Chapter Text
The new transport of pig squealed and oinked, tipping to their hind legs occasionally to grab the bag of pig feed, which this week is our leftovers from Granny's birthday. The sweet potato mush, that we tend to scrap to the little ones or the elderly because they're the only ones who think the slimy supper is delicious, table scraps and whatnot. The bag is tipped over from a flying pig, to hell! That's Arnold. He's the biggest and oldest pig we have, yet, more energetic than his daughter Janet. Dad insist on referring the animals as real people so, before he hires anyone they must memorize the name of each animal in the field they're signing for. For me, weirdly, it's pigs and horses. Which is easy because my pigs have personality and none of the horse look remotely the same.
My hands shoot out to my neck pulling the blood red whistle to my lips, dispersing the hungry creatures.
"Fine! What off the floor! Nothin' new anyhow." I roll my eyes and yank the rough sack that carried the mush with unbelievable force, knocking my cowgirl boot covered feet from under me.
A yelp escapes my lips and a new farm hand rushes to help me out of muck that I tell myself is only mud.
"Gosh. Thank you!" I gasps pulling the rough hand to right myself.
"Tis fine. Boss' daughter y'know. Hope to have good words thrown my way." The young dirty blonde man winks with a smirk.
I scowl dropping my smile and this guy's hand turning on my heels towards the spot of the gate that I usually hop over, afraid that if I lock the gate the pigs will get loose.
"Have a good day helping hand!" I wave the muck covered bag with one hand as my other hand lifts my weight to the other side of the fence in a practiced maneuver.
I place the bag where it belongs before going to the horse stalls. The faucet is turned on with my wrist before my hands are sheltered in sun heated water. A sigh escapes my lips at the warmth.
"Don! You have five minutes before your horseback riding starts." My father's voice booms from behind me. I immediately turn the water off before turning to my Daddy.
He has big worker boots on, jeans that sweep against the heel of his boot and a button down gray shirt tucked in his pants swelling around his round belly. His dark perfectly shaped beard was slightly peppered with gray hair that faded up into baldness.
I giggled at him and looked down at myself. My light blue fitted jeans hugged me perfectly and were tucked into my knee high, black, boots. My black button down shirt was not tucked and unbuttoned until under my breast showcasing my tank top that was the same color as my pants and tucked into my jeans that were held up by a black belt. My sleeves were scrunched up to above my elbows, like my father's.
"Yes, sir!" I chirp, earning me a wink.
I jog from my father towards the younger horses, directly across from their parents. I smiled as I entered Rump's stall. His name was Rumplestiltskin because of his golden brown coat and near blonde mane. He was amazing with kids, better than I was for sure. I glanced over at Snow White, his sister. She was white with a black nose and mane. They were both sattled by helpers beforehand.
Both horses are easily led to the horse back riding field I step in with them and allow them to graze as I wait for my first appointment of the evening.
"Are you teaching me how to ride ponies?" A sweet voice echoes from below me and I instinctly kneel.
"Oh yes! What's your name? I'm Donatella." I reach my hand out towards the curly headed pale girl.
"I'm Angelic! Uncle Tom has told me so much about horsies! He said that your farm got the best reviews and he only wanted the best for me!" Angelic giggles causing a smile to brush my face.
"Where is your Uncle Tom, sweetie?" A true, sweet smile is aimed at the little girl.
"Behind you, silly! "
I swiftly stand, twisting to face a brick wall. I gasp side stepping, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Whoa, there!" A big warm hand covers the small of my back swooping me towards a hard, warm, big body. The scent makes my legs quiver under me and my vision darken. It smells like mint mixed with the musk of a hard working man. My hands instinctly grip to the red shirt as my legs right theirself.
"What a startle! " I blush trying to back up from the man who's made me instantly dizzy. "Thank you!"
"Always. I'm Thomas Hiddleston, my neice was scheduled for lessons today?"
"Yes, yes! I'm Donatella Marsh! Of Marsh Riders." I giggle nervously, blush taking over my freckle sprinkled face. "I teach horse back riding. I'm currently doing a 2 for one. I could teach any two people for the price of one adult. Are you interested?"
"Oh! That'll be so much fun Uncle!" Angelic pipes up, doe eyes looking up to Thomas.
His dark curls are gently smoothed back, sharp cheek bones armored as he smiles a gorgeous smile, gentle crows feet kissing the corners of his beautiful ocean blue eyes, that leads into a laugh. The sound weakens my knees, I stumble forward, head spinning from the knee weakening 'ehehehe' laugh from his warm tempting lips.
Considering my age, I know my feelings are inappropriate. He's a beautiful man. He's knocking my usual independence and determination right from under me without trying!
"Ah. Angel, I can not. It cost too much and I can't guarantee the follow up lessons will be paid that way. I am sorry."
"UNCLE!"
"Hey! It's fine, sweetie. Let's go see what horse you like. Here. Grab an apple or two from that bag on the barn wall and I will show you two how to feed the horses. Isn't that fun?" I smile at her and point towards the bag.
"Yes!" The little girl immediately forgets her battle as she runs in an adorable way to the apple bag above the apple barrel.
"Donatella is such a beautiful name." A warm breath fans my cheek wisping a light brown strip of my hair into my face.
"Thank you." A blush holds my face hostage as my gaze falls to my dirt caked boots.
"How old are you, anyway? You're quite pretty."
"I'm sixteen!" My eyes shoot up to his blue ones taking in his worried expression.
"Angelic is only ten."
"She does seem like an angel."
His expression shifts as she returns giddily. She's hyper through the whole afternoon making me miss two appointments, luckily with no shows. More people arrive randomly, workers and riders.
I can't help my eyes from wondering to Thomas and Angelic.
He's gentle with her and it heats and flips my stomach in ways I can't help but love. I feel detached when my shift is over and my boots are dragged as I head home, in the middle of The Marsh, which we've named the land.
I hear patters of feet and feel a hand on my shoulder.
"Donatella! "
"Hm?"
"We're new to town. Uh... Whew. That run! Uh. I'm new and would love to be shown around. Maybe I can pick you up sometime and we can get together and..."
"Oh. Sure!" My heart pounds in my chest. "Do you want my number?"