Barnes Ranch

17

Walking up to the restaurant I see Rachel's car. She has a Traverse that is the perfect size for her family.

Walking in I see her dark brown hair and fair skin. The twins, River and Rain sit on their high chairs on either side of her. They're absolutely adorable. They got the most beautiful green eyes from their mom and tan skin from their dad, who's Native.

As I approach she stands up, "Alaska! Oh I'm so happy to see you," she says as she hugs me.

I return the hug, "I've missed you!"

She pulls back and says, "You look gorgeous!"

Smiling I tell her, "So do you! You're glowing!"

We both sit and she tells me, "When I heard you were back in town I thought it was a joke! You were doing good at Stanford."

I shrug, "I needed a change of scenery, and besides, there is always more to the story."

She asks, "How come?"

"Well Buck," she immediately groans, she doesn't carry a fondness for him, "he told me the farm was getting repossessed and I came to help get it back. When I arrived none of that was happening," I explain.

Her jaw drops, "Oh no he didn't."

I nod, "Yes he did."

River says, "Auntie Waska!"

I giggle, turning my head as I say, "Yes it's me buddy!"

He starts jumping in his chair which softens my heart!

I reach out to him, his little fingers wrap around my fingers. Awh! Isn't he just the sweetest!

"So what have you done since you've been back?" she asks.

I turn to face her and say, "Well I got a job at the bar in Bryson but I'm looking for an IT job. All of the offers I've gotten have been from Asheville. Which isn't bad because my boyfriend lives in Waynesville."

She gasps, "You have a boyfriend?"

I nod, smiling as I say, "I do! I really like him. We've been dating since I got back in town mid May. So it's been like 2 months. The fourth is in a day or 2."

"You know him but-"

"Oh you have got to tell me who he is then!" she interrupts.

The waitress, an older woman, walks over, "Good afternoon. I'm Brenda I'll be your waitress today. What would y'all like to start with?"

Rachel says, "May I have the sweet tea. And these two will have apple juice."

She nods then looks to me, writing the drinks on her pad, "And how bout you darling?"

"May I have the sweet tea please?" I ask.

She nods, "Any appetizers?"

I shake my head, saying, "No thank you!"

Brenda walks off, Rain says, "Momma want sip sweet tea please?"

Rachel nods then says, "Of course baby, I'm proud of you for using your manners!"

Rachel's a great mom, she always wanted to be one when we were kids. Her parents were mad when she first got pregnant because she got pregnant out of marriage. She didn't care, she was just so excited to have her babies.

Rachel says, "The reason I asked you to lunch is because I want you to be my maid of honor?"

Gasping I question, "Really?"

She nods, "Who else do I have a bond with comparable to ours?"

I think for a moment, "No one, so who's gonna be the poor sap I have to plan with?"

She laughs, "Dakota, Marcus's brother."

"Oh that won't be bad," I say.

"Why do you say that?" she asks.

I blank for an excuse but luckily the waitress comes back with our drinks.

"Here is your drinks," she says as she hands them out off a platter.

"Thank you," all four of us say.

Once finished she asks, "Are y'all ready for your entrees?"

Rachel looks to me, I nod, "Yes, may I have the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich."

Rachel says, "May I have the house made burger please."

Rain asks silently, "Auntie waska can I get da chicken tendas?"

I smile, "Of course baby."

Rachel tells the waitress, "He would like the Mac and cheese please."

I wait for the waitress to finish writing then say, "She would like the chicken tenders please."

She nods, "Alrighty then, that will be right up for ya!"

Rachel says, "What's the deal?"

I blush, "He may or may not be the boyfriend."

She gasps, "No way!"

I nod, she says, "No it can't be!"

"Why? Did I pick a bad one?" I ask nervously.

She laughs, "No he's the best you can pick besides Marcus obviously. I just said that because he's never had a girlfriend and never really seemed interested. He's always been too career driven."

I'm sort of taken aback. He asked me out the first time I met him.

I smile because of her description, continuing she says, "He's an amazing guy. He's sweet, smart, very generous, and he's a godly man. Not to mention how tall he is!"

I nod, my hand underneath my chin, "Yeah, he's great!"

She smiles, "I'm so excited! We'll finally have a couple to double date with. And it's you guys! Our closest friends."

"I can totally see you two together. He's like the male version of you," she finishes.

"You think so?" I ask.

She nods, with a sure face, "Oh yeah."

River asks, "That mean we get cousin?"

I laugh, "Not anytime soon, I'm sorry."

He frowns, "I sad now."

"Well, when we do have a baby, you'll be their favorite cousin," I tell him.

"What bout me?" Rain asks.

I whisper, "Don't worry! You'll be all the others favorite."

"Others?" Rachel asks.

I nod, "Yes, I want to have at least 3."

She says, "I want another set of twins. But if God decides another set of twins isn't fit then that's fine by me."

We get our food, before Rachel and I eat we make sure the kids are set. I cut up Rain's chicken while she blows on River's Mac and cheese to cool it down.