The Ranch

Chapter 14: Forgive and forget

Noah woke up in Emily's arms. He felt safe and cozy. They cuddled for a little while longer before going downstairs for breakfast. Emily went down before him. Noah stayed in his room to wash his face and freshen up a bit. He went looking for Emily in her room to thank her for last night.

Noah walked out of Emily's room just as Liam wanted to walk in. They both looked shocked. "What the hell are you doing in here?" Liam sounded very displeased. "I could ask you the same question." Noah stood in front of Liam stopping him from going inside the room. He looked Noah in the eyes furious.

"Oh so thats how it is. You come here take your pound of flesh and when she's swooning over you, you leave." Noah shoved him into the hallway. "You don't know what the fuck you're talking about so I think it would be best if you just kept your opinion to yourself!" They were inches from each other. "Leave her alone before she doesn't need someone like you right now!"

"Someone like me?!" Noah balled up his fists. "Noah, Liam! The food's getting cold!" Johnny called from downstairs. Liam smiled a fake smile before brushing past his cousin. "A fuckboy." Liam said over his shoulder to Noah before going downstairs.

"I hope you remembered about that party tonight in town." Johnny said as they were nearly finished with breakfast. "I don't think you've told me about it." Noah was confused. "It's just a party to celebrate the season we had." Ellie chipped in. She was very excited about it. "We've been doing it every year since before Liam was born." She smiled at her husband. "Be ready at six."

~~~

Noah was in his room finishing getting ready when he heard a knock on his door. His heart flipped at the idea of it being Emily. He opened the door enthusiastically with a big grin ons his face, only to see his uncle standing there. Johnny raised his eyebrows. "Expecting someone else?" Noah realized he was still smiling and walked away from the door shaking his head. "No I..." Johnny walked into his room, throwing something onto Noah's bed. Noah looked at his uncle still trying to think of something to say. "Break her heart and I'll break your legs."

Noah was surprised to hear his uncle say that. "Love is a great thing and it's sacred. Just jeep it that way." Noah nodded his head in agreement. "Well I brought you some cowboy boots to wear tonight." Noah looked down to his feet seeing his sneakers. "Thank you uncle Johnny but I think I'm okay." Johnny looked at Noah's boots as well. "Believe me son, you'll be better of showing up barefoot than with those things." Johnny laughed and walked out the door.

Emily met Noah in the hallway and she got a hot flush seeing Noah look like a cowboy. "Wow! I like a man in boots." She said walking to him putting her arms around his waist. "I'm glad because these are just for you!" He kissed her smiling.

They arrived in town and every single cowboy and his family were already there. They got out and walked into a big club, blasting country music and the smell of freshly cooked ribs overwhelmed them. Noah has never seen a place like this before. It was another world. Liam passed Noah bumping into his arm. They were still pissed with each other about earlier. Johnny took Ellies hand leading her to the dance floor.
She never got tired of dancing with him.

*FLASHBACK*
Ellie had just graduated school and was on her way back to her parents. She decided to find a place to eat in Nashville.

Upon entering the club she realized this wasn't your ordinary club. It was a typical cowboy saloon. Ellie didn't especially like cowboys or their egos. She decided to stay because of the good food and went to sit at the bar looking at the man behind it.

"Hi I'm Johnny." Ellie felt her cheeks heat up. He was the most gorgeous man she's ever seen but she wasn't about to let him know. "Just a glass of water please." He kept looking at her for a couple of seconds with a big grin on his face. "Did it hurt?" He said to her shooting his shot. "Oh let me guess. When I fell out of heaven right?" Ellie was annoyed. She didn't like guys chatting her up and the minute they saw her.

"I'm sorry love. Didn't mean to upset you." Johnny had a huge smile on his face. "Don't call me love. Bloody hell, who do you think you are. And where's my water?" He laughed and turned around to get her a bottle of water. "Do you wanna dance with me?" He held out his hand to her. "Have you lost your mind? Weren't you just here for this whole conversation? I think I need to speak to your manager!" Ellie was flabbergasted.

"Yeah that would be hard. See I don't work here love." Johnny looked at her intrigued. "Why are you behind there then?" Johnny walked around the counter handing Ellie her water. "Just helping out when it gets to busy." He handed her the water and whispered in her ear. "I'll dance with you later love." She scowled at him.

Ellie finished eating and headed out to her car at the back of the bar. It was a very old car and her parents weren't very rich so she was happy with it. She got in and tried to start it. It didn't want to start. It was really late and dark. She felt a little scared. "Now that's what I call destiny." She heard a voice behind her to find Johnny standing there smirking. Ellie sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Do you need some help?" He walked over to her. "I'm fine." Ellie opened the bonnet of the car not having any idea what she was looking for. Johnny came to stand next to her. "Oh that's what it is." Was all he said not touching the car to fix it. "Well.... what is it?"
Ellie was getting impatient.

"Dance with me and I promise I'll fix it." Johnny held out his hand again. "Seriously, right here? In the middle of the parking lot." Ellie frowned. "Right here, right now. Or do you prefer walking home?" Johnny took her hand and pulled her closer. "I told you I'd dance with you." Ellie had butterflies in her stomach. She loved feeling the touch of his hand against her back.

They looked into each other's eyes and knew this was the beginning of something great.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

Everyone sat eating when Liam noticed Emily and Noah were gone. He looked to his family around the table. "Where's Emily and Noah?" Johnny and Ellie just shrugged. "Probably making out somewhere again." Alex said stuffing his face with ribs. "What?!" Liam looked intensely at his little brother. "Oops." Alex felt guilty.

Noah and Emily walked around the bar to find an old empty barn. They stood next to it. Noah gave her a passionate kiss. He wanted to be with her every second of every day. "I love you." He said holding her close to him. "I love you too." She smiled at him cupping his face. Noah looked sad. "What's wrong?" He looked away from her. "I don't want to leave." Emily rested her head against his. "I know." She whispered.

Noah an arm yank him away from her and all he could see was a fist flying towards his face and a stinging pain as he lost his balance and tumbled to the ground. Liam got on top of him and continued throwing punches to Noah's face. Noah reacted quickly and punched Liam in his ribs but that didn't stop Liams attack. Noah has never seen his cousin like this.

Johnny yanked Liam off Noah holding him and stepping between the two of them. Noah got up with a rage inside of him. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Noah shouted wiping blood off his lip. "Noah! Walk away right now!" Johnny shouted trying to stop the fight from starting again. There was an audience gathering and Noah pushed through them with Emily following.
"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Liams breath was racing. "They are fucking each other and you're just fine with it." Liam gestured at where Noah just was. Johnny was furious. "Get your stuff, we're leaving."

The next morning things weren't as cheery as usual. Johnny went to Liams room to find him packing. "What are you doing?" Johnny stood against the doorway. "It's better if I go back to college." Liam three his stuff into his bag. "Don't leave like this." Liam looked at his dad. "I really loved her."
"I know. But it's time to move on son. Just go talk to him before you leave." Liam nodded at his dad.

Noah laid on his bed feeling his bruised lip when the door opened. Liam came into the room cautiously. He stood there for a couple of seconds before he spoke. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what got into me." Noah sat up in his bed. "I understand. I think I would've done the same thing." Noah got up walking to his cousin giving him a bear hug. "Thanks for taking care of her back then." Liam broke the hug looking at his cousin smirking. "Oh believe me she can take care of herself."