They talked for a little bit about things related to the farm and what she did here: soap-making, working with the animals, and a little bit ofleather-working on the side. She was content to make a living here with her family, living in each other's pockets, not too cramped or crowded for her taste. A family of her own might happen someday, though she couldn't imagine moving off the farm.
"Any guy I really like will have to want to move here, I think," she said.
She took off her shoes and socks and waded down into the water. Coopmoved cautiously, following her lead. Now ankle-deep in the shallow stream, his feet deliciously cool, he breathed in the clean air and sighed. "It's so nice here. I'm not sure how anyone could leave, either."
She looked at him. "You can come here whenever you want, you know."
He must have sounded wistful, or like he was hinting. "No, no, I wasn't trying to—"
"It's true," she interruptedhim firmly. "You're family now. You have as much right to farm access as anyone."
Despite the cool water, heat crept up his neck and face. He felt all his fancy words deserting him. Them thinking of him as family—that was wrong. He was just Jimmy's boyfriend, and yeah, maybe that kiss and "I love you" had sent a strong signal that this was important, but weren't they jumping the gun here?He didn't know how to say that.
"It's true," she said again, kicking a small splash of water at him. "Jimmy's never been this serious about anyone in his life. He wants to keep you. And we like you too. Yeah, something could happen someday, and maybe you wouldn't be together, but as long as you are, you're part of the family. So, yeah. Come here anytime." She put a hand on his shoulderand patted him.
Coop looked away, fighting back his tears. He shouldn't get so emotional. But somehow, out here, in the cool water surrounded by trees, with bird sounds and water sounds and a few distant whoops, he felt emotional—and he also felt safe, as though his body and soul were knitting back together. The lostness, the feeling that he was going crazy, didn't seem so real or worrisomeanymore. He felt grounded; this was real. He was okay.
Jimmy was right to bring me here.He'd thought he wouldn't like it, but he adored the farm and the family already, and he barely knew them.
"Thanks," Coop said hoarsely.
They walked down the shallow stream, enjoying the feeling of coolness against their skin.
After a while, two big gray wolves came running back towards them, wet andmuddy and a little wild-eyed, like overgrown dogs, and tried to knock him and Karen over into the water. The wolves beat a retreat only when she smacked them on the rumps, and Coop, thoroughly wet now, was laughing so hard, he almost couldn't breathe.
