To Not Let Go

Chapter Twenty Four

          "Alright y'all, I'm heading out." Renne announced to the corral of men and horses at Swayde's house the next day. She leaned against the fence, watching the men as they maneuvered the stubborn horses into the chute, preparing them for vaccinations and de-worming medicines. Behind her, she left her truck idling, the air conditioning left on full blast was waiting for her upon her return.

       Swayde walked over to meet Renne at the fence, giving her a kiss before wiping sweat from his forehead. This had to be the hottest summer ever in record history.

        "Unless you need me to stay here and help y'all?" Renne looked behind her boyfriend at the men fighting for the horses to cooperate. There was a hint of joking in her voice.

        Swayde followed Renne's gaze before looking back to her, giving a sharp breath and a look that said he wished to be anywhere but here. "We will be good. The heat just makes everyone fussy, even the horses. Thanks though."

       "You're welcome." Renne cringed slightly, watching the men struggling with the horses behind Swayde. The normally gentle, broke ranch horses were acting crazier than a bucking bronc at the rodeo. At the same moment that Renne looked back, one of the horses looked to be almost dancing with Kyle as he tried stopping the horse from slipping past him. The horse, ironically named Bronco, was staying low to the ground, zigzagging back and forth, almost like a cutting horse. As Kyle bent with him, waving his arms, Bronco stood tall, finding an extra inch of space to lope past Kyle.

       "Dad gum horse." Kyle took off his cowboy hat, slapping it against his leg, freeing it of dirt. Slamming it back on his head, he angrily stomped to the other side of the corral that Bronco had comfortably situated himself in.

       "Well, I think that is my cue. Be safe. Tell Marjorie hi." Swayde said as he backed away from the fence to aid his buddy in trying to wrangle the heat-crazed horse.

       Renne grinned, turning and waving at Swayde. Hopping back into her running truck, she was thankful for the cool, strong breeze that greeted her from her truck's air conditioning. Starting her truck towards Marjorie's, Renne turned her radio on to play some country music. Singing along to the songs, Renne took a moment to thank God for the beauty of today, despite the scorching heat.

       As Renne pulled into her and Marjorie's usual meeting place, she wasn't surprised to see that the parking lot was packed full. A long line was formed at each of the three windows, but Renne knew that people were not indulging in the delicious hot food that the ice cream shop sold. No, no today's sales would solely be on cold treats, Renne was sure of it.

      Slowly driving through the parking lot, Renne scanned all of the cars, looking for Marjorie's. After not seeing her silver Ford Escape, Renne backed her truck into an open parking spot on the far end of the lot. Grabbing her phone, she scrolled through Facebook, enjoying the coolness of the air conditioning for as long as possible. After all, she was ten minutes early to their get together, so she would give it at least 15 minutes before calling Marjorie to see where she was.

          Exactly at the time that they were supposed to meet, Marjorie's car pulled into the parking lot, parking in a newly opened spot three spaces down from Renne's truck. Smiling when she saw her good friend exiting her vehicle, Renne shut off her truck, unbuckling her seat belt.

        When she opened her truck door, Renne was greeted with a hot blast of air. She was now wishing that she had worn more summery clothes instead of the gray t-shirt and jeans that she sported. Stepping out of her truck, the hot, sticky summer air immediately drew sweat to Renne's brow, plastering her hair to her face. Reaching back in the cab, Renne grabbed a ball cap from the dash, pulling her long pony tail through the hole in the back. Locking her truck, Renne jogged to where Marjorie was shielding her eyes from the sun, scanning the lot for her friend.