"I'm on my way gram, tell grandpa I'll meet him at the barn to pick up the truck"
"He's been out there all morning Cameron 'last minute stuff' he calls it" laughed my grandmother.
"Well I'll be there in a couple of hours gram, love you"
"Love you to dear, drive safe"
Ending the call I turned up my radio as I leave college in the rearview mirror, and heading for my life at the old family ranch.
I finally pull up to the gravel driveway and look at the old iron archway that reads "Sapphire Ranch" I smiled as I drove out to the barn where gramps is waiting for me.
I smiled as get out of my car as Grandpa Charlie walks out of the barn in his greasy overalls, dirty baseball cap, and the biggest smile.
"There's my beautiful granddaughter" he said pulling me into his famous bear hugs.
"Hi grandpa" I squeaked out as he hugged me.
"Wanna see her?" He asked referring to my dads old 1985 Chevrolet C10, I have always dreamed of driving it.
"Yes I can't wait!" I said in pure excitement
He walks me into the barn and I gasp at its beauty. My grandpa laughed "They don't make trucks like this anymore." He smiled and looked at me "I know you're dad would have wanted you to have it." He had a slight hint of sadness in his eyes that tugged at my heart.
"Thanks grandpa I know he would love how pretty she looks right now, he loved this thing" I laughed thinking of how my father cherished this truck. "So how did you get this all fixed up?"
"Oh, I won't take all the credit young lady, I had our new neighbor John and his son Dustin helping me," he laughed, I couldn't be sure but I thought I caught what looked like a wink as he turned around.
"I see" I smiled while walking around to the front of the truck, "Well I'll have to thank them sometime"
"Well they are comin' for dinner in a couple days, so that'll be the perfect time," he laughed. "Oh, and Cameron?"
"Yes, grandpa?"
"Get rid of that car out front."
I smiled again, "yes sir."
"We better get back to the house before dinner gets cold, you're grandma won't be happy with us if that happens" he said with a serious look with a slight amount of playfulness.
I followed him back to the farmhouse. It has a large wraparound porch with the classic whitewashed siding. As we made our way up the path I looked up and saw my gram standing on the porch steps waiting for us. As soon as I reached her she pulls me into a large hug.
"Finally home and still as beautiful as ever"
"Aw gram your so sweet, I've missed you so much"
"Not as much as we missed you dear, c'mon inside dinner is ready and then you can rest for the night." I nodded as she ushered me through the door.
As we walked into the dining room I looked through the large window and saw the sun starting to set behind the ridge line, I sure have missed this place.
I helped clean up the table from dinner with my gram while Grandpa Charlie went out to check the horses and make the rounds to check the pastures. I was about to go and help him when my grandmother spoke up.
"Don't worry dear go rest, there will be more time for you to work tomorrow," she laughed as if she read my mind.
I smiled at her slightly glad I can rest after the long drive "thanks gram"
"No problem sweetie, the master bedroom is all made up for you," she stated.
"What about you and grandpa, where have you been staying?"
"We have been sleeping in the guest room dear, besides your grandpa and I will be returning to our home in a week or two once you have settled in, and gotten used to running this place" she reasoned with a smile. She loves this place, but I know she misses her home not having spent too much time there the last year or two.
"Thanks again" I said as I walked up the stairs passing old pictures on the way. I stopped when a certain picture caught my eye. It was me, I looked to be around ten, and my dad on our old horse Peanut, tears welled up in my eyes at the happy memory. I rubbed the tears away with the back of my sleeves, and I continued to walk up the stairs. Passing memories from generation to generation. Soon I'll be adding more memories of my own. Smiling again as I walked into the master bedroom.
The room was even more beautiful than I remember. The large space and large master bathroom attached to it were magnificent. The windows on both sides of the room allowed sunlight to filter into the room at all times of the day. The hickory french doors that led out to the deck that my grandpa had installed when I was young are still a thing of beauty with such beautiful wood. I couldn't help the smile that crept onto my face as I take in the fact that I will be taking over the family ranch.
Its not like I have no idea what life on the ranch is like. I have been out in the fields and pastures since before I could walk. I would wake up at the crack of dawn just like everyone else, helped the ranch hands and get just as dirty if not dirtier. I was never one for being ladylike, which had made my grandmother a little frustrated with me but she had long since accepted my behavior. I had always preferred jeans to sundresses, boots over heels, and my favorite Stetson to a tiara. I am a cowgirl trough and through. All my spare time and summer breaks were spent here and now I can finally call it my home.
