Colton
Chapter forty-seven
It’s Saturday, my turn for a date with Sierra.
I wish I could give her the one thing she wants; to see her sister.
But Dad said he still hadn’t received the clearance for that, even though the psychologist doesn’t believe that Sierra harmed Sam in any way.
None of us do. We saw how much they loved each other the day they came to the house.
Sierra worked last night, and I know she does tonight, too. I just need to know what time she wants to meet up.
I’m nervous as hell.
Me: Good morning.
Me: Shit. You’re probably sleeping. I know you worked last night and I don’t even know what time you get done or when you get home.
Me: I’m already fucking this up. All I wanted was to see what time we could meet today. If you don’t want to, I understand.
Sierra: Can you please stop? Yes I’m still asleep, but you keep messaging and my phone keeps going off. Let’s meet at 12. Is that good?
Me: Yes
Sierra: Good, now I’m going back to bed.
Sierra: Tell Sam I love her.
My fucking heart is racing. She didn’t turn me down. Shit! Now I need to think of something to do.
I can’t help the smile that creeps across my face when I remember I have my very own secret weapon.
“Sam, where are you spitfire?” I call, as I walk out of my room and toward her bedroom. “Sam!”
I can hear her giggles before I get to her door. Stepping into her room, I don’t see her, but as I glance down at the floor, I see her sock covered toes sticking out from under the bed.
“Now where is she?” I ask, pretending like I don’t hear her sweet laughter.
“Is she in the closet?” Opening the door, I yell, “Gotcha!” I pretend to look for her, sliding the hangers across the rack, before shutting the door and turning around, scratching my head.
Sam is eating this shit up and I wish I had her imagination. Her belief that I can’t see or hear her because she’s invisible to me.
I keep up the game, going around her room, until there’s nowhere left but the bed. Then I have two choices left. I can keep up the charade and let her think she’s bested me or wrap my hand around her ankle and pull her screaming from underneath the bed.
Then a third option pops into my brain, and I think she’ll like it.
I flop down on her bed as I let out a mournful sigh. “If only Sam was here, she could help me plan the perfect date with Sierra.” I let out another dramatic sigh.
It does exactly what I was hoping. Sam crawls rapidly out from under the bed. “You’re going out with my sister. You’re like, her boyfriend?”
I put my hand over my heart and let out a fake scream, pretending like she scared the bejeezus out of me.
“I’m hoping so. That’s kind of why I need your help. I need to know what to do that will make Sierra really like me. The perfect date.”
She taps her finger on her chin, squinting her eyes. “Let me think.” Her voice is so cute, I just want to squeeze her. Her eyes go wide and she jumps up and down, clapping her hands.
“She works a lot. I mean, a lot, and her feet would always hurt. You could give her a foot massage and paint her toenails. She’d really like that. And she likes those fancy coffees.” Her hands fly through the air as she talks.
“That’s a perfect idea. Do you happen to know her favorite color?” “I sure do. It’s green. We can go pick out some polish. I know everything you’ll need.” She beams from ear to ear. “That’s if you want to?”
“Get your shoes on. You’re gonna help me win the heart of your sister.”
“Yay, we’re going shopping,” she sings as she runs over to the closet and gets her shoes. “Can I go with you when you see Sierra?”
The happiness that once filled my heart quickly disappears.
“I’m sorry, I wish you could, but you can’t. I can tell her anything you want me to.”
“Okay.” I can see the quiver in her lip. It’s killing me. They need to hurry the fuck up or I’m not gonna care. My girl is going to see her sister.
A lightbulb clicks. I can do this. No one would ever know. I just need the right place.
“You know what? I think you and I need to have a picnic. What do you think?”
“A picnic?”
“Yep. Get your stuff. I’m going to clear it with Dad, and I’ll meet you downstairs.”
I leave Sam’s room in search of Dad. John’s laughter drifts up the stairs, followed by Dad’s. Heading down them, I take two at a time, jumping off the third step from the bottom.
“Dad!” I yell.
“No yelling in my house. If you want to talk to me, then you come in here where I am!” he hollers back at me.
“Dad, really, you’re doing the same thing.” I roll my eyes at him when I step into the kitchen. John has his head down, his hand covering his mouth as his shoulders jump up and down.
“Hey, who’s the parent here? Me or you?”
