Landmine - Post Malone

14

They spend the rest of the day on the ranch, working on the house, checking the fence and tending to the heifers. She loves those dam heifers already. She also sees a lot of green starting to peep out from under the black ash when the wind blows at the brittle black grass. The ranch is repairing itself; it's amazing to watch, and Dillon feels a sense of excitement settle in her belly at being a part of it. She can see Austin loves this life, the ranch breathes life into him as he works it. So by the time they get back to the trailer, her body is not happy with her; ranch life is not for the weak or lazy, that's for sure. She jumps into the shower and then grabs Isla's files and sets herself up at the table while Austin pokes around in that large candy bag. "For a man with no sweet tooth, you have certainly put a pretty good dent in that candy," she giggles.

"Some people should mind their own dam business," he mumbles sitting down across from her with a mouth full of chocolate and a grin. "What you doin'?" he asks looking over her papers. "I am noting who I spoke to today about Isla and mapping who they are.

"Josie, Molly and Darcie all never saw her, but know Luke and -"

"Why did you say Darcie's name like that, darlin'?"

She had not meant to say it with so much disdain. It just popped out. She does not like her and she knows she is not the only one after her conversation with Molly. "I don't shit talk, Austin," she mumbles, fiddling with a few papers to avoid looking at him. She will be talking shit about her when she meets up with Josie, Molly and Becky. Austin doesn't seem the type to humour silly little feelings of insecurity so she figures it best not to mention the little green monster sitting on her shoulder. "Would you prefer I did not speak to her in the future?" he asks. Dillon's head shoots up, and she frowns at him. He would not talk to someone just because she asked? Just because she felt a little insecure? "You would do that?" Dillon whispers. She really wants to say yes, but that would be ridiculous.

"Yes."

"Why would you do that?"

"Respect. If it makes you uncomfortable for me to engage with her. I will not."

"I...um...is she not a friend of yours?"

"She is."

"And you would just cut her off if I asked?"

"Aye."

Dillon stares at him, her brain taking its time to catch up with what he is saying. There is no grey area when it comes to Austin. "Um...thank you, but I don't want you cutting off your friends because I feel insecure. I can handle myself," she says. Austin arches an eyebrow at her and shrugs then takes a sip of his beer. She has a sneaky suspicion that he does not care what she has said now; he knows she is insecure about Delcie, so he will no longer engage with her. It's extreme, but she doesn't think there is anything mediocre about Austin.

"Oh! I forgot to ask Jack if he saw Isla," she groans getting back to her list. "He has been away. He is a military man and just got back into town," Austin says. Dillon lets out a sigh of relief at not having missed an opportunity, but she will still ask him when she sees him again.

"I know you don't want me to go into town alone, but I managed to ask three people about Isla in the time we were there-"

"And ran into Luke..."

"Yes, but three people is a lot Austin. Can we go back to town soon? You can come with me," she says, she is begging. "Yes," he says then leans forward with a frown as he looks at one of her many photos. He places his finger on a photo and slides it in front of her. "Oh, that's Isla's boyfriend. The one who jumped in front of a train," she explains. Austin's frown deepens and his head cocks. "How did she meet him?" he asks. "I am not sure. She just showed up with him one day. Why? You seem very interested in him," Dillon says, leaning forward too; what does he know?