Peace in My View

by C. L. Rosado

  "Your usual?" Liv questions.

  "Yeah, I have no idea. Guess we will all know soon enough,” He says with a shrug of his shoulders. He is so handsome. Every move he makes causes a tirade of butterflies which is strange. I have never been like this with anyone. I don’t do the instant love/lust thing ever.

  The waitress, Bea, brings us our burgers, and Gentry’s usual, which is apparently chicken fried steak with all the fixin’s. Gentry rolls his eyes. When she walks away, Gentry says, “Well, that’s generic, huh?” Liv and I just laugh.

  We eat with easy conversation, me mostly listening to them catch up. Gentry is easy on the eyes —and ears. I love listening to him talk. His deep voice draws me in. I want to know him more. Olivia and I have been friends for years. I moved here in high school, but I had never met Gentry because he was older than us and moved away right after high school.

  “So Gentry, why did you go to college so far away from home?” I question.

  “Well, I guess I wanted to explore a bit and get away for a while.” He throws Liv a sideways glance. She picks up where she left off in their conversation. I feel like there is so much not being said. I intend on talking to Liv about it later.

  “But, you haven’t really been back, right?” I question.

  “It’s a story for another time, Ari,” Liv scolds. Geez, she is infuriating. They continue on with their conversation, me only chiming in here and there, until we are all through eating. I’m clearly the third wheel here. Thanks for joining me y’all.

  I stood up to go. “Well y’all, it was great of you both to join me for dinner; I’m gonna head out. I’ve got tons of editing to do.” Reaching for the ticket, Gentry covers my hand with his. I shiver from the contact.

  “I got it,” he claims.

  “That’s okay. I can pay for my own food.”

  “I know you can, but I would like to get everyone’s dinner if that’s cool”

  “Oh, well thanks. It was great seeing you again, Gentry. You know, not trespassing. I will see you tomorrow, Liv.” They say their goodbyes to me, as well, and I head out.

  As I leave Andy’s, my mind is spinning with questions to ask Olivia because I have to know Gentry Sloan. That’s all there is to it. Something in his eyes draws me to him. There is adventure there and longing, but also pain.

  “Hey Ariana. Wait up.” I hear my name and spin around to see him in all his toned and tanned glory headed straight for me and almost running into me. He almost seems panicked. Maybe I left something.

  Chapter 3

  Gentry

  I watch Ariana rush out the door. Why is she leaving? I haven’t even had a second to talk to her with Liv here. I have to follow.

  “I’ll be right back,” I tell Liv and hurry to catch her before she is gone. Running out in to the parking lot, I yell after her like a mad man “Hey, Ariana.Wait up.” Man-oh-man, does she have the nicest ass I’ve ever laid my eyes on and those legs. Dayumm. I mean seriously, the gods were very generous when they made her. She spins around so fast I almost run straight into her.

  “Hey, Gentry. What’s up? Did I forget something?” Man, her eyes are the greenest green, like the evergreens. I could get lost in them for hours, days even.

  “Um, no, you didn’t leave anything. I was just watching you walk out the door and thought to myself I would be the stupidest man alive if I let you leave without asking you out some time. Anytime. Now is good.” I let out a laugh as I wait for her reply.

  Standing there watching her chewing nervously on her bottom lip may be one of the sexiest things I’ve ever witnessed.

  “You really wanna go out with me, like on a date? I mean, you just met me. Shouldn’t you get to know me first? I could be crazy or something,” she reasoned.

  “Pretty sure that’s what people go on dates for, is to get to know one another better; however, I’m thinking I would go crazy if I didn’t get some alone time with you and maybe a kiss at the end of the night,” I confessed with a wink.

  “Well, then,” she smiled, “why the hell not? Although I can’t go on a date with you right now.”

  “Well, shit, I was totally looking forward to a goodnight kiss,” I teased. Her cheeks turned bright red. Damn, she is cute as hell. “How about tomorrow at seven?” I asked.

  “How about Friday at seven?”

  “Three days? It will be hard, but I think I can wait that long.” She giggled. I’m on cloud nine.

  “I will text you my address. See you Friday, Gentry,” she tossed toward me as she entered her car.

  I do a few air punches as she drives away.

  I spend the next three days working on the ranch fixing fences, interviewing a few hands, and feeding and watering the animals. I’m not at all used to this type of work anymore. I’m thankful that I have kept in shape over the past several years, or I would be heading straight to bed after my shower instead of out with Ariana. Man, I can’t wait to see her. I check my phone and see I’ve gotten a text from her.

  Ariana: Just finishing up @ work headed hm to get ready. I’ll drop you a pin so you know where to find me.

  Me: Great just wrappin up here 2. Headed for a shower, Can’t wait 2 C U.

  I hit send, and I can’t fight the smile on my face. I smile all the way into the house.

  “What are you smiling about, kiddo?” my mom asks as I walk towards the hall.

  “Remember when you thought someone was up on the hill hunting? Well, that was Liv’s friend taking some photos of the sunset. We have a date tonight, and she just texted me before I came in.”

  “Oh Gentry, that’s great. I hope it goes well. God knows I would love to see you meet a good girl and settle down.”

  “Mom, it’s just one date,” although I definitely could see myself spending time with this girl!

  I give mom a kiss on the cheek and make my way to my room. I lay out my clothes, walk into the bathroom, and turn on the shower leaving it a little on the cold side so I can cool down after the long day of working in the heat. After my shower, I check the time and start getting dressed. I’m wearing my favorite pair of worn jeans, a soft gray V-neck, and slip on my boots. I head back to the bathroom to fix my hair and spray on some cologne. I pick up my phone and shoot Ariana a text.

  Headed ur way. C U soon.

