It was a restless night, laying there in the dark. Sabine was on a tiny, cramped straw pallet that lay on a rope bed. It was much smaller than her bed back home and reminded her of the tiny enclosure on the shuttle. No glowing lights, no cold air, no weightlessness. Just cramped and small. If she shut her eyes, maybe she could imagine she was back sleeping in her bag on the shuttle. Zipped into place like she had been before she had been whisked away.

But no.

She caught herself just before she called out to her iPhone to play some music. No iPhone here. No music other than the crickets. Crickets and other chirping bugs were almost deafening in the darkness. The sounds of the night kept her awake. She could hear Jack’s breathing from the pallet he had made for himself. The idea that there may be a snake that slithers in or some other creature that could sneak into the many cracks in the walls was discomforting. Staring upwards, she realized there was a gaping hole that let in a small amount of moonlight.

That will have to be fixed, too, she thought. Fixer upper didn’t begin to describe it.

Burn it all and start again?

Harsh as that sounded, perhaps it was an idea. There was already a flat area for the house. The fireplace was standing and seemed solid. The blackened, small stove in the corner looked as if it hadn’t been used much. The fact that Jack cooked over the fire and she boiled the water on a hook above the fireplace cemented that idea. Maybe it didn’t work? Or maybe it wasn’t worth heating up to cook for one? She certainly understood that. She had been the drive-thru queen back home.

Burn it, clean the stove. Build around the fireplace and begin again. Home is what you make it, right? She wanted quality of life, so perhaps she would have to create it. She wanted a kitchen or bedroom… a bathroom. She was smart enough to develop a plan for it. If he bought the supplies, could she build what she wanted? Did she dare attempt it? She’d never built any solid structures, but if she kept it simple maybe it could work. There would be no plumbing or electrical to figure out, but she could certainly put four walls together if she could create medication from plants. It would take time, skill and all of her wits to make sure it was something she could live in for…

Wait.

Would she be living here? Would she remain? Was she time bound with an expiration date? She had certainly had that happen before- oh, approximately a week ago. It wasn’t fun and she didn’t relish the idea of having it happen again.

Would Jack want her here? What if she was asked to leave? And there were no guarantees that she would want to stay. If she gave this relationship with Jack a try, would they find that getting along together was impossible, that they weren’t suitable? Maybe something just wasn’t right between them. Every time she thought that maybe there was interest, he would back away just as quickly. She’d be damned if she would chase him any more than she already had. She lay there in on the scratchy surface trying to rest and heard a loud sigh.

“If you can’t sleep, you could certainly let me,” he said quietly.

“You’ve been sleeping just fine! Thank you very much,” she retorted. “In fact, with all those logs you have been sawing with your snoring, we could be resting in a two-story house.”

“Point made, Princess. My shithole of a house isn’t good enough and needs repairs,” he said in a tight voice in the darkness.

“I’m sorry,” she replied, instantly feeling contrite. “I guess I’m cranky when I’m tired.”

“I see that.”

“Go back to sleep and I will be quiet,” she offered.

“I’m up. How about we head out early to Austin?” he said evenly. There was something in his tone that she couldn’t place.

“You’re mad.”

“No,” he said quickly. “Surprised, that’s all.”

“I am sorry.”

“It doesn’t change the fact that you deserve better.”

“That’s only because you insist on calling me princess.”

“That’s because you insist on acting like you are one,” she heard him mumble as he walked out the door into the darkness outside. She could see the barest glow on the horizon as the sun prepared to come up. Sabine felt guilty for what she had said about his house and he obviously was embarrassed about it.

Things were so very different and, again, she found herself longing for her previous life and the comforts it brought. Everything in her insisted that Eve had to have been wrong and she wondered if maybe she simply expected too much in a relationship. Heck, it was barely a budding friendship at this point.

Standing alone inside the cabin, she stared out the open door to see his shadow standing there in the faint morning light. His face upturned looked disappointed and a frown creased his brow. She waited. For what, she didn’t know, but it felt like this was important.

Just watching from a distance, seeing him and his actual inner feelings he hid so well sometimes. At that very moment, she watched his shoulders drop and he ran a hand through his wavy hair, disturbing where it had lain. He gave a shake to his head in frustration, took a deep breath and seemingly picked himself back up. She could see the wall go up in his gaze as he turned to the cabin. Was that look of indifference for her, or was he protecting himself?

Stepping forward with a friendly smile, she murmured hello as she walked out of the darkness. There was no open smile in return, but a nod. “When we head out, I can take you to a shelter or convent so you have a decent roof over your head.”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“I think maybe its best.”

“We’ll see,” she said simply. She wasn’t about to argue with the stubborn man when she herself was plagued with doubts. She still wondered if Eve was incorrect on her having to choose. Now, she wondered if she was supposed to pick the snaggletooth instead. Maybe I was rotten in a previous life, she thought, and this is how I get repaid.

She watched as he saddled up the horses in the dim light. He meant business and they would be leaving in no time flat. She hurried and rinsed her face with the remainder of the boiled water from the night before that was left in the pail. She jumped guiltily as she felt a tap on her shoulder and he handed her a canteen with a knowing look. Saying nothing, she snatched the canteen from him and proceeded to pour the water she had just wiped all over her face into the metal container with a syrupy sweet smile. Her smile dropped as he did an about face and walked off, muttering “let’s go” behind him.

Yep. Eve screwed up.

Mounting the dreaded horse, she felt her legs protest against the movement. She was sore from all the riding they had done and it seemed to never really go away. But then again, she hadn’t been off of the horse much lately either. They took off in silence and she began singing again until he shushed her abruptly.

“You’re making too much noise. If there is trouble in the area, I don’t want to attract it by your caterwauling.”

