The Paralyzed Dream (COMPLETED)

Chapter Twelve

     "Slade, slow down." Lacey laughed uncontrollably as Slade sped around another turn on the dirt driveway. His race car driver sounds didn't help Lacey contain her laughter at all. 

      "And, here's Slade Reid, coming around the final left turn, drivin' very very fast. Will he make the checkered flag, and hold onto the lead?" Slade said in his best attempt at a NASCAR race announcer voice. Slowing the truck down, only slightly, Slade went to the edge of the large, open dirt pad at the end of the driveway. "Slade Reid wins the race. Show us your donuts, Slade!" Slade spoke in third person, again, in his NASCAR voice. 

      "Slade, don't you dare do-" Lacey started. Before she could tell him to not torture her poor truck anymore, Slade hit the gas pedal, turning the wheel sharply to the left, making the bed fishtail around behind them as Slade expertly drifted the truck into donuts. Dust flew up all around the truck, beginning to come into the cab through the open windows. Lacey knew that she should have rolled her windows up the second Slade jumped into the driver's seat. 

      After a few more spins, Slade gave the old, revving truck a rest. Looking at Lacey, Slade had one of the biggest smiles ever on his face. "Pretty good, huh?" Slade said in his normal drawl, back to reality.

      "That is the last time that I ever let you watch NASCAR before bed, Slade Reid." Lacey said after she could catch her breath from the exhilarating ride.

      "I did a little bit of racing when I was younger. I know what I'm doin'." Slade shrugged, casting that cockeyed grin at Lacey. 

      "Pretty impressive, especially considering this is a truck...my truck...my baby." Lacey emphasized.

      Relaxing against the closed door of the idling truck, Slade placed one hand on the steering wheel, turning so he was fully facing Lacey. "Uh nuh. You are not allowed to be mad that I drove her crazy. You were the one who told me that it hadn't been run for months, and you asked me to check her out. That's all I was doin'." 

      "Yeah, exactly. When I said check her out, I meant, 'Slade, let's change her oil, check the tire pressure, and slowly drive her around to make sure everything still ticks well.' I didn't say let's go see if we can crash!" Lacey spread her arms out for emphasis. 

      A deep laugh coming from the driver's side was followed with a hand sliding over, reaching Lacey's shoulder. "Oh, come on. You know that you had fun." 

      "That's true. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time." She surrendered. 

      A smile crept onto Slade's face. "Good. Well, now that we know that everything seems fine with your truck, what do you say we take a break?" His finger still played with Lacey's shoulder.

      "A break from what? We have hardly done anything!" A chuckle escaped her lips. 

      "Okay, let me rephrase." Slade retreated his hand off of Lacey's shoulder. Holding both of his hands together, Slade placed them in front of his mouth. "Lace, I would really love to spend some more time with you. What do you say we give your truck a rest, and sit in the bed and talk before we have to get back to work?"

      "Well, that's all you had to say, cowboy. I'm game." 

      "Great." Slade put the truck in reverse, backing it up so the bed faced one of the pastures where the horses were kept. Turning the key off, Slade walked over to the passenger side. Stretching out his arms, he said, "Here, I'll carry you." Knowing Lacey would approve, Slade carefully slid an arm under her knees, and the other behind her back. As always, Slade carefully lifted Lacey from the seat, walking her to the bed. Turning, Slade sat on the tailgate, sliding into the bed, still with Lacey in his arms. Standing up once he was safely in the bed, he walked the length of the eight foot truck bed. Bending down once they were against the cab, Slade carefully set Lacey down. Using her arms to lift herself, Lacey slid back slightly to rest her back fully against the cab.