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It was a little much, he could admit now, but when he'd built it, he'd needed that sense of security it gave him.
"My dad used to beat the shit out of me," he said quietly as they followed Annie inside. She ran across the barn floor, calling to the horses, but heading straight for the smallest one in the last stall. "Even as a kid, I had amazing tech skills. He would rent me out to anyone who wanted my skills, no matter what they wanted it for. Sometimes they'd come in the middle of the night, wake me up, and toss me in their van to go break into a vault somewhere." He paused. "They weren't good people."
Understatement of the century, but he didn't need to relive it anymore. He'd wanted to move forward, let go of the power his past had over him.
Phoebe's hand tightened in his. "So, as a kid, you never had the chance to feel safe, or to control who was in your life."
"Correct." Habit made him pause to close the door behind them and set the alarm as he always did, but then he stopped. It was a beautiful day out, and the sunlight was streaming into the barn. There was a light breeze that filled the air of the barn with the scent of freedom.
He turned toward the wide-open doors and stood there, facing the outdoors.
"Jacob?"
"Every single time I walk into the barn, I close the doors behind me and set the alarm, even if I am headed right back out. I never think about it. I just do it." He stood there, not moving. "For the first time since I built this place, I want to leave the doors open."
Phoebe leaned into his side. "Do we need them closed to be safe today?"
"No. I'll get notified if anyone comes close."
"You know I believe in living a normal life whenever possible, and teaching Annie to feel safe. Letting her be normal."
He glanced at her, surprised by the emotion in his chest. "So, leave them open?"
She smiled. "Leave them open."
"All right." He put his phone in his pocket, leaving the doors open. "I can hear the birds," he said. "I can't hear them when all the doors and windows are closed."
She grinned. "Let's open the windows, then."
He glanced back into the interior of the barn, which suddenly felt so dark. "Yeah, let's." He pulled out his phone, opened the app for the barn again, then went to the windows. His finger hovered over the button. "I've never opened the windows before."
"If your techie thing doesn't work, I know how to open windows by hand," she teased. "I'll be willing to show you."
He slung his arm over her shoulder and laughed, pulling her against him. "You're so sassy."
"I am," she agreed. "Give it a try. See what magic happens when you let the outside in."
"Magic indeed," he mused as he touched the button.
The windows began to slide open almost instantly, as if they'd been ready and waiting for him to finally set them free. He took in a breath as he watched them open. "I never thought of it before," he said. "I like it."
"Jacob," Annie shouted. "Can I go into the stall?"
"No," he called back. "Wait for me!"
"Then hurry up!" she shouted impatiently.
"Coming!" Jacob gave Phoebe a quick kiss, then strode across the barn floor toward her daughter, who was bouncing restlessly on her tip toes, her hand on the stall door, as she urged him to hurry.
When Jacob opened the door, Annie peered inside, crooning to the little pony.
Phoebe caught up, leaning over the door to watch.
The pony was in the corner, her face turned away.
Jacob went down on one knee and put his arm around Annie's waist to keep her back from the pony. "I just got her a couple days ago," he told Annie. "She's still scared. Do you see how she's not looking at us?"
Annie nodded, leaning against him in full trust.
