Chapter 25
My heart hurts when Barrick turns at his house. I know he won’t be long, but I have to get all of this out. For the first time, I’m ready to talk and I can’t wait to share everything with Barrick. Hurrying to my room, I grab the box and almost make it out of the door without being seen.
“Hold it young lady!” I hear Gran say abruptly. “Shouldn’t you be at dance?”
“Ms. Lyndsay sent me home. I’m making things right. I promise, Gran.”
She smiles and walks toward me. “I always knew you would. Stop being afraid to let love in. Not everyone is out to get you, and if they are send them my way.”
“Thanks, Gran.”
“For what?” she asks.
“For being my gran,” I say as I hug her with all of my might.
I talk to Paisley while I wait for Barrick. Ten minutes later, he arrives and looks amazing in a worn out t-shirt and worn jeans.
“What y’all talkin’ ‘bout?” he asks as he walks up to her stall.
“I was showing her my wooden box,” I say.
“How about you show us together,” he says as he walks in and takes a seat on the hay.
For the next thirty minutes, I explain each picture and tell him what each memory means to me. When Barrick looks at the note inside, I know what’s coming. He’s going to tell me to forgive and let go. My heart is telling me to do so as well, but I’m scared to death.
“I’ll go with you to see him or be here when you call him. Whatever you want,” he says.
“Thanks.” I take a deep, cleansing breath. “It feels as if an elephant just got off of my chest.”
“Imagine what it will be like once you make amends with him.” I know he’s right, but I’m not sure how I’m going to do it yet. He holds me and I let it all soak in. “Hold on a second,” he says as he stands then disappears for a brief moment. When he returns I know he’s up to something. “Come on. There’s something I want you to see.”
Walking outside, I see that the sun is setting and there are fluttering lights in the sky.
“What are those?” I question.
“Lightenin’ bugs.”
“Wow. There are so many of them. It’s amazing,” I say.
“Dance with me,” he whispers as he extends his hand to me.
“What? There’s no music.”
“We don’t need any. Just listen,” he says as he pulls me into his chest. Closing my eyes, we sway to our own beat. The crickets sing with an occasional solo from a cow in the background while I feel his heart beating like a drum against my ear. It flutters to a beat and as it increases, so do our movements. Opening my eyes, I see the flicker of the lightening bugs as the sunset fades to darkness.
I don’t say a word as I take it all in. He pulls me in closer and I don’t ever want to let go. As Barrick rests his chin on the top of my head, a tear escapes my eye. I don’t cry because I’m upset; I cry because his heartbeat makes everything around us fall into rhythm.
“Can we do this forever?” I whisper.
“As long as you’ll let me,” he says, looking me in the eyes. He wipes the single tear from my face and smiles.
As he leans in to kiss me, I try to memorize this moment. When our lips touch, I feel an explosion inside. I meet him with every motion and never want to let go.
“It’s about damn time!” We hear Gran yell from the front porch. We jump apart and start laughing.
“I bet she’s watched the entire show,” I say to him as we rest our foreheads against each other.
“Well, she has been our biggest cheerleader,” he says as he kisses me once more. “Come on, let me walk you in.”
“Do you have to go?” I question.
“I wish I didn’t, but it’s getting late.”
I understand, but that doesn’t mean I like it. “Will you stay while I call my dad?”
“Of course,” he says as he takes my hand and we walk toward the house.