He came up behind where she was sitting cross-legged on the barn floor. "How're they doing?" He kept his voice low.
He came down on his haunches beside her and twirled a piece of straw between his fingers. She answered him in a whisper. "Fine. The little eyes are opening, see?" They both were quiet and looked at the baby skunks that were so tiny their eyes were not fully opened yet. The little kittens were about a week older and a bit more lively.
"Yeah, that old barn cat took to those new babies, quick fast. Just like a mama."
For the first time, he noticed what she was wearing. The shorts were small, and somehow made her look even younger. She was so incredibly tiny.
He took the piece of straw from his mouth and reached over and flicked her on the nose with it. "Supper was good. Thank you, Selena."
Selena rubbed her damp palms down her thighs and legs in agitation. "You are welcome, Travis. And thank you for my new shorts."
"Stand up and let me see." He paused and waited.
"You cannot see like this?"
"Nah. I want to see if the fit is right." His voice subtly flirted with her.
"It is right." Selena stood to her feet beside him. "But I have to go, anyway. Good night." She turned and dashed back to the house while he got only a glimpse of her legs in the darkened barn.
He sighed with frustration and stuck the straw back in his mouth.
****
It took Travis three days to realize the only new article of clothing she was wearing were those damn tan shorts. She rotated her original three shirts every day, and every day he was mesmerized by her gorgeous legs. Slender and toned, the last thing on his mind was the lack of variety in her apparel.
"Those shorts look good on you, Selena. But I'd kind of like to see you wear something else for a change."
Selena stiffened as she cleaned up after supper. Best to just appease him with an agreement and worry about it tomorrow. "Okay." Technically she wasn't lying, because tomorrow she would just put on a pair of her old jeans and that would be something else.
He grunted at her answer and didn't push it. They had slipped into an easy rhythm the last few days, and he didn't feel like screwing with the balance of things.
Every night she would slip out of the kitchen and head to the barn. Every night he would follow her, and they would watch the little skunks as they grew. The evenings were pleasant and companionable, and it had been days since they had fought.
He wanted to keep it that way.
****
The next morning Travis walked into an empty kitchen. It was empty a lot of mornings, but his breakfast was always on the table, and the signs of her occupation were everywhere. This morning the kitchen didn't look like it had been touched since the night before.
He walked out on the front porch but she wasn't there. He started to go look in the barn, but he thought he might as well check her room first. Her door was shut.
He knocked, but received no response. He knocked harder. "Selena, are you in there?"
A deep moan was accompanied by a weak, "Go away."
"Is something wrong?" Travis was alarmed and his voice was deeper than usual.
The moan got worse.
"Selena, I'm coming in." He pushed the door open and walked over to the bed and what he saw there had his heart skipping a beat. She lay curled on her side in a fetal position, and her face was streaked with tears. "Jesus Christ, are you okay?"
He sat down on the edge of the bed and she let out a wail at the movement to her body.
Travis jumped off the bed. "What is it? What's wrong? Did you eat something bad?" His mind ran over the possibilities. He reached down to stroke her hip and she wailed again. His hand jerked back in automatic response. He watched her holding her stomach in pain.
"I'm calling an ambulance." He changed his mind immediately. "Shit, no. That will take too long. I need to get you to a hospital now."
Selena opened her eyes and focused on him. "No. I'm fine. Just leave, por favor."