“I sing just fine.”

“You sing loudly.”

“Is there any other way?”

“You could hum quietly to yourself.”

“And you could talk to me so I don’t have to keep myself entertained,” Sabine complained.

“I can’t think of anything to talk about.”

“Can’t you? Because I’m thinking I owe you an apology.”

“Nope.”

“Yup!”

“It’s not necessary.”

“I know,” she retorted.

She saw his jaw tense up and knew her smart mouth was going to get her in trouble. “Look, it may not be necessary,” she started and realized that he was not going to make this easy. Jack didn’t look at her but stared straight ahead, his horse slowly walking beside hers.

“Jack,” she said gently and reached out to touch his arm. Finally, he looked up at her and it hit her. He was a proud man. She had been annoying, arrogant, and abrupt at each turn yet he tried to help her but she hadn’t really realized it. Jack had taken a young “boy” under his wing. He took care of the snake, he cooked, he didn’t have to put a roof over her head… even if it was barely there… nor did he have to offer to take her into Austin.

“Jack, I’m sorry I haven’t been more appreciative of your help,” she started. “And I am thankful that you have been a good enough friend to me, to help me out. If you want to be rid of me in Austin, I understand,” she admitted quietly, feeling the warmth under her hand that had signaled that he was her soulmate according to Eve. The sensation was there, but maybe she expected too much in the relationship. Could she be happy here? Did she have much of a choice?

“It’s your choice,” he said quietly, pulling the horses to a stop. “A friend will always have a place at my hearth. However, as a woman, it might be better for you if you stayed in town.”

“As a woman, I go where I choose to be.”

“And that is?” he asked simply.

“Where I am wanted,” she said with a warm smile and felt herself melt as he smiled in return. “Only where I am wanted,” she repeated and kicked her horse into movement. His smile gave her butterflies in her stomach and she was a bit surprised at how happy it made her feel. She practically beamed when he pulled his horse up beside her.

“Reckon you are staying then.”

“Only if that is what you want,” she said softly.

“Well, I could use a hand fixing up my so-called shithole of a house into a home.”

“And that takes a woman’s touch?”

“I don’t think touching is going to be the problem,” he said leaning over the gap between them. Sabine found herself meeting him halfway, holding on to the pommel for dear life. He put a gloved hand against her cheek and tenderly stroked it before giving her a short kiss. Sabine laughed happily as she began to lose her balance and he grasped her, pulling her across his lap. Her legs dangled between the two horses as she clutched his arms to gain a hold of her new position in his lap. Looking up, she met his warm eyes.

“Sabine,” he said softly. “I want to make sure this is what you want. I can’t have you in my home without ruining your good name. I’m not the type of guy you should saddle yourself with, I’ve already told you that. You should have better.”

“And I told you I wasn’t asking for a marriage proposal from you.”

“No, but I think I am asking you,” he said suddenly, looking confused. “I won’t treat you badly. I’ll work hard to provide what you might need but,” he stopped, looking pained for a split second and hiding it. “I can provide well, but it will never be good enough. I’m concerned you will regret your decision later and I’m not sure I can accept that. I never wanted a wife and I’m not sure if I am the right guy for you, but something in me feels like you should stay.”

“I think,” she murmured, her eyes dancing over his face looking for any sign that this was right. Doubts still lingered in her head but if she had been abandoned by Eve, he might be the best chance at getting through this new life in a halfway decent fashion. It could be worse. He could be abusive, sickly, ugly, or any litany of issues. But no, he was handsome, witty and a bit prickly. A combination that infuriated and intrigued her.

Eve, for the love of God! I am sorry I cursed so much at you! This is important you know! Send me a sign or something to tell me that this is the right thing. That HE is the right guy and not some mistake! Just as she was fixing to say no to his proposal, the sky darkened. Glancing up, she saw the blackness overtaking the corner of the sun. Well, that is a heck of a sign. But does it mean I chose correctly?

Do you need an engraved invitation? Marry the guy! I am literally moving heaven and earth for your stupid sign that you are currently misreading! Eve snapped, sounding exasperated. Would you please just say “yes”, you hard-headed creature? Do you know what it takes to have someone change their mind or open up to an idea? An act of Congress!

“Yes,” she said quietly and squeaked as he pulled her into a tight hug, revealing his excitement for a moment before he brushed it off and released her just as quickly. “You sure about this?”

He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and she felt her ire rile up. As she glanced up into his eyes again, she realized that she had never seen such an expression before. It was as if he had been given a gift that he wasn’t expecting. Shyness, happiness, surprise and adoration all registered in his eyes and hit her like a ton of bricks.

“You’re glad,” she whispered, surprised, touching his cheek. The scruff of his beard tickled under her palm. He didn’t say a word and just looked at her for several minutes before kissing the tip of her nose affectionately.

“Let’s get you into town and get you some things. Clothing for a woman and a real gun instead of that peashooter,” he said gruffly.

Sabine’s jaw dropped as she realized that when he felt cornered, he lashed out. He may not have meant the hurtful words, but they bothered her just the same. “We’ll need to get you a few things, too,” she said quickly. “Sugar and no gun.”

“Why sugar? You have to have protection. You will get a new gun.”

“Fine, you find me a pink gun and I will carry it. The sugar is for your sour disposition,” she said matter of factly as she settled back onto her horse, taking up the reins. “You need something for it, sourpuss. I swear you could pickle something with that nasty temper.”

His laughter roared and startled her horse. It pleased her that she could make him laugh, which in turn made her chuckle. It lightened the mood between them and she was glad he wasn’t one of the sensitive guys she was used to back home. They rode silently for a while and he would answer questions she had along the way. The landscape was fascinating to her. It looked so very different from modern Florida.