by Marie , J
Slowly, I told myself.
We’d both been up early this morning working around the stables like getting the horses fed and turned out. She’d helped me muck out the stalls and I’d watched as she brushed down and saddled Oakley. Today was going to be the first day back on the barrels. Going slow, but she was making progress. The barrels were set up in a perfect equilateral triangle.
Her first move out of the gate was straight with a curve to the right at the last minute. Oakley took to the barrels like riding a bicycle. Bending with each barrel and running straight in between the three points strategically placed in a triangular pattern.
It was a sight. The wind blowing through her long black hair. The smile that crested her lips as she flew across the ground like Oakley had grown wings. Her eyes sparkled like the brightest diamonds. This was the girl I knew. My girl. The one I’d fallen for all those years ago. She was free. For fifteen seconds she had no dead husband, no scars, no pain. And I wanted that for her. Every single day.
I vowed to myself this afternoon to make the scars fade and the pain disappear as long as she would allow me.
Cassidy Mae, pulled Oakley by the fence, breathing heavy but smiling as big as the stars and sun combined. Her hair was wind-blown and crazy. At that moment she couldn’t have looked any more perfect.
“How’d she look running? She felt amazing. I’d forgotten how good it felt to let the world slip away for just a few seconds and get lost in the adrenaline rush.” Her face lit up this dusty old arena.
“You both looked amazing and made a really good team. She’s bending around the barrels smoothly and it’s really good seeing you up there on the back of a horse again, Cass. It’s been too long.”
“I agree. It’s about damn time.” Her giggle floated on the air like angels singing in a choir. I closed my eyes and just listened to it, memorizing every note and chord.
“Okay, well I think we should practice a few more times. Want to watch us?”
“Always, Cassidy Mae. Always.” A shy smile crossed her face before she rode off. God, I was so done for, with this girl. Saying she had me wrapped around her finger was the understatement of the century.
They practiced for about twenty more minutes before heading back to the barn. Cassidy Mae hosed Oakley down and put her away. I had a few more things to get done before we headed off to our date tonight.
The Fourth of July town party and fireworks were happening later. It was my first official date with Cassidy Mae and I couldn’t be more excited and terrified.
At 5pm everyone would gather along Main Street to watch the parade. Kids would run up with bags catching candy the parade floats would throw to them. Horses would march down the street, manes, and tails painted in red, white, and blue. The old fire truck in town would always bring up the caboose of the parade train.
Once the parade had finished everyone would make their way over for dinner at Bodine’s in town. All American food—burgers, hot dogs, and all the chili cheese fries you could eat. As it got dark out, trucks would start lining up in the middle of a field, waiting for the booms of the fireworks lighting up the night sky. Couples would be kissing romantically on blankets the guys had strategically placed in their truck beds, hoping and wishing. Kids eyes would be filled with wonder at what someone a long, long time ago had created.
I’d gotten everything ready for tonight. Reagan was going with Rhett. He knew better than to lay a hand on my sister or I’d kick his ass, friend or not. I’d piled blankets and pillows into totes in the back of my truck and packed a cooler full of beer, champagne, snacks, and what I hoped was still Cassidy Mae’s favorite treat, Twizzlers.
Tonight was the night I’d give her our first kiss, and it had to be perfect!
“So, what’s in all the totes?” I turned around to find Cass looking at me inquisitively.
“That’s for me to know, and you to find out.” A pout formed across her face at my comment.
“Aw, come on. I can’t get a tiny hint,” she said. Her first finger and thumb in a just-a-little-bit pose.
“You know I love that cute face of yours, darlin’… but it’s a surprise.”
She huffed with a cute little eye roll, “Fine…”
“You about ready to get going? The party starts soon.” A look of uncertainty crossed her face for a brief second before it was gone and a smile replaced it.
“Sure thing. Think this outfit is appropriate for a happy Fourth of July celebration?” She twirled around and I completely ogled every bit of her.
