Carolina Blue

Part 12

(Carolina POV)

I felt myself start to ease out of my slumber and open my eyes. As I took everything in, realized this was not my room. Then I did what any sensible girl would do, lift the covers and check to make sure my clothes were still on.

The memories from last night and this morning came flooding back. I don't remember being in Lukas's room last night, the last thing I remember is sitting on the couch watching TV. I must've fallen asleep, and Lukas carried me in here. The thought of that made me smile to know he cared.

I then glanced around, just remembering that it's Monday, and if I don't get home soon, I'll definitely be deserving a lecture, or give my mom a heart attack.

Finally my eyes landed on the clock in Lukas's room, 9:30 AM. I felt instant panic, as I raced around trying to find my phone, then realizing it must still be in the living room.

Once I finally found it, someone opening the door made me almost drop my phone in surprise.

I remembered him from last night, Rhett, I believe. He smiled at me, "Good Mornin" Rhett nodded at me at the end.

I gave a small smile back, "Mornin"

Rhett then yelled out, the still open door, "She's up!"

I felt the heat rise in my cheeks up to my ears, as I realized Rhett was aware that I had fallen asleep here.

Before I could process what else might Rhett knows, Lukas walked in and shot a glare at Rhett, then turned to me and smiled. "Hey Carolina, sleep well?"

I knew what Lukas was really asking, so I answered with true honesty, "The best sleep I've gotten in a long time." Lukas smiled back at my smiling self.

Remembering what time it was, I felt the rush again to get out of here. "Well, I prolly should get goin' my ma is prolly worried sick."

Lukas looked at me softly, lightly grabbing my arm and stating, "Don't worry, I text your dad off your phone to let you know you were out running errands."

I smiled it was a perfect excuse for Lukas to say that I could add something easily to which I appreciated. "Thank you."

My Ma was doing dishes in the kitchen when I walked in. "Where have you been off to?"

I held up a plastic grocery bag that I luckily had floating around in my car and casually responded, "I just needed a few things, and I wanted to go check out Darla's new horse."

While Ma still had her hand fully in the sink she glanced at me raising her brows, "Oh Darla, got a new horse?"

I smiled, "Yep, her family got a new horse for her younger sister."

My ma nodded, "That's nice."

"Yep, well I better get outside to chore."

Mama nodded her head while I headed back outside to go check on the horses and cattle. The horses still needed fed so I quickly tended to them.

I was cleaning out the horses pens when Dallas snuck up behind me. "What took you so long to get to doin' chores this mornin'? Dad said you were out running errands?" Raising his voice and eyebrows both up in questioning at the end.

I just kept scooping up the mess in the pens and shrugged my shoulders, "I had something I had to get?"

"Like what? An early morning booty call with Cope?" Dallas voice became stern at the end, although he liked Cope, he was very protective over me, and was always concerned I would wind up pregnant before I was done with college.

Although part of me would rather have Dallas think I was at Cope's than sleeping in Lukas Underwood's bed, even if I was sleeping alone Dallas would still have loads of questions.

I rolled my eyes and turned around to face Dallas placing the pitch fork on the ground, "No I was not seeing Cope, I had to get something I told you that."

"Why can't you just tell me then."

I let out an exasperated sigh, "Fine, I was getting girl products, do I have to explain any further."

Dallas started, "What.." Then his eyes shot up in realization and I could tell he was getting embarrassed and uncomfortable and starting rubbing his neck with his hand.. "Oh right sorry, well I'll leave ya to cleaning pens."

Dallas sauntered off quickly before I could torture him with any details.

Later that night as I was laying in bed staring at my ceiling, worried that once I closed my eyes my mind would drift off to nightmare land again. I saw drawn out of my thoughts when I felt my phone vibrate next to me with a text from an unknown number.

Hey its Lukas, just checkin to see how ya doin?

I smiled at the Lukas caring enough to check in, and for some reason butterflies were brewing in my stomach even though I have every intention of having a future with Cope.

I texted back: I'm doing better. Just worried the nightmares will come back again.

Lukas took no time to respond: if they do feel free to call or come over if you need. :)

Thanks I appreciate it. :)

Lukas - Try to get some sleep 'Lina, dream of being a barrel racer, or a buckle bunny, or something lol. Good night.

Lina - Haha I think being a barrel racer would be a different kind of nightmare lol Good night