Mustang Dreams (COMPLETED)

Chapter Twelve (New Ending/Revision)

     Over three hours later, Misty was discharged from the hospital, feeling incredibly lethargic and drowsy. All she wanted to do was go home and sleep; she was surprised that when she asked Clay what time it was, he said 9pm.

     Once they all got back to the ranch, almost two hours later, Misty was dead asleep in the truck. Darlene whispered to Bill, "I think she should probably sleep on the couch tonight. There's no way that she will be able to get upstairs on her own."  

     "Ma'am," Clay leaned forward to talk to Darlene. "I can carry Misty upstairs to her room and make sure she is situated for the night." Clay offered. 

     With no hesitancy, Darlene accepted Clay's offer. "That's very sweet of you, Clay. Thank you."  

     "It's no problem, ma'am." Clay responded, sliding down from his side of the truck to walk to Misty's side. Carefully slipping an arm under Misty's legs, and another behind her back, Clay lifted Misty from the truck, carrying her inside and up to her room. Darlene followed Clay the whole way, opening doors and turning on the lights for him.

     Clay carefully laid Misty down on her bed, giving her a kiss on the cheek before following Darlene out of her room, closing the door behind him. Once they were downstairs, Darlene turned to Clay. "Thank you so much for all of your help with Misty today. We really appreciate it." Darlene's exhausted expression lightened when she forced a smile.  

     "It's no problem, ma'am." Clay replied, smiling back. 

     "Clay, it's late, why don't you just stay the night here? We have a spare bedroom upstairs. I can go up now and clear off the bed for you." Darlene offered.  

     "I don't mind walkin' back to my loft tonight." Clay replied, not wanting Darlene to have to clean up a room just so he can sleep there tonight. 

     "I know, but just stay here tonight." Darlene kindly demanded. 

     Clay let out a chuckle. "Alright, I will stay here, but you don't have to make me a bed, I can just sleep on the couch down here." 

     "Are you sure? I really do not mind makin' you a bed upstairs." Darlene offered for the third time that night. 

     "I really do not mind." Clay smiled, showing he was serious.  

     "Alright. At least let me show you where the blankets are." Darlene said, leading Clay into the living room. After getting Clay a few blankets, Darlene walked out of the living room and into the kitchen to grab a glass of water before disappearing into her bedroom. 

     As Clay was making his bed for the night, Bill came in to the living room. "Darlene told me that you're stayin' here tonight." He said, his voice tired.

     "Yes, sir." Clay replied, pausing to look up at Misty's dad. 

     "I just wanted to thank you for being there to help with Misty today. I don't even want to think about what could have happened if you weren't there when she was charged." Bill said, clapping Clay on the back. 

     "It's no problem. I care about Misty, and will do whatever I can so she isn't in pain." Clay replied.

     "Well, Clay, that is very honorable, and Darlene and I certainly both appreciate it." Bill said with a smile before walking away. Turning around once before slipping into his first floor bedroom, Bill added, "Please make yourself at home. There's plenty of food and drinks in the fridge. Help yourself." 

     "Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it." Clay pasted a smile on his face. If it wasn't so late at night and if he wasn't so exhausted, Clay would have asked Bill for permission to date his daughter; he felt like him and Bill had grown closer today.