1,500 Acres Ten Years Later

“You want me to do what?”

“Lower your voice, Edward.”

“She’s my baby! He’s old.”

“She’s twenty-two, and he’s thirty. Try again.”

“He’s too old for her.”

1,500 Acres Outtake

We ran through the dark like a pair of children, hands clasped and hushed giggles escaping my throat. I had never in my life done something quite so carefree, or even—dare I say—scandalous, and it made me slightly hysterical. The door to the truck creaked as Edward opened it, and I laughed some more, covering my mouth with my hand like it was some clandestine meeting rather than my truck in our backyard. There was very little moonlight so we did almost everything by memory instead of real sight. In my mind’s eye, I saw his green eyes shining with lust as he closed us in our temporary haven.

1,500 Acres Future Take Part Two

Our love is unconditional
We knew it from the start
I can see it in your eyes
You can feel it from my heart
From here on after
Let's stay the way we are right now
And share all the love and laughter
That a lifetime will allow

I cross my heart
And promise to
Give all I've got to give
To make all your dreams come true

In all the world
You'll never find
A love as true as mine

You will always be the miracle
That makes my life complete
And as long as there's a breath in me
I'll make yours just as sweet

As we look into the future
It's as far as we can see
So let's make each tomorrow
Be the best that it can be

I cross my heart
And promise to
Give all I've got to give
To make all your dreams come true
In all the world
You'll never find
A love as true as mine

And if along the way we find a day
It starts to storm
You've got the promise of my love
To keep you warm

~George Strait, I Cross My Heart

1,500 Acres Future Take Part One

Love ain't a candle

It doesn't burn for one night

And need the dark to shine

Love is alive

And love ain't just a word

In every dictionary

But nowhere defined

Love is a man and he's mine

Love is alive

And at our breakfast table

Every day of the week

Love is alive

And it grows every day and night

Even in our sleep

Love is alive

And it's made a happy woman out of me

Oh, love is alive

And here by me

Love ain't just a mood

A distant far away dream

That needs the night to rise

Love is alive

And love ain't just a song

Sweet words of music

To go dancin' by

Love is a man and he's mine

~ The Judds, Love is Alive

1,500 Acres Chapter 17

Delicate buds were perched like luminescent pearls on outstretched branches. They littered the ground like a kid gone crazy with confetti, leaving the most beautiful backdrop. Spring had arrived on the farm, and the signs were everywhere. Hatchlings squawked from the nests high in the trees, Lucy nursed a bow-legged foal, the pigpen was empty and had been moved, and—best of all—it was my wedding day.

1,500 Acres Chapter 16

The next morning found me on the porch with my coffee, as was my habit. It had snowed more overnight, and I loved to see my land and buildings covered in it. It gave everything a hushed, reverent feel. I’d already slipped on my muddy boots and wound my way to the horse barn, so there were tracks from me and Rusty, but other than that the snow was clean and smooth and perfect looking. I breathed deeply, enjoying the clean smell and crisp air.

1,500 Acres Chapter 15

There weren't any vehicles for sale in the entire county, at least not advertised. Most people around here kept their vehicles until they ran them into the ground, and then they fixed them or found someone to fix them. It had been a struggle without one for sure, but my friends had been generous and helpful in that regard. I would be happy to stop paying a delivery fee to Mike. Even though I loved the Newton family, I didn't need to pass off any more of my income than necessary. The only solution I could find to buying a truck was to go either to Buffalo, or even further to Woodwater.

1,500 Acres Chapter 14

I suppose I should have seen it coming, but it didn't occur to me until it was too late. When we all returned to the barn to hand our horses off to Seth, Carlisle tried to climb off Blaze by himself. The sight of him struggling to throw his leg over Blaze’s neck was so undignified, but that wasn't what made me shout for him to stop and let someone help. His ankle was turned in the stirrup as he swung his other leg over the saddle horn, and as a result he got tangled and fell off. It wasn't simply him falling, which would have been bad enough. It was that he was near the entrance of the stalls, where puddles had formed after the snow melted. Carlisle ended up ass first in sloppy mud.

1,500 Acres Chapter 13

The next day went pretty much as I expected. The Cullens arrived just after breakfast dressed in designer jeans that looked like they’d been starched and pressed. Esme’s coat wasn't fur, but it was an unfamiliar fabric that was really soft when she hugged me. I was pleased with her greeting and unwilling to begin the day on the wrong track, so I let go all of my preconceived ideas and acted like this wasn’t a working ranch that had several things waiting to be done.

