The hunter

Reserve

The last few weeks had passed by quickly. She settled into a routine, she had been there for two weeks, and so far, she loved everything about her new town and home. Her house was about 25 minutes away from the small town in Bitterroot, Montana. It is so quiet and peaceful when she is not with James or walking around town. She is still getting used to the quiet life in the country.

She explored her property and made plans for the garden she wanted to have. She was debating about whether she could handle a few chickens. She didn't know much about raising them, but she bet James would know a thing or two. Finding her phone, she texted James.

Isabella: Hey, are you busy today?

James: Not after 4 today. Why?

Isabella: I wanted to ask you some questions, get your opinion, and see if you wanted to have dinner tonight?

James: Sure, I can be there by 6 pm. Is that too late?

Isabella: No. 6 pm. is great. Thank you, James, see you soon.

She set her phone down and went to start the roast in the slow cooker. It would take all day, but the wait would be worth it. After seasoning the meat, she turned the crock-pot on high, leaving it to slowly cook.

She grabbed her book and phone, then she went outside and sat on the porch swing James installed for her over the weekend. She watched the birds in the sky swooping down for bugs and taking flight again. It made her wonder what it would feel like to be so free.

She curled herself up, tucking her legs under her, to read her book. She had lost track of time, and before she knew it, hours had passed, it was time to cut and start the potatoes and carrots to add to her roast. The smell was divine and made her mouth water. When she finished adding them to the pot, she replaced the lid and went to take a nap for a couple of hours. She set her alarm for 5 pm and then went to bed. She drifted off to sleep. She woke up to her alarm, turning it off. She stretched and sat up, taking a deep breath.

The smell of roast cooking was making her mouth water. It smelled so good. She planned to make homemade rolls. She pulled the chilled dough from the fridge after rolling the dough into balls and placing it onto the oiled cookie sheets. She set the pans on the stove top and preset the oven, and now it's time to wait for them to rise.

When James arrived, dinner was finished and ready to serve, so she had him take a seat while she loaded the table with all the food. Once they dished their plates, James said grace, and they dug into their meals.

"Mmm, this is delicious. Bella, thank you for making dinner for me tonight", he spoke between bites. She thanked him for joining her and for the meat he gave her again. They chatted a while longer and when they finished their food he insisted on helping to clean up. "No bell you cooked the least I can do is clean up for you. I won't take no for an answer, so go relax please."

She gave in, saying, "fine if you insist," then left him to clean up for her while she set up the movie James had brought for them to watch tonight. It has become one of her favorite things to do with James. When he was done with the clean-up, he went in and sat next to her on the couch. She could smell the scent of him, she did not think he wore cologne, it was just the way he smelled. She could not get enough of it. It made her heart flutter and her belly erupt with butterflies every time.

"James, I saw an ad in the paper today that the reserve was looking to hire someone. Do you know anything about the position?" He looked at her, rubbing his chin with a thoughtful expression, "Um, No I haven't heard if they are looking for anyone, but I haven't been there for a few days either. I am going back on Monday, but I can find out for you okay." She smiled at him, nodding yes. "Thank you, James, I would appreciate that very much." he smirked at her asking, "Are you ready to watch this movie now?" She shook her head at him and grabbed the remote control from the coffee table.

Playing the movie, he sat back on the couch trying to pay attention but found himself watching her from the corner of his eye. She was so damn cute and pretty, and he really wanted to kiss her soft pink lips. She was a walking temptation to him, but he knew he needed to be careful, or he would scare her off. She was too closed off when it came to talking about relationships, and he wondered who hurt her so badly that she felt she needed to build a wall around her heart, and he didn't like it one bit. He wanted to win her heart and to do that he had to be patient and earn her trust.

