Despite the long hours that he worked during the planting season, Adrian always looked forward to the second shift he’d agreed to take on at Grace’s house. Once Tom was satisfied with the work that had been done, he would go in the house, scrub off his face and hands, and eat something before going to the neighbors for the evening.

Today was no different. He hopped over the fence feeling the age of it creak and groan beneath him. He was hardly halfway across the field before spotting her on her porch, waiting. He slowed, taking her in.

She rises from her seat and waves, coming out into the field. Her pant legs catch against the tall grass and slows her some. When they finally reach each other they embrace, relaxing into the warmth of one another. Adrian rests one hand on the back of Grace’s head, stroking her hair. She smiles up to him, easy.

“How was your day?” she grins.

“Same as yesterday.” He replies, “I was happy to see you out this morning.”

“Were you?”

He kisses her forehead, “but I am happier to be seeing you now.”

She leans into him. “And I you.”

Her face presses against his chest briefly. He was unsurprised, she often enjoyed the smell of the field on him. Maybe the sweat. No matter, he didn’t mind. For someone as particular as Grace was about absolutely everything in her life, he found that simply paying attention rendered her strikingly easy to please. For example, her pants. She never wore pants unless she was feeling or, should he say, planning to feel a little exposed. Suddenly he became aware of his own pants.

He cups her elbows in his palms and she reluctantly pulls away.

Adrian rests his head near her ear. “If I’m not mistaken, you have a door that needs a repair.”

She purses her lips and composes herself. “Right.”

She takes his hand and they make their way to the livestock barn, now empty, the cows out to pasture for the evening. Adrian squats down and inspects the latch, the lock mechanism, and finally the hinges, taking immense care over every detail.

He twists around, eyeing her.

“Looks fine to me,” he says, “you’re sure this is the right one?”

Grace bites her lip. “Mhm. I could’ve sworn it wasn’t working before.”

Adrian stands and straightens his spine. “This is the third time this month that you’ve sent for me without cause. I’m afraid that this is going to cost you. For the time at the very least.”

She twirls her hair in one hand. “Do you think you could add it to my tab?”

He smirks. “Your tab is astronomical. If you cannot pay then I will need some kind of collateral.”

Grace’s eyes burn into his. He can’t look away.

“Do you have anything of value?”

She fishes the pendant of her necklace out from underneath her shirt. Secured on the delicate chain is her golden brass ring.

“Just this.”

He rolls it between his fingers. The chain’s length forces Grace closer to him.
The ring slips easily onto his right index finger.

He looks her up and down.

“That should cover it.”

Keeping the ring on his finger, he pulls Grace’s face into his, kissing her and backing her into the barn.