A Snapshot of Dixie

15: My Lighthouse

TUCKER

Feeling completely hypnotized by Dixie's sensual gaze, my heart pounds in my chest as she leans in, her lips inches from mine. Her voice draws out in a low whisper as she says, "I think... The pizza is getting cold."

Not able to hold back my disappointment, I let out a sigh. "Can't blame a guy for trying." I back away and move toward the bed, opening the pizza box.

"Smells great! I'm starving." I let out to avoid the awkwardness in the air. One whiff of Dixie's scent and it was like my body couldn't resist being close to her as I saw her standing there. No one can and will ever make me feel like she does without even trying. By simply existing, she fills my world with passion. A sentiment that I miss terribly and would do anything to have back.

"I figured you'd be hungry after being here all day. How are you holding up? And where were you before I came back?"

"I'm good and I had to use the bathroom. It was torturous waiting for the women to leave throughout the day, so no one would freak out if they saw me."

Dixie giggles and grabs a bag out of the several sitting on the floor.

"That reminds me. I got you a little something that might help you get around unnoticed." She tosses me a yellow bag and I sit down on the bed to open it up.

Pulling out a red wig, I look at her like she's insane. "You've gotta be kidding me. I'm not wearing this."

Dixie giggles as she bends at the waist to try and control her laughter.

"You remember when we used to play dress-up, right? You always wore the red wig and pretended you were Princess Ariel because she was my favorite."

"I was eight, Dixie and I only did it to make you smile."

"So do it again to make me smile. Come on, you need some fresh air and there's something I've been dying to take pictures of and it would be best to see at sunset."

"How are we supposed to get around? I don't think it's best to call for an Uber or whatever they have around—"

"No need. I have a car." Dixie interrupts my response as she walks toward me and grabs a slice of pizza.

"You have a car? You've had a car this whole time and didn't tell me?"

"Relax, superstar. I just bought it today."

"Oh, I didn't realize that's what you went shopping for. How was it, by the way? Shopping with mommy dearest." I ask, reaching for a slice of pizza. The cheesy goodness satisfies my craving for something delicious, even if it's not exactly what I had in mind.

"I didn't know I was shopping for a car. My parents surprised me with a secret savings account and I used some of it to buy a car. And the day was interesting. Momma's been acting quite strange. I think there's something she's hiding."

"Gracelyn hiding something? I can hardly believe that for a second." I pick up another slice of pizza and inhale it as Dixie does the same and sits down at her desk chair.

"I'm being serious, Tuck. She's very vague about this friend she's visiting. She claims it's a buddy of hers and my dad's, but when I spoke to my father earlier, he didn't seem to know anyone who lived here or anyone who even resides close."

"Interesting. Is that where she is now? With this friend?"

"Yeah, she said they were meeting up for dinner. She says he's opening up a business and needs her assistance in getting it up and running. It seems legit since she does almost all of the bookwork for our crops and animal sales. She's pretty smart in that department."