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The old church house sitting upon the hill was a bit of a living relic. It was older than the town itself it seemed, and not even Mrs.Horton, who had lived there for nearly 4 decades, could remember a time it didn't exist. A building like that carried many stories, holding secrets of the past and present and future yet to come.
There was a lot of history within it's white brick walls, and the esteemed role of the priest that operated within it had been passed down about 3 generations now. From her great grandfather, to her late grandpa, to now her very own father who gathered the whole town every Sunday to read the preach the teachings of the Bible. To say Tai had lived in the church her whole life would be an understatement, more than once her friends had joked she had been within it more than her own house.
As a younger child she didn't mind staying in church later, long after everyone else had gone off to continue their day. She enjoyed hearing her fathers teachings and stories at night before bed, and trying to learn every verse. Back then, Tai didn't mind being the preacher's kid. But she was also young, and didn't know such a title came with a heavy reputation.
A reputation she had to maintain. Her mother had sat her down when she was about 14 to tell her a similar thing, that as the preacher's daughter people in town expected differently of her, more of her. Teens got into trouble and did mischief and such all the time, most were allowed to do so without it scaring their social status all too much, but Taissa was different. She was carrying the weight of upholding her family's esteemed legacy on her shoulders, and the judgement and opinions of an entire town.
Course, Tai didn't need her mother to tell her as such. She had been well aware that people expected differently of her the more she grew. A part of Tai resented it, and she certainly told her mother as much back then. But as she grew older she knew there wasn't much to do about it, lest people talk.
So Taissa spent her whole life trying hard to give them nothing to talk about. If one could think of what the utmost model child would be, well Tai would more than fit the bill. She was well educated and had her wits about her, she was sociable and had a good array of friends, she helped around the town and of course within the church. On the surface, she was perfect.
On the surface that was.
Because you see Taissa had found a loophole long ago. After all, what someone doesn't know can't hurt them right?. She had become an expert in secrecy, she could be the golden child to everyone else while still having her own fun, surely she deserved to let loose as well?
She felt guilty at times, keeping things from her parents. But it wasn't exactly lying, if they never suspected her to begin with. Besides, they didn't need to know everything about her life did they?
It was a certain part of her life, no, certain someone in her life, she was thinking about now as she finished sweeping the last corner of the town's lending library. She had volunteered to help Mr. Campbell with the upkeep of the place every other day or so, as the man was well into his 70s and couldn't quite move as he used to. She refused to take any payment when he had graciously offered, taking pleasure in simply being a helping hand. Besides, there was another reason she had taken to helping Mr.Campbell, especially on the weekends.
Whenever she had finished helping around the house, then did her errands around the town, then visited the church to check on Papa, then finally made her way back to helping Mr.Campbell, it was well into the afternoon just bordering on evening. At this time most people were preparing supper, or at the saloon, or otherwise occupied with this or that. It meant not many prying eyes in the town. And that gave Tai the perfect cover to head to the old oak tree on the hill located eastward of the town.
Tai worried every now and then that the routine might become suspicious, and someone just might follow her and let it be known to the whole town what she had been doing. But that's where they had been meeting for almost 2 years now, and they hadn't been caught yet, so why stop now?
As Tai put the broom against the wall near the back corner of the library, she could get a glimpse of the sky outside. The sun coloring the sky in a soft dark orangish tint. Tai smiled, right on time.
"Mr.Cambell!" she called, "I'm all done down here, you need anything else before I go?"
She could hear a creaking noise and shuffle as the man opened the door from the back of the library and ambled out to survey the place. He had an approving nod as he began to speak, "I suppose not. There's not much else to clean, seems you even dusted the wood beams in the ceiling huh?" the old man joked.
Tai laughed politely, "Course Mr.Cambell. I wouldn't wanna leave the place a mess"
Mr.Cambell gave a warm hum as he turned back towards his office. "Alright darlin'. Best get on home before the night catches you. Sky's pretty now, but it won't stay that way"
Tai nodded, her smile tight and practiced, "Of course sir. Tell Ms.Evelyn I said hello"
She gathered her things, not that there was much. Just a satchel, packed neatly and tidy, no reason to arouse any suspicion. She finally stepped out into the fading light of the day. Cicadas were humming low now, emerging for the night, it was a sound that enveloped the town like a breath. Tai hummed softly as she made her way down the path from the library, boots tapping softly on the brick walkway.
Just as she passed the corner near the church she heard the familiar snap of a door behind her.
"Taissa?"
She turned, all calm grace and poise even though she felt a pit rising in her stomach. She was going to be late. Mrs.Glenn, a nice woman from the parish, stood there with her arms crossed over her apron.
