Chapter 16
Today’s my birthday! I lie in bed reminiscing about my magical night with Barrick. He just makes everything better. When my alarm clock rings, I get dressed, slide on my paisley galoshes and head to the barn.
Barrick is already here and I’m excited that he’ll be the first sight I see. When I open the door, I’m shocked. The entire barn has been decorated with balloons and streamers and Barrick steps out from a stall with a bouquet of flowers and a wrapped present in his hand.
“Happy birthday, Cadence,” he says with a smile and I start to cry. If this is the beginning of my day, I can only imagine what’s to come. “Are you okay?” he says, hurrying to me and I nod my head. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just shocked. When did you…” I start to say as Mom and Gran appear and it all begins to make sense.
“I might have had a little help,” he says with a wink.
“Thanks,” I say with a smile as he hands me the flowers and then the box. I look at Mom and Gran, who are smiling from ear to ear. “Mom, will you take these?” I ask as I pass her the flowers.
I unwrap the present, and my heart beats out of my chest. What could he have gotten me? As I begin to pull the lid from the box, an overpowering leather aroma tickles my nose. I’m speechless when I look at the gift. Boots. He bought me a pair of boots? I take them from the box and look at them. Oh my gosh, these are the boots from Buckle. They cost a small fortune. Boots?
“What do you think?” he asks.
“Barrick, they’re too much,” I say.
“No, they’re not. I know boots aren’t really your thing, but if you’re going to hang around here you can’t wear those galoshes out in public.”
“Do you think I’m country enough to wear them?” I ask hesitantly.
“How ‘bout you hold onto them, and wear them when you think the time is right?”
I start to laugh because he’s exactly right. Boots aren’t my thing, and I’m not sure I’ll ever wear these. The thought behind this gift means more to me than the actual gift itself.
I place them back in the box and look up at him. “Thank you so much, Barrick.”
“You don’t like them, do you?” I don’t want to hurt his feelings.
“No, I like them. You knew that when we looked at them in the store, but I’m not sure I’m ready for this step.”
“Step?”
“Yeah, like, completely signing up for this country girl stuff,” I say, looking up at him. He starts to laugh.
“It’s okay. I get it, but one day, you’re gonna rock those boots,” he says and I can’t do anything but hold them in my hands while I quickly kiss his lips.
He kisses me again, but quickly retracts when we hear someone clear their throat. Gran. I look over at her and she shakes her head.
“Y’all two. You’ins forgot we were even in here. You better watch those two,” she says to Mom.
“I think everything’s fine, Mother,” she says before giving me the mom stare. “Let’s get these cows milked, shall we?” Mom says as they move toward the milking station. I look at Barrick and he pulls me in for another hug before we get our chores started.
As we finish up, I take a few minutes to talk to Daisy. I show her my new boots from Barrick, and even ask her opinion. She moos and I assume that means she likes them. I take a minute and look around the barn. I want to remember this moment, surrounded by the people and cow that I love.
“Watcha thinkin’?” he asks.
“How lucky I am,” I say.
“Nah, I’m the lucky one,” he says as he stands behind me and wraps his arms around me. We don’t say a word for several minutes and I wonder where the future leads and if I’ll ever become a true country girl.
As we walk into the house, we head straight to the washroom to wash our hands and get ready for breakfast. When we walk into the kitchen, I do a double take when I see my favorite croissant on the table with a candle in it.
“Mom! How’d you get that?” I say, pointing toward the table.
“I had Lauren’s mom buy them and express mail them,” she says and it makes me happy to know they’d do that for me.
“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m digging in,” I say and as my fork is about to touch the flakey goodness, Mom stops me.
“Not before we sing.” I shake my head, but there’s no use. They all begin to sing “Happy Birthday” to me and I even have to blow out the candle on top. The ooey-gooey goodness is well worth the wait.
We sit around the table while Mom and Gran tell Barrick stories about me as a kid and embarrass me to no end. Then Gran gives me the rest of the day off, and tells Barrick he can leave after lunch. Today is going to be an amazing day.
I veto not working at the barn the rest of the day. Instead, I go and help Barrick because the sooner he finishes, the sooner we can celebrate. I lead Daisy into the pasture when we finish, and ask Barrick how much longer she has until she delivers. I’m shocked when he says any day now, and questions start to flood my mind about what will happen once the calf arrives.
Barrick
I can see the wheels turning in Cadence’s mind about Daisy’s delivery. It’s going to be an experience for her, to say the least, but one that I believe will make her fall hard for the country way of life. There’s something about seeing a new life being born. It will change her.
Once we finish, I tell her not to worry and to go and get ready while I run home to change. We have a fun-filled day ahead, and I can’t wait to get it started.
Arriving at my house, I shower, shave, and get ready. I feel like there is so much more riding on today than just Cadence’s birthday. We haven’t been on a date in so long, and I just want her by my side. I know the competition season isn’t over, but at least we don’t have to worry about it tonight.
Sliding on my jeans, I take a moment and scan my closet for the perfect shirt and I have no doubt when I select the shirt that Cadence insisted on buying me. I grab my ball cap and slide it on before stopping by my sister’s room.
“Jade, you in there?”
“Whatcha need, Bare?” she questions as she pulls the door open, and I’m shocked to see she’s dolled up.
“Where are you going?” I ask her.
“Helloooo. You didn’t think that after planning this whole shindig, I’d let you take all of the credit?” I should have known. “Nah, I’m just kiddin’. I’ve got a hot date with Aaron.”
“It better not be too hot,” I state, giving her the protective brother look.
“No worries. We’re going to supper then will meet you later tonight. That’s still the plan, right?” she questions.
“Sure is,” I say.
“So what did you need?” she asks and I suddenly realize why I had walked to her room in the first place.
“Does this shirt look okay?” I ask, needing confirmation.
“It’s bad ass. You didn’t pick it out, did you?” she questions and when I don’t reply she has her answer. “She’s got great taste. Hello? Did you see what she bought me for Christmas? Now get out of here and go have fun. I’ll see you later tonight.”
Shaking my head I walk out of my sister’s room, say goodbye to my parents and walk out to my truck.