Chapter 19
Dakota
Ever wake up and wonder if you’d been dreaming everything that’d been happening to you? I felt like the past several months have all been a dream, and I’m waiting for someone to tell me that I made it all up.
The snoring figure beside me is the only thing grounding me at the moment as my mind wanders into the past and dares to think about the future. I've been lying here watching him sleep and playing the moments of yesterday through my mind. How did I get lucky enough to have him still be here and still love me after all this time?
“Mmm, what are you overthinking now,” he mumbled as he rolled onto this side and a strong arm wrapped around my middle and pulled me flush against him. The heat from his skin was burning through the soft cotton of my tee.
“Just thinking,” I whispered as doubt began to creep in and take root in the corners of my mind again.
“’Bout what?” He pressed a kiss to the back of my neck.
“Life, us, the future.” I sighed as his embrace tightened.
“Sounds like good stuff. Why so tense?” The hairs on my neck tickled from his breath.
“It’s nothing.” I brushed him off as we settled into silence together. I needed to stop worrying and thinking I didn’t deserve this. I was in a good place, and I needed to let myself enjoy it and stop worrying.
“Hey, Mom?” Jack knocked on the door. “Can I make pancakes?”
“I’ll be right there,” I called. “I gotta supervise this so he doesn’t burn the place down.” I moved out of his embrace and sat on the edge of the bed. When I looked back at him, his hair was mussed from sleep, and his blue eyes sparkled as he stared at me. The sheets had slipped down to his waist exposing his tanned chest, and all I wanted to do was get lost in him. “Don’t look at me like that,” I teased.
“Like what?” His brows bounced as he pushed the sheets lower, almost exposing himself.
“You know what I mean.” I blushed as I swatted at him. “Put a shirt on.”
“Just a shirt?” He snickered.
“Put clothes on,” I stammered. He still flustered me after all this time. “We have a wedding to plan.” I pulled on a pair of shorts and forced myself out of the bedroom.
*****
“I got all the stuff out.” Jack was standing in front of the cabinet where we kept the pots and pans. “I can’t find the griddle pan.” He frowned as he pulled out yet another roll-out shelf. “Did we forget to bring it?”
“Here.” I opened another drawer where I kept the pans we didn’t use as much and found it. “I moved some stuff in here to make room.”
“Sweet.” He bounced as he set it on the stove. “I turned it on medium.” He moved over to the bowl on the counter. “I can do this part on my own.” I watched as he read directions and poured mix into a bowl. He added milk and eggs, and then stirred it. Once the batter was mixed, he moved over to check if the pan was hot enough. “Can I do it myself? I promise I’ll be careful.”
“Go ahead. If you need help, just ask.” I went to make coffee, and let Jack do his thing. He spent the next half hour pouring batter on the griddle and flipping the pancakes all by himself.
“Breakfast is ready!” he announced as he set a plate full of flapjacks on the island. I grabbed some plates and glasses from the cabinet and the orange juice from the fridge. Jack set out syrup and butter and then helped himself.
“Nice job, buddy.” Hank appeared, wearing only a pair of sweatpants. He rounded the island, fixing himself a plate and pretending that he wasn’t trying to get me all hot and bothered. “When’s the bus coming?” He glanced at the clock on the wall.
“I got time.” Jack shrugged as he shoveled a bite in his mouth.
“Not too much.” I laughed. He had about fifteen minutes until the bus would be here, and then he’d be running down to the road.
“It’s fine.” He rolled his eye as he tipped his head back to pour the last little bit of juice into his mouth. “Since I cooked, you get dish duty,” he teased as he wiped his mouth and put his plate in the sink.
“That’s fair.” I nodded as he rushed around to gather his things. He disappeared down the hall for a moment to brush his teeth, and then after a quick hug, was out the door.
“How does he go from zero to sixty so fast?” Hank chuckled as he lazily ate his pancake.
“It’s called being a kid.” I shook my head. I moved so I could watch him out the window as he ran down the driveway to the road. Just when he came to a stop, the bus came around the corner. Once he stepped on, I turned my attention to Hank. “What is all this?” I motioned to his bare chest.
“I’m eating breakfast,” he mumbled around a bite of food.
“You’re naked.” I waved my hand at him.
“No—” he stood up “—I’m wearing pants. This would be naked.” He hooked his thumbs in the waistband and shoved his pants down to his ankles, kicking them to the side. Then he sat back down and continued eating.
