Throughout the drive I kept stealing glances at him as he was solely focused on the road. His sharp jawline that was still visible under his close cut beard, his forest green eyes, his olive skin, even his nose was perfect. What was a man like him doing out here in the bumfuck part of Connecticut when he looked like he should be on the cover of a magazine? And why the hell was he helping me? I realized that I didn't know a single thing about him, not even his name. I inhaled deeply, I suppose I should ask.
"So Mr. Bartender, I never caught your name."
He snickered, "Well you can keep calling me Mr. Bartender or some other nicknames. Hm, how about Mr. Handsome?" He glanced away from the road to see that my expression said I wasn't having it. "Little cocky are we?" I remarked.
"I try really hard to look good, give me some credit. Besides I only said it because you kept looking at me," he responded in defense.
My face reddened. "No," I lied and turned to look out the window. I didn't need to look at him to know the smile that lit up his face.
"It's Cole," he finally answered. I smiled hearing it. At last after all the craziness that had happened, I got to know one thing about this mysterious man. I glanced back again and saw that he had his right hand extended out. I repositioned myself to take it with my right hand and gave it a firm single shake. "I'm Adam, even though you already know. But, it's nice to meet you and," I paused go take a breath, "Thank you." We retracted hands. "It's nice to meet you too, Adam." Cole had such a warm smile that I couldn't help but feel captivated.
It was a good thing the GPS snapped me back to reality. "In one thousand feet, your destination will be on the left."
"Slow down, I'll tell you when to stop, the mailbox isn't very visible," I told him.
He followed my instructions and took his speed down. "Okay right here." A narrow clearing immerged from the wilderness that surrounded us for my dirt driveway. He turned into it. "I should probably mention that my house is a good half mile down this driveway."
I saw Cole trying to look around at the scenery as best as he could while driving. "Not a problem. Damn this is awesome. How did you find a place like this?"
"I bought the property a good 90 years ago before Pachog State Forest was what it is now," I told him. I had bought the property right after the last time Njeri had reincarnated. I had it at a distance, yet still close enough to keep an eye on her while she grew in her last life. This was supposed to be where the two of us would settle when she matured. I clenched my chest remembering the numbness. Cole must have taken notice and put his hand on my thigh and moved his thumb back and forth massaging me. I felt myself beginning to relax. He looked at me with those soft eyes asking, "Feel better?"
"Mm," I responded with a small nod.
Up ahead the forest finally opened up to a large paddock on the right. A small red stable was erected in the middle. A horse inside whinnied, hearing my return.
"Fuck, I gotta turn them out. Can you stop here?" I asked, even though my hand was already on the handle.
He stopped the truck and I got out. "My house is right up ahead, sorry about this." I closed the door and undid part of the eletric fence before slipping under and ran towards the stable. I slid open the door to see my babies' heads all popped out waiting for me. "I'm sorry I'm late guys."
A sorrel painted, Icelandic mare neighed in complaint. I walked over to her and began scratching under her huge puffy forelock. "I know you want to be let out Nellie." I unlocked her stall and let her walk out into the paddock. Not even 15 feet away, she dropped down to start rolling in the dirt.
"Damn it Nell, really?"
She stopped and hoisted her front half up to look at me as if to say, "Yeah dad, good luck cleaning the dirt out of my white patches later."
I sighed in surrender and started over to the next stall that contained a black, snowcapped gelding. He stretched his black face toward me begging for pets. I scratched his cheeks as he glided his face onto my shoulder where I would inevitably scratch behind his ears. He let out a big puff of air relaxing deeper. "All right you ready Loki?" I asked patting his neck a few times. He lifted his head off my shoulder as I unlocked his door. He walked on out making sure to strut his big white butt before he set into a trot outside to meet with Nellie. The last was banging on door to let me know how upset he was for being last.
"Knock it off Dallas," I scolded. He snorted in response. "Don't give me that, you want to go out or no?"
His dark eyes looked straight into mine before reaching over to lick my face. I laughed, patting his neck, "You're a good boy." I unlocked his door and opened it to let the bay quarterhorse out. Now for the fun part. I headed over to the corner with a bucket that had a muck fork and wide flat shovel in it. Next to it were a pair of muck boots. I changed shoes and grabbed the tools first heading into Dallas's stall.
