When unexpected circumstances take Mercy Rae Harrison and her parents, Jeb & Carla, all the way to Fort Worth, TX, leaving Canadian was the hardest thing she'd ever done, especially at the age of thirteen.
Ten years later, after Jeb passes away, his...
I wasn't looking forward to the five and a half hour drive, gettin up at dark thirty and just walking away from the house that I'd spent my teenage, high school and college years.
Hank secured everything into the trailer as I made one more walk around the house, making sure I hadn't forgotten anything.
Hank also double checked how I had hooked up the trailer to my dad's 1972 Blue and white Chevy truck. Daddy always said next to me, that truck was his pride and joy.
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"Well, ya ready?" Hank asked, holding my hand. I fought back the tears that we're going to spill, whether I wanted them to or not.
"Yeah, I'm ready. Let's get this show on the road. I've got daddy's CB and I'm on channel 7. We can keep in touch that way and I will follow you, okay?" Hank nodded and we headed out the door, locking it behind me.
Once we hit US287, I watched everything that I'd known disappear behind me and while the thrill of the unknown was a little daunting, I was looking forward to the change.
Around noon, I noticed we were gettin ready to cross over into the Canadian city limit, so I raised Hank on his CB.
"Little filly to Bo Cephus, come back" I said. "Bo Cephus to Little filly, what's up? Come back" Hank replied.
"I wanna pull over before we cross over the Canadian city limits, come back" I replied. "Copy that, Bo Cephus out" Hank answered.
I watched the turn signal of Hank's truck come on as he pulled off onto the shoulder and once we parked and put on our hazards, I stepped from my truck and walked to the sign.
I traced the Welcome to Canadian letters on the worn sign and took in a deep cleansing breath.
"What's goin through that pretty little head of yours?" Hank asked. I turned and grinned. "It feels damn good to be home!" I replied.
He chuckled, shaking his head as we got back into our trucks, headed for my new home.
I tuned into the local country station and couldn't help but smile as one of my all time favorites was on. Lady Antebellum's American Honey.
My heart continued to beat faster as we passed well known landmarks going through town and when we finally reached Old Dalton Bridge Road, I knew I was home.
Expertly backin the truck and trailer into the driveway, I put my faithful servant into park and jumped out.
I looked back at the gate and took in the name above it, my heart swelling with pride. The Circle M Ranch. She was really mine!
