Breaking Free

Harper

After the hardware store we drove back to his house. We pull up outside a small red brick house with a porch running across the front. There are flower beds full of brightly colored flowers running along the house and a swing on the porch. If I'd ever be able to have a place of my own, it would probably be a lot like this, peaceful.

He led me inside to his kitchen and put his bags down on the counter. He busied himself with making coffee and I leaned against the door frame. When the coffee was done he handed me a cup and led me to a table in his backyard right off the kitchen. He pulled a chair out motioning for me to sit before sitting to my right. I put my cup down on the table and looked around his yard. It was beautiful with flowers all around the house. A small pond was tucked away in the back left corner surrounded by stone. The whole yard was fenced in with a dark wood fence. It was peaceful and I felt myself start to relax a little. Something heavy dropped on my leg causing me to yelp. I felt my face redden immediately when I realized it was a dog and not Noah, touching me. I huffed to myself and pat the pup on the head cursing myself for being so skittish. I heard Noah chuckle a little catching my attention.

"Sorry about him. That's Benny, he's a big baby. Wouldn't hurt a fly" he joked. I smiled a little and looked back down at Benny. His black and brown face was still in my lap, his eyes closed as I pet between his ears.

"Wanna tell me what you're running from, or whom?" he wondered, tilting his head to the side smirking at me. I bit my bottom lip hard to stop the shudder that overtook my body and shook my head, looking away. Don't panic Harper, he doesn't know anything or anyone you do, don't panic. He sighed again and looked towards the house.

"Do you know how to paint?" he asked. I looked at him pinching my eyebrows together. I used to love to paint but I don't think he means pictures. He chuckled at my expression. He stood up grabbing our cups motioning for me to follow him. Once inside he led me upstairs to a room with the furniture all moved to the center and a tarp laid out along the floor.

"Seems to me like you could use a distraction. I've been meaning to paint this room for months now" he said pointing to the cans of sea green paint. I smiled at him appreciating the gesture.

"So you don't mind helping?" he asked. I shook my head and he helped me set the paint up and told me what to do. After helping me with the first coat on two of the walls he turned to me.

"Looks to me like you know what you're doing. I'm going to fix the leak under my sink and then I'll come back up and check on you" he smiled waiting until I nodded to leave the room. For the next two hours I lost myself in painting. I felt the most calm I had in years. I tossed the paint roller into the tray and looked out the open window letting the warm breeze brush across my face. I turned to look when I heard him come into the room. He smiled at me and handed me a fresh cup of coffee. I thanked him and looked back out the window.

"You did a great job, thanks for your help" he grinned.

"You're welcome. I actually really enjoyed it" I confessed looking down at Benny who had wandered into the room. He plopped himself down at my feet with a huff and closed his eyes. I looked back to Noah, who was watching me.

"Come on, let's go grab something to eat" he insisted, nodding towards the door. I followed him out to his car, thanking him when he opened the door for me again. We drove for about fifteen minutes before he pulled up outside a small diner. I climbed out after him grabbing my bag. He held the door open for me motioning me to walk in before him. I walked over and sat in the booth in the back corner and blushed when I noticed him smirking at me.

"Relax Harper, I won't let anything happen while you're with me" he assured me. I bit down hard on my lip swallowing the lump in my throat, if only he knew. After getting our drinks and placing our orders, Noah propped his elbows up on the table resting his chin on the backs of his hands.