Page 65 of Journey to Love

I grab her luggage and we make our way to my car. I open the passenger door for her, earning a playful jab from Anya. "Such a gentleman," she teases.

"Always for you, Anya," I reply with a smile. I'm excited about the drive to Pennsylvania with her, eager for her to meet my mom. I glance over at her as I settle into the driver's seat. Despite the rough night, she looks better than she did this morning.

"You ready?" I ask, turning to her. She smiles and nods, her enthusiasm contagious. "So ready," she exclaims before catching sight of herself in the mirror. Her expression falters as she touches her swollen cheek and black eye. "Oh god! Why didn’t you tell me I looked this bad?" she says with a wince.

I chuckle as I start the car, "You look beautiful, Anya, black eye and all." She rolls her eyes but smiles nonetheless. As we drive, I steal glances at her from time to time, marveling at her resilience despite everything she's been through. Meeting my mom might be a little daunting, but I know Anya can handle it.

After a few hours on the road, we finally arrive at my mom's house. Anya's nerves are palpable as we approach the front door, but I give her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You've got this," I whisper.

Taking a deep breath, Anya nods, steeling herself for the meeting. As my mom opens the door and welcomes us inside, I can't help but feel a surge of pride for the woman by my side. Whatever lies ahead, I know we'll face it together.

Anya

As Jacob’s mom welcomes me inside, I'm immediately enveloped in a sense of comfort. Their home exudes coziness, and the scent of freshly baked bread fills the air. "Anya, it's so great to finally meet you," she says warmly. "May I give you a hug?" I nod shyly, and she wraps her arms around me, emanating the comforting aroma of flour and vanilla. "How are you holding up, dear?" she asks as she guides me to the living room. "I'm doing alright, despite the bumps and bruises. I'm okay," I reply. "Well, I'm just glad you're safe now," she reassures me.

Then, I muster up the courage to ask a burning question. "I do have a question," I begin. "Of course, dear, what is it?" she says with a gentle smile. "Jacob told me that it was you who got the police to come to the house as quickly as they did," I say, and she nods, encouraging me to continue. "How did you do that?" I ask, genuinely curious.

With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she replies, "Jacob gave me a challenge, and I tackled it like a pro. Of course, a little mama bear mentality never hurts either." She gives me a playful wink and pats my leg. I laugh and nod “No it doesn’t” I pause “thank you” I say as I squeeze her hand.

She smiles and squeezes back "No thanks need, it was the right thing to do” she pats my leg again “Now, I need to finish baking some bread. Why don't you get some rest? I believe Jacob has set you up in the downstairs guest room," she suggests as she gets up.

"Would it be alright if I explore the farm a bit?" I inquire. She beams. "Absolutely, Anya. Feel free to make yourself at home. I'll have Jacob give you the grand tour." Her warm hospitality puts me at ease, and I thank her before stepping onto the porch.

The vast property stretches out before me, with lush green fields and neatly divided paddocks for the various farm animals. In the center stands a grand barn, a focal point amidst the pastoral landscape. I spot horses grazing in one paddock, while sheep peacefully roam in another. Nearby, a bustling chicken coop houses dozens of hens, with a separate enclosure for the roosters.

Taking in the idyllic scene, I can't help but feel a sense of tranquility wash over me. The peacefulness of the farm is a welcome contrast to the chaos of recent events. Lost in my thoughts, I'm brought back to reality by Jacob's comforting touch on my back.

"You ready for the grand tour?" Jacob asks, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

I can't help but match his enthusiasm. "Absolutely!" I reply, anticipation bubbling within me.

He leads me toward the sheep enclosure, and as we approach, the sheep start to gather around us, their gentle bleats filling the air. I instinctively step back, startled by the sudden movement. Jacob chuckles and pulls me closer, wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Don't worry, they're just excited because they think I've got food," he explains, his voice soothing. I glance at him nervously but with a hint of excitement. "Do you want to feed them?" he offers.

I nod eagerly, a smile spreading across my face at the prospect of interacting with the friendly animals.

As we feed the sheep, I find myself drawn to their gentle presence. Turning to Jacob, I ask, "Can I touch them, or will they run away?"

He smiles reassuringly. "Oh no, they love the interaction. Go ahead," he encourages, gesturing toward the sheep.

With a mix of excitement and trepidation, I lean down and tentatively reach out to stroke one of the sheep. As my hand makes contact with its wool, I'm surprised by the softness of it. The fibers yield beneath my touch, feeling like a cloud under my fingertips. I'm momentarily entranced by the sensation, marveling at the delicate texture of the sheep's fleece against my skin. It's a comforting feeling, one that momentarily transports me away from the worries of the world.

As we approach the chicken coop, Jacob grabs a bucket, and I can't help but tease him, "Are we collecting eggs?"

He grins mischievously, confirming my suspicions. "Yup!" His enthusiasm is infectious, and I can't help but feel a sense of excitement bubble up inside me. "This is so fun!" I exclaim as I follow him into the coop.

Inside, I spot several eggs nestled in various boxes and waste no time in gently collecting them and placing them in the bucket. However, my confidence wavers when I see a hen hovering protectively over her clutch.

I glance nervously at Jacob, unsure of what to do. "Go ahead, it's okay," he reassures me. Despite his encouragement, I hesitate, worried about getting pecked.

Jacob laughs at my apprehension and strides over to the hen, deftly pushing her aside to access the eggs beneath her. As he reaches for the last egg, the hen reacts defensively, nipping at his hand.

I watch with raised eyebrows, a silent 'I told you so' passing between us. Despite the brief scare, we manage to collect all the eggs without further incident, and I can't help but laugh at the unexpected adventure.

"Okay, it's starting to get late. Do you want to see the horses now, or do you want to save it for tomorrow?" Jacob asks, a playful glint in his eyes.

I teasingly glare at him and cross my arms, pretending to contemplate his question. After a few seconds, I playfully slap his arm. "Of course I want to see the horses!" I exclaim with a grin.

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