Free Hope In Every Raindrop by Wesley Banks

water bowls filled and waiting.
    Katie sat down and pulled out her notebook, which she had jammed between one of the slats in front of Belle’s pen. Katie leaned her back against the smooth wood and pulled her knees to her chest to use as a writing desk. She heard Belle get up, pad over to the gate, and lie down just behind Katie. Only a one-inch piece of timber separated them. It had become a sort of ritual for Katie and Belle over the past couple days.
    “Hey, girl,” Katie said, turning towards Belle. She slid her hand through the space just above the toe board and rested it on Belle’s side. Her hand rose and fell with each of Belle’s breaths.
    “You have any wonderful dreams while I was out there sweeping floors, scrubbing feed bowls, and re-bedding stalls?” Belle looked up and let out an audible breath through her nose. Katie moved her fingers back and forth behind the dog’s soft ears.
    “I know what you mean. Every day can’t be full of dreams.”
    Katie turned back around and jotted down a few notes. The sun was low and she could see the individual rays of light pour into the barn. Little specks of hay and dust floated amongst the light. It would make a beautiful cover, if she ever actually finished the book.
    “I just don’t get it,” Katie started again, turning the conversation to the topic she’d been dwelling on most lately. “What does he have against me being here? He feeds me all these lines about, ‘you can’t have understanding without experience.’ But how am I supposed to get any experience when he takes all the dogs with him and leaves me here alone?”
    Katie looked down at Belle. “You know what I mean.”
    She looked around the barn for a few minutes in silence, thinking about the whole thing. “What would you do if you were me?” Belle groaned as she shifted her weight atop the hay. “I’m sorry, girl. You have bigger problems, huh? I’m sure I’ll figure something out.”
    Katie leaned her head back against one of the horizontal boards and closed her eyes. She was exhausted. Having forgotten her train of thought, she set her notepad and pencil down, and let her mind wander. It didn’t take more than a few minutes for her to fall asleep on the barn floor.

Chapter 11
     
    “Miss Price,” Kyle said. “Miss Price.”
    Katie opened her eyes to find Kyle squatting a few feet away from her.
    “Miss Price,” he said again.
    She leaned to the side to grab her notebook and quickly wiped what felt like a few drops of drool from her lip.
    Oh God, please tell me he did not see that.
    “I’m sorry. I must have fallen asleep.”
    “Dinner is ready,” he said. He stood and reached out his hand.
    She leaned forward and took it, then paused at the feel of his warm fingers. She could feel his calluses on the sides of her hands and the strength in his grip as he pulled her to her feet. Her weight shifted forward slightly as she stood, and she was suddenly very close to him.
    Why is he even being nice to me? Is this him being nice to me? I don’t know why I even care.
    Dinner was already on the table when they walked into the house. Katie looked around for Doc, but saw no sign of him.
    “Doc out again tonight?”
    “One of Mr. Willis’ cows had a problem birthing,” Kyle said.
    “Is there anything he doesn’t do?”
    Kyle looked back at her from the kitchen, and thought for a minute. “Not really.” He poured two glasses of lemonade and sat down across from her at the table.
    Kyle cut his chicken into small rectangular pieces and mixed it with his rice and peas. Katie just watched.
    He used his fork to scoop up a bit of rice and then stabbed a piece of chicken on the end. Katie just watched.
    Halfway through chewing his first bite, he looked up at Katie staring at him. He swallowed and said, “Is something wrong?”
    “I’m just shocked you aren’t leaving me another note. I’ve gotten accustomed to spending the days and nights by myself. And apparently you’re talking