The following week passed in a gentle rhythm of planting, watering, and tending to her small garden. Amara found herself thinking about Leo more often than she cared to admit, his warm gaze and easy smile replaying in her mind like a song she couldn't shake. She wondered if she'd see him again and caught herself lingering in the village longer than necessary, her heart lifting each time she passed the bookstore.
One chilly afternoon, as she was carefully transplanting her herb seedlings, she heard a voice behind her.
"Need an extra pair of hands?"
Startled, she turned to see Leo standing there, hands in his pockets and a playful grin on his face. He looked out of place amid the rows of plants, his crisp shirt and boots more suited for village streets than the muddy earth. And yet, somehow, he belonged there, the sight of him in her garden stirring something deep within her.
"You know anything about farming?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.
He laughed, taking a step closer. "Not a thing. But I do know how to follow instructions."
Amara smiled despite herself and handed him a small trowel. Together, they worked in comfortable silence, Leo's easy presence making the chore feel lighter, almost effortless. Now and then, their hands would brush as they reached for the same tool, sending a quiet thrill up her spine.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, they sat on the edge of the field, sharing a quiet moment. Leo looked over at her, his expression soft.
"You know, Amara," he said slowly as if the words were difficult to say. "I didn't expect to feel so... at home here. But this place, and—well, you—it makes me feel like maybe there's something worth staying for."
The words hung between them, heavy and unspoken. Amara felt her heart quicken, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through her chest. She wanted to say something, to tell him that she understood, that she felt it too. But instead, she nodded, letting the silence speak for them.
They watched the stars come out, sitting side by side in the quiet night, both knowing that something had shifted—something fragile and beautiful that neither dared to name.
YOU ARE READING
Fields of Forever
RomanceA gentle soul who recently moved to the countryside to pursue her dream of starting a small farm and living a quiet life. She's passionate about her work and loves the simple things in life, but she's haunted by the feeling of loneliness. A charmin...
