Song of the South

Shopping trip

The money had come in from selling of their family farm but Eric refused to let her pay for anything. She knew what her siblings would want, in furniture and linens, so they remained at the house while Barry took Kinsey shopping. He was happy to do it and it was a good chance for him to talk to Kinsey alone about how she felt about his bassist. She was going over what her siblings would want in their rooms and what all they would need when Barry spoke up.

“So do you think you’re going to like living in Charleston?” Barry asked

“I suppose so. I mean it is really nice out here. The kids seem to love it too so that makes things easier.” She stated

“How do you like the new house? Think you’ll be able to settle in there?” Barry questioned

“Oh my God!” She gushed with a huge smile, “That house is absolutely amazing! The property is gorgeous, there’s enough space to create a place for the kids to play and run around and a separate space to create another farm.”

Barry smiled. He hoped Eric knew exactly how she felt about their new home.

“Well, Eric wanted to make sure there was enough space for all of you. He wanted to find something that felt more like home to you than just a house in a new place.” Barry told her

“Really?” Kinsey questioned, making Barry chuckle softly

“He searched for a while to make sure he found just the right property. Believe it or not, that place needed some work. There was a lot that had already been renovated.” Barry told her

“Is… is that why you and Lori would come down every weekend? Why he spent every free minute away from the house?!” Kinsey asked, clearly shocked

Barry laughed softly again, “Yes. He asked me to help him fix it up. What needed fixing anyhow. He wanted to make sure it was perfect before he showed it to you. He wanted it to be move-in ready.”

She looked out the window as she thought about what Barry had just told her. Here she was thinking that he was just trying to stay away from her, from them, but he was busting his ass to get this house ready!

“You know he is absolutely crazy about you. He may not realize how he feels but I do. I don’t think there’s anything he wouldn’t do for you and those kids.” Barry quietly stated as they pulled into a large furniture outlet

“Kellie says the best thing to do is let things develop naturally on their own and to talk to him about things.” Kinsey started

Barry knew she was about to open up to him, to seek another opinion. This poor girl never really had anyone to talk to about such things and it made him sad.

“I never dated before. By the time I was 16, I was taking care of my dad full time. That led into taking care of Daisy by myself. Then she started dropping off newborns.” Kinsey sighed, “I never had any time for anything outside of all that. I have nothing to offer him, no experience in anything except child-rearing and farming….”

“Kinsey, I’ve known Eric Bass for seven years now. I think I know my friend pretty well. So believe me when I say he sees the good in you. He sees the beautiful, loving, caring young woman that you are. Kellie is right.

Talk to him about how you’re feeling. Tell him your fears and concerns. Believe it or not, he hasn’t been with that many women. If my memory serves me right, he’s only slept with two. Kellie was the second woman. Don’t worry about what you are or are not. Don’t worry about you think you can’t give him.” Barry explained

“Kellie says that he won’t care about any of that. My inexperience, I mean. She says he’ll see past all of that stuff.” Kinsey said, looking down

“Kellie would know better than anyone. Remember they were together for twenty years. The only other thing I can tell you is what she already did. Talk to him and let things develop on their own.” He said, giving her a warm smile

She swallowed before thanking him. He followed her out of the car then asked if she was ready to go furniture shopping. With a big smile she nodded and then followed him into the huge store. As they walked around, Barry asked what she was thinking for the kids. She explained what Daisy liked and what she thought would be good for her oldest sister. Barry nodded as they walked around trying to find something that Kinsey thought Daisy would like. She had walked off from Barry to look at something. The older man walked into a display he thought would be great for Daisy’s bedroom.

He called Kinsey over who fell in love immediately! This was everything she knew her sister would like! As girly as Daisy could be, Bella was even more so. Her favorite color was pink and if it remotely looked boy-ish, she immediately hated it! They didn’t have to walk far through the displays to find what Kinsey knew was going to be Bella’s bedroom. Barry was happy that Kinsey was finding what she wanted. If the kids liked it, Kinsey would be happy and relaxed. He had to laugh when she said that the boys were left.

Jesse was a bit harder to shop for. He was a boy but he had particular tastes. They had walked through several displays but Kinsey didn’t like any of them. She knew her oldest brother wouldn’t like them either. As she was trying to find something for the elder boy, Barry came across a room that he thought Hayden might like. He called Kinsey over to show her the prospective room for Hayden. She squealed in delight when she saw it. Hayden would never want to leave his bedroom! Barry just smiled at her as he took the tag so they knew which ones they needed when they went to check out.

As Barry was walking around, he found himself at the nursery displays. He wanted more children but his wife wasn’t ready just yet. Although the two oldest children were close to ten years old, the other three were all under five. The baby would never know his real parents but hopefully he would know Kinsey and Eric as his parents. He was sure the tall bass player would make an excellent father, especially from what Lori had told him. He found a nursery that he knew Eric would love, especially with his family’s background in the Air Force!

Kinsey walked over to where Barry was standing checking out a nursery. He told her that Eric would absolutely love it and explained why. Something inside made her want to make Eric happy so she said that it would be perfect for Lane. Barry understood what she was doing and smiled to himself. His wife was right, these two were going to wind up married raising her siblings as their own children. Kinsey was getting a bit irritated at not finding anything for her oldest brother. Nothing seemed to jump out at her. They came to another display area and immediately Kinsey knew she had found Jesse’s bedroom. Barry nodded with a smile.

