Wake Me

Chapter Nine

Dani was digging in her backpack for some gum. Her throat was dry and she'd forgotten to pack a water. After finding a stick, she chewed it slowly, allowing the moist, sweet mint refresh her throat. "That was the craziest nightmare I'd ever had. It felt like I'd literally shot and killed Lars. And I don't think I woke up in a fright because I'd killed him. I woke up because, in my nightmare, it was all over."

She sat quietly, wishing she could've had that nightmare again, thinking even that wasn't what had bolted her awake. It felt like something else happened after she'd killed Lars, that's why she'd awaken in a panic. But as many times as she tried remembering, it was as if it had been removed from her recollection.

"Anyway, so there I sat on my bed with Gunner, half naked." She sighed, remembering his muscular chest that was partially hidden behind his laundry. She fought the urge to reach over and feel his muscular bicep; blood veins nearly bursting from his skin on his forearms. The thought of his chiseled, sun-kissed face with his wet, raven black hair loosely slicked back by his fingers caused her to shiver.

"So, what was I saying, oh yeah, Gunner made me promise that I wouldn't kill Lars. I reluctantly agreed before he left my room. Then, when I got up the next morning, Dad and Gunner were already at the kitchen table. I began making breakfast and the conversation they were having when I came down, quickly changed to the days work ahead of them. Just as breakfast was winding down, Dad informed me that Daryl would be driving me into town at eight to get groceries and other odds and ends..."

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"Seriously, dad, I'd prefer to go into town by myself. If you need supplies from the Feed Barn, just give me the list. I'll take care of it."

Dad's face turned solemn, like he'd been counting the seconds before I changed the plans. "Dani, why can't you just do as you're asked?"

My eyes blinked several times, considering what I'd done to upset him already today. "I'm not arguing about going into town. I feel I don't need an escort."

"I'll go into town with her, Peter. I have a few things I need to get." Gunner said, holding his toast in his left hand before taking a bite.

Dad looked at Gunner with a peculiar expression on his face, "I thought you were going to start training Lars today."

Gunner grinned, "I don't think a few hours will corrupt his working career." He uttered after a hard swallow.

"Yeah, good point." And just like that, dad agreed to let Gunner go into town with me.

I sat there looking at them. I may not have been privy to all that was said prior to my appearance this morning, but I could tell they were up to something. It almost sounded like they had rehearsed the potential argument and how to defuse it quickly.

"So, Gunner is going to be my escort...into town?" I confirmed, checking to see if dad had really considered what he'd agreed to; his daughter spending alone time with her infatuation. Or maybe, I was really good at hiding my pure attraction to Gunner, I considered.

"Yep. Now Gunner, my list is hanging up on the fridge next to Dani's grocery list." He stood from the table and took his dirty dishes to the sink. "And Gunner, why don't you help Dani with her chores before you both leave."

Gunner and I sat looking at each other. I'm sure I had shock and confusion plastered across my face. "Yes, sir." He smiled before winking, but then he pursed his lips.

If I knew Gunner at all, that meant something was up.

We quickly went through my chores that couldn't wait until we got back and before I knew it, I was freshening up in my room; spritzing glittery body spray on my neck and gloss on my lips. I'd already put on one of my nicer tops; a white gauzy see-through top with a canary yellow cami underneath. Then, I'd put on the only pair of designer jeans I owned that have rips and tears in them. Dad threw a huge fit about buying jeans that looked as though they'd gotten attacked by the weed-whacker while hanging on the clothesline, so I bought them.