Her black hair hung in ringlets down her shoulders and my fingers itched to run through it. Just to feel how soft it is. Her peony and sugar perfume hit me as she twirled her hair and I was a goner. It was a call to action by my senses, but I resisted the urge to act upon it. Daisy Duke shorts covered her pert little ass and my lower half twitched thinking about it. She wore a white American flag tank top and the hints of a red bra peeked at me from under the straps, leaving me lost in thoughts of what the rest of it looked like. Thank God for these Levi’s hiding the tent that’d become of my pants. I’ve jerked off more in the time that she’s been at the farm than all of the last two years put together.
This right here is the reason why.
This perfect all-American cowgirl standing right in front of me. It’s a sweltering eighty-five degrees outside today so her lack of clothing is perfectly understandable. Her standing this close probably adds to my heat factor. I don’t even have to ask if it’s hot in here or just me. I know it’s her.
She gave me a look and I just wanted to reach over and kiss her. The desire burned through me and I fought it. She had a fire in her eyes. She wanted this too, but she’s been holding back from me. I know why. There’s fear there and I understand it. I’m not him and until she gets that through her thick skull things won’t change.
“Beau?”
“Yeah?”
“Did you hear me? I asked how you… well, how you liked my outfit?”
To hell with it, “You look sexy, darlin’ and I’m trying real hard to resist pulling you into me and kissing you to death.”
An audible gasp escaped her lips and she tilted her head away, hiding the shy, small smile that had once again graced her lips.
“Okay, then.”
I reached up and tilted her chin to see me. “One of these days you’re going to see what I see. You’re not going to hide from me or be embarrassed. You’re going to know that you’re loved and desired. That you’re gorgeous. That you’re wanted. Until then I’m going to remind you every time you forget. Okay?”
She nodded biting her bottom lip in that cute way she does; the green pools of her eyes swirling in uncertainty. As if I had no control over my body, I moved closer. I could see the flutter under her skin as her heartbeat steadily grew faster. My hungry gaze perused her, going between the small flutter and the heat in her eyes. We were locked in place, neither getting closer or farther away.
Cassidy Mae blinked and tilted her head searching my eyes, “Wow… that was intense. Well…” She turned and walked back to the other side of my truck. “We should probably get going or we’re not going to get a good seat for the parade.”
“Yep… right…” I cleared my throat. “Let’s get going.” I waited until she had walked away and then adjusted myself behind the truck. Blood was pumping way too much when nothing was going to happen between us. The only thing it would do is frustrate me because I wanted her so badly I couldn’t think some days. She made me feel like a teenager again, wanting to rub one out to the thoughts of her.
Our small town was alive and bustling as I parked the truck and grabbed a couple of chairs from the bed. Everyone was either getting their spots lined up along Main Street or trying to find one. We got lucky. There was a perfect spot right in front of Orly’s floral shop. I unfolded a chair for Cassidy Mae and then proceeded to do the same for me when I noticed roses in the window of the flower shop. Perfect roses for the perfect date, I thought.
&
nbsp; “Hey, I’ll be right back.” I turned and walked away before she could respond. The chime above the door dinged as I walked through announcing my presence. The immediate smell of flowers tingled my nose and I headed towards the front window.
“Can I help you with anything, Beau?” I turned to see Orly smiling over at me.
“Yeah, can I get three of these roses? I’d like a red, white, and blue one.”
“How patriotic and…” She paused, looking over at me with a cocked eyebrow. “Romantic?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m getting them for Miss Cassidy Mae. It’s our first official date.”
Shock radiated from her face, “Isn’t she…” she leaned in closer and whispered, “still married?”
I winked. “Nope.” She waited for me to give her more info, but I knew what would happen if I did. I wasn’t going to air Cassidy’s dirty laundry around town.
“She’s lucky to have you. From the rumors going around she’s been through quite a lot since she left Moonshine Springs. ‘Bout time she finally found a good man.”