I just stood there, mouth hanging open, unsure of what to say or do. “But… what if someone comes in here?” I rushed over and locked the door.
“Jack’s gone to school, the guys have seen me naked, who else do you think I should be hiding from?” One side of his mouth curved up in an amused smile. “I figured you’d like this view.”
“I do, but… I mean… it’s just…” I fisted my hands at my sides. I turned and went over to the sink and started putting dishes in the dishwasher, pretending that I didn’t remember our escapades on the island the day before.
“It’s ok to be turned on.” He had gotten up and was standing behind me. He reached around me and set his plate in the sink. “I think I’m going to take a shower, and then we can start planning. Wanna join?” He brushed up against my back. I leaned into him but told myself I needed to resist the temptation. “It’s always been a fantasy of mine to wash your hair,” he whispered. “Think about it.” He stepped back and headed for my bathroom. I told myself not to look, but my desire betrayed me, and I turned just as he disappeared down the hall.
I rushed to finish the dishes, and when I heard the shower roar to life, I quickly stripped and joined him.
*****
“So what is it you wanted to talk about?” My father was going over inventory in the barn.
“I was hoping that I could use the upper field this weekend.” I smiled. I wasn’t sure how my dad would take this news, but I knew that I couldn’t hide it.
“What do you need the field for? Planting won’t happen until spring.” He was jotting numbers in a notebook. No matter how much I’ve shown him how to take notes on the tablet I bought and then to sync it to the laptop, he still insists on doing things the old way.
“For a wedding?” I nibbled my lip and rocked back on my heels. “Just something small. Only family and friends,” I barreled on. “Hank asked me to marry him.” There, I said it.
“And you want to have the wedding here. In the upper field.” It was more of a statement than a question.
“Yes Daddy, please?” I wanted him to be happy. I wanted him to look at me the way he did when I was little and see the girl who was madly in love with her beau.
“I think that could be arranged under one condition.” His eyes narrowed and he attempted to look stern.
“Yes, Daddy?” I leaned in and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“I get to give you away.” He smiled and kissed my cheek.
“Of course.” I pulled back and released him. We stood for a moment and then he broke the silence.
“Are you happy?”
“Very.” I grinned.
“I feel like you’re in a good place right now. You’ve grown up and you’ve gotten a second chance at love.”
“I do love him.”
“So where is he? Hiding until you tell him it’s ok?” Dad laughed as he started walking to the doors of the barn. He looked in both direction and then turned to me.
“He’s talkin’ to Mama.” I grinned. “He’s gonna sweet talk her into cookin’.”
“I know your mama is gonna say yes. Parties and cookin’ are her two favorite things. I gotta finish all this up, but why don’t you and Jack come to dinner tonight. You can share your news. I’ll invite your sisters, too.”
“Ok. Love you, Daddy.” I waved as I started walking toward the big house. I’m sure my mama was talking Hank’s ear off and already planning things.
“Now, you just leave it to me. I’ll have all of it ready,” Mama called as Hank was coming out the door. She waved at me and Hank’s eyes went wide as if silently asking for help.
“This Saturday. Nothing fancy, but we’re doin’ this on Saturday,” I called.
“Are you crazy!” She rushed down the steps and over to me. “I can’t have everything ready in two days.” She flung her arms out and made a big show of how crazy she thought I was.
“I don’t want a big fancy wedding. I already had that. I just wanna get married with my family and friends here, and then have dinner to celebrate.” I smiled.
She cupped my cheek. “But you need a dress, and flowers, and bridesmaids, and rings…” I stopped her.
“I’ll wear one of the dresses I have, we can use flowers from the fields, and I’m sure my sisters will stand up for me.” I hugged her.
“But it’s your wedding,” she gasped.
“And the important part is standing right here.” I pointed at Hank.
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Her voice dropped.
“It is. I love you, but I don’t want anything fancy.” I kissed her cheek.
“Ok then. Saturday, I can do that,” she muttered to herself.
“Daddy invited us to dinner with the crew tonight. He says he’s calling Lou, Ginny, Gia, and Carrie too, so we can share the news.”
“Perfect!” She clapped. “We’ll do the engagement party tonight.” She spun around and rushed inside. My mom loved a reason to have a party, and I knew no matter how much I requested a small event, this would be anything but that.