Tennessee Summer

Catching Up

"Well come on then out with it," she says, "Well you remember how granddad made it clear that I needed to go to college and make something of myself and couldn't come back until I do so?" I asked her, "Yeah" she responds, "Well I found a loop-hole," I tell her, "What, how?" she asked.

"Well about two weeks before graduation, I get this package in the mail, it was a copy of granddad's will, with a letter from his now ex-lawyer, anyways there was a section high lighted in the will that states if there is a death in the family, I am allowed to come home for any length of time." I explain Ally looks at me with shock and excitement, "So does he know your home?" she asked, "No, but he will next Sunday at the monthly family dinner." I tell her.

"Why is he doing this to you anyway?" she asked after a moment, I sighed and stood to my feet, "After reading the will, I called the lawyer, according to him, Grandad split the money between you and me, not leaving anything for dad or Stiles for two reason's," I say walking over to the window. "Which is?" She asks wanting me to continue, "The old man never approved of this place, he thinks it's a waste of time and swears dad and Stiles will use that money for the ranch" I explain, I smile looking out the window, as I watch Derek wash and brush knight.

"That's bull shit, he doesn't know you are the owner and founder of this place does her?" she was starting to get angry. "No, Dad wouldn't let me tell him, he took all of Grandad's bull shit about this place and said I needed a clear head to keep my dream alive." I explain, "So what's the second thing?" She asked I looked at her smiling sadly a lone tear slipped down my cheek. 

"Because I look like your mother, we both do, your dad kept you away from him as often as he could, but I couldn't. Your mom was Elias' favorite between his two children, until she married your dad, that's when he turned his focus on me, wanting to make me like her, but the way he wanted" I stop and wipe my cheek and sit on the bed, "He thinks I hate this place, before momma died she said, he would be the only way for me to go to college and run my dream the way I see fit, she made me promise to let him pay for college so I could get my bachelor's in business. He paid for my first year, but after that, his money went into my banking account, I had earned a scholarship when I won a rodeo, it paid for the rest of my college." I explain, she nods her head in understanding. 

"So, what will you do when he expects you to leave at the end of summer?" She asked after a few minutes of silence. "That's just it Ally, he doesn't have until the end of summer, the lawyer also told me that the doctor only gave granddad two months to live, I'll let him think I'll be leaving at the end of August when he won't make it that long and I'll be free of him, finally for the first time in my life," I say turning to my cousin. 

"We've really missed you around here, I don't know how your dad and Stiles was able to do it and it got really low at one point until Derek showed up, it was almost as if you were here again, but in guy version." We giggled for a minute. "He's a lot like you Ady, very strong-willed and thinks like you too," she tells me about our new ranch hand.

She came and sat next to me on the bed. "So tell me more about this Derek" I say, she laughs, "Well there's not much to tell, he keeps to himself and your dad's letting him live in the guest house rent free, oh Lydia tried to sink her teeth into him only to be shut down hard." we laugh hard at my best friends expense. "Oh do tell," I say excitedly. We talk for a good while, I change into a pair of jeans, tank top with a flannel shit buttons left open and my favorite workbooks. 

"Ady, Ally lunch is ready" I hear my brother's voice call up the steps. We link arms and head down the stairs and out the back door. The air smelled of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn. We quickly grab plates and fill them, then we head over to our father's.

Several employees say hello and welcome back as I make my way over towards my dad. As we get to the table all the men rise then sit back down after we are seated. "Wow, I've been in California too long, I've forgotten real gentleman stand when ladies come to sit at the table," I say with a giggle and sit down a crossed form my dad and next to my brother.

"How was college sissy?" Stiles asked me, "UGH, awful everyone partied all the time, I'd rather be here any day," I say and Stiles nods. "So Ady, how long are you home for?
 Uncle Chris asked, Stiles and dad look at me and I smile, "For good" I say. Dad smile's from ear to ear, but Stiles is upset, "What about granddad?" panic lacing his voice, "let's talk about this later Stiles, our employee's don't need to hear about our family issues: I whisper in his ear, he nods and continues eating.

"So where is Scott? I was hoping to see my adopted little brother when I pulled in" I say curiously, "He should be here any minute, he went to pick Rambo up from the vet's office and then to get his mom." Dad tells me. I turn to look at him concerned, "What's wrong with Rambo?" I question panic evident in my voice, Stiles placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, "He's just fin Ady, he had a little run-in with a coyote, but all is well," I hear Scott's voice from behind me.

I look behind me to see him, Melissa and a very tired looking Rambo, my beloved six-year-old American Bully. I jump to my feet and go to them, hugging both Scott and Melissa then kneeling down to my Rambo, "he's such a good boy, protecting the ranch as always." I rub his head and kiss his face, then take his leash from Scott and lead him to the back door of the house. I let him in, "Go to bed Rambo," I say and watch him trot sorely up the stairs towards my room then turn to head back to the table.