Chapter Sixteen
The first ten minutes of the drive were completely silent.
Almost–if it weren’t for the roar of the ancient red truck and Colton shifting the rusty gears every once in a while.
The truck was just what I had expected from someone who lived on a ranch. It was dusty, had worn saddle blanket seat covers, and smelled like a dying air freshener. Two boxes of peppermint gum sat on the middle console, along with scattered wrappers.
Colton got behind the wheel, not meeting my gaze, and merged onto the interstate. The urban sprawl of the beautiful Oklahoma City began fading into rolling hills of rust-colored earth. After a few quiet minutes, Colton took off his surprisingly clean hat and set it on the dashboard.
“That’s not botherin’ you, is it?” He asked suddenly, shooting me a quick look.
I was gripping my briefcase with white-knuckled hands. “Oh, no, not at all.”
He leaned back, popping a piece of his gum in his mouth. “Do you want some?” He asked, offering the box.
I looked at it. “I’m fine, thank you.” I couldn’t help but stare at his sharp jaw as he chewed his gum. He was clean-shaven, his skin begging me to feel the softness.
He set it back down, and it felt like you could pop the awkwardness with a pin. “So…ya know, I don’t actually know that much about you. Where are you from?”
I stared at the horizon; the intense flatness was surprising after the endless Utah mountains. “I work in Chicago, have been there for a long time, but I am originally from Texas.” I stole a glance in his direction and, to my surprise, he was looking right back at me, and smiling.
“That’s good news,” he said with a chuckle.
“It is?”
He popped his gum. “That means Jimmy owes me five bucks.”
“Why’s that?”
“He bet that you were originally from the city, but I knew there was country deep in your roots.”
My heart fluttered, and I had to fake a laugh to loosen my tight lungs. “You know me so well, don’t you?”
His eyebrows raised in concern. “I hope we didn’t offend you.”
“No, of course not, I live in Chicago,” I laughed. “I am just curious why you know I’m a…” The words felt thick on my tongue, but I let them out anyway, “…a country girl.”
“You’ve got the heart,” he said casually, unaware that he was making my knees quiver. “No city girl is as nice as you.”
I looked out the window to hide the heat rushing to my cheeks.
“Then you obviously haven’t met my mother,” I joked, pushing the topic off of myself.
The briefcase on my toes brought me back to why I was here, what I was here to do.
“So, I’ve been noticing this…thing you do after your rides.
You kind of tap your head and point to the crowd.
Can you tell me a little bit more about that? ”
Colton itched the back of his neck, reddening at being the subject of our conversation.
“Ah, yeah, my Gramps calls it the ‘Nash Tap.’ He was the All-Around Cowboy a few years in a row, a big deal in the rodeo world. He started it. Said if you’re lucky enough to stay on top of thousand pounds of bad attitude for eight seconds, you owe it to the folks in the stands to let ‘em know you’re still breathin’. ”
I smiled at the legacy being carried on for generations. They had no idea the subtle impacts he was making in the rodeo world. “People go crazy for it.”
He shrugged. “It’s not really about how they feel,” he said as he pulled off the exit, turning onto a two-lane road cutting through endless pastures.
“It’s a salute. You salute with two fingers, one for the horse, thanking them for the ride, one for the man upstairs, thanking Him for the breath we breathe and the passion.
Then you throw it to the people who make it all worth it. ”
Genuine
That’s what Mr. Sterling….Craig had challenged me to find, and I had found a gold mine. Colton Nash didn’t care about what the crowds thought; he was a part of the rodeo because he truly loved it.
The town of Guthrie, Oklahoma looked like it came straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Main Street was surrounded by 20th-century commercial architecture, simple and stunning.
“I like that. I would love to meet your grandfather. Does he live around your family?”
Colton shook his head. “Uh, no, he passed away about eight months ago.” The way he said it made it clear he was still hurting from the loss.
