CH 51 - #makingplans
#makingplans
Madison
“Wake up, cowboy,” I whispered to Luke. I’d been watching him sleeping while thinking about the day we met, all the way through to now.
He smiled and opened his eyes. “How long have you been awake?”
“About twenty minutes. How did you sleep?”
“Peacefully because I’m with you. How did you sleep?”
“Same as you. Would you like some coffee?”
“Yep. Give me a sec, I’ll go with you.” He looked over at Beau in his baby bed. “When does our boy usually wake up?”
“Around eight.”
“And Bella?”
“Same time.”
“She was so sweet about giving up her spot in your bed for me and staying in her twin bed in her playroom.”
“She would do anything for you.”
“Like I would for her, her brother, and her mommy.”
I smiled and kissed Luke, then we both got up, dressed, and walked down the hallway to the kitchen, holding hands.
“When does your mom usually wake up?” he asked as I grabbed us two coffee mugs from the cabinet.
“It used to be five-thirty on the dot every morning. Since my dad’s passing, she’s been sleeping later, which I’m glad she’s doing. She needs the rest, physically and mentally.”
“It appears that she’s kept all the cowhands in line and the ranch going well. I know you’ve helped her too.”
“It’s mostly my mom’s efforts. I told you she’s tough.”
“To say the least.”
Luke and I took our coffees to the front porch and sat in the two rocking chairs side by side with throw blankets around our shoulders.
“I really like that the ranch house faces east. I enjoy watching the sunrise,” I said.
“So do I.”
“I enjoy watching the sunset, too, but doing this right here starts the day off right in my opinion.”
“Oh, I agree with you a hundred percent. Do you ever sit outside like this at your house in Dallas?”
“Yep,” I said, grinning.
“Is your house the one that you and Ty lived in when you were married?”
“It is. After he moved out, I had the interior repainted a different color, donated most of the furniture, dishes, and such, and then bought all new. I didn’t want to see Ty’s chaise lounge or anything that he used. I threw away our old bedding and replaced it with what I liked.”
“Good for you.” Luke pointed at my BMW parked in front of the ranch house. “I sure like seeing that barbed wire halo I made for you back on your rearview mirror.”
“It’s special to me. The note you wrote me is in my glovebox. Hey, I was thinking about something. Do you have a high school yearbook, a football jersey, or any memorabilia like that?”
“It’s in a storage unit.”
“In Amarillo?”
Luke nodded. “It’s a small one. I didn’t want to haul what’s in it to Childress. Besides, there isn’t space for it where I stay at Culberson Ranch.”
“Would you mind getting your high school stuff for me sometime?”
“I wouldn’t mind at all.”
“Looking at you, I’m imagining you in high school as a quarterback.”
“How do you imagine me?” Luke chuckled.
“Fine as hell, just like you are now.”
“Did you do anything in high school other than running track and cross country?”
“I was on the drill team because I love dancing, obviously.”
“I would’ve loved to see you on a football field in your uniform during halftime.
I’ll tell you, when you got on the bar at Midnight Rodeo and danced with the women bartenders, I nearly had a heart attack.
Then you shook that sexy peach-shaped ass of yours in my face.
You don’t even know how badly I wanted to bite it. ”
I burst out laughing. “You kept your poker face intact.”
“It was a hell of a struggle. Where did you get your dance moves?”
“My mom. She was also on the drill team in high school. She loves dancing as much as I do. My dad was so good about obliging that part of her. He used to regularly take her to this one huge dance hall in Dallas called Cowboys Red River.”
“One of these days, we should take her to Midnight Rodeo. I’ll dance her all over that big floor.”
“She would be thrilled!”
“I have a question for you. When would be a good time for my mom and Hayden to meet Beau?”
“Any time. Today, tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Really. Have them stay here if it wouldn’t be weird for them. I know my mom would enjoy getting to know your mom, plus she thinks the world of Hayden, just as she does you. Your brother and I need to make amends anyway.”
“He doesn’t hate you, Madison.”
“I know that. He hates how I hurt you.”
Luke searched my eyes, finally nodding. “If you’re serious about him and my mom meeting Beau, I’ll contact them now.”
“I’m completely serious.”
“Alright.”
“It’ll be full circle if they’re able to come here.”
Luke pulled his cellphone from his jeans pocket and messaged them. Both responded, saying they would be here for the day tomorrow. I was so excited to see Hayden again, but especially to meet Mrs. Harrison.
“I have an idea,” Luke said, setting his coffee cup on the table between our rocking chairs.
“Tell me about it.”
“I want to take Bella and Beau shopping where I took you for your boots and hat.”
“Lasso and Lace.”
“Yep. I’m going to get our kids fixed up.”
“Oh my gosh, they will be so cute dressed all country-like.”
“Then we’re going into town later.”
I heard the front door open and looked toward it. My mom peeked out.
“Good morning,” I said to her.
“Good morning to you two. Beautiful sunrise.” She glanced at it.
“That’s why we’re out here.”
“Did you sleep well, Luke?”
“Yes, ma’am. I don’t know if you’re aware, but the room that Madison is staying in used to be mine when I lived here. It’s like I was back at home.”
My mom smiled. “This is your home. You’re welcome to stay here any time you want.”
“I appreciate it.”
She thumbed over her shoulder. “I’m going back inside. It’s a bit chilly.”
After she closed the door behind her, I looked at Luke. “She would so choose you over me.”
“What can I say?” He winked.
“That we’ll have a repeat tonight of the incredible sex we had last night.”
“You want to go to the hay loft again?”
“Nope. I want us to jump each other’s bones either at your cabin or in your truck. No, I want it to be your truck.”
“Have you ever had sex in a vehicle?”
“Never. Have you?”
“Yep.”
“Several times, huh?”
“A few,” he said, grinning.
“In the truck you have now?”
“Nope. You’ll be the first woman I’m with in it.”
“And the last.”
“You better believe it.”