn. Do you want me to send someone to look for him?"
"No need, Eva, I'll go there. Will you wait for me here, Lisy? Or if you want, you can take a walk around the farm. I don't think Will will mind."
"I'll be fine."
Thom smiled and then left. The lady excused herself, saying that her boss would soon be looking for Thom and Calvin, but that I should make myself at home. I smiled and thanked her.
The room had a rustic decoration. The wood of the furniture was dark and rough, aesthetically harmonious. Some items were made of woven straw and tree trunks. It was all so beautiful. It just lacked a feminine touch. I had never been in such a cozy environment as that house.
I decided to follow Thom's advice and went out for a walk around the farm.
I decided to follow the advice and walked around. Each corner of the farm seemed loaded with history and life. I saw a lady hanging clothes on the clothesline, a boy and a girl laughing together while watering the garden. Everything there seemed so peaceful and harmonious, so different from the turmoil inside me.
A few minutes later, a little away from the house, I could hear the sound of the river. I continued walking a little further until I reached the edge. I looked back and could no longer see the house due to the small descent that formed on the way. I was a little far from the place where I was the day before.
There, there was a tire swing tied to a tree, a wooden bench near the swing, and some stones forming a circle. Everything indicated that someone had made a fire.
To my left, a little further on, a narrow trail led up. I walked slowly to see if I could see anything from where I was, but it was unsuccessful. I started walking along the trail until I saw a barn ahead, where a boy had just left and headed towards the main house. A few steps later, and I was in front of the barn. There were sacks and more sacks piled up.
At this moment, something passed behind me, making me startled. I turned around and went around the barn to find out what had caused my scare, and to my surprise, I came across a black-haired dog. The animal was looking for something in a bush until it turned and started growling at me.
"Calm down, buddy! Easy, okay? I'll let you hunt your lunch," I said nervously.
The dog growled and walked slowly, and with each step he took, I took a step back. When I thought about running, a voice behind me caught his attention. Not just his.
"Sony!"
The animal looked at me, wagged its tail, and ran excitedly towards the owner of the voice.
When I turned around, I came face to face with the green eyes, standing behind me. He smiled at the animal, patted its head, and said, "Go." The animal obeyed the man without thinking twice.
"It's a beautiful animal. What breed is it?"
He was no longer smiling. He put his hands in his pants pockets and, with what seemed like tremendous distaste, answered me.
"Australian Kelpie," the cutting tone, without traces of sympathy, and the Texan accent very evident.
I nodded, feeling uncomfortable, and when I thought about formulating something more to say, he took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
How could a gesture be so sensual?
I stopped to observe his worn jeans, his dusty boots, and the old black t-shirt he was wearing. His hair was tied back, and there were some loose strands wet with sweat.
"I don't believe you came here just to find out the dog's breed," he said as he put his hat back on, "just as I don't believe you came under the fence like last time."
"I came with Thom. He wanted to see Mr. O'Connor."
"Mr. O'Connor?"
I noticed a slight smile on his lips, and it was so brief that I wondered if anyone had ever seen that man smile. Whoever saw it certainly wouldn't forget.
"Yes. Is he your boss?"
"No, he's not my boss."
"Then you're his friend?"
"Why the curiosity?"
"It's the second time I've seen you here. Yesterday you warned me about not trespassing on the property again, and I don't think you're just a visitor. Besides, only an employee would dress like that," I said, pointing in his direction. "And you're too young to manage something so big."
I was feeling like an idiot.
"My clothes don't please you, miss?"
"You're not here to please me. But if you dress like an employee, then you must be one."
After assessing me for a few seconds, he passed by me and went to the barn. He pulled a sack from the top of one of the piles and placed it on a wheelbarrow.
"I didn't mean to offend you. I just meant that you're dressed like someone who's working, so I deduced that you work here. And I'm right, aren't I?"
"Well... I'm working, aren't I? Besides, there's nothing shameful about being an employee, as long as the work is dignified."
"I think the same way, and I insist that I didn't mean to offend you. But I don't understand why you said he's not your boss if you just confirmed that you're an employee."
He placed the second sack on top of the wheelbarrow, slapped his hands on the sides of his pants, and looked at me for a few seconds.
"Will it change anything in your life if I work here or not?"
"No... It's just that..."
"It's just that you're very curious. Didn't your mother ever tell you that curiosity killed the cat?"
"If she did, I never paid attention."
He looked at me and then took a step forward. I stepped back.
As he walked, I stepped back even more until I felt the cold wall of the barn on my back. The man placed a hand on each side of the wall, at my face level, surrounding me.
My heart was pounding so fast that I thought I could hear it. Fear settled in me, but I couldn't run. Not when those eyes were staring at me and his lips were so close.
"You know, Heloyse? I hate curious people, I hate people who disturb my work. I hate people I don't know who think they know me, and I hate even more the fact that you're here, being curious, disturbing my work. A stranger thinking she knows me just by the clothes I wear."
He spoke with his deep and threateningly low voice.
Totally embarrassed, I placed my hands on his abdomen and tried to push him away. I liked that, I won't deny it.
"I won't disturb you anymore."
"Won't you?" he asked.
"No."
"Do you know what else has irritated me since I saw you, Heloyse?"
"What?"
I regretted asking. It wasn't normal for me to act like a silly teenager.
"Knowing that sooner or later, we would end up seeing each other. And if you want to know, that's not good for either of us."
I pushed him again, and he didn't even budge. Then, I asked the most idiotic question that came to my mind.
"What's your name?"
And then a voice caught our attention.
"Lisy!"
The man stepped away, allowing me to leave.
When Thom saw me coming out of the barn, he smiled and put his hand on his waist.
"Kid! I thought you got lost on the farm. They told me they saw you at the river, and when I got there, you weren't there."
"I was talking to the..."
"Thom, how are you?"
He came out of the barn and, with his hand extended, went to Thom and greeted him.
"So, this is where you are? I'm fine. I was looking for you. Anyway, Calvin has already solved my problem," Thom reported.
The man made a brief gesture with his head.
"Let's go, Lisy?"
I agreed and positioned myself next to Thom, and before we walked away, something happened:
"See you later. And Will, Cielo asked you to come eat one of her pies anytime."
"Will"?
I opened my mouth to say something, but I had no idea what to say. It seemed like the words got lost.
"Tell her I will."
He put his hand on his hat, as a greeting, turned his back, and went back to the barn.
That was William O'Connor.