Rubbing her forehead, Joanne let out a sigh. From her porch, she was met with an entirely new, albeit ridiculous, sight: Jeffrey Dahmer, her psychopathic horse, was chewing on JD's hair.
JD, clutching the camera close to his chest as if it were a precious heirloom, looked like he was trying to protect it at all costs, all while enduring Jeffrey's bizarre display of affection—or aggression.
He probably woke up early to capture the golden hues of dawn, but somehow, he'd managed to fall victim to the death grip of her infamous horse.
None of the farmhands were anywhere near brave enough to intervene.
"Jeffrey, you psychopath!" Joanne shouted.
Both Jeffreys—the horse and the paying guest—froze at her authoritative tone.
JD's heart seemed to skip a beat. The way she called his name, sharp and commanding, unsettled him in a way he didn't fully understand. It stirred something deep, a mix of curiosity and a pang of… something else.
Joanne, however, was oblivious to his reaction. She stormed toward them with determination, pointing a finger at the playful yet deranged horse.
"Let go of JD, right this instant! Jeffrey!"
To JD's surprise, the horse obeyed, opening its mouth wide and releasing him. Joanne exhaled in relief as JD gingerly fixed his hair, now damp with horse spit.
"Are you okay? You're not hurt anywhere, are you?" Joanne asked, grabbing hold of Jeffrey's leash.
"I'm fine," JD said with a chuckle. "Just need a shower, maybe a new head of hair."
Joanne smiled, relieved to see him taking the situation lightly. "That's it, Jeffrey. Time out!"
The horse whined in protest, but Joanne remained firm. With his head bowed as if in shame, Jeffrey followed her to the isolated stall.
"No carrots for you today," Joanne declared, locking the stall.
The horse turned his face away dramatically, as if wounded by her decision.
JD watched the whole interaction, a mix of amusement and understanding in his eyes. He could tell she cared deeply for the horse, even if it was a tough one to handle. He'd heard the warnings about Jeffrey before, and this could've easily been dismissed as the horse's antics. But Joanne took responsibility without hesitation. That struck a chord with him.
Respect for her rose sharply in his heart, as if she'd just scaled the metaphorical ladder to the very top.
"I was heading to the oak trees," JD said after a beat, "but on the way, I saw him chewing on… something."
Joanne's face fell. "Don't tell me." She took a deep breath, bracing herself. "Was it a squirrel?"
JD nodded, his expression a little traumatized. "There were a couple of dead squirrels near the bushes."
Joanne groaned. "He lures them with acorns and then… Well, he kills them for fun. I don't know why he does it. And those stupid squirrels! There are loads of acorns just lying around. Why do they follow this psychopath?"
Her frustration was laced with genuine bewilderment. She'd long since given up trying to train Jeffrey out of his murderous streak.
"Jeffrey Dahmer…" JD muttered, bowing his head to hide his grin. The name couldn't have been more fitting.
Joanne glanced at him, noticing his amusement. For a moment, the tension lifted.
"It doesn't hurt, does it?" she asked, stepping closer. Before JD could answer, she reached out, brushing her fingers through his hair.
The gesture caught him off guard, but he didn't move.
Joanne marveled at the texture of his hair, silky smooth under her touch. In the morning sunlight, what she thought was plain brown hair glinted with shades of red. Dark auburn, she realized. He's a fellow redhead.
She didn't notice how long she'd been standing there, her fingers absentmindedly threading through his hair. It was soft, thick—hair that would probably never thin with age.
JD cleared his throat, a small, awkward smile tugging at his lips. "Enjoying yourself?"
Joanne snapped out of her reverie, her cheeks flooding with heat. She stepped back, brushing her hands against her jeans.
"Your hair had… spit in it," she said quickly, though she knew it wasn't entirely true. "I was just checking."
"Right." JD's grin widened, but he didn't press her further.
Joanne turned away, her cheeks warm and her heart pounding, and hurried back to the house with quick, deliberate steps. Behind her, JD lingered for a moment, shaking his head with an amused smile before following at a casual distance.
Out of the corner of his eye, JD caught a figure standing still in the field. Turning, he saw Patrick watching him, his straw hat clutched to his chest in a gesture that seemed more contemplative than casual. Patrick's gaze was steady, a faint curve of his lips hinting at something unsaid.
JD gave a small wave and a polite smile, fully aware that Patrick's look wasn't just a simple morning greeting. Did Patrick think there was something between him and Joanne?
The thought lingered uncomfortably in JD's mind. He considered addressing it but decided against it when Patrick turned back to his raking without a word.
Once inside the house, JD's attention shifted. He spotted one of the farmhands wandering the property, holding a camera and narrating to it with theatrical enthusiasm. The sight amused him. Even out here, "influencing" seemed to have left its mark. JD chuckled, cradling his own camera protectively.
He'd managed to take a few good shots earlier—at least, he hoped they were good. Whether the film had captured what he saw was another matter entirely. He made a mental note to check it later today.
Stepping into the kitchen, the scent of coffee and fresh bread greeted him. His smile widened as he saw Joanne setting the table, her movements efficient yet graceful.
"How do I thank you for saving my life?" JD asked, his voice carrying both warmth and humor.
Joanne glanced up, momentarily caught off guard by his earnest tone. Then she waved a hand dismissively, her lips curving into a small chuckle.
"Oh, don't mention it," she said lightly.
But JD wasn't letting it go that easily. "No, really," he pressed, his gaze earnest. "There must be something I can do to repay you."
Joanne paused, a playful glint sparking in her eyes. She leaned in slightly as if she were about to share a secret. "You know what? There is one thing…"
Intrigued, JD leaned closer, his heart unexpectedly skipping a beat as she drew nearer. The proximity felt intimate, her soft breath brushing his cheek.
His heart thumped against his chest as he breathed in her floral perfume. The sweet scent filled the air and easily overpowered the smell of gravy that had filled the house. She was that close.