Sweet Southern Haven

Grocery Run

{Noelle’s POV}

After my bath, I got dressed in my silk sage green night gown, along with the silk robe that matched it. I straightened my hair, before pulling on some white wool socks. I walked downstairs and got myself a tub of chocolate ice cream from the fridge and made my way to my sectional. I lit up the fireplace, and turned on a movie, bundling up under a blanket and enjoyed my ice cream, before putting away the rest in the freezer. I made my way back to the couch and bundled up under the blankets, wrapping them around me. I laid my head back, allowing myself to get comfortable, but that ended up being a mistake, the exhaustion I felt from getting up early to do my chores, and from not sleeping much at night had begun to wear me down. I closed my eyes, before drifting off to sleep.

{Silas’ POV}

I hate that I’ve messed everything up, she doesn’t deserve the way I’ve been acting. Mom said that she’s been through a lot, and with the burn scars I saw on her thigh I knew that there was much more to the story. She’d been hurt, probably traumatized, and here I am making everything worse for her. I finished up the last of my chores for today before making my way into the house. I groaned as I placed my cowboy hat on the coat rack. “I’m done for today..” I said softly. “I was thinking about going to town to pick some stuff up. Do you have the list ready?” I asked, looking at my mom who was busy dicing potatoes.

“Yeah, I have the list for our house, and the one for Noelle, along with her money.” She said, not even bothering to look up.

“Her money? I haven’t seen her give anyone money, I thought that we were paying for everything..” I said, genuinely confused.

She shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Son, everyone here earns their keep. She, however had money of her own. She wasn’t just some girl that never worked a day in her life. She had a job, she was a teacher.” She said, catching me by surprise.

“A teacher?” I nodded. “That’s a decent profession.. doesn’t pay too well, especially for the work that they do.. but it’s a respectable job.”

“So glad you think so..” she said, turning her full attention back to the potatoes. “She gave us, probably more than enough money for her things, so make sure when you get done you take her the items on her list, and her change!”

“I still don’t understand why she can’t just go into town..” I huffed.

“She can’t risk being seen!” Mom shouted, slamming her hand down on the counter. “No one is supposed to know who she is, or that she’s here!” She sighed, straightening her apron. “Do you think that any of the people in our town can keep a secret? You know how they are, gossiping, and yapping constantly. Not a single one of them would be able to keep quiet about Roy’s daughter coming to town. Especially if they thought that she was a shut in, or worse, that she’s a snob who doesn’t want to socialize with the common folk.” She shook her head, letting out another drawn out sigh. “Just.. if you’re going to go, get her stuff, and try to be nice to her!” She snapped, before pointing to the door. “If you’re not going, then give the list to your brother or sister, they seem to understand the importance of keeping Noelle’s presence here a secret!”

“Alright mom, you win, I’ll go get the stuff on the list, and I’ll be nice.” I sighed, turning and grabbing my hat, placing it back on my head. I made my way to town, making sure to take care in getting all of the supplies, and household items that we all needed, including Noelle. I was shocked to see a box of black hair dye, and salon scissors on her list. I’d hate to think that she would be cutting and dying her beautiful hair. The bright ginger color, that reached down to her mid thighs. It truly was beautiful, she was beautiful. I shook the thought from my head, trying my best not to let the idea settle. I looked at the dye and scissors, I couldn’t bring myself to get them. I told myself I’d go back for them last, but by the time I got her menstrual items, I had honestly forgotten, at least until I was almost home. If she really had to have them, I’d go back for them later. I sighed as I took in our groceries, and drove back down to the Bennett ranch. I grabbed the bags out of the truck, and made my way to the door. I knocked, and waited for any reply. Soon, a very groggy, and short form made its way to the door. She had just woken up, she was in her pjs’s, and wrapped up in a blanket, with fuzzy socks on.

She opened the door, and with sleep heavy in her voice, she muttered. “Silas? What are you doing here?”

My name had never sounded so sweet, coming from someone else. “I’m dropping off your groceries, can I bring it in?” I asked.

She moved back out of the way, and I packed in the bags setting them on the kitchen counter. I began unpacking them, and I couldn’t help but notice the blush that crept across her face when I unloaded her menstrual products. She snatched them up, running them upstairs and quickly made her way back down. Once back, I noticed she frantically began to look through the items that I had begun to put away. “W-Where’s the hair dye, and the scissors?” She asked.