The Thunder Rolls

Chapter 17

The rain finally stopped on Saturday morning. It didn't take long for the water to start receding. Three weeks after the rain had started, the night of our dinner party, everything went back to normal. I had gone back to work the week after the rain stopped to help Ron clean up and stuff back in order to reopen the shack. We had spent time cleaning out Deans house, it wasn't salvageable, He moved in with me and Stella completely. Dean and Logan had done a lot of work on the barn and it looked amazing. They changed the top to make the loft into an apartment for Logan to move into.

"Is the shack opening back up next week?" Dean asked me when I got home with Stella Friday.

"Yea I start waiting tables again Monday. Are you working outta town any next week."

" yea. I wanted to take you on a date tomorrow, Does that sound good?"

" Dean it sounds amazing. Where are we going?"

" that, my love, is a secret. Elle is going to come and get Stella.

I was excited for our date, everything had been so amazing between us since that week. We were so open with each other after talking about how we felt about our futures. I couldn't believe that in a little over a month I had completely fallen in love with this man. I had let him in completely. I felt safe with him. The only future I worried about periodically, when my thoughts ran away from me, was Austin finding me.

Logan had come over to continue working on the barn so we all went out there and helped out. The September air in Louisiana wasn't cold like it was in New York sometimes but it had its crisp moments at night especially right before it rained. But it rained a lot less now that fall was here. We worked into the night and I quickly passed out on the floor. I hadn't worked hard at all this week with Ron or even on the barn but I was beat. I barely woke up against Deans chest in his arms and once again when he put me in some sweat pants in bed, I was knocked out.

I woke up the next morning still tired wrapped in his arms. I really hope I'm not getting sick on the day we have a big date planned but I felt like I could sleep for three days. I looked at the clock and it was 830, Besides our date I didn't think we had any plans so I nuzzled in closer and went back to sleep.

I woke up again and looked at the clock and it was 100. I jumped up out of bed, to quick, it made my head swim and my stomach drop. I was getting sick but I wasn't going to say anything until tomorrow so my date would be perfect. Dean was already up and I knew Stella would be as well, so I walked into the kitchen but no one was there. I walked outside and Stella was in the tire swing with Dean pushing her.

" hey sleepy head" he yelled from across the yard

" hi momma"

"Hi guys. I'm sorry I dunno why I'm so tired." I walked over to them

" yea you were knocked out last night, are you going to be ok for our date tonight? We don't have to go."

"NO!" I blurted "I mean, no, I'm fine. I'll be perfect for our date, could you at least tell me what to wear for it maybe?"

" I'm going to set it out for you, don't worry." He winked

"Wow. How did I get so lucky." I leaned into him.

As much as I wanted to lay back down I remained outside with them and stayed under Dean's shoulder, leaning my weight against his body felt better. I didn't want to be sick the entire weekend, and tried to will myself better. This sickness had the worst timing. I threw a ball around the yard for Roman to chase and the cool breeze through my hair felt good.

"Elle should be here soon. She wanted to take Stella early to spend some time with her before she had to fall asleep."

" ok that's cool. Come here Stella see momma before Elle gets here"

As soon as she ran to me, Elle May pulled in and got out of her car.

"dear child are you ok? You look paler than a ghost."

"I know I told her we don't have to go out."

" I'm fine guys, thanks. My stomach just is a little upset. Thanks for watching her."

"You're welcome dear. Have fun tonight."

" we will" I told her willing myself to believe it.

Dean walked in the doorway and grabbed a bag that he had made for her and handed it to Elle and kissed Stella goodbye.

"I'll see you later baby girl."

" bye daddy."

I felt horrible, I hadn't even thought about getting a bag together for Stella to take. Dean grabbed my hand and pulled me inside.

" if your going to insist on going tonight your going to sleep until we have to get ready. You have a few more hours"

" thank you for getting Stella's stuff ready. I didn't even think about it. I don't fell good you're right, but I am still going tonight. I'll sleep a little bit but wake me up so I can get ready please, don't just let me sleep."

"I promise Harlow."

He watched a movie while I laid on his chest and slept. Once I finally woke up I was still tired but the feeling in my stomach was better. I showered and did my hair and make up and when I came out of the shower there was a brand new dress laying on the bed. It was beautiful it was a beautiful cream thigh leghth flowly dress with a pair of brown heels laying next to it. Dean was no where to be found, so I slid the dress on and strapped the shoes on. I flipped my hair around, fluffing the curls and walked to the kitchen. Dean wasn't in the house at all. I opened the door and saw him out on the dock in khaki pants and a grey button up shirt he looked so hot and his khakis were so light they kind of matched me.

" this way beautiful" he called to me.

I walked to him carefully through the grass. I couldn't keep the smile from my face, and an entirely new feeling was in my stomach.

"We're not going to the truck?" I said pointing back towards the house.

" nope climb in my boat dear." He told me making a grand gesture over the small boat.

I climbed in, he untied it and we took off. The beauty of the bayou always took my breath away. The trees hung low and everything was green. The water was still and everything was so quiet.

"I love you" Dean broke the silence.

" I love you too. Thank you for planning this date. This outfit is amazing and I really am sorry I've not felt good today "

" It's ok. And the dress looks wonderful on you. I wanted to do something special for you so you knew how I felt. I wanted to just show you. We only have a little bit further so you have to put on a blind fold."

"Ok" I laughed.

I leaned forward so he could put the blind on my eyes. He kissed my lips when he was done, and rubbed his thumb over my cheek. The tiny things he did to me made me weak. We went a little further and then we stopped. I had no clue where we were, but I followed Deans lead trusting him completely. I felt my feet land on the ground and he pulled me along with him. Then we stopped.

" ok do you promise to close your eyes if I take the blind fold off? It's very important "

"I promise" I swore

"Ok"

I squeezed my eyes shut and felt him slowly pull the blind fold off. The fading sun hit my face and the breeze blew through my long hair once again. I did as he said and never opened my eyes although my eyes were desperate to find his face. His hands found mine, although they were at a strange angle.

"Ok Harlow, are you ready?"

"I believe so." I told him through my smile

"Open your eyes"