They watched the movie talking about the actors or actresses we liked. When it was over, she turned on the lamp next to her and turned to face him, clearing her throat. "So I wanted to ask you a few questions about raising chickens, like.. Do you know how hard they are to keep alive? Giggling with a cute smile on her beautiful face, she continued. I was thinking about getting some, but I don't even know where to start". He smiled and asked, "why chickens Bella? I'm just wondering why you chose chickens first." she looked at him furrowing her brows thinking "Well, I eat eggs and I like the idea of collecting my own eggs, and they seem like the easiest to keep alive, but I also want to learn to hunt, but I was thinking chickens was a good place to start" with a shrug she looked over his sitting form feeling a warmth sink into her body from the look on his face damn. He is so handsome, 6'2 golden brown hair, icy blue eyes. He is manly but beautiful with prominent cheekbones, a strong jaw line more defined with his five-o-clock shadow and his thin nose perfectly suiting his face. He reminded her of what a god might look like, and the feelings he caused in her were chaos for her mind and her naughty thoughts caused chaos in her body. She scolded herself for checking him out so blatantly when she was supposed to be mending her heart. Not lusting after a man she hardly knew, her thoughts were interrupted by James' voice. "Hey bell, are you alright? What's wrong?" She shook her head, looking at him, feeling the heat rise in her face, smiling. "Sorry I was lost in my head. What were we talking about again?" He smiled, thinking about what they were talking about. "We were talking about chickens actually and hunting. If you want to learn to hunt, I would love to teach you. After all, I get paid to teach and guide hunting trips." She smiled at the thought of learning from James. "I would love that so much, James, and what about the chickens? Do you think it would be hard?" He chuckled and replied." Chickens are fairly easy to care for, but you might want to research about the different types before you get them. If you do want to try raising them for eggs and meat, you need to be sure they are safe from predators as well." she nodded in understanding. They continued talking about anything and everything that came to mind, they got lost in the company of each other when they realized it was almost one in the morning. James said goodbye and left for his home, then she went to shower and go to bed herself. With plans made for the next few days to get ready for planting her garden and possibly getting chickens, she went to bed with a smile on her face and a warmth in her heart for James that grows every day.

The next afternoon, Isabella had finished her research on the types and how to care for chickens, and she had come to a decision that it would be good to get some not just for the eggs, but she could use them for food, fertilizer, and they could even eat the bugs from her garden. That was her deciding factor, actually. She made a list of what she needed and went to town to the local feed store to get her supplies.

Isabella arrived at the hardware store and walking in she looked around. She was surprised to see how big the place was. They had everything anyone would need. She saw a woman in a red shirt with Harold Hardware embroidered in the right pocket. She smiled and walked towards her. The woman noticed isabella and greeted her with a smile. "Hello. Do you need assistance finding anything? It's a big store. I am Amber. " With a chuckle, she replied, "Hi, I'm Isabella. I am looking to get some supplies for a few raised garden beds and a chicken coop complete with chickens." laughing at the way it sounded to her, she said, "I can help you get what you need. Tell me what you're looking for and I'll lead the way."

She led her to start getting the supplies needed for the garden beds and the coops they had available. She went to the feed she needed and dishes for water, a heat lamp and other necessary items she needed for caring for the chicks, as that was all they had carried was chicks, she was pleased to hear she could raise them from babies she was hoping that was the case. After they got the easily set up mobile chicken coop, she followed Amber to the section they had the live animals in. Isabella was so happy to see all the tiny chicks and other baby fowl. She asked for each type of chicken and chose six leghorn hens and red hens and six Sussex hen chicks. All of them were placed in a box with holes for breathing. Then she was led to check out and pay for her purchase where she arranged delivery of the rest of her order. After she loaded everything in her trunk, except her new babies, putting them in the front seat, strapping them in with a seat belt around the box. She started the car, turning her air con up to keep them from overheating and texted James to tell him about her accomplishments today, and that she was going to go home to set her babies up in their temporary home. His reply was instant that he would bring lunch and make dinner at her place tonight, and he would help her build her coop. She made an excited squeal and backed out of the parking lot, and headed for home excited. She turned up her music and drove home with a happiness in her heart she had never felt before...