"Evenin, Mrs.Glenn" Tai began sweetly, hands folded before her like a perfect porcelain doll, perfectly practiced.
Mrs.Glenn squinted, "Heading out so late?", she glanced at the sky with a look that would have one thinking it had offended her personally, "Ain't supper time just yet. Your mama not expecting' you home?"
Tai tilted her head, "Mama knows I'm always out around this time on Saturdays, I was just finishing up with Mr.Cambell. He needed help reaching some of the high corners again"
Mrs.Glenn sniffed, unconvinced but without any real proof to argue otherwise. "Mmm" she hummed, "Well, you let her know I said hi. And you best hurry home, not too safe for a young lady to be wondering' this close to dusk"
Tai smiled politely, though inwardly unbothered. "Course. I’ll be quick". With a polite wave and goodbye she turned non her heel before the nosy woman could say anything else. Only when she was out of view did her steps quicken, the smile on her lips growing more mischievous. Tai couldn't help the giggle that escaped her, excitement building like smoke in her chest as she head out of the town and raced towards the hills. She hoped she wasn't too late.
Far on the other end of town, half outside the border, a young farmhand let out a grunt as they dragged a bundle of hay halfway across the open clearing and towards the stables. They let out a grunt of effort as they lifted it high to place it atop the old cart stationed outside the wooden structure.
A hand wiped away the accumulating sweat, with a smug grin Van wondered if showing up to the meeting drenched in sweat would be a problem. But he doubted he'd have time to go get cleaned up before the sun set and night came, and by then he'd be far too late. He wipped the dirt off his hands and onto his pants. Good thing about brown leather, dirt blended right in. He tilted his leather hat upwards as he looked towards the sun. The sun was begining it's slow descent down and the beautiful orange glow of the sky washed over him. He smirked to himself before muttering,
"Right on time"
He checked in with Mr.Callahan, the owner of the stables and the ranch to make sure he was good to leave. 'seems you're all done, you should head out before it gets too dark' he had told Van.
Van called a goodnight to him as he shut the door to his building and began heading across the ranch. He could spot a familiar figure waiting on him as he approached.
Nat leaned on the wooden fence, a look of smugness and knowing on her face. "Gone?"
Van nodded in response, "Done everything I needed to, bout time I head home"
Nat looked at him knowingly, "Home? You wanna tell me that's where you're headed to?"
,"That's where everyone else is goin', might as well follow. Unless you want me to spend my night cleaning hooves and shoveling shit instead of in a warm bed?"
"Well since you suggested it-" Nat began before Van shoved her lightly. "You're an ass" he replied
"And you're a liar" Nat retorted, "Wanna tell me you've been hauling ass halfway across town every Saturday for the last 2 years but today you decided to just turn in for the night?"
Course Nat knew. And had known for the 2 years Van had been following his latest tradition, meeting near the oak tree. Not that Van tried to hide it all that well.
Van snorted amusedly, "Got a log on me now huh?"
Nat shook her head, "Don't have to, you're not that good at bein' subtle. I mean starin at her during service? Gettin a little too close when having small talk in town? Try a little harder for God's sake Palmer. Might as well let the whole town now at this point"
Van shrugged, "Bit of a hopeless romantic then, can't help it. Young love and such, sure you'd understand if someone like her came into your life. Maybe that's why you're like that, jealous maybe?" he teased.
Nat chuckled, "It's certainly something nice you've got goin, but no. Not jealous, proud of ya in fact. Started to think you'd be spending the rest of your days alone on a farm"
The two shared a laugh before Nats gaze morphed, softer and genuine as she added. "But I do worry" she began
"It's a dangerous game you're playing Palmer, I'm sure you don't need me to tell you."
Van didn't answer right away, kicking the dirt beneath his boot and watching it swirl into the air before fading. They'd had this talk before, Van knew Nat only wanted to look out for him. But it never failed to make him uneasy.
"It's complicated," he said, low and quiet.
Nat nodded in understanding, "Course it is." she said sympathetically, "Everything worth waiting for usually is. But you know it can always catch up to you. If not with her daddy then the town, people talk you know"
A preacher's daughter and some rough around the edges cowboy. The kind of pairing that shouldn't mix, like oil and water. Everyone expected Tai to get with the banker's son, but Van knew the truth. It was him meeting with Tai near the oak tree at the end of the day, sharing a kiss and a moment that meant far more than any false platitudes Tai would give in the day. Van had the real Tai, the true Tai, and anyone who had something to say about it be damned.
