Country Life

~Chapter 2~

The rest of the day went by without any surprises, thank god. I closed up the diner around 11 o'clock. Grabbed the sleeping twins put them in the SUV and hopped my tired ass in the car. Turned on country music softly and heeded home. I'm dozing off every few minutes then pop my head back up like a bobble head. I look over the clock and it reads 11:45. Just grate I won't make it that much longer. I didn't even look up to realize I just ran a red light till it was to late. I hear and feel rather than see mettle grinding on mettle and feel the impact of the other vehicle hitting me from the driver side. We flip about 3 times before I hit my head off the damn steering wheel and pass out. When I come to I'm in a ambulance strapped to a gurney. Where are my baby's!!!! I start to thrash around scream "MY BABY'S!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHERE ARE MY BABY'S!!!" The parametric calmly says "ma'am they are together in another ambulance, we are going to the hospital. They are fine by looking at them, we'll know more when we get to the hospital but they are fine." I lay back down relaxing on the hard bed. He checks a few things and that's when we pull up to the hospital. They get the twins out first and wheels them off. Then they get me out and do the same.

By the time we get out of the hospital it's past 5 and the twins just had some scrapes and bruises I on the other hand wasn't so lucky. 5 stitches to the forehead and banged up face with a miner concussion. I call Sussie and tell her what happened, by the time I was finished she was crying and thanking god that we were okay. She told me that she would be over in about a hour to pick us up, drop us off at the diner and see what she can do to getting my car fixed. I don't know what I would do without that little old lady. When she finally gets there and picks us up I'm dozing off again and she starts to laugh nudging my arm saying "Harper sweetie you can't go to sleep for at least 24 hours you have a concussion. I'll take you guys to the diner you help yourself to as much coffee as you want and lay those sweeties down to sleep." I thank her and we drive in silence the rest of the way.

She puts the baby's down and I head strait for the coffee even though I hate the stuff if I want to stay up for the next 24 hours I'm going to need it. I hear the bell over the door chime and as I am poring looks like the whole bag of sugar in it I say not skipping a beat "Sorry we're not open till a little bit come back around 8 and we'll be serving breakfast." " I know what time you guys open Harper I just thought I'd try to ketch you and talk for a little bit." I hear Austin say from just behind me. He's way to close for my liking. I stiffen when he puts his hands on my hips and he squeezes just a little bit. I yelp out in pain while pushing his hands away. Ow that really does hurt. I must of hit it pretty hard in car this morning.

He grabs my shirt instantly and rips up the fabric ruffly. I hear a gasp of shock from him, it can't be that bad can it? I look down and sure enough its a sickly dark purple and blue bruise and it doesn't stop there oh no why would it? He pulls up the shirt farther and it goes past my ribs and fades out just under my bra line. The pain killers must be wearing off because it starts to throb and become painful. I didn't even think to look in the mirror before I left the hospital. He turns me around still with my shirt up and looks at my face by this time the shock of the whole thing wears off to and I start to sob really loud.

He brings me into a hug and lets me sob for a little bit before he pulls back and makes me sit. I look up into the eyes that I see staring back every day from our baby's and this time it's not their eyes I see because in their eyes there is no sadness or scared or like they've seen the worse parts of the world as these blue eyes hold. He looks like hes about to cry or throw something I'm not sure yet. He opens his mouth to say something then closes it like hes a fish out of the water trying to breath. Finally he speaks, " Did someone hit you a guy?" He chokes out. Oh god my poor blue eyed god is so sweet. I smile sweetly and reach up and cups his cheek, leaning into his chest laying my head down I reply "No Austin nobody hit me. I was driving home last night around 11 tired from the day and I drifted off ran a red light and got in pretty bad car accident. It was my fault nobody got hurt I don't think.

Wow I never even ask about the other person who hit me. I was so focused on me and everything else that I forgot to ask." I make sure not to mention the kids, I don't want him to find out about them ever. We just sit there holding each other for a few more minutes before I hop up and start the day off. He stayed there the whole time from breakfast to lunch just watching me. I walk over to him about noon hearing him talking on the phone. I sit in the stool beside him and just listen."No I will handle it when I get back at the ranch around one. No I do not want to go to the fund raiser my parents are having. Set up to donate 10,000 dollars and send my regrets to Emily for not going." At that he hangs up and looks at me. He seemed a little upset on the phone and who the hell is Emily? Is he even single? Its been 3 years sense I saw him last and even then I didn't even look to see if he was.

I look down and see no ring so I relax and smile. "You have ranch? Like with horses?" I ask eagerly just like a little kid. I love horses to death they are so big and beautiful. He just smiles and shakes his head yes. He gets up standing above me, I have to look up even more than I normally do to see him bend down cup my cheek and kisses me. It was a soft kiss like husbands do when they are about to leave for the day to their wives. I get butterflies and have a huge grin when he breaks it off. He doesn't pull away though he leans in and whispers in my ear "I'll take you to go riding and come to my ranch for our first date, Saturday sounds like a good day. I'll tell you the details tomorrow." With that he stands up puts his cowboy hat back on and strides out the door not even asking if I was busy Saturday or even asked if I wanted to go on a date. I'll admit it was kinda hot. With that done I finish the lunch rush and heed back and spend some mommy time with my baby's for the rest of the day.