Tailgates and Whiskey

Chapter 2

Cade groaned as he opened his eyes to the bright light from his window. He rolled over, burying his head into his pillow, his hand slightly tapping his phone. It vibrated. He immediately shot up, grabbing his phone and squinting at it. He stupidly grinned, unlocking it and opening the chat. She finally messaged him, and he giggled, rolling around in his bed. It's a stupid highschool crush.

Hadley brushed through her shoulder length hair, the ends being loosely curled. Her skin was tanned, having spent most her summer helping on the farm. Her father was getting older and slower, and her older brother had moved to Calgary to live with his fiance. She wrapped her belt around her waist, through the loops of her jeans, doing it up, tucking her shirt in. She put on a plain hat, walking down to the kitchen. Her mother was cooking up some bacon and eggs, and her father was drinking coffee.

"Morning, going out to do chores?" Her father asked, looking over at her.

"Yeah," She grabbed a bottle, filling it with ice and water.

"At least have some breakfast before you go." Her mother said, handing her a plate of food. She took it, sitting across from her father, eating a piece of bacon.

"You find yourself a man yet?" He asked, thanking his wife for his food and eating some eggs. Her mother sat beside them, her eyes on Hadley.

"Maybe, I met someone at the bar. He asked for my number, and I gave him it."

"What's his name?" Her mother questioned, sipping tea.

"Cade."

Her father stared at her.

"You mean Jason's boy?" He asked, fixing his glasses before crossing his arms. She nodded, raising a brow. He shook his head. "Absolutely not, you know how I feel about that family."

"John, she can love who she wants!" Her mother cried, putting the cloth she held down. Her father stood, tossing the newspaper down on the table.

"Not that boy! I bet his father's trying to use him to get into the family cattle business and tear it up! She can go find a different boy!"

Hadley stood, slipping her boots on and grabbing her coat, running outside to the barn and tacking up her tall, black mare. A pure bred American Quarter Horse.

Her mother called her name as she took off galloping away from the barn, through the fields and away from home.

They always argued. It drove her crazy. It wasn't fair, she just wanted parents who were civil with each other.

She galloped through the fields, passing by the herd of cattle and into the forest, to which she slowed her horse to a walk.

They moved through the trail, approaching a gentle stream. Her horse moved gracefully along the stream, the only noises heard being the gentle moving of the water, the horses hooves meeting the ground, the saddle, and the birds.

The tranquillity of the area was perfect.

If only she could find it in her to stay.

She halted her horse, gazing at the mountains in the distance. The slight breeze ran through her hair, messing it slightly.

She let out a long and deep sigh, sitting back in the saddle and resting her hands behind her on the saddle.

She gently grabbed the reins, giving the horse a gentle nudge in the side to urge it into a walk, moving into the stream.

The water rested above the middle of her mare's legs as they moved through the stream, slightly going deeper. Her feet were now engulfed, and she could feel water seeping through the leather of her boots.

She'd later regret that.

But at this moment, it didn't matter. She leaned over, dipping her hands into the icy water, smiling softly when she gently brought some up and onto her face.

She placed the saddle on the rack, letting the reins hang around the horn. She noticed her father's truck gone. He must've gone into town for feed.

The autumn air was crisp, and snow was already in the forecast. It was nearing the end of October already, so it made sense. They hadn't fully begun winter prep yet.

She walked into the house, the scent of fresh homemade bread overcoming her. She grinned, kicking her soggy boots off and putting them over the heat register, trying to dry them.

"Hey mama." She greeted, walking into the kitchen and tossing her cap on the table.

"Hey hunnie, how was your ride?"

"It was beautiful. The stream is freezing though, it's a matter of time before it freezes over."

She spoke, grabbing a small glass and filling it with water.

"You know, your father is getting old and is losing it. He didn't mean what he said about Cade."

"Mama, you're acting as if I'm gonna marry this boy. I just met him-"

"I know, I know. But clearly he's smitten, Hadley." She pointed at a letter on the table addressed to Hadley, from Cade.

Hadley rolled her eyes, putting it in her back pocket.

"Jesus Crist."

She left the letter to lay on her dresser.

It is impossible for one to fall in love with some they don't even know! He's desperate.

She'd been ignoring his messages all day. She had no intention of speaking with him.

Yet, they met at the bar. Not intentionally. He just invited himself over.

Then she woke up in his bed. Luckily he wasn't there. He seemed to not have been there all night.