Dominion Falls

Chapter Four

Once home we unloaded what we bought from the hardware store into the garage, and the bedroom stuff Devon took that upstairs. I went into the kitchen and made some iced tea, cut up some lemons and set them aside in case Devon wanted any.

Sarah went to turn on the fan but noticed someone driving up her driveway. She went to the front door and went out onto the porch. Once the person got out of the car, she recognized him.

It was her neighbor Steve; he was a bit older than her. In his mid-thirties and good looking and single, but she didn't want to mix things up between them. He was the only nice neighbor to her, and their lands bordered each other.

Even though he had flirted with her on occasion and asked her out once, where she said she didn't want things to turn bad between them just in case and would prefer it that they remained friends.

Steve agreed with this but never gave up the chance to flirt with her to let her know that he was still interested and wouldn't give up on a good woman. His statement flattered her, but she remained steadfast in her decision.

"Hi Steve, what brings you by?" Steve smiled as soon as he saw her, "Hi Sarah, I thought I would stop by and see how things are going over here, plus I heard via the gossiping hens in town that some guy has been hanging around you?" Steve just came right out and told her that way he was being a good neighbor, plus making sure this new guy knows that Sarah has others on her side.

Sarah laughed, "those damn hens have got to find something new to talk about" I told him as we head inside, "I also made fresh iced tea with lemon on the side if you would like some", "I would love a glass" he told her as he followed her into the kitchen.

And there was the guy the hens were talking about, Sarah smiled at Devon, "Steve this is Devon, he will be helping me around the farm till next summer" she informed both actually.

Devon didn't act surprised; he didn't want to give anything away and would let Sarah handle that department since this was her place.

Steve went over and grabbed a glass out of the cupboard, and poured himself some iced tea, Sarah had placed the lemons on the table for anyone wanting any. Steve sat down and took a sip of his tea, eyeing Devon.

"So, Devon, what brings you to this small town and to Sarahs doorstep?" Steve asked. What neither told Devon was that Steve besides her neighboring farmer he was also the town sheriff.

"I was wanting a fresh start and I heard the gossip in town about a woman who was too young to be on her own and doing a man's job putting the farm back in order, I don't need money just a fresh start so I found where Sarah lived and offered my services since I grew up on a farm out west" Devon told him while getting his tea and sitting across from him.

Oh, this is interesting Sarahs thought, two men in my kitchen both puffing out their chests, if I weren't getting irritated, I would have found this funny, but I knew Steves intentions were honest and open, he wanted to make sure Devon was on the up and up, plus letting him know that him and I are close.

Well Steve would like it to be a lot closer than we are, but still being good friends is a good place to start, as any in my books.

Steve sat there sipping on his iced tea, thinking on things Devon told him, "Well I hope you are on the up and up there Devon, Sarah is a good woman an honest woman, the hens in town might be crude but Sarah has a heart of gold, and I won't let anything happen to her.

This is my only warning, any foul play and I will arrest you and throw away the key, if you get my meaning" Steve told him. "So, you're the sheriff in this town, well you won't have any trouble with me, and I can tell that Sarah is good woman, has a heart of gold and kindness, most wouldn't let me stay and work, she is helping me more than she realizes" Devon said looking right into Sarahs eyes.

"Well, everyone deserves a fresh start" I told both as I grabbed more iced tea and sat down at the end of the table to plan out the menu for the next few days just to make sure I had all the stuff I needed.

For the next few hours, the guys sat and talked about farming stuff, I was listening here and there, but was sorting things in the kitchen getting stuff ready for dinner, "Steve you going to stay for dinner?" I asked him before I pulled out the meat.

"I wish I could, your cooking is perfect, but I have to work the night shift, since Tommy's wife is at her sister's and he has to be home with the kids, she gets one night a week to stay there without the kids" he said.

"In fact, I should get going, I have to go home, feed the animals and get ready, can I get a rain check on dinner?" he asked. Smiling at him "always, you know that" I told him.

Steve and Devon both stood up, Steve put his hand out and shook Devon's hand, "it was nice to meet you Devon, I'll be seeing you around" he said, and I walked Steve to his car.

Once we were at the car, "look Sarah please for me, just be safe. I know how you are and how good of a heart you have, I just couldn't live with myself if something were to happen to you" he told me.

Looking up at Steve, "I promise I will be safe, and if you want drive by and check things out" I told him with a smile. I know I told Steve we should just be friends, but the truth is I always felt a flutter around him, I was scared and didn't want to ruin a great friendship with him.

Steve was important to me, and he knew this, that is why he hasn't given up hope for something to happen between us. Steve gave me a kiss on the cheek and got into his car and drove away.

I went inside and saw Devon sitting there going over the grocery list, "Sarah, I don't want to cause any issues between you and Steve" he said not looking up from the list.

"Steve and I are great friends, and yes Steve wants more but I want to remain friends with him" I told Devon, as I went into the pantry, I missed the smile from Devon.