9. Settlement

As the silence continues you become more aware of the fact that you're completely alone with a strange man. Austin is likely back at town, and your closest neighbor is a few acres away, leaving you in quite the **** position. You do your best not to let this worry show on your face and **** yourself to double down on your previous allegation. "Well?" You demand while trying to sound more authoritative than you actually feel. Despite your best efforts the man seems hardly concerned with your accusation as he leans back comfortably against one of the support beams. His green eyes sparkle in the sunlight as he almost playfully asks back, "Well, what?" and crosses his arms over his chest. Rolling your eyes slightly you inwardly curse yourself for letting the previous night's events distract you enough to forget your rifle. You doubt the man would be as nonchalant as he has been if you were armed.

"Well, the storm has passed, so I'm sure whatever favor you think you're owed has been paid." Your tone is curt as you walk to the open barn doors and pointedly glance outside before looking back at him. The man turns his head over in your direction but doesn't move from his relaxed pose against the beam. When he leans his head back against the post the sunlight peaking through the rafters highlights the almost reddish undertone of his bronze skin. Closing your eyes, you exhale slowly, and wonder why men have to be so troublesome. When your eyes reopen you see the man is sitting up straighter and is studying you somewhat curiously. "I suppose I shouldn't be so surprised that a woman is able to gain property ownership easier some people." His smooth tone sounds some what jaded and you note the emphasis he places on the phrase 'some people.'

While there is something slightly different about his look, his words confuse you, as he appears to be as American as you are. Shrugging this observation off for now you find yourself answering honestly. "Well, it's mine temporarily since my father passed. However, I either have to sell it or transfer the deed to my- I mean, a future husband." You're not sure why you corrected your wording but since you're not yet married to Austin you at least answered more truthfully. The man scoffs slightly prior to reaching into his pocket and pulling out a hand rolled cigarette. The sharp smell of tobacco reaches your nose shortly after he lights the joint with a match. A twinge of guilt and slightly worry flashes across your mind as the scent remind you of Austin. When you first suspected trouble around your stead you never imagined it would result in exchanged words as opposed to exchanged bullets.

Still, you haven't quite let your guard down around this unknown man yet and continue to observe him. He takes a long drag from the cigarette and as he exhales slowly a ring of smoke emerges from his slightly parted lips. He glances over and when he sees you watching him inquisitively he holds the joint out to you. Most of the men in town smoke but this is the first time you've ever been offered one and you walk up hesitantly before taking it. You pause for moment, looking up into his green eyes, before you cautiously take a small inhale. The hot smoke quickly engulfs your throat and your eyes water as you exhale while struggling not to cough. You can feel the mans gaze on you as the thick smoke quickly billows out of your mouth. When you breath out you feel your head growing light and you sway slightly as you notice yourself growing slightly dizzy. You hear a low chuckle from the man as you hand the cigarette back to him and he takes an inhale from it.

Another ring of smoke slowly dissipates before you and you close your eyes while enjoying it's rich scent. Chalking it up to the daze from the head rush but you find yourself asking. "If you're not going to leave, will you at least tell me your name?" The man takes another long puff from the joint and a cloud of smoke slightly obscures his face as he replies, "My given name is "River-Wind" but you can just call me, River." Your mind traces back to the time at the small town's school when you were younger and you find yourself blurting out, "Oh, you're Arapaho." River's hand pauses as he raises the cigarette back up to his lips and you see a scowl flash across his face when he replies, "Half, but don't act as if you're surprised." He brings the joint back up to his lips and you hear the faint crackle of paper burning as he inhales sharply.

Crossing your arms over your chest, you frown slightly at the man in front of you, before speaking up. "There's no need for hostility. You're the one trespassing on my so called 'property'." While the man appears to be somewhat appeased by your phrasing he still isn't backing down either. You shift uneasily and try to keep a stern, determined, look on your otherwise anxious face. "Look," He finally says and his even, almost monotone, voice sounds rather hypnotic. "I just need a place to camp out for a few days. Let's forgive and forget?" Now you're slightly confused by his choice of words but stay quiet as you weigh your options. It seems as if agreeing to let him stay for the time being is the smarter option, as you can always alert Austin of his presence, if needed. After a moment you nod your head in acceptance but feel a slight twinge of regret as a another grin spreads across Rivers face.