Give Into Me

Chapter Six

Ashton had been the one to score a trip to town with Tyler. Usually it was Michael, but since Ashton was around, Michael had been more than willing to throw Ashton under the bus. Ashton climbed into the truck with Tyler and sighed softly. "I don't know what Mike told you, but going to town with me isn't all that bad. The only bad part is that we have to go into the real city to get what we need."

"How long of a drive is it?" Ashton asked, looking at Tyler.

"It's about 2 hours." 

"That's not terrible." Ashton nodded to himself. "What do we need?"

"We need to pick up a part for the baler, as well as a few tags for the cows." Tyler explained. "We should probably get some fuel, too."

"Yeah, the green tractor is running low and the big tank is empty." Ashton explained. "Harley said something about getting more dog food, too."

"Those damn dogs eat more than any other animal we have." Tyler rolled his eyes as he drove. "Harley likes to feed them our food, too, not just the dog food."

"She does it for the cats, too." Ashton chuckled. "They all love her, because they know she'll feed them the good stuff." 

"Harley's got some problems." Tyler shook his head. "She's got a different way of thinking."

"What do you mean?" Ashton asked, furrowing his eyebrows. 

"She thinks the animals are people. She talks to them as if they understand her." Tyler started. "She reads bedtime stories to the calves, she has real conversations with the pigs and chickens."

"The calves seem to love the stories." Ashton shrugged.

"It's not just with the animals, though. It's her relationships with real humans, too." Tyler explained. "She hasn't ever had a steady relationship. She just goes to town and finds a man who will give her attention for a night, then she comes home and acts like it never happened." He sighed. "I wish she could settle down with someone, but we all know Harley doesn't believe in love. She'll never settle down with one person forever, she just can't do it." 

"Maybe someday she will." Ashton shrugged. He said it, but he wasn't sure if he meant it. What he really wanted, was to be the one she settled down with. He was determined to be that one. He was going to show her that love was real and that it was a great thing.

***
The two of them returned to the ranch after many hours of finding what they needed. Ashton picked up the dog food from the bed of the truck and carried it inside. "Oh, good, you got the dog food!" Harley smiled at him.

"Just for you." Ashton joked and set the bags down in the pantry. "Hey, I've got a question for you."

"Go for it." Harley opened one of the bags and filled the dog dishes.

"What do you say about going out with me?"

"Like, a date?" Harley turned and looked at him.

"Yeah, a date." Ashton tucked his hands into his pockets as he waited for her to decide. 

"I'd love to." She giggled. "When and where?" 

"In 20 minutes." Ashton chuckled softly. He had spent the 2 hour car ride home deciding what he wanted to do with her. 

"Really? Okay, where are we going?"

"It's a surprise." Ashton grinned. "Just make sure you wear something sensible."

"Is what I'm wearing now good?"

"That's perfect."

"Great, come find me when you're ready." She giggled and walked down the hall to her room. Ashton walked to the kitchen and filled a basket with some food and some wine. He set the basket on the back of the 4-Wheeler before heading down the hall to Harley's room.