Chapter 12
Hazel's POV
The next day was a bit cooler with clouds drifting over the sun. I was tasked with fetching water from the well for Stepmom's cooking. I took the wooden buckets and headed out, walking the familiar path to the old well at the edge of our property.
As I was drawing water, a young man walked up to me. It was Henry, the second commander of Elite Hunters. He was handsome in a way that caught my breath – strong jawline, bright blue eyes, and dark blond hair that curled slightly at the ends. He had a lean build and moved with an easy confidence. He wore a hunter's leather gear, practical and worn from use. He smiled as he approached, and I felt a flutter in my chest.
"Hello," he said, his voice warm. "Could I trouble you for some water?"
I looked up at him, a bit surprised but nodded. "Sure." I poured some water from the bucket into the cup I had brought for such requests.
Henry took the cup and thanked me, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. As he drank the cool water, he looked at me again, his gaze lingering.
"I'm Henry," he said, introducing himself with a tender smile at me. "I'm second commander of the Elite Hunters. I was just strolling nearby, I saw you from afar and thought I'd come say hello."
I felt a blush rise to my cheeks at his tender smile directed at me. "I'm Hazel," I replied, trying to sound calm.
Henry handed back the cup, his fingers brushing mine briefly as he did. The touch sent a small spark through me. "Nice to meet you, Hazel," he said, his voice low and friendly.
I smiled back at him, feeling a bit more at ease. "Nice to meet you too."
We stood there by the well for a moment, talking about simple things. Henry was easy to talk to, and his handsomeness wasn't just in his looks but in the way he smiled at me, genuinely interested.
As we spoke, thoughts of Lexi – who'd been so much in my mind – seemed to fade a bit in Henry's presence. Henry was here, now, talking to me like I mattered.
After a few minutes, Henry glanced toward the path back. "I should get going. Nice talking to you, Hazel. Maybe I'll see you around?"
I nodded, smiling. "Yeah. Maybe."
Henry smiled tenderly at me once more before turning to leave. I watched him walk away, his movements easy and confident. I felt a warmth linger where he'd smiled at me.
As I went back to the farmhouse with the water buckets, my thoughts were a mix – of Henry's handsomeness and kindness, and still of Lexi's intense green eyes. But Henry had been... different. Softer somehow.
Stepmom took the water from me gruffly. "About time."
I didn't say much and went to do my other chores. But in my mind, Henry's tender smile kept coming back alongside memories of Lexi.