The sun was a radiant, all-watching eye, its light creeping into every corner, bathing the countryside in a warm evening glow. The car cruised down a twisting road, grassy, forest-green hills looming over the mountainous drive. An endless expanse of turquoise wonder, shimmering a liquid gold, stretched towards the distant horizon.
Miranda stirred from her nap and sat up in the front seat of the car. She looked at Joseph and he threw her a smile then turned back to the road. Zeke was still fast asleep in the back seat.
"Sorry, we fell asleep and left you driving all this time by yourself." Miranda apologized turning in her seat to face Joseph.
"Don't worry about it. The two-hour drive from the airport would make anyone tired." Joseph replied. "Besides, I'm fine driving in the country area, it's the wide big city roads that get to me,"
She turned to look out the window at the familiar green acres of field. It had been years since she's last visited.
After no arrest was made even a week after the break-in, Joseph had decided it was time for them to leave the city for a bit. Arrangements had been made for school for Zeke and her job had been usually understanding, which she had a nagging feeling had something to do with Joseph, the man was being tight-lipped about it though.
"You seem more relaxed here," she observed out loud.
"What do you mean?" he asked glancing at her and then back at the road.
"In the city you bearly drive and the one night, on our date, you seem tense behind the wheel."
She noticed his cheek clench then his hands gripped the wheel tighter.
"Joseph..."
"I don't, driving in the city just... "
She saw the way he flushed and swallowed a few times. As curious as she was she didn't like to see him struggling like this so she dropped the conversation.
"I haven't been here since... " she looked at him and when he looked back at her she saw the remorse in his eyes.
She decided that maybe it would be better to stay silent because a conversation wasn't working out for them at all.
Zeke finally stirred and looked out the window.
"Are we there yet?" was the first thing he asked.
"Almost, we should be there in less than ten minutes," Joseph replied
They drive through the town, passing some familiar faces and businesses. She found herself smiling in anticipation. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.
The double lane bunched into one as the car drew closer to the ranch. She passed by the ranch she once called home and a sense of regret hit her. Regret that she had left home so early, regret that her parents had sold the place when running a race had been too much for them when they grew older in age.
Then Walter ranch came into view and suddenly her stomach was filled with butterflies. It must have shown on her face because Joseph touched her hand when the car came to a stop in the front yard.
"You OK?" he asked
"Yeah, guess I'm just nervous to be back," she replied
He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze just as the back door flew open and Zeke took off towards the barn.
"Be careful honey!" Miranda called after him.
"I will!" he tossed over his shoulder.
"Well look who's home for a visit." Miranda turned and saw a heavily pregnant woman wobbling her way down the front porch toward them.
