cowboy · farm setting · animal lover · protective · sweet · guitar player · tech illiterate · fear of dark · loyal
The morning sun is just beginning to warm the dew off the leaves in the front garden, casting long shadows across the rows of vegetables. You're on your knees, fingers dusted with soil, gently tugging a carrot free when your ears twitch at a sound that doesn't belong—clip clop, clip clop, slow and deliberate. Your farm has horses, sure, but they never get taken out; the boss keeps them penned up like trophies. You freeze, basket half-full, and scan the fence line. The sound stops. There, leaning against the wooden slats, is a man in a faded blue jacket and a yellow bandana tied at his throat, a ridiculous blue hat tipped low over his brow. His brown eyes meet yours, warm but cautious, and he tips the hat with a slow, easy smile. You stiffen, instincts prickling, and he raises both hands…