★ ˖ ࣪ ♱ hyacinth ♱ ˖ ࣪ ★

Pile 1:

- Making jewelry

- Tasting/Savoring beverages, such as wine, for example

- Blogging

- Sculpting

- Candle making

- Making ceramics

- Testing clothes, having a blog about clothes, getting into the fashion world, and even competing to see who creates the best outfit

- Crochet

- Knitting, sewing

- Giving reviews

- Talking about books

- Posting about health, weight loss, exercises, or just a healthier lifestyle

- Talking about healthy foods in a blog

- Dancing

- Yoga

Pile 2:

- Sewing

- Writing a book

- Reading a book

- Paint or buy artwork

- Create a fantasy world

- Create decorations

- Painting

- DIY projects

- Logical games

- Crime-solving games

- Learn a new language

- Camping

- Study animals

- Fishing

- Gardening

- Nature exploration

- Take care of your city

- Create different types of lamps or lights

- Swimming

- Raise fish

- Geocaching

- Cosplay

- Go for outdoor activities in nature

- Create things using items found in nature, like making a dream mandala or eco-friendly clothing

Pile 3:

- Learn something about finances

- Explore new ways to make money

- Hobbies that can bring you income

- Watch the moon and stars

- Learn astronomy

- Astrophotography

- Volleyball

- Beach sports

- Picnic

- Going outside

- Creating or taking care of flowers

- Start a garden

- Flower arrangement

- Photography

- Creating new ideas

- DIY projects

- Make drinks, especially those that fit summer

- Puzzles

- Swimming

- Painting the sky and sea

- Sit near water without your phone

- Pay attention to the present moment

- Go for walks in nature

- Yoga

- Pilates

- Play jumping games

- Meditation

- Create a hammock

- Build sandcastles

- Outdoor movie night

The Kansas sun was hot on your back as you washed the laundry. You're down by the river scrubbing down one of your brother's shirts on the board. It's caked in dirt and grime from the labor he had been doing around the place to get the field ready for planting. The tips of your fingers are wrinkly and are beginning to hurt from how hard you've been scrubbing. Rinsing it out once more you begin to wring the shirt out the best you can with your hands. Flipping it around a few times you smile to yourself satisfied with the cleanliness of the shirt. You throw it into the basket with the rest of the clothes you've already finished washing.

Standing up you stretch out your back trying to loosen the ache that had formed from being hunched over the laundry. You start making your way up the path back towards the cabin. The wind picks up cooling the sweat that was forming at the back of your neck. You mind the larger rocks along the path not wanting to trip and drop the laundry basket into the dirt like you had done last week. Finally, the small log cabin comes into view. Your brother and Mr. Sinclair had done a fine job building it, it overlooked the plains where the long grass and wildflowers grew. The outside had a decent size porch to stay out of the sun while you worked. You guys were still saving up for some glass windows, but you took some old torn dresses that couldn't be fixed and made some pretty curtains for it. And to the right of the cabin they had even built a small chicken pen and a bit farther to the right of that was the small pen for your two plow horses.

You and your brother had moved down from Maine to Independence some months back. Your parents had unfortunately passed from the consumption due to their older age. Your brother couldn't bear to stay in town and was set on settling somewhere new far far away from the farm you two were raised on for a fresh start. With him being your only remaining family you ventured out West with him. Mostly because you couldn't bear the idea of your brother doing this all by himself. He had insisted you stay back and accept the proposal from a gentleman in town who had fancied you. You'll admit you had considered it, he was a kind man who had a good job and nice home. Yes, you could've been happy and would've been taken care of, but ultimately you had turned him down. Mostly because you wanted to marry out of love. Not wanting to hurt him, you had explained to him that you could not settle down and start a family and live a life where your children grow up without knowing their uncle. He had understood as he also was close with his family and shared a similar sentiment. He had bid both of you farewell and wished you two goodluck. With that your brother sold your guys' childhood home, farm, and practically all of your belongings and headed west.

You set the basket of clothes on the porch. Sitting in the wooden rocking chair your brother had made you begin to wring out the clothes the best you could, wanting all the extra water out. Once you had finished with that you took the basket over to the clothes line and began to hang up all the larger articles of clothing. You left the smaller ones in the basket as you would hang those up above the fireplace later. Securing the last pair of your brother's pants you head back to the cabin with the wicker basket resting on your hip. You still had a few more chores to work on before you started on supper.

