Green Pastures (Edited)

Chapter 5

When we pulled up to the house, a tall, well-tanned man poked his head out of the door and grandpa told him to come out. He walked down the steps, wearing a Stetson hat, Wrangler jeans, boot, and a half undone button-up shirt. Grandpa and I got out of the truck. He walked up to grandpa, shaking his hand.

"Glad to see you back, sir," He said. His voice was smooth and low. Like grandpa, his accent was strong.

"Glad to be back. Sameal, this is my grand-daughter, Isa'Bella. Isa'Bella, this is Sameal. He helps me run the farm."

I hold my hand out to shake his but when he took mine, he pulled it up to his lips and kissed my knuckles. My cheeks heated and my stomach did flips. He smiled and let my hand go. I took that moment to turn back to the truck. I opened Jessi's door and unbuckled her seat. When I pulled her out, Sameal came up beside me and said, "Let me help." He lifted her seat out and handed it to me. I smiled and thanked him. "What a gentleman," I thought.

I walked to the porch, up the steps, and through the front door. Grandpa and Sameal were right behind me with two boxes apiece. Must have been clothing, because they made it seem like the boxes were light. I stopped in the living room and looked around. I sat Jessi's seat on the couch and unbuckled her. Sameal brought in the playpen and I handed Jessi to grandpa so that I could set it up. I didn't think that Sameal would know how, but he helped me and caught on real quick. I told Grandpa he could lay her in it but he shook his head and smiled at her saying, "She's fine right here."

"He's quite smitten with that one, ain't he," Sameal asked.

"For sure." I smiled. "He holds her every chance he gets." I smiled.

"Hey, grandpa?"

"Yeah, girl," he asked. 'Girl' had become his name for me. It must be a southern thing.

"Where do I put my things?"

I heard him say something but I couldn't make it out. A moment later, Sameal came into the room and said, "Follow me."

As I did, I couldn't help myself. I watched the way he walked. His jeans were tight around his butt. Damn, he had a nice butt! I chided myself for even thinking that. I just lost Ben! And even though we broke things off mutually, how could I even think of another man, right now? He turned to the left and opened a door. The room was white. A dresser and chest were all that occupied the space, except for the bed. It was a beautiful room. Grey curtains covered the window so I set my things down on the bed and walked to the window. I opened the curtains, letting the light in. I stared out the window, taking in the view. A pond sat off to the left and horses and cows were grazing in the field.

Sameal's deep voice pulled me back to the room. "Where would you like me to put your boxes," he asked.

"Oh. Uh, just on the floor is fine."

He sat them down and asked if I wanted him to bring the rest inside.

"If you don't mind. I need to check on Jessi."

He followed me out and I couldn't help the self-conscious feeling that he was probably checking me out. In the living room, Jessi laid, asleep in her playpen. Grandpa was in getting more boxes from the truck, so I went to help him. When everything was pilled into my room, I started unpacking. I put the crib together when everything else was done.

The smell from the hallway that hit my nose made my stomach grumble and my mouth watered. I didn't realize I was hungry. Getting up from the floor, I followed the smell and was surprised to see Sameal cooking.

"That smells really good. What is it?"

He turned to me and said, "Deer. Ever had it?"

I wrinkled my nose at him and said, "Ew! No!"

"You don't know it's gross until you try it. It's good. Promise." He turned and continued cooking.

I left the kitchen to search for grandpa and found him in Jessi's bedroom, unpacking. He has made a dent in all of Jessi's five boxes. He had all of her baby toys in a corner, half of his clothes were in the dresser, and his bed was made.

"Grandpa." He jumped. "Sorry, I keep forgetting not to sneak up on you."

He laughed and said, "It's quite alright."

I smile and say, "I can finish these boxes."

"No. Just come help me."

He smiled and I knelt down to rummage through the box. Most of Jessi's clothes were still folded so we just had to put them away. We only found a couple that needed to be refolded. We made short work of the remaining boxes. When Sameal hollered for us to 'Come and get it', grandpa stood and helped me up. He looked at something poking out from under the bed, surprised.

"Wow! I haven't seen that in years." He picked it up, turning it over in his rough hands.

"Who's was it," I asked.

As we walked to the kitchen, he said, "It was mine when I was a boy. My papa made it for me. I gave it to your mama." A tear rolled down his cheek at the memory.

We sat at the table and I put food on my plate. I picked at the deer meat and nervously put it into my mouth. Sameal had been right! It was delicious. Something I had never tasted before. Damn, I hate it when I'm wrong!

Grandpa made small talk throughout dinner and Sameal listened to everything he had to say about the trip. After we were finished, I gathered all of the dishes and took them to the sink. I ran some soapy water, wet my rag, and wiped off the table. When I turned back to the sink, Sameal was standing there. When I walked up beside him, he held out his hand and said, "I'll wash, You rinse." I handed him the rag and we worked until every dish was washed, rinsed, dried, and put away.

Grandpa had taken Jessi to bed so I took the time to sit and rest. Sameal walked to the doorway but turned toward me.

"Thank you for helping me."

"It's the least I could do. The deer meat was good. Thanks for cooking."

He smiled, nodded, and exited to room. I sat there thinking about the last week. So much had changed in such a short time. There were times when I thought I was going to bend and break, but somehow I managed to hold myself together. I had Jessi to give the credit to. She was my glue! My heart and soul. She's the reason I got up every day, even when my body didn't want to. When my mind refused to work. When my soul died for a while. Jessamine was my heart from the day she was born, but she became absolutely and totally mine the day our parents died.

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Hey Lovies! I hope you have all enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it! 

I'm excited to see where this story goes and how Isa'Bella grows as a young adult. She, just as I, has gone through something terrible and even though her feelings for Ben still live in her, she can't control the attraction that she has for Sameal. She wil have more struggles to deal with but she is an amazing young lady. Let me know your thoughts, in the comments! :)

As always, constructive critasism is welcome, but please, no rude comments!

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