CH 28 - #differentcloth
#differentcloth
Madison
“I’m going to run over to the bunkhouse to check on Hayden again before we head out,” I told Meredith.
“I’ll go with you this time.”
As she and I passed by the living room, I told our parents what we were about to do.
“Hang on just a sec,” our mom said, getting up from the couch and hurrying to the kitchen, quickly returning. “Give some more of these electrolyte packets to Hayden. Even though he is feeling better, he’s still not a hundred percent. These will help him get there.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She smiled, then rejoined my dad and Bella in the living room to watch Toy Story for the umpteenth time.
“Guess why Bella loves watching that movie so much now,” I said to Meredith as we walked toward the bunkhouse.
“That’s easy. Woody reminds her of Luke.”
“Bingo. She loves him, and he loves her. I hope you get to see them together tomorrow. If you do, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. The affection between them melts my heart. Luke is so good with her.”
“We both know who isn’t. Speaking of the idiot, have you still not heard anything from him since Luke ran him off the ranch?”
“Not a peep, but I know I will after he receives the modification papers for his visitation with Bella from my attorney. He’ll act pissed off only to put on a good show for his parents.”
“Do you think he’ll sign the papers or take the matter to court?”
“It’s a toss-up. If he opposes my request, I’m ready to face him in front of a judge.”
“Back to Luke…”
“What about him?”
“He and Bella love each other, but what about you and him? Have y’all taken that plunge and said those three little words yet?
I ask because, going by all you’ve shared with me about you and him, I’ve gotten the strong impression that you two aren’t only smitten with each other, but big-time in love. ”
I smiled. “I was waiting to tell you that he did tell me that he was in love with me the other day.”
“What did you say?”
“That I was in love with him, too. I know others would probably think this is nothing but infatuation between Luke and me since we’ve known each other for such a short time. It isn’t infatuation, though.”
“I believe you. You’re floating a foot off the ground, yet you’re more grounded than I’ve ever seen you. Do Mom and Dad know that you and Luke said, ‘I love you?’”
“Nope. I’ll tell them after a little more time has gone by.”
“Are you concerned that they’ll think it’s an infatuation between you and Luke?”
I shook my head. “I’m concerned they’re going to ask me to move here with Bella and let things naturally progress between my cowboy and me.”
“I’ve gotten the impression that you want to move here for that very reason.”
“I do, but uprooting is never simple.”
“But it’s worth it if your heart is truly telling you that Luke is the one for you.”
“It is,” I said, looking straight at Meredith.
“What a whirlwind romance. As you know, mine also was with Tanner.”
“He still romances you, lucky you.”
“He sure does.”
When my sister and I reached the bunkhouse, I knocked on the door and cracked it open, peeking around it. “Oh, you startled me, Justin!” I said, jumping.
He opened the door the rest of the way. “Hey, Madison. Come here to see how the patient is doing again?”
“Yep. This is my sister, Meredith.” I glanced at her.
Justin extended his hand toward her. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
“Beauty runs in your family.”
“Well, thank you,” she chuckled.
“I’m about to head out to the pasture,” he said, turning to me.
“Have a good rest of your day.”
“Thanks. Same to you and your sister.”
He looked back and forth between us, then he left the bunkhouse. As soon as he closed the door behind him, Meredith grabbed my forearm.
“Holy shit!” she quietly said.
“I know, Justin is really good-looking.”
“I love his black hair, but his blue eyes take your breath away.”
“They’re Paul Walker-blue, God rest his beautiful soul.”
“I’ve never seen any other man with eyes like that until Justin.”
“Neither have I.”
“I’m telling you, cowboys are cut from a different cloth.”
“Well aware. Let’s go see how Hayden is doing.”
We walked to the far left side of the bunkhouse. Hayden was sitting on the edge of his bed, sipping a glass of orange juice.
“Hi,” I said, smiling at him.
“You don’t have to keep checking on me, Madison.”
“I know, but I wanted to. You don’t mess around with a stomach virus or whatever you had.”
He looked at Meredith. “You have got to be Madison’s sister. Your green eyes are just like hers.”
“I am her sister.” She reached out her hand to shake Hayden’s.
“Meredith, right?”
“You got it.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too, Hayden. It’s a bummer you got so sick.”
“It has been. I still can’t figure out what caused it, but I am feeling better.”
“Our mom wanted me to give these to you,” I said, handing him the electrolyte packets.
“Appreciate it.”
“Keep adding them to your water. If you don’t stay hydrated, it’ll set you back.”
“I can’t have that happening. I’ve got work to do.”
“It can wait a little longer. I’m sure the other cowhands have picked up the slack.”
“Especially Justin.”
“Did he come from another ranch?”
“Yep, in Llano.”
“You guys just move around.”
“Except for me. I’m staying here until your mom and dad decide they don’t need my help anymore.”
“I don’t see that ever happening.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Can I get you anything else? Chicken noodle soup or a grilled cheese sandwich? It wouldn’t take me long to get you fixed up.”
“Thanks, Madison, but I’m just going to keep sipping this glass of orange juice,” he said, holding it up.
“And water with electrolytes.”
He smiled a tired smile, nodding. “Yes, ma’am.”
“My sister and I will let you be.”
He looked at her again. “Please don’t take offense, but are you married?”
She held up her ring finger. “Happily.”
“Just making sure. Sometimes, women wear a wedding ring as a deterrent for interested men.”
Meredith cut her eyes at me with an amused look on her face, then focused on Hayden again. “I hope you feel better.”
“I already do. I’ve got two gorgeous sisters standing in front of me.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Hayden said whatever came to his mind.
“We’ll talk to you later,” I told him.
“Thanks for stopping by.”
“You’re welcome.”
When Meredith and I were back outside, she giggled, shaking her head. “Hayden is a funny guy.”
“I know. He has no filter.”
“You’re pretty much like that, too.”
“What can I say?”
* * *
“You look like a country boy’s dream,” I told my sister.
We’d already gone shopping for a pair of boots and a hat for her and had just finished getting dressed to go to Midnight Rodeo. She had picked out a hat identical to mine, but her boots were made of black leather.
“Snap a quick pic of me so I can send it to Tanner. He won’t believe it,” she said.
I held up my cellphone, then showed Meredith what I’d captured. “What do you think?”
“Wow, I look so different.”
“But you look great! Ready to do this?”
“I am. This is going to be fun tonight.”
“Without question.”
Just then, my cellphone chimed.
Luke: Having fun with Meredith?
Me: Yep. How are you doing?
Luke: I’m alright. My mom has really struggled today about my dad. She’s talked a lot about him and has cried.
Me: I’m so sorry.
Luke: Me too. I wish I could make everything better for her, but I can’t.
Me: Only time will. We all grieve in different ways and on different timelines.
Luke: Enough about that. Are you and your sister doing anything this evening?
Me: We are about to go to Midnight Rodeo.
Luke: Why?
Me: To have some sister time. Back in Dallas, we went out to different places once a month.
Luke: Were dance halls some of them?
Me: Dance clubs were. We always tore up the floor together, but not to country music. Pop rock.
Luke: Just be careful.
Me: You too when you head back to Amarillo later. Any idea when that will be?
Luke: In the next few hours.
Me: How are your aunt and her husband?
Luke: They’re great.
Me: I’m glad your mom has them to lean on.
Luke: So am I.
Me: Don’t forget to let me know when you get back to the ranch.
Luke: I won’t. I love and miss you.
Me: Ditto, cowboy.