"Would you like a hand?" A voice asked. I jumped at the voice and swung out the muck fork defensively. A beautiful man peered into the stall. "Woah there, didn't mean to scare you," Cole chuckled.
"I thought you would've went home," I said brushing my hair out of from my face.
I saw his face go blank and he took a step closer towards me. "Uh, Cole...?" I asked. He reached out his hand and grabbed some strands of my hair staring intently before brushing his hand out from it. He looked up at me seeming to have awakened. "I'm sorry I..."
I put the side of head into his hand that was still held in the air.
"Don't know.. what came over me," he finished.
"I could say the same, but this feels good," I told him slowly as he caressed my scalp. I closed my eyes. A moment later I felt his forehead on mine. His warm breath on my lips caused my own to hitch. I could feel my heart flutter in my chest. "Adam?" He asked.
"Yes, Cole?" I could hear that he smiled at my mention of his name by the short exhale from his nose.
"Can I kiss you?" He whispered.
My eyes flashed open and I saw his piercing green eyes looking deeply into mine. I pushed him away immediately.
"Too soon?" Cole's face looked worried.
"Too soon?" I repeated. "How can it be too soon when there is nothing that should be happening?"
Cole looked down, "I'm sorry, I thought you were into it."
I stiffened. He was right, I had been acting strange around him. Have I been without companionship for so long that I was latching onto a man of all people? No, I refuse. "No," I said, trying to convince myself.
"Okay, would you at least like me to help you clean the stalls?" He asked.
"No, I can handle it, thank you. You can take your leave." I dug the fork into a spot of soiled bedding. A moment later I heard his footsteps exiting the stable.
Well at least I don't have to worry about seeing him anymore and dealing with these strange and annoying feelings. I sighed at the thought and continued cleaning. I must he getting old.

...

I shifted the boat of a truck I drove to work in park. Since my daily vehicle was totaled I was left with the heavy duty truck I used to tow the horses. I put some parking paperwork on the dashboard to say that this was me and that I could park in the staff parking lot. I swung my head back on the headrest. What a mess of a day and it's only 8:30. First waking up in a hospital and getting all snuggly with a man. Almost kissing a man. And then dealing with parking services. My mind toyed with whether parking services or Cole were worse; it was a close match. The empty feeling in my heart still lulled on. I bit my lip trying to ignore it and opened the door to hop out. I looked at the truck to see that all tires were right on the lines and shrugged. Maybe those cheap bastards should've made adequate parking. I slammed the door shut after grabbing my briefcase and walked the path to building.
After a good 10 minute walk I finally reached the lecture hall that I would teaching in. A couple students were already inside. I laughed internally, shaking my head, I give it one week and they won't be early anymore. I set the briefcase on the table next to the podium and sifted through the materials before grabbing a stack of syllabi to set aside. I then searched for my flash drive to hook into the computer. Once everything was set up and projector working like it was supposed to (because godforbid technology was sometimes the devil), I finally relaxed and watched the students pour in. A familiar face walked in, "Good morning Professor Hansen. Ready for the new semester?" She walked over to podium and crossed her arms over it in a way to make her cleavage show. Well if it isn't Alexis. I glanced down for a quick moment before looking up into her face which was twisted with mischief. This woman always found a way to try and rile me up didn't she?
I smiled at the petite, blue eyed blonde, "As ready as I'll ever be."
She flashed a smile back at me, "Good, I look forward to seeing you." She flipped her golden hair over her shoulder as she turned away and strutted off to a seat. I sighed at my internal debate whether I were pleased or annoyed by her existence. I peered at the computer screen for a time reference, 9:05 am. Perfect, now to begin the start of a new semester.
I cleared my throat before looking up at the class around the lecture hall, a good 300 people filled the space. "Hello class, welcome to World History I. My name is Adam Hansen and I will be your professor this semester-" The door slammed open and I turned to see. My heart skipped at the sight. No.. it couldn't be. Sure enough, a tall, muscular, olive toned, brunette, model of a man stared back at him.
"My apologies, please continue," Cole said.