I can't believe that this is the last chapter of this part! I'm so invested!
The clouds had gathered in the western sky as they started the third load.
Oh no! This is so ominous.
She stepped away from the wall and slid her hands past his ribs to meet behind his back, enclosing him in her embrace. She felt his arms surround her and then tighten.
“We did it,” she breathed.
Too soon, he drew away. “I’m getting you wet,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Aw, yay!
Clark’s hay was in the barn.
She’d seen his relief and satisfaction.
And that was worth all the hours of toil.
I feel like this is a set-up for life on the farm for Lois!!
“You’re a lucky bloke, mate.”
Clark looked up to the loft where Jack’s face was poking through the hole, a big grin on his face.
OMG, YES, please give him some of the Lane sass.
Clark nodded. “Were you in Smallville in April?”
“Yes,” Jack replied, looking surprised.
Oh, wow. Good work, Clark. Putting those investigative skills to use.
“There was no ad. He sent you here because he wants me to work at the paper.”
I hate that guy. Interested in more of that backstory, though.
Jack gave Clark a shove to the chest. “Last one to the house gets the second shower,” he said as he sprinted away.
Aw, I love this. It makes him feel like he'd fit right in with the Lane kids.
"I’d like to go,” she said. Then she grinned. “I’ll try not to fall asleep.”
“It doesn’t matter if you do,” he said, answering her grin.
So cute!
Five minutes later, Lois climbed the ladder to the loft, reached the top and laughed. Clark had set up the hay bales to resemble a sofa, complete with another bale to act as a shared footstool. A blanket was covering the ‘seat’, which was embellished with two cushions.
I love that he held onto her desire to sit up here, and then leveled it up for her.
Because not knowing… it’s tough.”
“So is knowing.”
Their eyes met, and in Clark's, she read his unwavering belief that Jack should be told.
Fascinating that they get to have this debate, because their life experiences are totally aligned to be on opposite sides. Really clever to set this up this way.
She… or maybe he… leaned forward.
Aw, I love this!
Full. And rich. And deep.
“The kiss. The concern. The friendship. The more than friendship. You. Me. Us.”
OooooO! And yay - a classic Lois Lane freak out that will make them talk!!
He waited, not knowing what to say, but sure that if words did escape, they would very likely not help.
Omg, I'm dying. That's an amazing line.
“Like you?” His words came out in a gush of breath, causing her to startle. He squared his shoulders. It was time for truth. “Lois, I am in love with you.”
"....you must have known." Sorry, just kidding. I love that you had him just tell her!
It was time for more truth. “It was too late the day you came.”
“The day I… Aw, Clark.”
Awwwwwwww! Clark! This is so wholly cute.
“Which leaves me with the choice. Either I give up my dream and my career and the life I had chosen for myself. Or I give up… this.”
The way she said ‘this’ – the softness, the unconcealed affection – tugged at his heart.
Just send her back for a week - I bet she decides to come home, lol. Such a tough choice, though. And I love that you've had her just eliminate the idea of him leaving. It makes her seem just as savvy as Lois Lane should be.
He enfolded her in his arms. “Lois,” he said. “We will find a way. We will work out something.”
He's one of the rare characters I usually believe this from, and I totally believe it from your version of him.
The mountains were still there.
Love this phrasing/analogy you're drawing.
Even though I know this will all work out, this felt like such a gut punch.
And the mountains receded again.
Ugh - so good!
Loved this story from start to finish. It has such a natural flow, and such a sweet nature to it. And I really love learning about the details of the day-to-day farm life in a way that it seems like Lois does. I'm excited to see where this goes! I'll keep an eye out for the next part!
