Tamed and Free

Chapter 18: Both

"You did surprise me!" Gatlin said into Deacon's neck. 

Deacon waved and smiled at Sara Beth, who returned the wave. He made his way into the room, "Did I miss anything?" He asked them.

"Only Dixie's first time in the ocean. She loved it." Sara Beth said. She began teasing him, "But you can give her and the other two baths to make up for it." She handed him a Dr. Pepper, "Take a load off, though. I know you had a long day."

Deacon smiled, "I will. No problem. He groaned in pain as Gatling got down from him. "If it's not to much to ask, I am going to head to bed." He kissed Gatlin as her pointed to which bed was theirs. Deacon climbed into bed and was joined by all three of the sister's jobs. The sisters continued their trip down memory road outside. 

"Well he is something amazing." Sara Beth said as they closed the door for him to sleep. "Driving all the way here after a day of his work? I couldn't do it."

Gatlin looked out at the ocean, "Do you think something happened with Jenny? I mean, it's pretty weird to come all the way here, that's four hours, just to sleep, right?" This is the first time something like this didn't just roll off Gatlin's shoulder. Her motto with relationships was always If it was meant to be, it will happen. Deacon, her heart was different. She wanted no one else but him in every way. Her heart tugged at her mind's wandering.

Watching her sister's face grow with heartache, Sara Beth turned to her, "Maybe he came because he said he wanted to come." Sara Beth leaned up in her chair, closer to her sister. "Do I think he would purposely do something with that bimbo? No. You can see the love and longing in his eyes when he looks at you. I even saw the heartbreak in it when he told you he couldn't come. Gattie, the dude drove four hours just to be by your side. In the morning, we will probably go to that outside mall and spend all day there. I bet he will love being part of it, which is more than I can say about most of mine and mama's men. Trust me, Gattie, he's all yours, only yours, and only has eyes for you."

Gatlin still worried. And it was making her mad at how much she worried. After they changed the topic and the last drink of the night was completed, the sisters walked in the room and said their goodnights. Sara Beth climbed into her bed, which made Dolche jump beds. Gatlin climbed into hers, snuggling close to Deacon as the dogs made themselves comfortable.

The next morning, Evelyn walked into the room with the sleeping teenagers. She turned the radio speaker up loud and threw open the curtain. She saw her daughter wince in pain as they tried getting deeper into the blankets. 

"Get up, y'all." She called out in a loud, cheery voice. "Good morning Deacon! Glad you finally made it. She handed her oldest and Deacon coffee, Gatlin was handed a grape juice as they all sat up, "I figured we could get up early and be at the outside mall before the crowd. After that, we could head home. So up and at them. Oh! And I already had breakfast." Evelyn walked out of the room.

"Gotta love mama." Gatlin groaned as she threw herself back in the bed with Deacon already up and in the bathroom.

"Yup." Sara Beth agreed as she slowly nodded her head, taking sips of the coffee. 

All three of the teens took their turns getting ready in the bathroom and by the mirror. Sara Beth donned a short, baby doll pink, summer dress as Gatlin put on a longer, forest green, summer dress that ruffled on top and fell off her shoulders. Both put on matching flip flops. Deacon was the first one ready, throwing on a forest green fishing shirt and cargo pants with a pair of matching flip flops he had packed. The couple even paired Beau with a forest green bandana and Dixie with two bows in her hair to match. 

Walking out of the hotel, Gatlin handed Sara Beth her keys, "We will meet y'all there. Deacon had parked beside her Jeep, "I'm going to ride with him." 

Sara Beth helped her mama in the car, putting the dogs in the back seat, as Deacon packed all their bags up,. Deacon then opened Gatlin's door for her, and she climbed in, she was handed Dixie. He got Beau to his side to climb in. "Lead the way." 

Cranking both cars, they headed towards the outside mall. Both cars playing leap with each other, blaring music, enjoying their times together. They got there, grabbed a wheelchair for Evelyn and put Dixie in Sadie's dog stroller as she jumped in her owners lap. Deacon offered to push Evelyn around while the sister's shopped. 

They shopped, tried new foods, played games, took pictures, and even watched someone make fudge, as well as an entire restaurant break out in dance. Deacon laughed and watched the sights in amazement. The girls joked and cut up with him, loving making the memories.

At the end of the day, Deacon put Evelyn's and Sara Beth's bags in the back of the Jeep as Sara Beth helped her mama in the passenger seat. Gatlin climbed into Deacon's truck with her bags and helped get the dogs situated. Deacon walked over to Evelyn, thanking her for the things she bought him and the amazing day.

"No problem, honey. We all enjoyed your company." She hugged him, "Welcome to the family." 

Sara Beth leaned over and smiled, "You are a great man for my sister. I can't wait to see y'all grow." Deacon shut the door as she cranked the Jeep up. He walked back to his truck as they drove out of the parking lot, towards home.

Jumping into his truck, he smiled, "You know, Gatlin, today made me feel whole. I'm glad I did this." His smiled turned to a frown, "But I need to ask you for a favor." 

Gatlin looked worried, "What is it?" She asked as her voice filled with dread. Thoughts of what she tried to convince her sister of the night before came back to haunt her. Did Jenny really get to him and hook him?

"You know I would never lie to you. And I have always wanted this right here. This in this truck and that just pulled away. This day with this kind of family." He started.

"Deacon, What is it? Don't ramble." Gatlin demanded.

He took a huge breath and let it out, "I quit my job last night." He had his head down, ashamed. "Obviously, my uncle and aunt aren't sending me back. Not yet, anyway." 

"Why did you quit?" Gatlin slid over and held him. She thought he loved working there, all spring break he came home smiling.

He looked up at Gatlin, "That Jenny chick. When I was helping with her, Sparkle, stupid name for that beautiful creature, she pushed me into the stall across from his. She tried kissing and groping me. I denied any advances, I swear. She's to girly for me. I want a girl to farm with not farm for. Anyway, as I did she threatened me. She told me that if I wanted to keep my job and my uncle's shop running, I needed to break it off with you and get with her. That she was more woman than you are. I refused again and walked into the office of the shop. My uncle, that bastard, told me that girls would come and go, to go after her so that he didn't lose what he worked so hard for. I couldn't do that to you, so I quit. He cut ties with me." Deacon smirked before he continued, "My aunt, crazy old lady, told him to give me a month."

Dean looked back down and fidgeted with keychains and petting Beau, "I have a month to find a stable place to live, a job to support myself, and passing grades. She pulled me aside and gave me my check, what it would have been if I would have stayed and told me that I was doing the right thing and she will get my uncle to not send me home as long as I find a safe place and at least go to school."

Gatlin looked down and started smirking, "And why do you have to find a place to stay?" Deacon looked at her like she was crazy. She continued, "Like you never had a home with me, in my home."

"I didn't want to be a burden." He sheepishly said, "Besides after what all your mom spent on me, I couldn't ask."

"Deacon. I love you. My family loves you. Hell, you just joined my family today. So." She turned the key in the ignition, "Let's go home." 

He couldn't stop smiling as he put the car in drive and started driving all the way home, his hand in hers.