Van looked up at last, eyes full of certainty, "Let em"
Van held Nats gaze. "I ain't ashamed of her, of us. I ain't some halfwit either Nat, I know what'll happen if someone finds out. I've been known since the start. But…" he trailed off, before continuing
"I just want this to be ours…for a little while longer."
hopefully forever, he added to himself.
Nat was quiet, a soft breeze blowing between them like it was carrying their secrets. There was something in her eyes, and Van was sure for just a second there was a flicker of true understanding. Eventually Nat shook her head, a mix between frustration, amusement, and affection all at once
"You're an idiot, you know that?", Nat chuckled.
"I've been told once or twice," Van shrugged.
Nat's voice deepened as she added, "And if your heart gets broken?"
Van smiled in response, "Well, at least I'll know it was mine to give." As he finally looked away towards the sky, he felt a small ripple of panic.
"Shit" Van muttered, he was running late. "I've gotta go Nat. I'll see you tomorrow!" he shouted as he took off, desperately hoping he wasn't too late.
"Have fun loverboy!" Nat called behind him. Nat crossed her arms as she watched him go, muttering as he disappeared into the golden dusk, "Dumbass".
Tai stood near the oak tree, fiddling with her hands as she waited nervously. They had cut it close before, but this was getting a little too close. She cursed herself for taking to long with the cleaning, and stopping to talk to Mrs. Glenn in town. Maybe she had missed him? And he had been sitting waiting for her and decided she wasn't coming before heading home?
Just as Tai was starting to give in to such she spotted a figure dashing through the open field below. A hand gripping onto the brim of his worn leather hat, holding it down as the wind threatened to carry it away. He moved fast, and Tai could hear the soft clink of his boots as they thudded softly against the earth, long strides eating up the distance between them. Even from afar there was no mistaking him, the way he ran was just a little wild like he'd never grown out of childhood mischief.
Van was sunburnt charm and crooked smiles, with strong arms from long hours herding and cattling. His white dress shirt clung slightly to him, damp with sweat and streaked with dust, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows to reveal those forearms rough from work Tai had admired for just a little too long every now and then. And had been caught and teased about it more than once. His leather pants were frayed at the hem and tucked into scuffed boots. As he raced through the field and up towards the hill, Taissa let out a smile as the figure finally reached the top, painting exhaustively.
"You made it," she said with a sigh of relief. Van paused before planting out a response,
"Course I did" he started as he sat up and straightened himself out, "Wouldn't want to leave you here all alone, that would be tragic"
Tai stopped for a breath just to look at him. Covered in the soft gold of dusk, sweat still drying on his collar. A little bit of dirt on his jaw, it made him look more like trouble, the kind Tai wouldn't mind getting caught up in.
"Tragic?" Tai giggled with a raised eyebrow. "You're so dramatic" she rolled her eyes, but couldn't fight the smile pulling on her lips.
"Yet you keep showing up", Van teased, reaching up to push his hat back and reveal those expressive eyes of his. Now that he'd caught his breath and was looking at Tai, he could fully take her in.
The breeze tugged lightly at the hem of her skirt, an ivory cotton dress stopping just past her knees. It had a delicate lace trim at the collar and sleeves, the thing her mother loved because it looked so "proper" and " becoming". Tai cinched it at the waist with a worn leather belt pulled just tight enough to give her silhouette a little shape. Subtle, but Van had a keen eye. Her boots were scuffed at the toes from walking the path so many times, and she pulled her hair back in a loose ribbon that was slipping free. She looked perfect to Van, like always.
He looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered in the whole world, and at the moment she was as far as Van Palmer was concerned.
Tai wrapped her arms around him as he joined her underneath the tree. She didn't seem to mind the dirt or sweat as she looked into his eyes, "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else" she whispered. The two leaned in and closed their eyes, blocking out the surrounding world as they shared a kiss.
It enveloped the two of them, soft and warm as the air around them. Hands tangled in hair and they swayed together like the leaves beneath the old oak tree. Neither could think of anything else and took in the scent and feeling of each other fully, kissing as if it was the last time they'd ever get the chance. And maybe, just maybe, it would be. But neither wanted to think about that right now. Here in this moment there was no judgement or weight of being the preacher's daughter, nor the pile of back breaking work that awaited a rancher.
No disapproving stares or hushed whispers or rumours. No one to talk to and no one to see, only them. Hearts beating together in synch, loud like thunder in the quiet. So who cares what anyone has to think or say about them? Surely it was worth it if they could just have these moments together. Right now anyone else's opinion was irrelevant
There underneath the oak tree, they were the center of the world.