I raised my eyebrow at her, “Well, you know what they say about rumors, Miss Orly.”
“I know, dear. I’m not gossiping, just saying it’s about time the two of you… Let’s get you checked out and back to your girl.”
My girl. God, it felt so good hearing her be called mine.
When I got back out to the sidewalk, it’d gotten even busier than it was before I’d walked off. I caught sight of Cassidy and just watched her. A smile was broadcasted across her face and seeing her happy made me smile.
“Hey you.” I leaned down to kiss her on the temple and she gave me that same shy smile she always offered.
I handed the flowers to her, “What are these for?”
“For our first date. A girl on a first date needs flowers, doesn’t she? And these specific roses mean something. The white one represents our new beginning and the red one represents your beauty and the love I hope will grow between us.”
She raised an eyebrow, “What about the blue one?”
“Some people think the blue rose is an expression of inner feelings such as love at first sight.”
“Aren’t you a romantic?”
I winked. “For you, anything sweetheart.”
I settled into my folding chair and draped my arm over the back of her chair as we watched the parade go through. It was always the same people, the same floats, and the same horses, but it was home. It reminded me why I loved this little town. It may not be much, but it was mine. The firetruck blared its horn signaling the finale of the parade had come and gone.
The crowd dispersed and I knew we’d be waiting a little while to get out of town and over to McCoy’s field where they set off the fireworks every year. I sat and watched Cassidy Mae, her eyes lit with the joys of small town life.
Rhett and Reagan had meandered our way.
“Hello, big brother. Cassidy Mae.”
“Ma’am,” Rhett said with a tip to his cowboy hat.
“Y’all enjoy the parade?” Reagan had directed her question to Cass and stood waiting for an answer.
Her smile said it all. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen a Fourth of July parade. I forgot how much fun they can be.”
“Y’all heading over to McCoy’s now?”
“Yep, we’ll be going that way shortly, waiting for people to clear out of the streets first.”
“Well, we’ll see you over there.” Rea winked at Cass before turning back to Rhett who offered his arm. She willingly placed her hand in the crook of his elbow and I tempered the flair of anger I felt. Reagan was my baby sister. I’d been raising her for as long as I can remember. Ever since Mama had run off when we were little. She could do better than Rhett Bishop.
I shook my head, turning back to Cassidy Mae, who was watching as they walked away.
“What’s going on between those two, I wonder?”
I wasn’t exactly sure if she thought I’d have a response or not, so I just shrugged.“Better not be anything. He ain’t right for her.” I mumbled.
She cocked an eyebrow at me. “Pot calling the kettle black much? You think I’m good for you…”
“Cassidy Mae, I don’t know how many times I gotta keep telling you this. No matter how many times you belittle what we have, I will always prove you wrong. We’re perfect for each other and someday you’re going to finally believe me.”
I didn’t give her a chance to reply before I ran my hand against hers asking permission to hold it, which she granted me.
“You ready to go darlin’? I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting a whole year for some fireworks.” I smirk and she shakes her head. We grab our chairs and head back to the truck.
“Charmer…”
“Damn straight, sweetheart.”
I opened the truck door and held it while she hopped in. Pulling her hand to my lips, I kissed it once before shutting the door and walking to the driver’s side.
The trucks had started to line up by the time we got to McCoy’s. I parked a row back from everyone else. This was our night. The first fireworks show of many for us. And I didn’t want to share it with the rest of the town. Tonight was about me and my girl. She hopped out of the truck and I followed suit. Cassidy Mae went to pull the chairs out of the truck bed to sit in when I stopped her.
“We won’t be needing those darlin’.”
“Oh…okay.” She slowly sunk back into herself and I hated myself for it. I hated telling her no. Like she’d been doing something wrong, when that wasn’t the case. I’d planned for tonight and I wanted her to enjoy every second of it.
