The Farmhand's Crush

Chapter: 3

The next morning, I woke to the cheerful chirping of birds outside her window. Sunlight streamed into my room, and for a moment, I lay in bed, savoring the feeling of being settled in a place that was starting to feel like home.

The projects I had tackled yesterday had filled me with a sense of accomplishment, and I couldn't wait to dive into more today. Despite my tired body.

After a quick breakfast, I decided it was time to tackle the bathroom—a small, cramped space that had definitely seen better days. The faded yellow tiles, stained and chipped, were far from inviting. But I had a vision. I grabbed my supplies and headed in, ready to make a difference.

As I began scraping away the old wallpaper that clung stubbornly to the walls, I felt a familiar sense of determination wash over me. With every layer removed, I could almost hear the whispers of the home's history.

Who had lived here before? What had their lives been like? The thought excited me as much as it made me feel nostalgic. I was becoming part of this story, and I intended to write my own chapters.

After stripping the walls bare, I cleaned and prepped the space for painting. A fresh coat of white would open it up, making it feel brighter and larger. I'd add some pops of color with decor later—perhaps a bright shower curtain or colorful towels.

With the bathroom transformation well underway, I lost myself in the rhythm of the work again, my thoughts drifting as I painted. Suddenly, a knock at the front door startled me. Wiping my hands on a rag, I headed to answer it, curious about who might be visiting. But then i remembered the guys from yesterday.

When I opened the door, I was met by a warm smile. A woman in her early thirties stood there, holding a plate of cookies. She had wavy brown hair pulled into a ponytail and wore a comfortable, faded t-shirt and jeans.

Next to her the guys stood, smiling at me also.

"Hi there! I'm Jenna, your neighbor from down the road," she said, her voice cheerful. "I thought I'd welcome you to the neighborhood with some cookies."

I felt a wave of relief mixed with gratitude wash over me. "Hi, I'm Faye! Thank you so much, these look amazing!" I stepped aside to let Jenna and the boys in, my heart warming at the sight of someone reaching out.

As Jenna entered, her eyes scanned the room, taking in the paint supplies and the half-finished project. "Looks like you've been busy! Are you redecorating?"

"Yeah, I'm trying to fix the place up a bit. It needs a lot of work, but I'm excited about it," I replied, my enthusiasm bubbling over. "I just painted the living room and started on the bathroom."

Jenna nodded, her eyes lighting up. "That's fantastic! I love what you're doing. It's such a charming house. I think with your touch, it'll look incredible."

I felt a flush of pride at the compliment. "Thanks! It's definitely a project, but I'm enjoying it so far."

"Do you need any help?" Jenna offered, her tone genuine. "I've done a bit of renovation myself, and I'd be happy to lend a hand if you want."

I hesitated, the thought of accepting help even more felt wrong, but this community was so nice and everyone seemed to know each other. And the offer was too kind to refuse, and I sensed that Jenna's willingness to help was more about community than obligation. "That would be great! I could use a second set of hands for the bathroom, for sure."

The two of us set to work, chatting as we painted the walls together. Jenna shared stories about the area, her voice animated as she described the best hiking trails and local spots to eat.

I found herself relaxing, laughing at Jenna's tales about her own home renovation mishaps and the oddities of living in the countryside.

"So, what brought you out here?" Jenna asked, her brush gliding smoothly over the wall.

"I needed a change," I admitted, glancing over at Jenna. "I've always dreamed of living in the countryside, and when I found this place, I just knew I had to make it mine."

"That's a brave decision," Jenna said, nodding in understanding. "It's not always easy to start fresh, but it sounds like you're doing great. I can't wait to see how it all turns out."

I smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude for my new friend. "Thanks, It's been a bit overwhelming at times, but I'm getting there."

By the time we finished painting the bathroom, it was early afternoon. The once dingy space now gleamed with fresh white walls, a canvas waiting for splashes of color. As we stood back to admire our work, I felt a warm sense of camaraderie with Jenna.

"Let's celebrate your progress!" Jenna suggested, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I make a mean lasagna. How about I bring some over tonight?"

"Sounds perfect!" I replied, feeling a sense of joy at the thought of sharing a meal. "I'll make a salad and we can have a little dinner party."

As Jenna left, I felt lighter, the weight of solitude lifting. It was refreshing to connect with someone who shared my passion for creating and transforming spaces. I finished up my painting for the day, buzzing with the prospect of an evening spent with a new friend.

"Your quite popular now City, your the talk of the town" Nic walked into the bathroom that I was cleaning up.

"What can I say I must have left an impression with my fancy clothes and running into people" i laughed, he smiled down at me nodding. I liked Nic, he was really nice. Will Jenna mind if i invite him for dinner also?

"The roof is almost done, we fixed up the outside and replaced the gutters. All that it need it a layer of paint on the underside and its done."

"Thank you so much" I felt overwhelmed from how nice people were. "You reall didnt have to do all that, I'm so greatful. How much do I owe you guys?" I walked out of the bathroom to find my purse.

"Me? Hmm, Maybe let me show you around and we will call it that, and for the boys maybe 400" I nodded and handed him the cash. I was expecting a lot more.

I got changed and let him show me around the town, we spent hours talking and I found out that he has a few siblings, he works on his familys farm and that his favourite place here was the look out.

I told him a little about my old life, how I lived with my aunt but he didnt push me to tell him anything I didnt want too. I told him about my friends that I left behind and that I was really into art and reading. But soon, too soon, it was time for me to head back to I could get the salad ready for Jenna.

I thanked him once again on my porch and he assured me that it was no problem.

That night, as we sat together at the small dining table with steaming plates of lasagna and salad, I felt a sense of belonging settling into my heart. The laughter and conversation flowed easily, the walls of my home echoing with warmth. For the first time, it truly felt like I was part of a community.

As we shared stories over dinner, I realized that this was what I had been missing—the connections that turned a house into a home. With every passing moment, my vision of the future became clearer: a life rich with friendships, laughter, and the beauty of simple moments. This was just the beginning, and I couldn't wait to see where the journey would lead.