“You. Dad, I was wondering if I could take Sam out today for a little while. I was going to take her shopping for some nail polish and then maybe to the park for a picnic.” Please say yes. I cross my fingers behind my back.
“I don’t see a problem with it. Be careful and have her back by three.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
I pluck the keys from the hook on the wall and call up the stairs for her. She comes flying down them, not even paying attention to where her feet are landing. I’m not sure how she doesn’t trip and fall.
“I’m ready to go, Colt!” she squeals.
We head out the door and I pull my phone out and send a message.
Me: There’s been a slight change of plans.
Me: I’m here
I message her promptly at eleven. She wasn’t happy about losing sleep, but I promised her it would be well worth it.
Sierra: be right down.
It’s about seven minutes later when she steps out of the building. She’s in a pair of cut-off shorts, a form fitting shirt, and her hair is pulled up on top of her head in a messy bun. She has a backpack over her shoulder and sunglasses on her face.
She’s a vision.
I’ve got to be the biggest idiot in the world for not seeing who she truly was from the start.
Opening the door, I get out and hurry over to her. “Hey Sierra, can I take your bag?”
She looks at me hesitantly before handing it over. I take it and slip the strap over my shoulder.
“I’m sorry I woke you, but trust me, it’s going to be worth it,” I tell her with pride. Just thinking about the look on her face has me excited.
“Promises, promises.” She winks and damn if it isn’t hot.
Taking hold of the handle, I open the door for her, allowing her to slide into the passenger seat before I shut it. I hurry around the Jeep and open the rear driver's side door, gently placing her bag on the seat, before getting in the driver's seat.
I can’t stop the nervous energy coursing through my body. Even I’d be annoyed with my fingers tapping manically on the steering wheel.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
“Yep. Let’s get this date started.” I check the rear-view mirror, making sure to take a confirming look over my shoulder as I pull into traffic.
“So, what are we doing? You’re being very secretive about it.”
“All will be known very soon.” I reach over and turn the music up, just a little.
I make my way down the road, heading to the outskirts of town. There’s a hiking trail that gets hardly any traffic and is sure to give us the privacy we need.
Each turn along the highway, I make sure to take with ease, taking careful note not to hit any potholes. Today’s picnic will be one for the record.
We don’t speak, and the silence between the two of us is making me anxious.
“Colton, I want to talk to you about something,” Sierra finally says, reaching forward and turning down the radio.
“I want to tell you something, too. Can we wait until we get to where we’re going? We are almost there. I just don’t want any distractions.”
“Okay.” Her voice falters slightly and I panic.
Please don’t let her be mad.
I take the last turn and pull down the dirt road, parking at the far end of the lot. It’s empty, just like I thought it would be.
Turning off the Jeep, my heart rate skyrockets. I open my door and step out. Sierra does the same and I walk around to her side.
“We’re going for a hike? I’m not complaining, it's beautiful here.”
“Yes, a hike, but we’re here because I need a place where no one could see us.”
She raises her eyebrow at me and takes a step back. “Are you planning to kill me and bury me deep in the woods so no one can find me?”
I burst out laughing.
“No, but I do have a surprise for you. I wanted to get you the perfect gift, so I went to Sam for advice. She gave me an amazing idea. So after our hike, when I take you home, you’ll get it. I think you’ll enjoy it before you go to work.”
“So I have a surprise I’ll like, but I can’t get it until after we do a lot of walking?” she asks in confusion.
I kick at the rock on the ground. It’s now or never.
“Yes. But I have another surprise and we needed somewhere secluded so I could give it to you.” I reach for the handle on the back door and open it, stepping to the side so Sierra can see.
The large blanket I had lying on the floorboard lifts up to show a smiling Sam.
Sierra’s jaw drops and she falls to her knees, sobbing as Sam jumps out of the back of the Jeep and wraps her arms around her.
“Colton, how? Why?” she sobs uncontrollably.
“I was horrible to you and I wanted to give you something that would make you happy. While Sam gave me great ideas, I knew there was only one thing you wanted. To see your sister. Sam and I had a long conversation while we were shopping for lunch and your other surprise. She knows she can’t say a word about seeing you.
So, let’s go have some fun, because I have to have her home by three.
Then, if it’s okay, I’d like to come back and hang out with you and finish our date. ”
Sierra just looks at me, mouthing, “Thank you.”