Tamed and Free

Chapter 17: Gatlin

Gatlin drove the four hours straight to the boulevard before the beach. Alabama's Dancing on the Boulevard was blaring on her speakers. Evelyn was loving the feel of the salt air through her hair and against her skin. The dogs were finding open windows to look out with their tails wagging and Sara Beth was taking pictures of the beach and the town surrounding it. She took pictures of the gift shops and the attractions they past, even some of the older hotels.

"We haven't had a family vacation in a while, girls." Evelyn pointed out, "I missed it." she was looking at her hands, "I think the last one was when Gatlin was in sixth grade, well one that didn't involve fights."

Both girls smiled. Gatlin looked through the rearview mirror as Sara Beth looked up. The sisters knew exactly what to say. The Jeep got filled with "I missed it too" and "We will change that".

One thing that Gatlin did miss was going hotel to hotel, looking for the best rates for a room. She was stopping at hotel after hotel while Sara Beth was running in, asking for prices. They finally settled for a joint room, one with two beds and another with one, at the Sandcastle. 

Gatlin went first in the room and set her bag down and let the leashes of Beau and Dixie go. Beau went to the bed closest to the balcony as Gatlin opened the curtain. Dixie tried to follow him but she couldn't jump up on the bed yet, which made Gatlin laugh while she helped her on the bed. Sara Beth came last with Evelyn into the room. She let go of her bag on the bed closest to the door and the leash of Dolche, who jumped on the bed. Evelyn sat Sadie down, who jumped up with Dolche. 

"So.... Who's ready for the beach?" Evelyn asked. Both girls got excited. They both watered and fed the dogs, turning on the air conditioner in both rooms and opening the door that conjoined them. They lotioned up with sun screen and helped their mama lotion up too. Then, with beach towels, chairs, and an umbrella in hand, they headed down to the beach.

The sand was warm and perfect. The sun was shining bright. The water was nice and cool. The family set up their claimed section of the beach for the day. Evelyn sat down and squished her toes in the sand as the sisters took a run to the ocean. 

Sara Beth looked over at Gatlin while they were jumping waves, "Thank you for acting like you are enjoying this. Look at how happy this has made mama."

Gatlin was looking at the horizon, "I ain't acting Sara, I actually am having fun."

"Me too. Gattie. Me too." Sara Beth agreed. A wave came over their heads and they fell in the water. Swimming back up, they laughed "What was our fight about anyway?" She asked her younger sister.

Another wave broke but they jumped it, "I didn't pretend with Jeff that I liked him and you picked fun cause I didn't get into dressing up and makeup." She watched her older sister's reaction.

Sara Beth looked as if she remembered the fights and then looked out into the horizon. "Well tonight, when mama goes to bed, we will stay up on the balcony and talk. There's a lot that we need to catch up on." 

"Deal." Gatlin said as they jumped another wave. 

That whole day, the small family spent most of their time on the beach. Sunbathing, swimming, jumping waves, cutting up. When the sun started going down, they went up to their hotel room and took showers, all putting on tank tops, shorts, and comfy shoes. They grabbed their dogs and walked the boardwalk. Seeing the sights, shopping, and grabbing a bite to eat for dinner. When the sun finally went down, They strolled the beach, letting the dogs jump into the water and sand, while they walked back to the hotel and their rooms. 

Evelyn took another shower and got in her night clothes while Sara Beth was watching TV after her shower and Gatlin was waiting for a text from Deacon. She walked in the girls' room, "Good night babies. I love you. Thank y'all for not fighting today."

"We love you too, mama." Sara Beth stated. 

"We had fun. No fights needed to happen." Gatlin continued.

The girls gave their mama and Sadie good night hugs and kisses, and made sure she was comfy in bed with all her needs met. They went back their room and closed the joining door. Turning on music, they opened the sliding glass to their balcony. The waves and sounds of the beach was so musical. They each grabbed a drink, Sara Beth grabbing a Mountain Dew and Gatlin grabbing a propel, they sat on the chairs that were on their balcony. 

They talked about what was going in their lives. The bigger dogs curled up by their feet while little Dixie was on Gatlin's lap. The girls looked different as night and day: Gatlin in deer covered sleep pants and a green tank top, and Sara Beth in hot pink booty shorts and a black top. Their lives were exactly the same. Sara Beth talked about the parties, boyfriends, and girls that she had fights with. Gatlin talked about her job, hikes, and Deacon. Even though the details were different, they each dealt with similar demons. They talked a lot about Deacon and Sara Beth noticed her sister's smile and the spark in her eyes getting bigger and brighter.

"And he had to work today?" Sara Beth asked.

"Yeah. Jenny, the mayor's daughter, is having him break her new horse." Gatlin took a drink of her Propel.

Sara Beth jerked up in her chair, "Jenny?! Jenny Johnson? Dark hair, mustang? That Jenny?"

"Yeah. Why?" Gatlin asked, "She works at the ranch with me. I always thought she was sweet."

"She is. When she wants something." Sara Beth looked out at the ocean, "She's a snake. If she wants Deacon. She will do anything in her power, including using her dad's position to shut down places. I would watch her with him. Or give him up, if I was you." She took a drink of her drink.

Gatlin stayed silent. She had been texting him all through the night after he got off. He talked about how annoying Jenny was and how he just wanted to be heading her way by five tonight. She gave him the room number and told him he would be here at eleven if he started driving then, and she didn't hear anything else from him. 

She told her sister all that. "He is a good guy. He probably just fell asleep at home. Call him in the morning." Sara Beth told her sister. They hugged each other and went back to watching waves, catching up, and sharing memories.

There was a knock on the door. Sara Beth, being the oldest sister, got up to answer it. Gatlin watched the door open but couldn't see but a shadow. As soon as she heard the thick, highland, Scottish accent, she went running.

"Gatlin. I'm sorry. I want to surprise you." Deacon said as she jumped into his arms.