Chapter 14
Saturday morning I wake to the sound of my alarm. Thankfully we have a later arrival time for today and I was able to sleep in a little this morning, but I still have a few things to do before we leave again.
Mom and Gran aren’t in the kitchen and I can only assume they are at the barn. I look out the window and see that Barrick is already here so I throw on some clothes, slide on my galoshes and pour Barrick a cup of sweet tea before making my way toward the barn.
As I get ready to open the barn door, Mom and Gran walk out.
“Good gracious, girl. I didn’t think we’d see you out here this morning,” Gran says as she places her hand over her heart and I giggle.
“Well, the work’s not going to get done if I’m sleeping,” I say with a wink. They head to the house and I go in to check on Daisy and Barrick.
Barrick is milking a set of cows so he doesn’t see me when I walk in. He’s in his own little world so I decide to watch him for a moment. Taking a step toward the milking station, I catch his eye.
“Mornin’ beautiful,” he says with a smile as he continues to work.
“Morning,” I chirp while taking a seat on the stool near him. “Thought you might be thirsty,” I say as I set the tea on a shelf.
“Thanks,” he says as he finishes up. When I help him take the cows to the field, I see Daisy is in a stall at the end of the barn.
“What is she doing in here?” I ask.
“Just keeping an eye on her this morning. Got to check her after a while.”
I shiver. “Can that wait until I leave?”
“Of course,” he says as he goes to get his tea. As he lifts the glass and takes a big gulp, I can’t help but stare. He’s hot. When he lowers the glass from his lips, he looks up and catches me staring.
“You want some?” he asks with a grin.
“Nah, I’m going to go check on Daisy,” I say with a smirk as I walk away. I tell Daisy how great we did yesterday as she looks at me intently and takes it all in. I let her know I won’t see her again until tomorrow, but Barrick will be here. “No worries, I’ve got her,” he says as he stands beside me.
We stand with Daisy a few minutes and then Barrick gets quiet. I look at him. “What’s up?” I ask.
“So yesterday, I had this thought and I wasn’t sure of the answer.”
“Okaaaay?”
“I was so proud of you and Jade. I mean, who wouldn’t have been?”
“Thanks, Barrick but what is your question? Just spit it out.”
“What are we?”
“What do you want us to be?” I banter back to him with my hand on my hip.
“Cadence, will you be my girlfriend?” he blurts out sweetly and his cheeks flush pink.
“Why Barrick Carpenter, I’d be honored,” I say as I hug him and kiss him gently as Daisy moos in approval.
We both break apart and laugh at her gesture. Who would have thought I’d enjoy sharing this moment with a freaking cow?
Barrick
After Cadence, Ms. Mae, and Regina leave for Showstopper’s, I text Jade to wish her good luck and then spend the rest of the morning working on the farm. I’m counting down the hours until they are home. I can’t wait to see my girl and hear how they did. My girl, I like the sound of that. They don’t have to compete tomorrow so I hope they are home in time to go to The Loft. I think they both could use a night off.
After lunch, I take a break and text Cadence to see how their groups performed, but I don’t hear anything. I text my mom and she replies within minutes that they are doing great, and hopes that they will be home by ten.
When I have nothing left to do at the farm, I head home, shower, and decide to ride to Aaron’s.
“Hey! What you up to?” I ask as I see him walking toward his truck.
“I was ‘bout to go fishin’. Wanna go?” he asks.
“Heck yeah,” I say as I take a seat in his truck and we make our way to the pond.
We stop at the gas station for a carton of worms, something to drink, and a grilled cheese from the grill.
When we get to the pond, we take our things and set up on the bank. Within a few minutes we have a bite or two, but no takers. We sit quietly and enjoy the peacefulness around us. Suddenly, my phone starts to chirp. It’s a text from Cadence.
Cadence: Hey boyfriend! Hip hop killed it! Double platinum!
I shake my head as I envision Cadence’s body moving to that music because I know what that routine entails, and I don’t know if I could handle it.
Me: Awesome! What about large group?
Cadence: That’s not until later tonight & they’re behind schedule. What you doing?
Me: Fishing with Aaron
Cadence: I’ve never been fishing.
Me: We’re going to have to fix that. Now go knock ‘em dead!
I put my phone in my pocket and Aaron gives me a goofy look.
“What?”
“You got it bad,” he says, shaking his head.
“And you don’t?”
“Good point,” he admits.
“So you want to go to The Loft tonight?”
“Sure. I have a feeling they’re going to be late tonight,” he says as he casts his line back into the water.
Aaron and I don’t catch a dang thing so we head back to his house for dinner. We clean up and then make a frozen pizza before leaving for The Loft.
The parking lot is already packed when we pull in. I send Cadence a quick text to let her know what’s going on and wish her luck one more time.
“Put that dang thing away,” Aaron says. “I’ve never seen you so attached to that thing.”
“Shut up!” I say as we walk in, but he’s telling the truth. I couldn’t have cared less if I had a phone before, but now I catch myself checking my texts and her Twitter and Instagram accounts for updates.
Aaron and I see an open pool table and hit it up. Within another twenty minutes a few other guys arrive and hang out with us as the girls start to wander over. I don’t give them the time of day, but one can’t take the hint. Aaron, on the other hand, talks to everyone, and I’m keeping my eyes on him. He better not do anything to hurt my sister. When one starts to get a little too close to him, he takes a step back. Good boy. He looks my way and politely tells her he’s not single and introduces her to Kyle.
“Dang, those girls can’t take a hint, can they?” he questions as he hits the last striped ball into the pocket.
“Nope. I think once they know you’re taken they try harder.”
“It seems that way for sure,” he says as we reset the table for the next group and then make our way to his truck.
It’s almost eleven when we get back to his house and I haven’t heard from anyone. I hop in my truck and head home. Once I throw on some athletic shorts and a t-shirt, I call Mom and she lets me know they are on the way home. Then I text Cadence to let her know I can’t wait to hear all about the competition and to call me when she gets home.
I sit and watch the latest episode of Driven TV while I wait for them and yell that I’m in the living room when I hear the door open.
A set of hands covers my eyes and I hear, “Guess who?” whispered in my ear. Cadence.
“Mom?” I say.
“Really?” she says, removing her hands and looking around at me like I’m crazy.
“Nah, I knew it was you,” I say as I grab her and pull her over the couch as she begins to giggle uncontrollably.
“Okay, you two,” Jade says, taking a seat across from us.
I give Jade a dirty look and then look at Cadence. “So how did you get to come over?” I question, realizing this is the first time she’s ever stepped foot in my house.
“I told Gran and Mom I wanted to let you know how we did,” she says.
“Well…”
“Let’s just say four double platinums and a crystal make for a great weekend.”
“Awesome, so y’all are for sure going to nationals.” She nods her head and I’m so proud of both of them as I give Cadence a hug and then stand to do the same to Jade. I can tell this season is going to be amazing for both of them.
Cadence, Jade, and I talk for a few more minutes and then I take her home. I’m so glad my girlfriend came to tell me in person; it made my night.