Love in the Fields

5

The morning sun was just beginning to break over the hills, casting a soft, golden light over the farm as Camila and Lauren made their way out to the fields. The air was still crisp, tinged with the earthy scent of fresh soil and morning dew. Camila found herself savouring these quiet moments—before the rest of the world stirred, before the workday truly began, it was just her and Lauren. Together.

Today, their task was a simple one: clearing the old winter brush from the field edges to make way for new growth. They worked side by side, occasionally trading glances and easy banter, a rhythm they'd fallen into so effortlessly it almost felt like they'd been doing this together for years.

Camila glanced over at Lauren, who was bent over a stubborn patch of weeds, her face set in concentration. A lock of hair had fallen into her face, and she blew it away with an exasperated puff of breath. Camila couldn't help but smile, feeling a quiet warmth spread in her chest. There was something oddly mesmerizing about the way Lauren worked—so sure, so natural, like she belonged here in a way Camila was only beginning to understand.

Lauren caught her looking and raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Something on my face?" she asked, brushing the back of her hand across her cheek.

Camila snapped out of her daze, feeling her cheeks flush. "Oh! Uh, no, just... admiring your, uh... technique," she stammered, instantly cringing at her own words.

"My technique, huh?" Lauren asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She gave a dramatic stretch, flexing her arms as if showing off. "Well, you know, not everyone can handle a pair of shears with such finesse."

Camila laughed, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, sure, don't get a big head about it or anything."

"Hey, this is serious business, city girl," Lauren replied, mock-solemn as she held up the rusty pair of garden shears. "Only the chosen few can wield these."

They both burst out laughing, the sound echoing over the field, carried by the breeze. Camila felt herself relax, letting go of the last bit of awkwardness she'd been holding onto. It was becoming easier to be herself around Lauren. She didn't have to pretend, didn't have to put up walls—she could just be.

As they worked their way down the fence line, clearing more brush, their conversation ebbed and flowed, touching on small topics and shared jokes. But every so often, the words would taper off, leaving a silence that felt charged, as if there was something unsaid hovering between them.

Camila reached for a particularly tangled bit of bramble and winced as the thorn pricked her finger. "Ow!" she muttered, bringing her hand up to inspect the tiny droplet of blood beading on her fingertip.

Lauren was instantly beside her, her gaze softening with concern. "You okay?" she asked, taking Camila's hand in her own, holding it gently as she examined the tiny wound.

"It's nothing," Camila said, trying to brush it off, but her voice came out quieter than she intended. Lauren's hand was warm around hers, her thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles, and for a moment, the prick of the thorn was the last thing on Camila's mind.

"Still, let's clean it up," Lauren murmured, leading her over to the water spout at the edge of the field. Camila followed, feeling a little dazed, her heart thudding a bit too fast.

Lauren turned on the spout, cupping her hands to let the water pool there before gently rinsing Camila's finger. Camila's hand felt small in Lauren's, and she couldn't ignore the way her pulse seemed to jump at each tiny brush of Lauren's skin against hers. She glanced up, realizing just how close they were standing, close enough that she could see the different shades of green in Lauren's eyes, flecked with gold where the sunlight hit.

"Thanks," Camila said softly, her voice barely a whisper.

Lauren didn't let go of her hand right away. She looked down, a faint smile playing on her lips as her thumb brushed over Camila's fingers one last time before letting go. "Guess we've got to look out for each other, huh?" she said, her voice light but her gaze lingering.

"Yeah," Camila replied, her throat suddenly dry. "Guess we do."

They stood there for a moment, a silence hanging between them that was anything but empty. Camila wanted to say something—anything—to break the tension, but she was afraid that if she opened her mouth, she might say too much, or worse, nothing at all.

Lauren was the first to move, clearing her throat and giving a little shrug. "Well, can't have you hurting yourself over a few weeds. I'd be out of a work buddy, and that just wouldn't do," she joked, her tone lightening again.

Camila forced a laugh, grateful for the reprieve. "Can't let that happen," she replied, nudging Lauren's shoulder with her own as they made their way back to their task. But even as they fell back into the rhythm of work, Camila's mind kept returning to the way Lauren's touch had felt—warm, grounding, something she hadn't realized she'd been missing until now.

They worked in companionable silence for a while, until Lauren spoke up again, her voice softer this time. "You know, I think you're starting to get the hang of this whole farm thing."

Camila grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, am I? High praise coming from an expert like you."

"Don't get cocky, city girl," Lauren shot back with a grin, though there was a softness in her expression. "But yeah, you're... fitting in here. More than I thought you would."

Camila's smile faltered for a second, caught off guard by the compliment. "Thanks," she said, feeling a warmth in her chest. "Honestly, I didn't think I would, either. I kind of thought I'd be... I don't know, counting down the days until I could leave."

Lauren looked at her, something unreadable in her gaze. "And now?"

Camila hesitated, the words catching in her throat. She didn't want to admit it, didn't want to say how much she was starting to love this place, how much she looked forward to these moments with Lauren. Instead, she just shrugged, looking out over the field. "Now... it doesn't feel so bad."

They fell silent again, the weight of unsaid things pressing down between them. But for once, Camila didn't mind the silence. She could feel Lauren's presence beside her, steady and sure, and it was enough.

They worked until the sun was high overhead, pausing only when Pam called them in for lunch. As they made their way back to the farmhouse, Lauren bumped Camila's shoulder, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Race you to the house?" she challenged, taking off without waiting for a reply.

"Hey!" Camila called, laughing as she scrambled to catch up, her heart racing not from the run but from the thrill of being with Lauren, of knowing there would be more days like this.

By the time they reached the porch, both of them were breathless, their laughter spilling over. Lauren held the door open for her, still smiling, her gaze lingering for just a heartbeat longer than usual.

"Better hurry up, or I'll finish all the lemonade," Lauren teased, giving her a playful wink.

Camila felt a spark of warmth rise in her cheeks as she brushed past Lauren, unable to help the smile tugging at her lips. She didn't know what was happening between them, didn't know where this slow burn would lead, but in that moment, she didn't care. All she knew was that she wanted more—more mornings, more laughter, more of this easy, unspoken connection.

And as she stepped into the cool shade of the farmhouse, her heart thudding with a strange, quiet thrill, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she was ready for whatever came next.