Hoyt pulled into the drive with his self satisfied grin glued to his face as per usual. He parked the car in front of the house and picked up his can of dip as he watched the family's shadows through the windows. They were in the kitchen, cooking from what it looked like. Tommy must have been in the basement, the two silhouettes were far too small to be him. It was Mama and the girl. His grin faded soon as he saw her. He shoved a good amount of tobacco into his lip and threw the can back down in the passenger seat. His lips curled as he watched her set the table alongside Mama. He despised how comfortable they looked together now. Mama was just about as soft on her as Tommy was, he thought. It wasn't unlike her to pick up strays, he should have known she'd end up cozying up to her eventually, just as she did Tommy. Only Tommy fit in easier. He was moldable, he didn't resist like the girl did. Tommy may not have been blood, but he knew his place. At least he did until she came along and batted her siren eyes at him. She knew what she was doing, she'd dug a hole in the boy's head and buried herself in deep. She had taken control of the strings Hoyt always had such a tight grip on. He was her dog now, that was apparent in his belligerent need to undermine him at every angle. Now it seemed she was wrapping a leash around Mama too. He saw that clear enough that morning before he'd left. Mama wouldn't even look at him. She'd never cared what he did to the toys he brought home before, but now her discomfort was evident. She cared about the girl as if she was the daughter he knew she would have rather had instead of him. He'd been replaced yet again, only she wasn't like Tommy. She didn't know her place, in fact she refused to step in line. She wasn't moldable, she was a problem. If the lesson he taught her the night before hadn't sunk in he had a few more tricks up his sleeve. Or maybe he'd just let her starve herself to death. He couldn't be blamed by Mama or Tommy, that would be her own doing.

He threw the car door open at let his boots hit the ground. He stood up and adjusted his belt buckle before he spit a good amount of dip out. He could smell dinner and his grin returned as he began his walk inside. He pushed the door open and hung his hat before he made his way to the kitchen. Mama and the girl were plating dinner silently, though he could tell they'd gone quiet only because he entered the room. He leaned over Ronnie's shoulder to take a whiff of the meat she'd just set down.

"Sure smells good, don't it," he said as he lingered by her ear.

He caught her wearing a grin of her own as she spoke, "Sure does."

His eyes narrowed at her oddly pleasant tone. She turned her head to look at him as she handed him the plate.

"Why don't you take a seat?" She said.

He gave her a suspicious once over before he turned to Mama, who seemed to be acting as if nothing was wrong. He didn't like that look on Ronnie's face. She was irritating him more than usual.

"Hoyt, take the plate and have a seat," Mama ordered.

He scoffed as he took it from her hands and strode over to his seat. Thomas lumbered in and sat with him, as did Ronnie and the rest of the family. They waited patiently for him to say grace. He slowly pushed his chair back and stood as he studied each of them with suspicion.

"Let's bow our heads," he muttered.

She still had that grin on her face as she closed her eyes and faced the ground. He gritted his teeth and drew in a deep breath before he began to pray.

"We were hungry and he gave us meat, we were thirsty and he gave us drink," he said quietly, "he gave us a way to survive. Amen."

Before he even had a chance to sit down he saw Ronnie tuck in to her food ravenously. He started to laugh as he took his seat.

"Well look at miss high and mighty," he said as he watched her, "guess I learned you somethin' after all. You like that, don't you?"

"Sure do," Ronnie said through her full mouth.

Mama stifled a laugh as did Tommy and Hoyt's confusion returned. He looked over to Monty who had his brows furrowed too, but had already taken a good few bites of his own.

"I'm just as confused as you are, but," he said as he lifted another helping to his mouth, "she ain't wrong, it is good. You use different seasonin's or somethin', Luda? Tastes different than it did before."

Hoyt picked up his fork and tore a piece off. He took a bite. It was definitely something almost unfamiliar. He couldn't remember the last time he'd tasted it.

"It's not the seasonin' that's different," he muttered as he pulled a piece of it apart with his fingers, "it's the meat. What is this shit?"

"Venison," Mama replied happily, despite his cold tone.

He let the meat fall down to his plate as he turned to look at Mama, "You're kiddin', right? With what damn money when we got perfectly good meat just sittin' there goin' to waste?"

Mama set her fork down and turned to him, "Meats meat, ain't it? What you got'll keep, I don't see no harm in tryin' somethin' different. Besides, I didn't pay for it."

"Then who the hell did?"

"Nobody," Ronnie added calmly, "I shot it."

Hoyt's jaw clenched at the sound of her voice as did his fists, "You shot it," he mocked before he turned to her, "with what gun?"

"Yours."

She knew what she was doing. She was blatantly challenging him now, he could see it all over her petulant face. That stubborn look Thomas loved so much only made Hoyt's blood boil.

"You wasted my ammo on this shit?" He asked as cold as possible.

"Now Hoyt, you just hush," Mama started before Ronnie could answer, "you made such a fuss about not bitin' the hand that feeds, now look at you. You oughta take your own advice and be a little more grateful. I'll not have you chastisin' her for feedin' us. Eat your food and let her be, unless you're gonna thank her."

