The stranger

After days of being cooped up in the house, I found myself in the meadow near the house. Laying on a blanket, I enjoyed my time writing poetry in my journal and picking a bouquet for my mother.

Right now, I have too much free time on my hands, so I spend time in the meadow doing the little things that make me happy. I hadn't seen the wolf since that day or heard its terrifying howls.

I tried to forget everything, the strange dreams—the odd behavior of the wolf.

In the evening, I started gathering my stuff when I heard a horse whiny over towards the front of the house just out of sight.

I hurried up and ran towards the house, forgetting my blanket and bouquet.

When I rounded the corner near the porch, I halted in my tracks.

My mother was talking to a man who sat atop a gorgeous bay roan quarter horse. When the man finally noticed me, my breath hitched as his grey, almost silver; eyes were intriguing.

My heart began to race; my palms became moist.

I snapped out of my daze when my mother called my name. Looking at her, it was like she had just noticed me.

"This is my daughter Lilith; Lilith, this is Mr. Carlton." he had a deep voice that gave me goosebumps as he spoke.

"I was passing through the area. I'm heading to the property I purchased over the river north of you'll land, but my horse is becoming a little tired from all the traveling; I'm coming from EastTexas."

My mother pondered his words for a bit before she spoke.

" We have a spare room in the bunkhouse; you are more than welcome to it; I'll have Lilith fetch a few blankets and clean it up. Super is in a couple of hours."

With that, mother left to go inside, leaving me in uncomfortable silence with this man. Deciding to make a quick exit, I felt his gaze on me as I made my way toward the bunkhouse.

I dusted the cobwebs put fresh sheets on the cot, and swept the floor. When I Exited the bunkhouse, Mr. Carlton was sitting by the paddock where Mr. Carlton's horse was grazing.

Hoping to sneak by, I was about to get to the front porch when I heard him call out.

" Hey, miss Lilith, where can I get cleaned up?" I died a little as I turned around with a fake smile plastered on my face. There's a creek nearby if you want to get cleaned up.

That sounds great. Could you show me where miss Lilith is? he said. Frustration and fear didn't even begin to describe how I felt.

I reluctantly let the mother know I was showing him to the creek before making the trip there.

I made mental notes of good hiding spots or how I would escape if things went south.

My thoughts were interrupted when he cleared his throat. " So miss Lilith, is it just you and your ma or..."

No, my pa and brothers are out working the cattle. They should be home tomorrow.

"I lied; they weren't supposed to be home for a few more days."

he didn't say much after that,t seeming lost in thoughts; when we made it to the river bank, I left him to do his thing while I made my way back to the house.

I had a lot of questions that I wanted answers to, but I probably would never get them. As I made my way to the house, it occurred to me that I had left my things in the meadow. I quickly made my way to the spot.

Returning home, I helped my mother set the table. We never got guests, so she brought out the good plates; the thought of using the good plates made me cringe internally. Our regular plates would have been fine.

Once mother and I were done setting the table, as if on cue, a light knock sounded from the front door. I quickly opened the door for our guest.

I was silent the whole dinner, only giving our guest a passing look from time to time. Mother and Mr. Carlton chatted the entire time. I don't know what they talked about; my thoughts elsewhere.

Mr. Carlton thanked me for the delicious dinner and bid us goodnight.

When he left, we did quick work of cleaning the table off before going to bed.

I stripped off my dress, pulling out my light blue nightgown from my dresser. I crawled into bed, covering myself with my favorite quilt; sleep came fast that night.

I was jolted awake by someone's hand covering my mouth. My eyes shot open.

I saw grey, cold eyes staring at me. I began to struggle to kick my legs hard while trying to claw at his arms.

A blow to the side of my head caused dots in my vision before everything went dark!