Cowgirls Don't Cry

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX - KATIE

By the time I boarded the bus Monday morning, I'd already been up for a while, having spent nearly an hour down at the creek with Jesse and the horses, watching the sun rise up over the golden fields.

Our families were both awake by the time we rode home, but after nearly eight years of Jesse and I watching the sunrise over the creek on each of our birthdays, they weren't too worried by our absence.

Momma had fussed over me as I got ready for school, constantly checking in with me after last night's confessions. Dad was already working in the cattle fields, throwing hay down off the truck for the cattle, with one of the older Chandler boys out giving him a hand.

Impatient with Momma's fussing, I assured her I was perfectly fine, and for the first time in a long while, I realised that claim was entirely true. I no longer cared what Marina and her friends thought of me, or what they did to express their dislike. I had everything I needed; nothing more or less, and the more I realised that, the more content I became. Besides, if any one of those people wanted to push me any further, I had half a mind to tell them off good and proper.

Making my way down the aisle to Jesse and I's usual seat at the back of the bus a few minutes later, I slid in beside him, tossing my bag down at my feet.

"Mornin', Kat, long time no see," Jesse commented, smirking, and I snorted.

"Yeah, it's been a whole, what, hour?" I retorted.

"About that long," he agreed. "Your parents say anything this morning about school and everything?"

"Momma kept fussing all morning, she just won't accept it when I tell her it's all good," I sighed,but in truth I don't really mind my momma's worrying. At least she cares, which is more than some parents could say.

"Shoulda just told her it'll be fine, I'll take good care of you," Jesse smirked, as I glared at him.

"Yeah, like I need you to look after me, Chandler," I shot back, but Jesse only laughed.

"Okay, okay, calm down," Luke teased, looking over at the noise. "You sound like a pair of siblings, the way you carry on,"

"Close enough," Cash joined in, leaning forward from where he and Hallie were sitting in the back row. "Katie's like our adopted little sister, right, Kat?"

"Sure," Katie laughed. "But I don't know if I want to be affiliated with you lot. Nothing but trouble if you ask me,"

"There's a fine line between trouble and good times," Cash retorted, smirking. "But it's fine, I get why you wouldn't want to be related to Jesse. Brings the whole family name down, he does,"

"Says you," Jesse knocked Cash's cap off, and Hallie raised a hand, without looking up from the exam prep in her lap.

"Cut it out, boys," she commanded. "I'm trying to concentrate, and just for the record, you're all as bad as each other. I think me and Mattie make the perfect Chandler family, without any of you boys,"

Mattie just giggled, from where she sat beside Hallie in the back.

"Moving on from the rivalry of the Chandler siblings," Luke interrupted, his eyes dancing. "How good was Hudson County at states?!"

"Pretty damn good," Cash chuckled. "Especially seeing as me, Lane and Jess took out top three for Juniors Bull Riding; that's a trifecta for our little town,"

"Don't forget the barrel-racing," Hallie added absently, as she scribbled something down in her book.

"Oh yeah, how could I forget?" Luke teased. "Georgia Delta in first, Hallie in third, Katie in fourth and Lilly Delta in fifth. Nearly a top five all around, if that Somersville County girl hadn't beat half of you in second,"