2. Solar

Sunlight shines down on your face through the window by your bed and you groan turning away from it. A moment later you sigh and stretch before sitting up. Your nightgown clings to your body and you wipe a thin layer of sweat from your forehead. Walking over to the kitchen you fill a basin with water and splash your face with it. You take a few minutes to re-braid your hair before pinning it up in a loose bun. You're used to putting a corset on by yourself but don't tighten it as much as most would. Your figure is fine without it and you need to be able to have some movement in order to complete the chores on the farm. When you're done dressing you head out and begin your day. You wave when you see John, your hired hand, walking up the path. He's an older man and honestly not as much help as you need. But he's been helping around the farm since before you were born and has become even more of a father figure to you lately.

A few hours later you're leaning against a post wiping more sweat off your face. The animals are fed but there's still so much more to do. You wonder if you're doing the right thing by keeping the farm now that your father is gone. It was already hard enough with just the two of you trying to run things. It had been your father's dream to see the place expand and become profitable. While farming is not your dream you feel guilty at the thought of selling the place. The day is growing hotter as the sun moves up higher in the sky. You decide to head in for lunch so you can try to cool off a bit. John has likely already headed home for the day, he can't work as long he did when he was younger. When you enter the house you sigh and undo the first few buttons of your blouse. Sweat trickles down your neck and you fan yourself lightly with your hand. After splashing water on your face you grab some bread from the cupboard and take a bite.

You're just sitting down when you hear hoof steps coming up the road. Putting the bread down you get up and look out the window. Austin rides up and stops his horse at the gate before dismounting. He ties it's reigns to the fence post and starts walking up the path. You open the door and walk down the steps of the porch. Austin looks up at you and stops in his tracks. You see his eyes gaze down past your face to your chest. You follow his gaze and gasp when you realize you shirt is still unbuttoned. Blushing you turn around and quickly button it up. "Hello, Austin." You say when you turn around, still blushing slightly. Austin looks away as if trying to avoid eye contact and says, "I just wanted to check on you."

"I was just having lunch, join me." You say, and turn to walk up the stairs. You stop when you realize Austin isn't following you and turn around. He runs one of his hands through his sandy hair and sighs before saying, "I wish I had enough time." You frown slightly but nod understandingly. "Well, thank you for checking on me, Sheriff." You hear Austin sigh again as you walk back into the house. You watch him leave through the window before going back to your seat. You push the bread away from on the table and rest your forearms on it in front of you. You don't understand why Austin never seems to have time to spend with you. He was the one who agreed to marry you after all.