Wrapped around your finger - Post Malone

67

Hazel smooths down her dress and looks at herself in the mirror. She looks different, older, wiser...happy. She hasn't worn heels since arriving at Cottonwood and now she just feels wobbly as she stands on them. They seem out of place, like a little girl playing dress up in her mother's shoes. She lifts her left hand and looks at the band on her finger. A few years ago she would have huffed and rolled her eyes if a man had given her such a simple ring, but this ring holds more meaning than she could ever begin to comprehend. It's a promise. She looks back at herself and smooths her dress again. She hasn't worn it in ages and it feels a little tight, dam Linda and her Southern food. "Ma’am,” she hears Evelyn call for her on the other side of the bedroom door. "Come in,” she calls back. Evelyn opens the door and steps in then stops short as her mouth drops open. "Well. Don't just stand there...what do you think? It feels a little tight but it still fits,” Hazel says giving her a twirl. "It won't fit for long though,” Evelyn says walking closer. "Oh...uh...a little rude but ok,” Hazel says looking down. It's not that bad. "It won't fit for long because you are pregnant,” Evelyn says. Hazel freezes and looks at her in shock then turns and looks back at herself in the mirror. No. She is not pregnant. When last did she take her pill? Where are her pills? "How do you know?” she asks staring at her belly, it's flat. "I birthed one hundred and fifty calves this year alone, I diagnosed all those heifers...I know a pregnant female when I see one,” Evelyn says and moves closer. "See how your skin looks softer, your hair stronger, your eyes brighter and your smile that you are trying hide right now is wider...you are pregnant, ma’am, and if I am right I would say it's a girl. That old man will be praying for a boy though - don't know how many more women he can handle,” she says with a little giggle.

“Are...are you ok with that?” Hazel asks a little unsure. Evelyn has had a lot of changes in the last few months. Her being pregnant might not go down well. "Are you kidding! I can't wait! Big families are the best. I hope you have a bunch of babies - I need more ranch hands with the plans I have for this place," Evelyn says excitability. Hazel gathers her up in her arms and sits down with her on her lap. "But sometimes you are just a little girl in her mama's arms. You are my first baby and no matter how grown up you sound or will get - that will never change," Hazel says. Evelyn smiles up at her and then nuzzles her face in her neck. "I know, mama," she says. "You think his eye will twitch like it does when his brain short circuits when you tell him?" Evelyn asks and Hazel starts giggling, Evelyn too.

There is another knock on the door and then Austin pops his head in. He looks them both up and down and frowns. "Those shoes have no business being on a ranch," he says as his eye twitches. Hazel and Evelyn fall into a giggling fit again. "That's enough, you'll make Tina late for her own wedding," he says, annoyed. The girls compose themselves and stand, smoothing down their dresses. "Oh...well, you both, ah...you both look beautiful...even with those ridiculous shoes," Austin says taking off his Stetson. "Oh, dad they are that bad," Evelyn says wobbling away on her own set of heels that she had begged Hazel to get her for Tina's wedding. "I think it's sweet that she has a little country and a little city in her," Hazel says draping her arms around Austin's neck, "I came from the city," she adds. "Mmmm, well we all have flaws, darlin'," he says and kisses her cheek. They leave the room when Evelyn calls for them from outside and Austin stops short as they reach the kitchen steps and Hazel peeps around his side. Tina is standing in the yard in her wedding dress, she looks amazing. "Well, don't you clean up nice," Austin says, his voice soft. "You really think so?" Tina asks, touching her veil. Austin walks down the steps to her.

"If that man ever wrongs you, I'll th-"

"Thump him...I know...thank you...for always having my back. Now, will you take me to my wedding and walk me down the aisle, brother," Tina says and kisses him on the cheek. Austin nods and lifts her carefully onto Thunder's saddle and then hoists himself up behind her. "I know you love Lightning, but he would never let me sit here," Tina says. It may be wrong but Hazel smiles - some things are reserved for just her. She climbs in the truck and drives down to the barn with Evelyn racing beside her on Sparkle and Star running beside them. The barn is full, it's a town affair and the barn has been done up just as Tina had imagined. It's beautiful and romantic. Hazel and Evelyn make it up to the front just as the band starts playing and Austin appears at the barn door with Tina. There is not a dry eye by the time they walk slowly down the aisle and by the time they say their vows all the women are cooing at the promises Jack makes. Once done the chairs are removed and replaced with tables, the beers flow cold and the food is piled high. There is laughing and dancing and singing, and Hazel knows that this is the start of many, many celebrations in this very barn.

"Rancher, ma'am," Jack says coming up to Austin and Hazel with Tina. Austin gives him a sharp nod and Hazel hugs him. She likes hugging, what can she do? "We just wanted to say thank you. For the barn and well, everything really," Jack says and puts his hand out to shake Austin's. Austin puts his hand out but drops a nail in his hand and Jack looks up at him confused. "Put the fences back up between Cottonwood and Tina's Daddy's ranch. It's yours now. He had fifty head, you take your pick from my heard and then double it. You have your own family to look after now...rancher," Austin says. Jack looks at the nail like it's made of gold then back up at Austin. Hazel can see tears in his eyes. Without thinking he throws his arms around Austin and then realizes what he is doing and stands back quickly, clearing his throat and squaring his shoulders. "Thank you Cottonwood," he says then disappears with a giggly, giddy bride. "You are sweet," Hazel says kissing him on the cheek. "Excuse me, may I have this dance," Evelyn says coming up to them and putting her hand out. Austin chuckles and takes it, letting Evelyn pull him onto the dance floor. Hazel watches as he picks her up and spins her as she giggles. "Uh...ma'am?" Hazel hears Jimmy's voice from her side. She turns and looks at him with a smile. "I-If you ain't got no one to dance with...I'll dance with you," he says. "Thank you, I would love that," Hazel says and then follows him onto the dance floor. He places his hand on her hip and takes the other then shuffles his feet and looks up at her with a serious face. He'll be as mulish as Austin one day, she can see it in his eyes. "I have been in love with Evelyn since I first saw her. My mama says I am too young to be in love, but I know how I feel and I ain't scared. I am scared of Cottonwood, I think he may just kill me one day, but my mama said you make him soft. I am working my uncle's ranch from next month, up in Texas, till I am eighteen. Then I am coming back and I am going to ask her to marry her," he says - confidently. "You told Cottonwood that?" Hazel asks, hiding her smile. "I may only be ten and stubborn as an ox, but I ain't stupid, ma'am," he says. Hazel lets out a little laugh, she bets Austin had the same tenacity when he was this age. "Ok, well how about you go work your uncle's ranch, learn about life and then when you are eighteen and if you come back and if Evelyn chooses you we can cross that bridge," she says. He gives her a tight nod and continues to shuffle his feet.