Barry suggested they find her a bedroom suite too while they were here. She hadn’t thought of that but the dreadlocked man was right. She would need a bed and stuff as well! They searched for a while but she wasn’t finding anything that she really liked. Once again she was starting to get discouraged. As they were walking back through the store to place the order for what they had found so far, she saw the perfect bedroom.

They were able to able to get all the linens that went with the bedroom sets. They were finally checking out and setting up delivery. Everything would be delivered the following day and set up for them. Kinsey paid extra for that but she didn’t mind. That was less work for Eric and the guys to do! As they were leaving the store, Barry asked if she wanted to go check out some farm stuff. She smiled up at the dreadlocked man before saying yes. He knew that she would need stuff in order to start working on the farm. He had a little garden of his own but nothing like what her family had.

The local farm and agriculture store wasn’t too far away and Barry found it fairly quickly. He just followed her around as she looked at stuff. He was curious as to why she didn’t seem to be buying anything. As she browsed, she began thinking of what all they had on the farm back in Texas. She wasn’t entirely sure about the weather or how it will be to grow things here in South Carolina. Once she was done, she turned and nodded at the older man.

“Not buying anything today?” He questioned as they walked back to the car

“Not yet. I need to really inspect the grounds first. And I need to find an almanac for South Carolina.” She explained

“Why’s that?” He asked

“Well the weather here isn’t the same as it is back home. The ground is different too. Of course I need to see how well the space I plan on using for the farm drains water and whether or not there’s actually plenty of sunlight on that area.” She tried to explain

“I get it. I have a little garden back home too but the weather in Florida is vastly different than it is in Texas. Do you think you’ll be able to grow those amazing cantaloupes and watermelons?” Barry asked

“I’ll do my best!” She laughed, “Do you think I’ll be able to grow another orchard?”

“Maybe. I’ll have Kellie ask around and see what information she can get for you.” Barry stated

They rode back to Eric’s house in silence. She was lost in thought about the farm she was going to have to start over. She smiled when she thought about some of the homemade jams and preserves her Grandmother used to make. Yes, she would have to take some time and can some jams and preserves for these guys.

“What’s got you smilin’ over there?” Barry suddenly asked

“Hmm? Oh. I was just thinking about some of my grandmother’s homemade jams and preserves. Was thinking about making some once we get moved and settled.” She replied

“Oh really? Would you mind if I joined you? I’m a pretty good cook but I’ve never made jams or preserves or done any canning. I’d consider it a great learning experience.” Barry told her

“It would be my honor! I’ll probably need some… adult… help.” She chuckled

“What do you mean?” He asked, confused by her statement

“Well the kids will try to help but when it comes to canning, they get in the way more than they really help. I just don’t have the heart to tell them I can’t use their help” She shrugged

He nodded in understanding. They finally pulled behind Lori’s car on the street near Eric’s house. There were two Uhaul trucks in the driveway. Barry smiled as they got out. Hayden and Bella were playing chase with Stella around the side of the house. Kinsey walked into the house and stopped. It was utter chaos! There were people everywhere packing and moving things around. Brent came through and said that Eric was upstairs in her room with Lane. She nodded and thanked the vocalist before heading straight up there.

“How’d it go?” Brent asked Barry as he entered the house

“Got all the furniture for the kids and Kinsey. It’ll be delivered and set up at the new house tomorrow.” Barry told him, “And she’s feeling…..anxious…about Eric.”

Brent furrowed his brows indicating confusion.

“Anxious? Why?” Brent quietly asked

“She’s never dated anyone. Although she never actually said so, it was implied she’d never…been…with anyone either. All she’s ever done was take care of her father, then her siblings, and their farm. She doesn’t seem to think she has anything to offer him.” Barry very quietly explained

“That poor girl. Did you explain things to her?” Brent asked

“As best as I could. She seemed to relax a little. Apparently she’s talked to Kellie about this too. Oh hey Bethany! How are you?” Barry stated

Upon hearing that Eric was tending to Lane, Kinsey headed straight upstairs. She quietly cracked the door to see Eric rocking back and forth with a crying Lane. She watched as the tall man talked quietly to the baby as he swayed to and fro. Silently, she slipped into the room and shut the door behind her. A few minutes later, he turned around and was quite surprised to see her standing there watching him. He smiled warmly at her as she moved to where he was standing.

“How did it go?” He asked, glancing down at her lips

“I found a bedroom set for all the kids and me. Everything is going to be delivered and set-up at the new house tomorrow.” She told him as she took Lane out of his arms

She sat down on her bed then scooted close to the wall before laying Lane down on the middle of the bed on his back. Eric laid on his left side so he could look at Kinsey and Lane. She was slowly rubbing the baby’s belly. Lane was sleepy but fighting it. Kinsey knew rubbing his belly always calmed him down and made him sleepy.

“With any luck we’ll be completely moved in a few days.” Eric whispered

“That’s good.” She whispered, watching the baby

He reached over and tucked some hair behind her left ear making her smile shyly.

“I think we should talk.” He stated making her quickly look up at him

The fear in her eyes made him frown. He didn’t want to startle her or upset her in any way. Kellie had pulled him aside and told him that he should talk to Kinsey about whatever was happening between them.