PART OF ME · j. peña

chapter one: time to heal

Laredo was a big town, that was for sure. She couldn't really remember if she ever visited that place. Her mother usually didn't talk about it and she never asked. There was no point.
So, it could safe to say that this was her first time here, in this foreign but friendly-looking town where everybody knew everybody.

The truck eventually stopped and she realised they reached the destination - an old farm house, with wooden porch and white fence. Just like she expected.

"There are still a few hours to dinner, so why don't ya unpack and take a look around?" he offered in the soft voice that brutally reminded her of her father. Another person she lost.

"Sounds good." She shrugged, taking her things inside the house. "Where--"

"Upstairs, second door on the left." he instructed her and watched as she took the stairs, fighting with the weight of the suitcase. "How about a little help?"

"I'm fine!" she protested already reaching the halfway. "Totally fine!"

Mack shook his head and returned outside, flooding the house with silence disturbed by the sounds of creaking floor and her footsteps.

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It didn't take her long to unpack but she tried her best to slow things as much as possible. She was reluctant to go outside and let the sun kiss her awfully pale skin, to get some fresh air and actually breathe for the first time in months. She wanted to keep things as they were, she didn't need change.

Just a break.

She found herself strolling through the ranch, taking in the sight of domestic and wildness that spread around. It was a welcoming sight, the one she has always wanted to see with Clint, maybe build a house and have some chickens or sheep running around outside.

Then something caught her attention. The main gate from the fence was slightly opened and her uncle magically dissapeared. She wanted to call for him but then her fingers instantly grabbed the robe that was laying nearby and took matters into her own hands.

The gate was heavier to close than she thought so it took her a good couple of minutes to actually pull it together. When she made sure the knotvwas strong enough, Mack appeared right behind her with a cup of lemonade.

Meeting his gaze she let herself smirk but the movement didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I'm not totally useless, you know?"

"Lo sé, nena." he hummed handing her the drink and painting to the gate. "That's a good cowboy knot there."

"Your sister taught me a few things." her hand slid over the fabric of her skirt.

"I would be suprised if she didn't."

"Got something else to fix?"

Mack chuckled deeply in his chest.

"There's plenty of it, conejita. But first I have to teach you a few things if you want to help around the ranch, got it?"

They both agreed that they will talk this over the dinner. For now she was supposed to relax and enjoy her one and only day off before the work. Something shifted in the air and Lucille didn't feel so tense around him anymore. She actually liked the way he talked with that accent of his (she still found it funny) and how he patiently explained some things to her. He didn't treat her like a child or a little girl he met about a decade ago. No, he treated her as his equal, as someone nearly as experienced in life as him even though it was not true.

"What are we eating anyway?" she asked, when they finished their tour around the ranch. Her hunger was slowly increasing as the time passed and she was back inside the house, pacing around the kitchen.

"Empandas. From my lovely mother's recipe. It's gonna blow that beautiful mind of yours." he declared, making her whine in response.

"What about pizza?"

"Pizza?" he echoed, in disbelief. "This ain't Italy, nena. You eat what you make. There's no debate here."

"Fine, whatever you say old man." she rolled her eyes.

"So much attitude." he shook his head with a smile. "You gonna help me or not?"

Lucille let out a sigh and rolled up the sleeves of her shirt.

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author's note:

wow! this is actually happening!

welcome to the first chapter, guys. let me know what do you think <3