1,500 Acres Chapter 12

Mr. and Mrs. Cullen were coming to my home. There was no doubt in my mind that they were going to judge my ranch and me, and they were going to give Edward a hard time for wanting to live here. I was sure he would tell them he was in love and wanted to marry me, and they would tell him his decisions were ruled by his dick. It was what I would have said to my child if they suddenly wanted to give up a stable job in the family business to go live in a city they knew nothing about after only a few months working on a ranch with a widow who became his lover.

1,500 Acres Chapter 11

His fingertips trailing over my face woke me up. I felt whole again, fully at peace and rested for the first time since he left two months ago. Hooded eyes were gazing at me as I blinked to clear the lingering sleep and reassure myself he was here, naked, in my bed.

1,500 Acres Chapter 10

Everything was the same the next morning. I didn't know what I expected, but there was nothing dramatic going on at my humble ranch. The night had been difficult; I used to relish being alone, bask in it, even. Now it was lonely and strange. My bed was cold and I missed having Edward pressed up against me. The breakfast table was too quiet, the horses too solemn. Rusty wandered aimlessly, probably looking for his friend. His dark, droopy eyes looked up at me despondently.

1,500 Acres Chapter 9

With the money I made during the month of August, I was able to pay off all of the debt that my husband had accrued. This helped me to begin saving money to pay a ranch hand to start by the beginning of September.

1,500 Acres Chapter 8

The rest of July went by in a blur. I was trying my best to live in the moment, to enjoy Edward and everything he had to offer. He was witty; he made me laugh until I almost peed in my pants. He was caring, insisting I took Sundays off while he tended to the animals. He was solicitous, constantly asking if I felt okay or if he’d hurt me. I was going out of my mind with lust for him some days, and I got a little carried away. I had to assure him that I liked it when he took control and that it didn't hurt or frighten me. I’d discovered his birthday was back in June and I insisted on baking him a cake. We might or might not have ended up with flour in interesting crevices.

1,500 Acres Chapter 7

As we ate the reheated dinner Rose left for us, Edward told me that he and Emmett had accomplished everything on my list and then some. I told him that my surrounding neighbors were coming over in August to help harvest the wheat. It was the first time in years, and it would save me bruises and cuts, sore muscles, and even crop losses. Around here, the community helped each other out without having to be asked. It was a small community and one I loved. I hadn't felt very much like I was a part of it since I was a teenager, which was a pity, but things were changing. They’d accepted me back into their circle without question.

1,500 Acres Chapter 6

The second the McCartys left, I felt nervous. Butterflies waged a war in my gut as I stood looking out the back door. I’d heard the front door open and close, and footsteps going up the stairs. The pipes groaned inside the walls as he turned on the shower, and my mind wandered back to thoughts of what he would look like naked. To distract myself, I watched Rusty shuffle off across the yard and smiled at the simplicity of his life.

1,500 Acres Chapter 5

I needed to put space between me and Edward in a way that was clear cut. I avoided him for the next few days, knowing he would tend to his chores while I tended to mine. I took my meals into my bedroom with me, feeling like a coward but unable to figure out a better way to send the message that we were never going to be more than a farmer and a hand. Rusty seemed to be more loyal to Edward, because he started to follow him around the property instead of me. I couldn't honestly blame him. I was miserable to be around.

1,500 Acres Chapter 4

My agitation at having the strange man in my house only seemed to grow as time went on. Rather than grow accustomed to his presence, he set me on edge. He was polite, helped out without being asked, and was up at the same time as me after the first week. He was perfect, and that was the crux of the problem.

1,500 Acres Chapter 3

I was up the next morning at five, as usual. I slipped on my shoes and headed out into the dark to get the animals fed. Rusty followed along as I added oats to the horses’ feeding troughs. Soon the wheat would be ready to harvest and I could feed the animals the separated chaff, but for now they would eat the feed I bought them. The chickens came next; I fed them before collecting their eggs to make sure they were happy by the time I got back to them. I didn't feed the cattle anything special, since they were strictly pasture animals, but I did make sure they had fresh water. I’d contemplated getting pigs for various reasons, but I couldn't afford the time and trouble yet, much less the cost to bring them on the farm.

1,500 Acres Chapter 2

BPOV

I had to stop and sit down; I was working myself to death, and I knew it. I sat on the bench outside the chicken coop and used my bandana to wipe my sweaty face. My old hound, Rusty, plopped his butt next to me, leaning in to my hand as I scratched his ear. It had been months since my bastard husband had been put in the ground, and I had lost fifteen pounds from all the extra work I was having to put in. I needed a solution, and I needed it quick.