You set the laundry basket down on the table and head over to the large basin to begin washing the dishes. Luckily you had grabbed a couple pails of water earlier so you did not have to go back out into the sun to the well. You begin scrubbing at the dishes that were used from breakfast. As you’re scrubbing you hear footsteps coming up to the door. Odd you think, your brother normally didn’t come back until the later afternoon but you don’t pay it any mind.

“Back so early Peter?” you shout out to him without turning around. There’s no response but you hear the cabin door open up. Confused now on why he hasn’t responded, you turn around and come face to face with two tall Osage men.

The first one closest to you in the cabin wears his long black hair loose. With a red and black headpiece near the top of his head clipping a few strands out of his face. His face is hard and rigid as he doesn’t say anything to you just frowns. He wears a long coat with stripped pants. The man behind him is much different. His hair is parted down the middle and wears a similar headpiece to the other, but unlike his friend his hair is braided instead of hanging loose. Strands of long white beads adorn his neck. He is dressed a little lighter too in a long sleeve shirt and vest with striped pants as well. His features are much softer than his friends albeit just as stoic. His dark eyes are all consuming and are complimented by his full lashes. You feel like he can see right through you and you feel your face begin to get hot. He doesn’t say anything but just looks at you and around the cabin. With his prominent cheek bones you can’t help but find him extremely handsome. You notice both of them carrying sacks in their hands.

A million thoughts are racing through your head; composing yourself you quickly wipe your wet hands on the apron of your skirt. “Hello.” you rasp out as your voice falters a little, but it’s all you can manage with your nerves. Both men don’t say anything, just simply stare at you and around the cabin.You know Peter’s rifle is under his bed but you don’t dare to glance at it or its direction. So instead you just try again.

“What can I do for you gentlemen today?” Your voice holds much better this time, a little more confident and strong. You plaster a smile on your face trying to be welcoming. The two exchange a glance with one another and you begin to worry maybe they don’t speak English. Finally though the long hair one speaks.

“Rent for land” is all he says a little gruffly. You’re relieved a bit though as that’s easier to handle. Until you remember Peter took most of the money to replenish the shelves with some necessities from the general store today. A small pit grows in your stomach as you think of how you’re going to pay these men.

You nod your head though to show you understand. “Yes, of course. I don’t have much money right now, perhaps I could give you a few things instead if that’s alright?” your voice is much meeker this time all the confidence washed away.

The long hair one doesn’t say anything just approaches you with the burlap sack open now he’s carrying. You don’t wait and begin to offer food to him. You hand him a jar of pickled carrots and some blackberry jam you had made. He examines each one before nodding and placing them in the sack. Next you grab a small bag of beans that was still half full and some sugar. You’re silent as you just hand off the food. You carefully wrap half a dozen of the eggs from the chickens you were planning on selling and hand them to him in a small basket. He looks at them and places them on the table closer to the man with the braided hair. He has just been standing there watching the two of you. You make eye contact with him briefly before looking away to grab another jar. You ignore the way your stomach flips. The two of them begin to speak to each other in their native tongue. You hope they’re happy with your tribute as you find a jar of pickled onions to offer.

You offer it to the one with the braided hair. He stares at it for a moment before looking back up at you through his long lashes. Your breath catches in your throat, but you just smile instead. You extend your arm a little more and nod your head gesturing for him to take it. His mouth twitches for a split second before he accepts the can. You step back from both of them and rest your hands in front of you. You hope this would be the end of it and they would leave soon.

The long hair man points to some canned food Peter had bought from the general store resting on the shelf between you and him. You winced as these were kind of expensive, but you comply and go to grab them for him. He says something to his companion that you cannot understand. He laughs slightly, and you have a feeling they probably weren’t the kindest words. However, no response comes right away from the handsome one. When the handsome one does speak to his friend his tone sounds kind of harsh. You hand the long haired man the cans and he tosses them into the sack and they clink with the rest.

The handsome one speaks again this time moving from his spot that was at the center of the cabin and heading towards the door. A wave of relief hits you knowing you’re almost done. His companion follows however, he stops by the table where the laundry basket sits. You’re a little confused about what caught his attention. He reaches and grabs something you can’t see from where you're standing. A gasp leaves your throat when he picks up and raises your father’s pocket watch. You curse to yourself internally as you remember Peter had been winding it that morning. It was his most treasured belonging. Your legs move before your brain even processes what you’re doing. You make your way around the opposite side of the table closest to the braided hair man by the door.

“Please no, that was my father’s.” you keep your voice firm using your body to block the exit. Both men look down at you, the braided hair one looks almost shocked at your sudden behavior change. The long hair one closes his hand a bit tighter on the watch. He stares down at you, challenging you. You begin to slightly panic, you shove your hand into your dress pocket and luckily you feel a few coins in there. Pulling them out you see about 35 cents. You offer it to the man, you know the watch is more valuable but you have to try. He holds on to the watch and disregards the money in your hand.

