Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Another Close Call (Part 1)
About forty minutes later of driving, the landscape around them began to change with most buildings shrinking in the rearview mirror as they drove deeper into the countryside.
The fields stretched out on either side of the road, a sea of green and gold with the occasional piece of heavy farm machinery at work in the distance.
Amanda soon took a right turn onto a gravel road, the tires crunching as they left the pavement behind. A few minutes later, they arrived at the farm where the house and outbuildings were nestled among the fields.
"Here we are," Amanda announced with a smile as she pulled the truck to a stop.
Don stepped out of the truck, his boots crunching on the gravel beneath him as he followed Amanda toward the house. The farm stretched out around them, a sprawling expanse of land that seemed to go on forever.
To the left, rows of corn swayed gently in the breeze, their tall stalks rustling softly. To the right, a field of sunflowers stood tall and proud, their golden faces turned toward the sun. In the distance, large pieces of farm machinery—tractors, harvesters, and plows—stood idle, waiting for the day's work to begin.
The house itself was a charming two-story structure, painted a soft white with green shutters and a wraparound porch. The porch was lined with potted plants and wicker furniture, giving it a welcoming, homey feel.
As they walked toward the house, Amanda glanced at Don with a smile. "Not much has changed around here, so no need for a tour," she said. "Let's just quickly grab what you need so we can head into town to shop for your clothes before traffic gets hectic."
Don nodded, falling in step beside her. "Sounds like a plan."
Amanda led him toward a storage shed that stood off to the side of the house. The shed was a simple, weathered structure with a slanted roof and wooden walls that had seen better days. The paint was chipped and peeling in places, revealing the raw wood beneath, and the hinges on the door creaked as Amanda pushed it open.
Inside, the shed was neatly organized, with various tools and equipment hanging on the walls or stacked on shelves. Gardening tools, sacks of fertilizer, and bins filled with seeds lined one side, while the other held larger items like a lawnmower and a wheelbarrow.
Amanda reached for a pair of overalls hanging from a hook on the wall and handed them to Don, along with gloves and boots. "Here, you should be able to fit into these," she said.
Don accepted the clothing with a nod, but before he could say anything, Amanda began to undress right there in the shed.
She first unbuttoned her flannel shirt and shrugged it off, revealing a simple white bra beneath. Don couldn't help but stare for a moment, surprised by how casual she was about it. Amanda, for her part, seemed completely unfazed. She folded her shirt neatly and set it aside before reaching down to unbutton her jean shorts.
'She's really not shy at all,' Don thought, his eyes involuntarily tracing the freckles scattered across her shoulders and down to her lower back. It was clear from the way she went about changing that this was nothing out of the ordinary for her—no hidden intentions, just the practicality of getting into work clothes.
Realizing he was staring, Don quickly began to change as well. He slipped out of his shirt and pants, pulling on the overalls she had given him. As he dressed, he couldn't help but steal the occasional glance at Amanda, who was now in just her bra and panties.
Her body was lean and toned, her skin lightly tanned from days spent working outdoors. Freckles dotted her shoulders and the curve of her asscheeks, adding a touch of youthfulness to her otherwise mature appearance.
As Don finished dressing, Amanda turned to him, her eyes sweeping over his form with a look of mild surprise. "Wow, you've really grown," she remarked, a note of nostalgia in her voice. "Feels like just yesterday you were half my height."
Don chuckled at her comment, wondering why she seemed so open and comfortable with him. He assumed this was how she had always acted around the younger Don, and despite his age now, she saw no need to change that dynamic. 'I shouldn't complain,' he thought. 'This will make getting closer to her easier. But I'll need to be crafty about it.'
"Not everyone can stay forever young like you," Don quipped with a playful grin on his face
Amanda laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Oh, I don't feel so young anymore," she replied, reaching for the overalls. "I doubt I could even outrun you like I used to."
Don decided to take a small risk, turning to look at her while she was still in her underwear. "You look pretty in shape to me," he said, trying to sound casual but appreciative.
To his surprise, Amanda didn't seem to mind him looking. In fact, she struck a pose, one hand on her hip as she raised an eyebrow at him. "You really think so?"
"Hundred percent," Don replied, his grin widening. "You could pass for a teenager. If I ever need to pretend I have a girlfriend, I'm coming to you."
Amanda burst out laughing, clearly amused by his boldness. "You've become even more cheeky and bold," she said, shaking her head in mock disapproval. "But what makes you think a babe like me would date you if I'm as attractive as you say?"
Don shrugged, maintaining his playful demeanor. "I'm the only one who can handle your wildness."
Amanda laughed again, clearly enjoying their banter. "Alright, Mr. Charmer, let's get what you need," she said, finally pulling on her overalls.
Don noticed how she glanced at him one last time before fully dressing, her eyes lingering a bit longer than necessary.
'She was definitely eyeing me with more than just curious eyes,' Don thought. But he decided not to read too much into it—at least not yet. 'Let's just see how close we can get,' he thought with a small smile on his lips.
As they finished dressing, Amanda led the way out of the shed, ready to gather what they needed from the farm.