Kentucky Home

Chapter 8

Emma

I'm lying in bed wide awake staring into the darkness. I keep touching my lips remembering Cash's lips against mine, the way they moved with experience. It was soft and sweet with just enough to make me grit my teeth and curl my toes.

I roll over onto my stomach and groan into the pillow kicking my feet against the mattress aggravated at myself for how much I enjoyed that kiss.

Morning comes too early, and I stretch against the bed knowing I should get up. I feel around for my phone. Finding it, I check the time. Seven o'five. I let out a sigh and throw the covers back.

When my feet hit the cold hardwood floor, I'm instantly reminded of the night before. I let out a frustrated growl and fall back against the mattress. "Great."

When I crack the bedroom door the aroma of coffee fills my senses. "Mmm. Coffee." I close my eyes and smile.

I tiptoe down the stairs. It's awfully quiet. I don't hear or see anybody up. At the bottom of the stairs, I peak around the corner into the kitchen. Nobody.

I head straight for the coffee. There's a coffee cup already sit out for me. "How sweet." I smile, pouring me a cup and watching the steam rise. As I'm sitting the pot back onto the burner the screen door slams making me jump. I turn around to see Cash standing in the doorway.

"Good morning." He says, but I can tell he's being closed off. I take a sip of my coffee. "Morning.

"Uh, I've got to head to the store and open up. Cady just got on the bus, so make yourself at home and I'll be back around ten."

Taking another sip of my coffee, I ask, "can I go with you?"

Taken by surprise he stutters his reply. "Uh, I-I guess. It's not a whole lot of fun if that's what you're looking for." I chuckle at that.

"Okay. Let me go change clothes and I'll meet you in the truck."

The morning was foggy and a bit chilly as I stepped onto the porch. Cash was on the phone when I opened the door.

"Yeah. It should be at the store. You ordered it last week, right?" He paused to listen to whoever was on the line. "You can meet me up there. I'm heading there right now."

I looked out the window at the open field. The sun was poking through the clouds spreading its rays across the land.

The engine of the truck soon turned over and the sound of the diesel roared to life.

The ride was silent, and for good reason. I don't think either of us were ready to discuss what happened.

When we arrived at the feed store, there was a middle aged man waiting at the door. I assume it was the same person on the phone earlier. The sound of the truck doors shutting back to back echoes through the quiet.

"Morning, Mr. Bishop." Cash says, shaking the man's hand while reaching for the keys to unlock the building. "Good morning. And who's this pretty young lady you got with you?"

I smile at the sly compliment, and reach my hand out. "I'm Emma Howard."

Realization is clear on his face, "Ah. Karen Howard's niece. I remember when you came to stay with her. You were maybe eight years old."

"Yes, sir. I'm sorry. I don't really remember anyone from my time here." I apologize.

"No, dear, don't be sorry. I wouldn't expect you to remember an old man like me." He chuckles.

"Emma, this is Wesley Bishop. He's the crazy old man who raises horses about two miles up the dirt road from my farm." Cash says, glancing at me quickly before holding the door open for us.