Chapter 15
I’ve watched Cadence for the past three weeks and I’m amazed at how she can keep going. It’s obvious she’s exhausted from working on the farm, school, and dance, but it’s almost as if she’s accustomed to it.
She’s impressed me with how much she’s taken over Daisy’s care. She’s not doing the internal exams, but she watches Daisy and informs me if she notices changes in her demeanor. She also wants to know more about each stage and her ability to take care of Daisy is amazing. I’ve watched their interactions and I know she was right when she said Daisy gets her. It’s almost as if she listens to everything Cadence tells her. I have to be honest, I’ve caught myself listening to their conversations and it’s obvious she has a major bond with Daisy and her soon-to-be-born calf.
I go into town on Thursday for Ms. Mae and take care of some business for her. Then I make a special stop at the mall. I am on a mission. Cadence’s birthday is this Saturday, and I’m almost positive she thinks everyone has forgotten. It has been fun acting as if there’s nothing special about this weekend with her. She keeps dropping hints about the weekend, but I keep playing them off. I want to surprise her with what I have planned. I know exactly what I’m going to buy her but I’m not sure how she’s going to take it. I want Saturday to be perfect and I’ve enlisted help from Ms. Mae, Regina, and Jade. I think we are going to make this an epic eighteenth birthday for her.
Cadence
It’s my birthday eve and after a late practice, I get the best birthday present ever from Ms. Lyndsay. No practice on Saturday! I am so excited that I can just enjoy the day.
Jade drives me home from the studio and when I walk in the house, all the lights are on but Mom and Gran are nowhere to be found. I drop my bag off in my room and grab fresh fruit from the refrigerator. I wonder where they might be? Glancing out the window, I see that Barrick’s truck isn’t at the barn either. I send him a text letting him know that I’m home from practice and that I am going to check on my favorite cow.
While I’m checking on Daisy, I get a text from Barrick asking what I’m going to do the rest of the night. I quickly reply that I hope I’m spending time with him. He tells me he’ll be over soon, so I talk with Daisy for a few more minutes before I take a quick shower.
As I’m toweling off my hair, I hear a knock at the door. I hurry to the front door in my lounge clothes and see Barrick standing in the doorway, handsome as ever. He greets me with a smile and I hurry back to my room to get ready. Wonder what we’re going to do.
“Hey Barrick, what are we doing?” I yell from my room.
“Whatever you want to do is fine by me,” he replies. I slide on a pair of skinny jeans with a cute tank and ankle boots. The weather, this time of year, still has a little chill in the air at night. I toss my hair into a messy bun, then apply my makeup and add accessories before making my way back to the living room.
I find him on the couch scanning the channels, but when he sees me, he quickly hits the power button, stands, and walks toward me. We wrap our arms around each other and it feels oh so good.
Barrick
Holding Cadence in my arms makes time stand still. I look down at her and see how perfect she is right now and I don’t want this moment to end. I may have just lost my man card in admitting that but I really don’t care. I just can’t get enough of her. I gently kiss her forehead, and then look her in the eyes.
“So what’s the plan?” I ask her.
“I don’t care as long as I get to spend time with you,” she says with a smile.
“There’s a bonfire at Aaron’s tonight if you’re up for it or we can hang around here.”
“Bonfire? Are they going to dance around it too? Oh no, not more country music?” She laughs when she sees the expression on my face. “Dear Lord! I’m right, aren’t I?” I smile and kiss her lips.
“So you wanna check it out?”
“Might as well,” she says as I weave my hands through hers and we make our way to Aaron’s.
There are trucks and four-wheel drive vehicles everywhere when we pull up to Aaron’s. I’m pretty sure every teenager in Delight is here. I look at Cadence and her face is priceless.
“Where did all these people come from?” she questions.
“Use the word bonfire and people come out of the woodwork. Let’s just say we know how to get down on the farm,” I say before I walk around to help her from the truck.
We walk down the gravel road toward the back of the barn. As we round the corner, the flames come into view and it’s breathtaking. There is something so peaceful about a fire and how it continues to burn, but that soon changes when I hear Aaron holler from a distance.
Jade greets us and steals Cadence away for a few minutes. Aaron and I talk while I watch Cadence make her rounds with Jade. She doesn’t say much, and as someone offers her a glass jar full of liquid, I’m curious if she’ll take it. I’m shocked when she doesn’t, but talks for a few more minutes and then moves on.
Aaron and I stand around and when I can’t stand to watch Cadence from a distance any longer, I excuse myself and make my way to her. She smiles and her face glows from the light of the fire.
As the radio from the barn begins to play a slow song, I take her in my arms and dance like we’re at The Loft. When the song ends, I place my forehead on hers as she smiles.
“I think I could get used to this bonfire thing,” she whispers.
“Why’s that?” I question.
“That’s easy. I get to be here with you. Even though there are people around, I feel as if it’s only me and you under the stars,” she says as I lean in to kiss her lips.