Landmine - Post Malone

42

"Oh, don't stop there with the sweet talk. What else?" Dillon giggles wrapping her arms around Austin's neck when he opens the truck door for her. He grins and pretends to think for a second. "Your nose is cute, and your lips always have a way of pushing up my blood pressure," he says before kissing them.

"Pushing up your blood pressure?"

"Mhmm, it's the words they form."

"Shut up," she snorts letting her head fall back as her laugh tumbles out. Then she looks back at him and smiles, she knows her face has a dreamy look to it. "I love you," she whispers, a soft grin creeping onto her face that matches his. "And I love you," he mumbles back before pressing his lips to hers and kissing her again till her skin tingles and her knees feel weak. They are drunk on love.

It's late afternoon and they have just gotten back from a full day on the ranch. She can feel she is a little sunburnt and is looking forward to a long hot shower before bed. They head inside, and while she gets started on dinner Austin cleans their shotguns, reminding her about safety and to always keep her shotgun clean. It's odd to think this is the norm out here, but a shotgun or rifle leaning on a kitchen cabinet, couch, or even a truck tyre is a common sight. She gets why children are taught to shoot at such a young age out here - it's not in the name of fun but to ensure they understand the dangers of firearms and can handle them safely.

Still, the thought takes some getting used to but it's just the way it is out here. Her shotgun goes everywhere with her now. Austin had stayed true to his promise this week and had let her roam freely as long as her shotgun gun remained close. Besides, she is never truly alone, Becky and her have grown extremely close and are pretty much attached at the hip. Mitch follows her like a shadow, and the rest of the men are always hovering close by, too. She hasn't left the ranch on her own and insists Austin go with her into town, she likes him with her. She had tried to go to the waterfall on her own, but those wayward hands of Austin's make it difficult, and she always ends up dragging him through the bushes and forgetting about the world while he loves on her body. A simple touch from him sends her body into overdrive.

Life on the ranch is peaceful, quiet and content. She has started planning for their wedding, and bless her rancher for sitting quietly for hours and not rolling his eyes while she rattles on in detail about the plans in her head. The only time his eyes widen slightly and his head shakes is when she mentions wedding vows. She knows it's a long shot to get him to not only write his vows but also say them out loud in front of a bunch of people. She won't force the issue or be mad if he refuses, but she does let him know it's what she would like.

She is also now more determined than Austin to fall pregnant. She wants a baby. She was a little heartbroken when she thought she might be pregnant after a bout of headaches and nausea, but the pregnancy test she did was negative. She had been so sure and it had not helped when Austin said he does not trust those pregnancy tests. She will do another test in a few days. Regardless, they continue to 'practice' as Austin puts it. They practice a lot and she is not complaining.

There is a sudden knock on the door, but neither of them frozen or question who it is; visits from the men or Becky and Louis are common in their tight little ranch family. "Come in!" Austin calls as he starts cleaning away the shotgun cleaning kit. Louis pops into the kitchen with a worried face. "One of the heifers has turned up lame during my inspection this afternoon. I think it was a snake," he says and Austin's face creases in worry. "Handle her, Lou," he whispers. Dillon can see he wants to go himself but he won't leave her after his day has officially come to an end. He is trying to balance himself equally between her and the ranch. But it's not always that simple and when the ranch calls, he needs to go, and she wants to be supportive of that. Also, his fear of Luke or someone turning up as the night starts to fall ramps up a little and that's not healthy. "Please go," she says.