His hand was resting on the middle console, begging me to grab. “Oh, Colton, I’m sorry.”
His eyes drifted toward me. “Me too. He was in a lot of pain, so I’m glad he’s at peace now.” He straightened his back, shaking off the sore subject. “So, is your mom still in Texas?”
“Yeah, same house I graduated high school in,” I said dryly.
“What part of Texas?”
I was worried he was going to ask that. “Amarillo.”
He seemed excited about my answer. “Ah, Amarillo By Morning, you probably know every word, right?”
I laughed. “Played over the town speakers every day!”
“Really?”
“Not quite, but we got a lot of tourists thanks to Mr. Strait.”
He laughed. “Mr. Strait plays over our speakers almost daily. You’ll fit in just fine with us.” He gave me an excited look. “Hey, we’ve got a rodeo in Amarillo coming up soon, right? Are you going to stay with your mom?”
“Uh…”
The truck turned off the asphalt, the tires crunching onto a long, manicured gravel drive that seemed to stretch toward the horizon. On either side, white pipe fencing carved the emerald pastures into perfect sections, where horses grazed with a stillness that felt like a painting.
Then I saw the house.
It was a sprawling Victorian farmhouse that commanded the landscape, but it wasn’t the weathered, peeling relic I had pictured.
It was breathtakingly white, accented by a deep charcoal roof and a wraparound porch that would be perfect to watch the Oklahoma sunsets on.
Huge, black-paned windows caught the afternoon sun, giving the vintage structure a sharp, modern edge.
It looked like something out of a high-end architectural magazine that had been dropped into the heart of the prairie.
Massive oak trees, likely a century old, draped their heavy limbs over the lawn, providing pockets of deep shade against the heat.
“Oh my goodness,” I muttered. “This is…this is so beautiful.” I was truly at a loss for words.
Colton parked the truck in the driveway, eyeing the property with me. “It really is.” He shut the engine off and smiled at me, sliding his hat back on his messy hair. “You ready for the madness?”
I chuckled. “I’m ready.”
“You’re definitely not.” He hopped out of the truck and jogged to my side, pulling the door handle hard to let me out. “The door’s a little sticky,” he apologized. His hand was hovering in front of me, waiting for me to grab it.
I stared at it a little too long, noticing his slight quiver, and hesitatingly put my palm in his. It was like an electric shock. My eyes jumped to his.
He stared back at me. His soft eyes were swimming in mine, and his lips upturned in a small smile. “Ally, if we get a chance, I’d love to-”
“My stars almighty, Colt, could you have taken longer?” Alan was calling from the porch. “We’re starvin’!”
He helped me down from the truck, his calloused hand swallowing mine. I watched with a hint of sadness as he slowly slid out of my grasp. “Yeah, yeah!” He called back. He grabbed my bag from the backseat. “We’re comin’!”
“Alan,” a feminine voice scolded behind a screen door. “Will you give them a second to breathe?”
I wiped my sweaty hands on my pants and followed Colton up the steps into the farmhouse. My corporate Allegra shield was beginning to feel like a flimsy piece of cardboard.
Colton swung the screen door open for me, smiling and slightly nodding as he did. I smiled back at him before being slapped in the face with an incredible smell.
Roast beef, garlic, and something sweet, like a cobbler. Warmth overcame me, but I wasn’t hot; I knew this was the feeling of home.
A home that was lived in, loved in, and currently occupied by over a dozen people.
Kids were screaming and running around the halls, knocking over any furniture that was left standing. I felt Colton’s presence behind me as the screen door slammed shut. I slid out of his way and gestured for him to lead.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you about the madness,” he whispered as he led the way.
I laughed to myself.
He set my suitcase beside the door and slipped off his cowboy boots.
I glanced down at the thirteen different pairs, all scattered, and wondered how anyone was going to find their own shoes.
I carefully took off my own sandals and set them beside the boots, feeling vulnerable in my bare feet.
