Mallory sat down by the fence and watched in awe. I was working outside with a new horse, trying to break him in. Mallory was so curious about how everything worked and wanted to learn the mechanics and every little detail. I could tell that she got her inquisitive nature from her mother. After a couple of hours of trying to saddle the horse, I sighed in defeat.

"What are you doing?" Mallory asks.

"Trying to ride this damn horse."

"Why?"

"That's a good question," I said sarcastically.

"You're struggling, you seem bad at it."

"Thanks for the observation." I take the rope that was attached to the horse's reins and tie it to the fence.

"Can I try? Mallory asks, pointing to the saddle. "Pretty please?"

"No way. Your mother would not like that."

"But, please? I promise I won't tell her."

"I highly doubt that."

"But she's not here. She would never know."

"I would rather have her permission than yours."

"Ugh, Mommy is so boring." She says and crosses her arms.

"I'm sure that's not true." I could tell from her failed attempt of stealing Daisy, that Tessa has an adventurous side to her. I wish she would let me in and tell me who she's running from.

"Of course you would say that, you like Mommy." Mallory teased. "Do you love her?" She asks, drawing out the o.

"Alright, that's enough questions from you." I look up and realize that it's getting dark. "Go back inside the house and wash up for dinner. I'm sure it's almost ready."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes. Now, go inside."

"Fine." Mallory hops off the fence and goes back inside the farmhouse.

I untie the reins and take the horse back to the stables. Smiling as I think about how much Mallory is like her mother. As I head towards the stables, I find Tessa leaning against the door, wearing an off-the-shoulder top which gives me a peek of some of the scars that littered her skin. "What are you still doing out here? It's freezing." I take off my denim jacket and drape it around her shoulders.

Tessa smiles as she wraps the jacket around her. "I know, I just wanted to say thank you, for watching Mallory today. I know that she can be a handful sometimes."

"Yeah, but she has her good moments. She's a great kid."

"I know." Tessa smiles and looks down at the hay-covered ground, she seems a little off, a little too quiet for my liking.

"Hey." I nudge her shoulder. "Did something happen?"

"No, I'm just thinking."

"About what?"

"My family." She said with a solemn look on her face.

"What happened to them, if you don't mind me asking?"

"They're gone, I'm the only one left."

"So, you're an....orphan then?"

"Yeah, guess I am." She looks down when she realizes that I've been holding her hand the whole time.

"And the people that you're running from?"

"What about them?" She asks and lets go of my hand. "Did Mallory say something?"

"No, she didn't mention them...and I didn't ask about them either."

"Why not?" She asks as she looks me in the eyes.

"Because it's not my business and I would rather hear it from you if you're ready to talk about it. If you never want to talk about them, I understand, I'm still a stranger to you. So, I promise to respect your wishes."

"Thanks."

"Like I said earlier, no need to thank me." A comforting silence falls between us. "When you do feel like telling me, I'm all ears. I also don't mind doing most of the talking." I hated feeling like a stranger to her, I wanted us to be friends, possibly something more but I could tell that she wasn't ready.

"So, what did you and Mallory talk about?"

"She wanted to ride a horse that I was working with."

"Did you let her?"

"Of course not, I would have asked you first."

"Well, maybe next time I can join you."

"I'd like that."

We stare into each other's eyes for a while until Tessa starts shaking from the cold.

"Can we go inside now? It's freezing out here."

I chuckle. "Sure thing."

We walk back inside the house, and I can't help but think about how much I am starting to like this woman and how much I will miss her when she leaves.