Barnes Ranch

15

My dad rushed past me as I'm about to leave the house. My mom following suit.

I say, "Wow don't get too excited!"

My mom turns around, "Oh I'm sorry honey, it's your brother."

"Oh, carry on then. I don't care," I tell them.

My dad starts to chuckle but my mom glares at me before she leaves. I grab the keys to my car then walk outside. My dad's car racing off toward the road.

Today I'm going back over to Dakota's. I'm happy and excited. I like being around him, his presence soothes me.

I step up on the edge of the footboard then get into my seat. My truck is easy to get into if you're above 5'7 but it's a struggle for me considering I'm 5'5.

My truck has been giving me a lot of issues lately. I don't know why, it's pretty new. It's only got 80,000 miles. It was my father's before mine so that could be a contributing factor.

I sing along to Springsteen by Eric Church. Which reminds me of my daddy. He used to hum this song as we were sitting in our duck blind. It was playing at my first daddy-daughter dance. This song was our song, it makes me happy.

My windows down and the humid mid June air filling my lungs. Since it's a Friday many people are out. The drive not as quiet as usual, much longer too.

The mountains freshen the air, never in these parts will the air smell dirty or be thick and chalky. Thats one of my favorite aspects of the Great Smoky Mountains.

"Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor," I quietly sing, now 'Need You Now' plays.

My left arm is rested on the opening of the window. My fingers tapping the frame to the beat of the songs. My hair briskly touches my arm as it flows through the air.

The rest of the ride flies by. Currently I'm pulling into his driveway. He takes a couple swift steps down the stairs of his porch while I get out.

Today he wears a grey t-shirt with blue jeans, what looks to be Carolina boots, and a blue/white hat. His buckle is shown due to his shirt being hung behind it. I don't know why but it makes him even hotter.

Meanwhile I'm wearing blue jeans, a black half tank top with a dark red flannel over top, and cowboy boots. No hat today: my hair is down straight today.

Locking my car as I walk over to him. His left hand grabs my waist while his right is set on my jaw. His fingers in my hair while his palm holds my face. His lips pressing down against mine.

I turn my head more to the right as I lean in for more. He's a great kisser, making me debate my morals with every kiss.

His left hand that recently crept around my waist tangles itself into my hair.

I smile against his lips, "Good morning to you too."

He pulls away a couple inches, a smile overshadows his piercing light green eyes.

"It's darn near noon," he chuckles.

I shrug as I smile, "I made you an omelette with hash browns on the side," he says now walking behind me as we go inside.

I don't know if I explained it yesterday but his house is fully open. The west wall of the living room leads to the backyard. The kitchen and dining room makes up the south side of the house while the north side is all the rooms. The middle is the living room.

Kirk trots over, right beside me. His tongue hanging as his tail wags. Dakota pulls out a stool for me at the island in his kitchen. As I sit my back is now to the living room.

Dakota sits beside me with his omelette which is much bigger than mine. But then again, he's much bigger than me. And he actually works out.

I taste the omelette and my eyes widen, my brows raising from surprise.

"Wow! You've impressed me," I tell him.

He chuckles, "Have I?"

I nod, "Mhm."

My phone buzzes in my pants so I take it out. Huh, it's Georgia.

"You want to go out to dinner tonight? I'm really hangry for pizza!" she texts me.

I smile, soon it fades seeing as I'm supposed to hang out with Dakota all day.

I look up, "Dakota, my sister texted me and she wants me to hang out tonight but I know-

He shakes his head and interrupts, "Hang out with your sister. Maybe I can pick you up for lunch after church Sunday."

I smile, "Yeah I'd like that."

We finish the rest of our meal then go to his room. Which is rather large and surprisingly bright. His bed is ginormous but that makes sense considering his height. The ceiling is wood along with his bed frame. His covers white, and the wooden rocking chairs by the window have white pillows. His room is beautiful.

I ask, "Did you do all this?" as I point around the room.

He shakes his head, his hands in his pockets as he look around.

"My mother decorated it before I was born. I've changed out a couple things but most of it is still original," he explains.

He gets onto his bed and pats the spot next to him. I climb onto his bed beside him then smile at him.

I really like him, he hasn't rushed me into anything. He's a breath of fresh air.

Grabbing the remote he asks, "What do you want to watch?"

"I don't mind," I tell him as I snuggle into his chest.

He turns on the TV, some random movie turns on. Which turns out to be very interesting. I never knew a woman could so easily kill her husband?