He hadn't taken his eyes off of her. He heard what Mama said, but it only solidified his disdain for the girl. She held his gaze with a prideful smile curved on her lips. He imagined his hands gripping her hair and shoving that arrogant face right into the plate in front of her. She thought she'd won. For now, she could think she had, but this was his game. A game he'd been playing long before her and he'd still be playing it long after he saw her buried. He could feel Mama was about to continue, so he picked up his fork and took another bite to keep her quiet.

"You'll thank me later," Ronnie said as she watched him eat.

It was entertaining to watch her dig her own grave, he'd give her that. The family finished eating in uncomfortable silence, until the girl and Mama stood to collect the plates. Hoyt sat there long after the table had been cleared, contemplating as he watched each of them leave the room one by one. How foolish they were to leave him with only his thoughts to keep him company.

Ronnie put the last clean dish back in its place and looked out the window to see the sun hadn't quite set yet. The longer she stared she caught a glimpse of her own reflection. There was still a bit of blood on her forehead and it seemed she may have gotten a bit in her hair. She ran her fingers through it and only then did she realize how dirty she was.

"Mama," she said as she pulled through the knots, "there somewhere I could maybe get cleaned up a little more than a wet rag would do?"

"Well, we ain't go no shower, if that's what you mean," Mama answered as she gave her a once over, "we got a hose or the creek, which ain't too far from here, should still have enough water in it to do the trick."

"I think I'll take the creek," Ronnie said.

"Tommy," Mama hollered down the hallway.

"No, I can manage on my own," Ronnie said quickly, "he doesn't have to-"

"I'm sure he won't mind a bit. You don't need to be out on your own if it gets dark out anyway," Mama said as she walked over to the basement door.

Ronnie sighed. There was no use arguing, she knew that, but after what happened on the porch she wasn't sure she wanted to be alone with him anytime soon. There was something she hadn't felt between them before, something she wasn't sure she liked. He had done nothing wrong, it was her own feelings that had frightened her. There was a pull towards him she hadn't felt before, maybe it had been there, lingering within her subconscious, but that day it had made itself more than known. She feared being with him alone would only fuel that fire she didn't know she had. She didn't want to give herself the chance to let those thoughts run through her mind once more. His footsteps could be heard as he made his way up the stairs and she turned away as he entered the room.

"Tommy, would you walk with Ronnie down to that little creek? See if there's enough water for her to get washed up," Mama said before she made her way upstairs, "I'll go grab you somethin' new to wear."

Ronnie made herself busy as they waited for Mama to come back. She opened the cabinet under the sink to fetch a rag big enough to at least dry her off some after she washed. She could feel Thomas' eyes on her as she stood back up, but as soon as she turned towards him he returned his gaze to the ground. It wasn't the first time he'd done that, but it was the first time she felt the same way he must have been. She wanted to look at him too.

"Here you go," Mama said as she walked back down with a gown in hand, "now, I don't have too many more of these to give you so if you don't mind, keep this one clean best you can."

Ronnie laughed, "I won't ruin this one, you have my word."

Mama smiled as she held the door open for them, "Have fun you two."

Mama was much less subtle about her thoughts on the two of them. Her hopes were more than obvious, especially while she watched them walk from the door. Ronnie knew Thomas was just as aware as she was of those hopeful eyes on their backs. She was glad that soon enough they were out of view, though she found no relief from the newfound tension between her and Thomas. Words usually came easy for Ronnie, but she found herself struggling to find something to say to break the silence. Nothing she thought of made sense, suddenly anything she could say sounded forced. It was odd how such a small moment had created such a whirlwind in her head. She thought back to the porch and the way his eyes fell so heavy on her as if it was the first time he'd seen a woman. She hadn't noticed it before and she especially hadn't noticed how it made her feel. She wasn't sure she should even allow herself to feel what she felt, but it wasn't something she had the power to stop. She felt it now in their silence and in the way she overthought every word she contemplated saying. It was beyond frustrating.

They finally reached the water and she set her gown and towel on the ground. She reached for the edge of her dress to pull it over her head and Thomas immediately turned his back to her. She let out a chuckle as she set the old dress aside. She had to admit it was quite charming how respectful he always was.

"I told your Mama you didn't have to come," she said as she removed the rest of her clothing, "guess you really are stuck with me, long as she's around."

She could tell he was just as nervous as she was by the way he stood. He was more than tense, he was rigid. His hands hung awkwardly at his sides and he made sure his gaze stayed glued to the opposite direction. He heard her step into the water and took in a deep breath as he tried to keep his mind from wandering somewhere he knew it shouldn't go. Though, that was much harder than it seemed.

