Ballad of Love (Utah Lovin’ Book 1)

30. Madison

Braydon and I just spent two and a half hours feeding and playing with calves. Ok, well, I played with the calves, and Braydon mostly just watched. but it was incredible. We are back in Braydon”s truck headed to our next event. which he still won”t tell give me hints about.

The sun is starting to set behind the mountains, and it is painting the sky in the most stunning shades of orange and pink. I gave up trying to guess where we are going fifteen minutes ago. Instead, I am just trying to soak up every single moment with Braydon. Zach Bryan is playing through his radio, and we are in our own little world singing back and forth to each other. I can”t believe I let six years go by without having him in my life.

“No more guesses? or did you just tired of me not giving ant hints?”

“No. I am all out of ideas.”

I am almost positive we are going to the drive-in, but I don”t want to guess and ruin his surprise. I would feel terrible. especially since he worked so hard on planning this whole day. A few minutes later we pull into the drive-in.

“Surprise!” Braydon shouts, throwing his hands in the air.

he is so cute when he gets excited.

“What are we going to see this time?”

“Funny enough we are going to see the same movie we did six years ago.”

“They are playing Grease again. Is that like the only movie they play?”

“No. I have only taken you when they are playing Grease.”

We pull up to the window and Braydon pays.

“I”ll go grab snacks while you park,” I tell Braydon, hopping down from his truck.

Memories from that night six years ago flash through my mind. That was the last date that Braydon and I ever went on before I broke up with him. it was one of the best nights of my life. but it was definitely a little bittersweet. I try not to think about all the hurt that came after that night and focus on all the good memories we made that night. and all the good memories that we are going to continue to make.

I pay for our snacks and head back outside to try to find Braydon’s truck. It doesn”t take too long for me to find him since he is the only truck in the whole lot.

“I thought maybe you got lost.”

Braydon smiles at me from the bed of his truck. He jumps up and takes all the stuff out of my hands. Setting it on the blankets, he reaches down his hand and helps me into his truck bed. I cuddle into Braydon and take a drink of Dr. Pepper.

“Are you thinking about that night?”

Braydon”s question shocks me, and I choke on my drink.

“Kind of. Are you?”

“Yeah. I didn”t know if it was a good or bad idea to come back here, but I figured if we make new memories here, then all the bad memories that came after that night won”t be as prominent.”

My vision blurs from unshed tears.

“I really like that idea, Bray.”

I lay my head back on his chest, just as the opening credits start to play on the screen. Halfway through the movie, I feel my eyes start to get heavy with sleep. I feel Braydon kiss the top of my head before I drift off to sleep.

The sound of clapping and car horns startles me awake.

“Shh, it”s ok. The movie ended, Boots. Let’s get you home.”

I feel Braydon stroke my head, and his strong arms pull me close to him. I don”t wake up enough to figure out how Braydon carried me out of the bed of his truck and to his passenger seat without jostling me too much. Leaning my head against the cold glass of the window, I fall back asleep in the warm cab of Braydon’s truck.

I wake up to Braydon carrying me into my house and up to my bed. He gently sets me on my bed and pulls the covers up over me. I am still half asleep, and my vision is a little sleep blurred. I am probably delirious, but Braydon is hands down the most handsome man I have ever seen. Braydon leans down and brushes a quick kiss to my lips.

“I love you so much, Cowboy.”

“I love you more, Boots. Sweet dreams.”

Suddenly I am surrounded in darkness, and I hear the faint click of my door close behind Braydon before I drift back off to sleep.