“Hey, you didn’t do anything wrong. I just thought of something better for the fireworks.” I grab the totes I’d packed up early and start setting up our fireworks viewing area in the back of my truck. A gasp came from behind me and I looked back to see Cassidy Mae’s sweet smile.
“You did all this for me?”
“Of course, I did, sweetheart. I told you. It’s our first date and it has to be perfect. Let me do this for us.”
A small nod and I turned back to setting up things. Blankets are placed gently in the truck bed followed by accent pillows. The beer is on ice in the cooler and the food is ready to go whenever.
I helped her into the truck bed first.
“This is perfect, Beau. Thank you for doing this.” A tear slid down her cheek and I rushed to her.
I lifted her chin to swipe away the tears with a finger. “Hey, why the tears?”
“It’s just… it’s been a long time since anyone’s done something this nice for me.”
“Well, expect it more often then, baby. Because I plan to spoil the hell outta you. You deserve nothing less.”
She shook her head, but didn’t verbally disagree this time. I felt like I’d won for once.
“I’ve got some snacks in the cooler for you too. In case you were hungry.”
“What kind of snacks are we talking about here?” Her curiosity got the best of her as she poked around in the cooler behind us.
“Twizzlers? God, I haven’t had these in years.” That bastard really cut her off from even the simplest pleasures, I did not know it was possible to hate him more. She tore the bag right open and pulled two ropes out. I was so jealous of that Twizzler. It was getting the pleasure of being pushed up against those pink lips I’d been thinking about for years.
“Mmmm… these are amazing.” The small moans emanating from her mouth were driving me insane.
I reached across and grabbed the bag from her. “Okay… and we’re done with those.”
Her face turned into a pout as she looked at me.
“If I give them back, can you be quiet while eating them? Because those noises you’re making are driving me to think about things that I shouldn’t be thinking about with you right now.”
A shy smile peeked out from her lips and she shook her head.
“Beau Montgomery, are you having dirty thoughts over there?”
Her eyes grew wide as she realized what I was saying. “Oh! Okay…”
“Fireworks are going to start soon. Let’s get comfortable.”
Leaning back against the window of the truck, I figured she would line up pillows and settle back against them. When she scooted between my legs and leaned against my chest, my soul felt whole. Complete. I wanted so badly to wrap my arms around her waist and hold her tight but I didn’t know if that was allowed and I didn’t want to force anything on her that she wasn’t ready for yet. But when she pulled my arms around her, I gladly did it. She was leading this rodeo between us. I was just along for the ride.
I slowly swayed back and forth in the back of the truck bed with her in my arms and it felt so right. For once the stars were aligning for us. It wasn’t even five minutes before shades of purple, red, orange, and white glowed in the distance. Shooting up from a nearby field, creating magical lines of color, a contrast against the midnight black sky, before fizzling off in lines of stardust rainfall.
I closed my eyes and revelled in the moment. Her body pressed against mine. My arms around her. My hands entwined with hers. I no longer had to picture what a perfect night would be. I was witnessing it right now. I pressed my lips gently to the back of her head before resting my chin on it.
“Happy Fourth of July, sweetheart. Best one to date,” I whispered softly into her ear and she turned fully, looking at me.
This moment was it. Fireworks against a canvas lighting the background of our love.
“It’s perfect,” I said as her eyes caught mine, drifting then to my lips.
“What’s perfect?”
“It’s our moment baby. Are you ready for that life-changing kiss I promised?”
Her gaze fell to my lips again as her tongue slipped out and moistened her own. She nodded her consent and it didn’t take long to realize what was happening.
I leaned in, one hand tangling through her hair, the other on the curve of her chin. The first touch of our lips was cautious, experimental. Just a taste, a tease. It wasn’t good enough. I wanted so much more than that. She tilted her head, giving me more access to her lips and I took it all. I took everything from that kiss. Our mouths fused together and I drank from her. Every noise. Tongues entwined and made the most beautiful dance. A symphony of firsts, beating hearts, and the promise of love. God, it was perfect. She was perfect.
