Diary of a Dirty Cowboy

Chapter Thirteen

December 25th, 2005

Dear Jesse,

I'll tell you honestly, I never would've guessed how things would turn out, but I am the happiest I've ever been.

After I got the letters back, I called Clay and we talked it out. He's doing right by Savannah and the family now, and I'm real proud of him.

They gave me two weeks' leave for Christmas, so I flew home for the holidays. Clay's team is going to play in the Fiesta Bowl!

This morning Mama dragged me to church with her. She pressed my dress blues, shined my shoes, starched my cap, and practically dressed me herself.

I didn't wanna go. In fact, I never wanted anything less. But if there's one thing I've learned in the Marine Corps, it's not to back down. You have to face your trials head on. So I tied on a set of balls and followed Mama down to the third pew, like the good son she raised me to be.

Clay was there with Savannah and Glory. He's settled down some now that he has to think about the future. Savannah's not really showing yet, but she's sure proud of it, rubbing her belly all the time and singing to herself. Glory looks less uncomfortable in church now than she did in July. She started back coming with the family after that weekend, and she's doin' real good.

Lorelei sat right up front with her family, while her father delivered the Christmas sermon.

It was easier than I thought, seeing her again, but she never turned around once during the whole sermon. Actually, my heart squeezed up a little at that. I would've given anything just to get a nasty look from her after all this time.

Well, after the sermon, we filed out of the church past the preacher, and Lorelei was standing right there outside the entrance shaking hands and kissing babies.

I couldn't avoid it, but I tried making it easy on her. I just looked straight over her head and held Mama's elbow while they hugged and exchanged the usual pleasantries.

You could've knocked me over with a feather when she put her hand on my arm.

Brother, I stood up ramrod straight as fast as you please when she touched me. It was like lightning going through my veins. I turned around real slow, thinking she'd be mad, but I was ready to take it like a man.

She had a look in her eye that's hard to describe, part mischief and part sad.

I didn't know what to think.

"You sure look sharp in that uniform, Cody. The Marines have been good to you. Let's see if you managed to hang on to that shaggy haircut." She winked as big as life and snatched the hat right off of my head.

I'm not supposed to be out of doors without my hat, so I took off after her, but she was as fast as ever and I didn't catch up to her 'til we were way out back of the church. I grabbed her arm to stop her from running any farther, but she turned around and hid my hat behind her back.

She backed up real slow, her chest heaving, keeping her big, brown eyes right on mine, until her back was up against a tree, then she gave me the hottest come-and-get-it look I ever seen in my whole life.

Brother, I went and got it. She tasted like honey wine, and I was drunk with the very first sip. I could feel her perfect teeth on my lower lip and just about fainted. I still couldn't believe it—that I was kissing her for real out behind the church, where anyone could see.

I slid my hands underneath her coat and hugged her close, and lemme tell you, she was softer than a newborn kitten in that cashmere sweater. I forgot all about Clay and Savannah, standing over by the car, for a minute, with all that softness in my arms. When she pressed up against me and slid her arms around my neck, I got a lump in my throat that almost matched the one in my pants.

I knew it right then that Lorelei was gonna be my very own.

When I finally came up for air, I saw Clay still standing there, holding Savannah close and grinning. He held his fist up in the air like we used to when we were kids. I guess we're really all right now.

I'm pretty sure I have you to thank for all of this. You must've put in a good word for me up there. Well, you've earned your wings, buddy. I'll never miss a Sunday for the rest of my life.

All my prayers are answered.

Stay loose, Jesse.

Love,

Cody

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