Chapter 32
As the sun begins to peek above the horizon, it begs for me to open my eyes. When I begin to stir, I feel Barrick’s strong arms still around me and I feel safe.
“About time you woke up,” he says as I look up to meet his eyes.
“How long have you been awake?” I question.
“Not too long, but when the sun comes up it’s like my alarm. It happens almost every day.”
We lay there for a few more minutes before Barrick helps me from the bed of the truck and places me in the passenger seat to take me home.
“Did y’all have a good time?” Gran questions as we step in the door.
“We did,” I reply, giving her a hug.
“Ms. Mae, I’m going home to change and then I’ll be back shortly to start work.”
“Okay, Barrick. Thank you. I’ll see ya in a bit,” Gran says and takes a sip of her coffee.
After Barrick leaves, Mom gives me the once-over to see if we lied. I don’t know how she’d actually know, but I smile knowing that she can trust that we were true to our word. She lets out a sigh of relief and I laugh as I walk to my room.
Barrick
Dad is in the kitchen when I get home. “Long night?” he questions.
“Yeah. I guess you could say that,” I say as Jade sleepily walks in.
“Are you just getting’ in?” she questions.
“Yeah.” She looks at me for an answer.
“Nothin’ happened,” I state flatly to both of them. They can read me like a book and know I don’t lie so they let it go.
I change and grab a quick bite to eat before going back to the farm. Dad stops me on the way out to let me know Mom is cooking a big supper tonight and that I can bring Cadence if I’d like.
Cadence, Ms. Mae and Regina are already hard at work when I walk into the barn. I quickly join in with them and we get things done in record time. After we finish, Cadence and I check on Paisley.
“Mom’s cooking a big supper tonight and wanted you to come too,” I say.
“I’d love to,” she says as she laces her hands in mine.
Cadence fills Paisley in on prom night and then we visit with Ms. Mae and Regina on the porch. As dinnertime approaches, I excuse myself to go home and change.
“If you’ll give me about fifteen minutes, I’ll go with you,” Cadence says.
“Sure, I’ll wait here. I’m sure Jade will love that.”
I call for Jade when we arrive. Of course, she’s in front of that TV with a book in hand.
“Hey y’all! I’m in here,” she says, putting the book down. She stands to give Cadence a hug and I leave the two of them to do what girls do and get ready.
I quickly shower and shave before going downstairs, but the sound of giggling from Jade’s room stops me.
“So… y’all didn’t, ya know?” Jade questions.
“No. Why does everyone think that?” Cadence asks.
“Duh, because it was prom night but, honestly, I figured you already had.”
“What about you and Aaron?” Cadence asks, but I quickly tap on the door before Jade can answer. I don’t need or want to know that answer.
“What y’all talkin’ ‘bout in here?” I say with a smirk.
“We were just having a little girl talk,” Jade says as we all walk downstairs and have supper with my parents.
After supper, we help clear the table and Cadence and I walk out on the front porch.
She starts to take a seat on the step and I shake my head no. I want to show her something. Leading her past the barn, she gives me a questioning look until she sees the old swing hanging from the tree.
“It’s not going to break is it?” she asks as she takes a seat.
“Nah. Mom and Dad come out here all the time.”
“That’s sweet,” she states as I start to push her. I continue to push her in silence as we watch the sun set behind the trees. When the first star appears Cadence whispers, “Barrick, do you ever wonder why those stars are placed in the sky? I mean, like, their location.”
“Not really,” I say as I push her gently.
“I’ve been thinking. Do you think people are put in our lives at certain times just like the stars above?”
“Absolutely,” I say as she leans her head back to look at me and I kiss her lips gently before taking her home.