The water was much cooler than she expected it to be, but god was it a welcome relief from the heat. It was just deep enough to reach above her knees, but it would do just fine. She let her body sink into its embrace and leaned her head back to soak her hair. She ran her hands through it as she sat back up. She looked over to Thomas, who was just as still as before. She knew he wouldn't move a muscle unless she asked him to, he was far too good to look when he knew he shouldn't. She knew that now. He was sweet, good, all the things Luda had said he was. He respected Ronnie in ways she hadn't been before. She thought it ridiculous that she had to wind up here to find that in a man, but there he was. It was becoming increasingly difficult to push those thoughts aside, especially now that her eyes were blatantly ignoring her will to keep them off of him. Even as she tried to focus on scrubbing the blood from her skin, she couldn't stop herself from glancing. Somewhere along the line he had become a magnet and she metal. No matter how hard she'd tried to ignore it, she couldn't and it had been gnawing at her for sometime now. Perhaps it started when he'd lain next to her, maybe when he held her through her tears. Maybe the first time he'd touched her, when he'd so gently lifted her chin. He was always so gentle for someone so imposing. Those rough, calloused hands were deceiving, as was his large frame. She had gotten to know some of what was hidden within those broad shoulders and that gruff demeanor, behind that mask. Kindness. By some miracle, this hard life hadn't taken that gentleness from him. He was kind. And handsome. There was something maddening about the way that dirty shirt strained against his ever so defined back. She watched his fists clench as she wrung her hair and wondered if his mind was where her's was. She wondered what would happen if he just turned around. Had he ever seen a woman bare? According to his mother, he hadn't. He had such a way of appreciating her with his eyes, she knew if he laid them on her now with nothing on to hide her from him, she wouldn't be able to deny herself. God, she wanted him to. And god, what was she thinking?

She stood quickly and shook her head. Luda knew exactly what she was doing, she thought. She did her best to rid as many of those thoughts as she dried herself off and threw the gown over her head. She intended to keep her desire for him to herself as much as she could. Though, she suspected she'd given herself away during their conversation earlier. She walked over to him and gently tapped his shoulder. He turned his head to the side, still unsure if it was okay to look.

"Don't worry, I'm decent," Ronnie said with a smile.

That was almost true. That towel had only dried her off so much and the white fabric of that gown clung to her wet skin in ways that made him blush. He took in a deep breath and tore his eyes away, it didn't feel right to think the things he was thinking. He felt dirty, ashamed, but god he couldn't help himself. She looked beautiful, she was beautiful. Her wet hair draped over her chest, the way the wet fabric pressed against her skin left little to the imagination. He wanted nothing more than to know what she felt like. He imagined those lips were so soft, even more so than her hands and they were like velvet to him. He was so sure the rest of her felt like heaven and heaven was something he knew he was less than deserving of. Though, if she granted him passage, he knew he wouldn't be able to deny her. He never stood a chance in that regard. Her hands held power like he'd never felt before and she didn't even know. He had such a fear of those hands, he knew if she were to ever use them on him he'd be lost to her touch, if he wasn't already to her gaze. He supposed Mama had been right when she said it just comes natural, because though it felt wrong to think those things, it felt more so to deny it.

Ronnie let out a laugh, "I do appreciate you bein' so respectful and all, but I don't mind you lookin' at me."

He looked back at her with surprised eyes, which she found even more endearing. It was quite entertaining to see such a domineering man weakened by just her appearance alone.

"Come on," she said as she strolled past him with a smile, "it's gettin' dark, we oughta get back before your mama starts thinkin' of baby names."

That comment only worsened Thomas' state, but he followed after her regardless. She wasn't wrong about Mama, as they walked into the house he saw that tongue in cheek expression she'd never been good at hiding. She knew better than to say anything at this point, so she let them be. Everything was the way it usually was until they reached their room. Ronnie stopped in the doorway behind him. She rested her shoulder against the frame and crossed her arms. He could tell she was thinking, her brow always furrowed to give her away.

"You, um," she started as she reached a hand up to scratch her head, "would you wanna- I mean, it can't be comfortable down there," she let out a frustrated sigh as she stumbled over her words, "look, you don't have to sleep on the floor anymore if you don't want to."

He was almost unsure he heard her right. He tilted his head to the side ever so slightly as he watched her face turn red. She looked away and went over to turn the sheets down.

"Or don't," she said quickly, embarrassed.

She wasn't even sure why she'd said it. It felt stupid now that she had, but just like at the creek she just couldn't stop hoping he would just do it. She needed to know it wasn't just her that felt that pull. She was just about to assume maybe it really was all in her head when he sat down on the bed.

Of course he wanted to, but she had to know she held the reigns. Though his feelings came naturally, the rest did not. He only knew she had given him very specific rules when she had first arrived and he had intended to follow them, however, if she wanted him to break them he would. Perhaps it was dangerous to allow himself the simple pleasure of being so near to her, each little moment they shared only seemed to be leading him in a direction he knew nothing about. However venturing into the unknown with her felt good. It was a different kind of fear to be next to someone who wasn't repulsed by him, in fact it seemed to be quite the opposite. The first time she had asked him to lie with her she needed him, this was different. She wasn't distraught, she wasn't scared. She simply wanted him to be with her. And who was he to deny her that?