There was a coat hook, each spot taken by different cowboy hats and a few worn jackets.
Colton was wearing mismatched socks, one red with a big hole in the toe and one a surprisingly bright pink. He itched the back of his right leg with his left foot and started walking.
As we walked through the living room, I noticed a cursive homemade sign hanging over the floral wallpaper.
May all who enter here as guests leave as family.
My heart leapt to my throat.
A kid practically launched himself at Colton, who, with quick reflexes, caught the boy and laughed. “Easy there!”
I tore my attention away from the dozens of pictures that hung on the walls.
“Will you play with us?” He screamed with a lisp.
“We’re gonna eat supper right now. I’ll play with you after we eat!” He promised, setting the kid back down.
The kid groaned his way back to the kitchen.
Colton led me through the big living room into the kitchen. “Smells good, Mamma. What we eatin’?” He put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her cheek.
I smiled at the casualness of his affection.
My gosh, that kitchen was gorgeous. Thick wood countertops with creamy green cabinets, a sink as deep as a bathtub, and a huge oak dining table with different colored chairs.
The appliances were all vintage, adding to the rustic charm.
Even the gingham wallpaper, though faded and outdated, looked perfect.
The trim next to the pantry door was scribbled with marks,
Jimmy age 9
Colton age 7
Alan age 5
Dean age 5
I smiled at the little marks, thinking about what it was like raising boys so close in age.
“Well, there she is!”
I tore my attention away from the height board. Dennis was walking toward me with wide-open arms.
“How was the flight, kiddo?”
I tried not to look blindsided as I gave him an awkward hug. “Oh, it was, uh, it was good!”
“Good!” He released me from the hug, but kept his hand on my shoulder. “If you ever get tired of all those planes, we would be happy to drive you around the country!”
I opened my mouth to reply, but a loud voice interrupted me.
“Allegra! We are so glad you’re here!” Jo was by the stove, wiping her hands on an apron with little embroidered flowers.
The daughters and future daughter-in-law were bustling around her, helping carry dishes to the table and adding food to plates. They all stopped and waved as attention was called to me.
I smiled back, shyly.
“Take a seat. Supper is just about ready!”
Dennis started chasing the kids down the hall, making them squeal in delight.
Jo kissed the back of Colton’s head. “Will you go get the boys? They’re out back.”
Colton nodded and wandered out the squeaky back door.
I felt so awkward I could die. The table was empty; there was no way I was going to sit while everyone else had a job. I felt my Southern manners creep their way back into my system. “What can I help with?” I asked, willing myself to take a step into the kitchen.
“Absolutely not!” Jo ordered. “This supper is in your honor. Please, take a seat.”
I obediently took a seat at the lonely table and watched the women work in harmony. They spun around each other, making the final touches to the food before bringing it to the table.
Eventually, the boys and the kids were corralled back to the kitchen and took their own seats.
Jo sat at one end of the table and Dennis at the other. The kids had their own plastic folding table, boys sat by their respective women, which left a single open spot beside me for Colton.
He smiled and winked before sitting down, as if we were in on a joke.
Dennis tapped his knife on his glass, silencing the room. “If y’all haven’t met Allegra yet, please do. I promise your life will be better with her in it.”
Oh my gosh. My cheeks had never been so hot in my life.
Dennis looked right at me, a wide smile on his face. “Allegra, we are so glad you’re here. Thank you for comin’.”
I shifted in my seat. “Well, thank you for letting me come, all of you.”
“Jimmy, will you say our prayer so we can dig in?” Jo asked.
Jimmy nodded and reached his hands out.
I felt a nudge on my left and saw Colton holding his hand out. Suddenly, I realized everyone was holding hands with the people around them. I took his hand, feeling that electric spark all over again. Jo took my other hand in her warm palm and gave it a tight squeeze.
I was grateful everyone’s eyes were closed, because as soon as I bowed my head, I started to cry.