Before Alma got to know Derek, her initial impression of him was shaped by labels like domineering, assertive, heartless, and a scoundrel.
Now, after spending time with him, those labels had transformed into diligent, strong, and robust.
He didn't seem as detestable as she had imagined, especially since he made no effort to hide his love for Tabitha, following her around like a devoted, loving dog. This sincerity led Alma to consider matchmaking for the two.
As a reward for Spike's daily help, Alma personally treated his foot, determined to heal it.
Derek, on the other hand, sat on a stool, husking corn that had just been harvested.
Tabitha enjoyed fresh corn, particularly the sweet and fragrant kind straight from the field.
She sat on a small bridge, her legs swinging as she observed the scene.
Derek's clothes were drenched in sweat, and beads of perspiration dotted his forehead.
After treating Spike, Alma pulled Tabitha aside
"Imagine if someone sees us," the woman whispered."At this hour? Who's around?" the man replied. "Besides, who'd bother watching such a thing?"The village was small, and Tabitha recognized most of its inhabitants. But the couple before her were neither married nor lovers.The woman was the sister-in-law of the man, whose husband had been paralyzed in a fall two years prior.Unable to bear her loneliness, she had taken up with her brother-in-law.In the city, affairs were common—discovery might lead to divorce. But in the village, divorce was unheard of; if discovered, her punishment would be death.That's why they sought privacy in this secluded spot.People usually returned home by this time, leaving only Tabitha and Derek, who were clearly not thinking straight.Derek began to speak, "Tabitha—"Before he could finish, Tabitha clamped a hand over his mouth.Derek had only recently arrived and was un
Before Alma got to know Derek, her initial impression of him was shaped by labels like domineering, assertive, heartless, and a scoundrel.Now, after spending time with him, those labels had transformed into diligent, strong, and robust.He didn't seem as detestable as she had imagined, especially since he made no effort to hide his love for Tabitha, following her around like a devoted, loving dog. This sincerity led Alma to consider matchmaking for the two.As a reward for Spike's daily help, Alma personally treated his foot, determined to heal it.Derek, on the other hand, sat on a stool, husking corn that had just been harvested.Tabitha enjoyed fresh corn, particularly the sweet and fragrant kind straight from the field.She sat on a small bridge, her legs swinging as she observed the scene.Derek's clothes were drenched in sweat, and beads of perspiration dotted his forehead.After treating Spike, Alma pulled Tabitha aside
Derek's heart raced at Tabitha's sudden question. Admitting his regained sight in this situation was akin to signing his own death warrant.Derek, of course, wouldn't admit it!"Tabitha, I wish I could see too, just to stop being a burden to you," he said with a pained expression."Don't move. I'll get you some paper," she replied."Alright," he replied.He saw Tabitha wrap herself in a bathrobe, grab a dagger from under the pillow, and head his way.She was eyeballin' him like she could see right through him.Derek could tell she was suspicious.If she found out he'd been faking blindness, he was a goner.His heart was in his throat, but he didn't show it.Letting the blood drip, he asked like a dope, "Tabitha, where are you? Did you come back?"Tabitha walked up to him, put down the tissue, and said casual-like, "I'm here."Suddenly, she yanked the knife out. The blade flew past Derek's eye, stoppi
This was a massage table. She must have lain here that night when Jasper gave her a head massage.Tabitha lit the calming essential oils and prepared some massage oils for his head.Derek instinctively grasped her hand, "Tabitha, it's been a long time since you last massaged me.""Let's not bring up the past," Tabitha said, brushing off his hand.Before starting, she fetched a razor and carefully shaved his beard.Accustomed to his clean-shaven appearance, the stubble was somewhat off-putting.Bending over, she was now close enough for him to see her face clearly.Compared to three years ago when she was thin, she had gained some weight, returning to her normal weight with her face full of collagen.Having had several children, she had lost her innocence and gained the charm of a mature woman.Once a budding flower, she was now a fully bloomed rose, gorgeous and radiant.With her originally fair skin, now even mor
Third person's POV"It's fine if it was on purpose," Derek said with a grin. "I don't mind."Tabitha waved her hand in front of his face, and only when he showed no reaction did she relax.Derek felt his vision had improved slightly from the night before.While he still couldn't see clearly, the fact that his sight was returning was a good sign."You can rest for a bit. It's morning now—no danger, no snakes," Tabitha said."Tabitha, I'm hungry," Derek remarked.Tabitha rolled her eyes. "Alright, I'll make you breakfast."Derek had never been pampered as a child, but now, in his older years, he got to experience a taste of it.Yet Tabitha seemed to forget that being pampered meant someone had to do the caring.The land here had once been barren, but since Tabitha's arrival, she taught everyone agricultural and livestock-raising techniques, making resources abundant.Derek had been on a liquid diet for
Third person's POVTabitha tossed and turned, haunted by the harrowing image of Derek ensnared by snakes.Anyone else would have been petrified, but Derek had endured it all—blind and at the mercy of unseen horrors.Fear of the unknown often surpasses the fear of what we can see.She sat up and saw Derek's massive frame curled into a shivering ball. "Is he... trembling?" she wondered.An odd sense of protectiveness welled up in her, akin to the feeling of a loyal dog being abandoned.Derek was poisoned, blind, and alone—his only anchor was her."Hey, you..."Derek's back was to her, his shoulders quivering. "Tabitha, I'm sorry for disturbing you. You don't have to mind me. Sleep well," he muttered, his voice trembling."You're being deliberately difficult," she said, exasperated. "Lack of rest won't aid your recovery."Tabitha said, "What do you want exactly?"Derek's muffled voice came through,