A thought occurs to you that you have something else to offer. You place the money back into your pocket. You reach up and pull the chain around your neck that was lying under your dress to the surface. As quickly as you can you undo the latch and from the chain you drop the small gold ring that hangs on it into the palm of your hand. It was your mother’s ring. Your grandmother had given it to her and her to you when you were sixteen. It had never properly fit you so you had always worn it around your neck instead. Tears begin to well in your eyes but you fight them back. Your brother’s watch is more important. Clutching the ring close to your chest for one last time you pray your mother will forgive you. Looking to the softer of the two you hold the ring up to him.

“Please take this instead of the watch. We can’t lose that watch. I beg of you” you plead with him barely holding the tears back. You swear his expression softens just a bit, he nods his head and takes the ring from your hand. He holds it out to his friend and says something you once again can’t understand. The other one mutters something, but luckily he sets the pocket watch back on the table and snatches the ring from his hand. He shoves past the both of you and heads out the door of the cabin. A sigh escapes you relieved that it’s over and the watch is safe. The man is still there and doesn’t move from his spot yet. Doing the only thing you can think of, you run back to the food. Grabbing the little cheese you had you cut him most of it placing it down on some cloth. You reach over from the table and grab the cornbread you made earlier. Cutting a large chunk you place it next to the cheese in the cloth. You wrap it carefully before rushing back over to him offering it to him. His expression is unreadable, but he takes it from your hands. The feeling of his hands on yours makes your stomach do a somersault as this time you feel what you can only describe as a shock run through yours. Once he’s taken it, you stick your hand in your pockets once more and pull out the coins from earlier.

“I can’t thank you enough” your voice is barely above a whisper as you hold it out to him. He shakes his head no at you and sets down his sack at his feet. He takes a step so he’s standing right in front of you now. His hot breath fans your face and you almost shudder at the feeling. Using one hand he presses your fingers down gently towards your palm. Taking the hint you put your hand with the money down back into your pocket. You look up at him to find his large brown eyes already on you. His lips twitch again but no words come out. You don’t know why you’re so disappointed that he won’t speak to you. He eyes look over your face one more time before he steps back and picks up his sack. And just like that he’s out the door trailing after his friend.

You close the door and latch it shut. You feel dizzy for a moment and slowly slide down to your feet with your back along the door. Bringing your knees to your chest you wrap your arms around them. You close your eyes and just sit there for a moment. You let yourself catch your breath and return to as close to normal as you can. A few tears escape your eyes, you quickly wipe them. After a few minutes you pull it together and get up. You stay inside the cabin for the rest of the day with the door closed and latched shut. Any chores outside can wait til Peter gets back or tomorrow. For now you just finish the dishes, hang the rest of the laundry, and get started on supper.

When Peter returns a couple hours later from helping Dr. Tann for the day you explain what had happened with the two men. Except you leave out the part about his watch and your mother’s ring not wanting to hurt him. He doesn’t say much, just lets you talk while nodding along. Though you can tell he’s upset by the look on his face. Once you finish he tells you he'll be back and walks out the door. You shout for him to stop but it’s too late. All you can do is wait for him to come back. When returns in the evening, he seems less upset than when he had a left. You ask him what had happened and where he had gone, but he brushes you off. Just tells you it’s alright and everything has been sorted.

The next morning you follow your daily routine. You get up and change into a clean dress then brush your hair out opting to leave it loose for today. You get started on a quick breakfast for Peter and you. You start a small fire in the fireplace and place the heavy skillet down to heat up. While it heats you pull out enough dishware and cutlery for two. You serve Peter the remaining of the cornbread that was left from yesterday. You’ll have to make more today. You grab some berries from the counter that had already been washed and put a handful on both of your plates. Picking up a few eggs from the basket you walk back to the fireplace and crack them into the skillet. Satisfied with the sound of them sizzling you let them cook for a bit longer, before carefully scooping them onto the plates you had prepared.

You hook the kettle over the fire to start some hot water for you and coffee for Peter. While it boils you eat a little bit of your breakfast. When it’s nearly done you head over to Peter’s bed and wake him. You give his shoulder a bit of a shake, but he just groans, rolls over, and puts his back to you. “Peter, come on. Breakfast is done and you have to meet Dr. Tann again.” You are met with silence. Huffing at him you walk back to the fireplace to pour yourself some hot water to drink and make Peter his coffee. After that you finish your breakfast and place the dishes in the basin for you to wash later. Since Peter is still home you use that to your advantage and venture outside as you’re still a little shaken from yesterday.

