Carry On Dreaming (The Cowboy's Promise sequel) (SLOW UPDATES)

Chapter 3

"Where were you?" Faith asks, handing me a package of hamburger buns.

"Uh, in Grease Monkey's room. I was reminiscing and not paying attention to the time," I reply.

She smiles softly. "Grease Monkey. I haven't heard that in years."

I give a huff of laughter. "Yeah." I called Blake Monkey when we were younger because of his climbing abilities. Then, we got older, and it turned into Grease Monkey because he loved to work on cars. I remember us working on Dad's Ford Galaxie, and he was covered head to tie in grease. One tool, a wrench or something, was high up on a shelf. So he scaled the wall to reach it. We were 20 and 15, and I looked up at him and said, 'Ya know, you look like a greasy little monkey up there.'

When I return to reality, Faith is snapping her fingers in front of my face. "Redson. Wreck, are you alright? You feel sick?"

She places a hand on my forehand, and I pull away. "Yes. I'm fine."

"Okay," she says hesitantly. "Then take these outside and make sure the idiots haven't burnt the land down or made a disaster of decorations."

€*€

The hour I was outside with Sam and Andrew consisted of 50% laughing our asses off, 10% putting out mini fires from the grill, 10% falling off of chairs, tables, ladders, crates, and trucks, 25% "no, this goes there, not there!" and 5% swearing at each other, the grill, and the decorations.

As we're surveying our handiwork, the girls and Stephen come out. He takes a seat on the lawn chair. Andrew does the sup nod, rocking back on his heels and spreading his arms.

"Whaddya think?"

"It looks good, babe," El replies. The girls compliment their work too. It really looks good. Sam and I had backed our trucks up to the fire and let the tailgates down. A cooler rested in each bed, one with alcohol and one with cokes. All we need now is the guests.

Speaking of that, I hear tires crunch on the gravel drive and walk around front. Mom and Thalia are here. Mom couldn't stand to live at the ranch when her son and husband died a year apart. She lives with our cousin Treill and his wife Catherine in town. Thalia lives in her own two-story with her brother and fiancé.

"Hey, Mama. How you doing?" I ask, giving her a hug.

"I'm fine," she replies. "Treill said he
and Cat might come later."

"Awesome. Hey, Thal. You doing good?" I asks, turning to her. She gives me a huge hug, and I can almost feel her trying to keep it together.

"Mm-hm. Good as I can be."

"Awesome. And who is this?"

"This is Joshua, my fiancé. We're getting married next month."

He steps beside her and offers his hand. I shake it, telling him it's nice to meet him. And I know her brothers, Jaime and Sabian. They follow me through the house to the backyard. Mom is wanting to see what we've done with the place since she's moved out. Be prepared for a BIG surprise, Mama.

€*€

To say the least, she was shocked. She says the house looks like a bachelor's than a married man and a couple's. I told her that three guys did live here. She wasn't amused. Danielle and I have moved into my parents' room, leaving most of Dad's stuff. Elliot mostly lives in the twins', but when Faith is over he stays in the guest room.

Faith and Stephen stay in my old bedroom, Elliot and Andrew stay in the guest room, and the kids sleep in the twins', since there's two beds. The twins' room still looks the same, two walls turquoise and two brown with one half covered in geeky posters.