Page 17 of Runaway Bride For The Rancher

Despite my reservations, I decided to give in to Aunt Nelly's suggestion. It was a small concession to make for the sake of adapting to my new surroundings. As the church doors swung open, I stepped into the unfamiliar space, the pews filled with people who had likely known each other for years, if not their whole lives.

The glances intensified as I found a seat, the curiosity in their eyes almost palpable. It was as if my presence alone had sparked their imagination, igniting rumors and speculation.

“Weird.”

I heard a woman say aloud. I tried my best to imagine she was referring to someone else who wasn’t me. I moved two steps to my right as quietly as I could, entertaining more eyes than ever.

I found a seat and sat between two women, with the resemblance of twins.

“Bless you.” They greeted me almost simultaneously as I sat.

I’d carefully unlocked my phone to feed my eyes and settle down the tension within me. The eyes followed my every move and seeing that pressing the phone would make me an even more attractive sight, I pocketed it.

I tried my best to keep my focus on the service and to let the rhythm of the sermon soothe my nerves, but the sideways glances and hushed conversations were difficult to ignore. My bathroom breaks were also frequent as a result of clearing my head, washing my face, or moving away from their peering eyes.

It was on one of those breaks that I overheard a group of kids whispering behind their hands as I passed by. Their words were barely audible, but the negative energy radiating from their direction was unmistakable. My heart sank as I quickened my pace, trying not to let their comments affect me.

Walking back home from a neighboring shop after the service, my senses heightened as I caught snippets of a conversation from a group of teenagers loitering nearby. Their words were laced with derision, their eyes focused on me. My heart raced as their hushed tones reached my ears, and though I couldn’t make out the exact words, the malice behind them was evident.

The weight of their judgment bore down on me, and I felt a pang of vulnerability I’dn't experienced in a long time. Twice in one day, and it was time to recline into my shell. I usually enjoyed the privacy of my own space sometimes, so needed to allow myself a moment of frustration, a quiet exhalation of the discomfort that had been building within me.

It was a reminder that even in a new place, judgment and prejudice could still find a way to surface.

As the days went on, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being constantly scrutinized, my actions analyzed by the watchful eyes of the town's residents. Each step felt like navigating a minefield of judgment, where my every move could be interpreted in countless ways.

Although I loved my space, moving out did a better part of clearing my head. I tried a walk one evening and soon found myself unintentionally on a collision course with Ben.

Our encounter was sudden, catching both of us off guard. I was across the street, walking down with my earpiece connected to beautiful tunes. He called out to me, and when I finally looked to him, his expression was a mix of surprise and uncertainty, mirroring my feelings.

"Hey," I greeted, my voice revealing my own nerves.

"Hey," he responded, his tone matching mine.

The silence that followed was laden with awkwardness, our words suspended in the air between us. Finally, Ben broke the silence, his voice hesitant. "How's your day been?"

"Interesting, to say the least," I replied with a hint of a smile. "My aunt is quite the social butterfly."

Ben chuckled, and the sound was a relief, breaking through some of the tension. "Yeah, she's got that reputation."

“How’s home? You’ven’t exactly talked about home, but I just thought to ask.” I switched up the conversation, after a short pause.

“Home’s okay. I mean, as far as living is concerned, we’re doing okay. I and my son, you know.”

"A son, huh? I can’t imagine how raising one must be for you," I said with surprise written all over me.

Ben nodded; his expression pensive. "It's alright. He's a great kid."

Still taking in what Ben had just said, I decided to open it all up. At least, it was the best I could do. "You know, I'd like to meet him someday.”

Ben's response was hesitant, his gaze fixed on the ground for a moment before meeting my eyes. "I appreciate the offer, but it's a bit complicated. Michael isn't exactly... comfortable around new people."

I could sense there was more to his statement, a layer of protectiveness that he wasn't voicing explicitly. "I understand," I replied, trying to convey my respect for his boundaries.

"Whenever you're ready, though. I'm here."

He managed a small smile, his gaze softening. "Thanks, Olivia. I'll keep that in mind."

Our conversation shifted, moving towards safer topics. But as we continued to talk, I noticed Ben's demeanor becoming more distant, as if he was withdrawing from our interaction. His replies grew shorter, his gaze shifting away from mine.

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