Walking over to your chicken pen next to the house you scoop some feed from the barrel next to the gate. Opening it carefully to not let them escape you enter inside and scatter the feed amongst the pen for them. They cluck and walk around your feet happy to peck at the fresh feed along the earth. You let a couple of them feed from your hand. Once you finish distributing the feed you walk over to their shelter and collect the eggs that have been laid. Happy with the amount you head back inside to put them away and to fetch the bucket so you can head to the well. You come inside to find Peter barely sitting up in his bed. You shake your head at him before setting the fresh eggs in the basket. You grab the handle of the bucket before making your way back to the door.

“Don’t blame me when your breakfast is cold” you shout to him as you shut the door behind you. You don’t bother to wait for him to acknowledge you.

Stepping off the porch you hear the sound of horses coming down the road. Looking to your left you see two men on horseback walk down towards the cabin. You recognize Mr. Mitchell and his horse, but right behind him you realize it’s one of the men from yesterday. Specifically the one who helped you keep your fathers pocket watch. This time though you don’t feel uneasy, just curious.

“Good morning Miss Y/N. How are you this morning?” He shouts out to you.

“Doing just fine Mr. Mitchell. How are you today?” You say with a wave and a smile at the end. He stops once they make it down the road. Both of them dismount and tie their horses to a tree near the cabin. The man from yesterday remains quiet as he walks behind Mr. Mitchell up to you at the porch.

“I’m doing fine, thanks. I heard you met my brother in law, Little Puma yesterday. He wanted to come speak to you today” he says while throwing his head back to the quiet man behind him. “Is your brother inside? I had wanted to speak to him to see if he knew Dr. Tann was available today.” He gestures with his head to the cabin. You’re still trying to wrap your head around what he just said about his brother in law wanting to speak to you. Both men are looking at you expectantly. Quickly focusing you nod your head.

“Yes he’s inside. Hopefully awake by now. Please don’t hold it against him if he’s not favorable right now. He has never been a morning person. And please feel free to help yourself to the coffee in the kettle.” You joke trying to keep everything light. It seems to do the trick as Mr. Mitchell just laughs and nods his head.

“Will do. I won’t keep him for too long” he says as he walks past you and heads into the cabin. Leaving just you and Little Puma standing at the foot of the porch. His eyes are locked on you and the familiar heat begins to creep up your neck.

“Hello Little Puma.” your voice rasps similar to how it did yesterday. You do like having a name to call him now and you like the way it rolls off your tongue a little too much. You’re met with silence again leaving you worried you’ve offended him. He seems different now standing in front of you. Almost as if he’s not as sure of himself as he was yesterday. Little Puma looks down at the floor for a second before he reaches into the pocket of his vest. He extends his hand out to you, resting between his thumb and index finger is your mother’s gold ring. Your hand flies up to your mouth in shock as you were sure you were never going to see it again. Slowly, you take the ring from his hand.

“I am sorry for yesterday.” He says quietly to you. You already began shaking your head at him to stop him.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I should be apologizing to you. Besides you have brought this back to me which I cannot thank you enough for.” You look down at the ring running your finger along the band. A smile is stuck to your face looking at the small ring. You place the ring deep into your pocket. You’ll have to do your best to remember to put it away until you can place it on your chain again later. “It was my mother’s one of the very few things I have left of hers.” You do your best to explain. He nods in understanding.

“Myron shouldn’t have taken it yesterday. We will not be bothering you again.” A part of you is saddened at the fear of not seeing him again. Very few Osage come into town and he’s not one of those who do.

“You can still come by for tea or supper—” you stop yourself quickly realizing what you had just said. You wish the earth would swallow you up right now. Little Puma’s face is equally surprised at your statement, both eyebrows raised at you. You stammer for a moment trying to recover from your humiliation. “—to work out the rent. We still owe you rent until there is settlement for the land.” Wincing you look at the ground before looking up at him again. He has a smirk on his face obviously very amused at your rambling.

“That will work, until next time.” he says with a small smile and steps closer to you. Little Puma reaches out for the hand at your side and brings it up to his mouth. The touch is so light as he presses a kiss to the knuckle of your hands. It takes everything in you to keep your knees from buckling.

You two jump apart at the sound of the cabin door opening. It’s Mr. Mitchell and your brother who looks much more awake now. Neither of them say anything at the closeness between the two of you. But Mr. Mitchell has a knowing look in his eyes that causes your face to flush.