  “You need anything before I head out?” I ask my mom

  “Nope, I’m good. Have a great time, honey.”

  “I will, Momma. I’m not sure what time I’ll be back so text or call me if you need anything. Love you. Bye,” I say before I kiss the top of her head.

  “I love you, too, Gentry. Be careful”

  I arrive just before seven. I hop out of my truck and head up her walk way. Her yard is neat and tidy. She has a decent little set up here in town, an older Victorian home with wood shutters and all the trimmings. I wonder if she lives here alone. As I reach for the door bell, the door opens up to an amazing view of Ariana.

  She’s wearing a dress that’s sleeveless and goes all the way to her feet where her painted toes peek out at me. Her hair is swept up in a little bun with little pieces hanging out. She spins around.

  “Like what you’re seeing?” she giggles.

  “I definitely do, Ma’am. You look amazing!”

  “Thank you. I saw you pull up. Are you ready to get this thing going?”

  “Yes, let’s do this.” We head to my truck. I open her door and help her in.

  She has the sweetest fruity smell, a mix between wild cherry and pomegranate. Man, it’s intoxicating.

  Chapter 4

  Ariana

  Anxiously I wait by the window watching for Gentry to pull up. I’m so excited about getting to know him. I feel crazy when I’m around him like anything could happen. I know it’s absurd since this is only our third encounter, but he has been on my mind for the past three days.

  I make my way over to the door as he walks up the sidewalk. I take several deep breathes—in and out—and open it. He is standing there checking
me out, and I can’t help but feel like the most beautiful girl in the world, the way his eyes rake over me.

  I do a little spin and giggle, “Like what you’re seeing?” I’m throwing his earlier comment back at him.

  “I definitely do, Ma’am. You look amazing!”

  “Thank you. I saw you pull up. Are you ready to get this thing going?”

  “Yes, let’s do this!”

  When we get to his truck, he opens my door and helps me in.

  He gives me an award winning smile before closing my door and running around to his side. He looks amazing. His hair is cut short on the sides, just long enough to be messy on top, wearing low slung jeans and a V-neck that hugs his chest and biceps, showing off his defined muscles. The way he just hopped up in the truck was maybe the hottest thing ever. He looks over at me with a smirk that has me panting with my mouth hanging open and says in the most delicious voice possible, “Don’t zone out on me, Sunshine.”

  “Full of ourselves, aren’t we?”

  He gives a little laugh, “Nah, you just had that look in your eyes.” He gives me a wink and backs out of the drive.

  “So where are you taking me?” I question.

  “Well, I thought we would grab something to eat. I’m starved, then I have some place I wanna show you.”

  We drive just out of town to the little taco shop that’s more take out than restaurant, but I’m cool with it. It’s not like we have a ton to choose from in this town, and really, all I care about is the company anyway. I look over at him as I reach for my handle. “I love Rico’s Tacos. They’re the best”

  “Good. I wasn’t sure what you would think, but really, I just need to eat. It’s fast and easy so we can get to where we are going quickly.” Hmm, interesting. I was expecting the meal to be the main part of the date, but now I’m super excited for what’s to come.

  “Let me get your door.” He hops out, runs around, and opens it. As I turn side ways, he grabs my hips and picks me up out of my seat and brings me slowly down his body until my feet touch the ground, leaning in to whisper in my ear. “You smell like wild cherries and pomegranate, and I just want to eat you up.” I’m in a trance as he pulls back, hands still on my hips, and looks deeply into my eyes. I think I may pass smooth out. I have never had a guy come on so strong before, but I’m pretty sure I like it.

  “Let’s get something to eat shall we?” I simply nod as he takes me by the hand and pulls me along with him. We grab some tacos and sit across from one another at one of the picnic tables. Chatting easily about our day while we eat, I question, “So how long have you been back home?” What I really wanna know is why he was gone so long and went so far away.

  “I got in a few days ago. It feels so strange to be back, but good, too. It’s been too long,” he turns his head to stare off.

  “Why is that?”

  “It’s a long story and probably better for say, date number two or three,”he laughs. “How about we get going? I have something I wanna show you before dark.”

  “Wait a minute; Who says you’re getting another date, Mr.Evasive?”

  “Oh I’m definitely getting another date,” he says cocking his eyebrow. “Come on. Times a-wastin.”

  After getting in the truck and driving down a few back roads, we turned into a gravel driveway. The sun was already low in the evening sky. This is my favorite time of evening in the summer with the different shades of blues, whites and just a hint of pink. We drove for what seemed like forever when he pulled off the gravel into the field headed straight for the tree line. “Um, what are we doing exactly? Was I totally wrong, and in fact, you are the crazy one?”

  His laughter filled the cab of the truck as he turned to look at me. “Paranoid much? And no, I’m not crazy. This is actually the back end of our property and just through those trees is the very best view of the sunset you will ever see in this town or maybe anywhere in Texas.”

  Just then, we broke through the trees into the most beautiful clearing I have ever seen. We are on a small cliff of sorts that is in the shape of a half moon. I’m speechless as he pulls as close to the edge as he can. Putting the truck in park, he turns to me and confidently states, “See, you’re gonna need another date so you can bring your camera with you for this the next time. Am I right?”

  “Oh my goodness, Gentry, I had no idea this kind of view even existed in our town. It’s breathtaking.”

  “I thought you might like it. It’s where I used to come to think while growing up and one of the first places I came when I got back into town. It’s a much better view than where I found you the other night.”

  “I love it, and yes, I totally wanna come back with my camera, so I guess I can give you a second date under one condition.”

  “What’s that, Sunshine?”

  “Let’s eat our food out here next time. You didn’t leave us with nearly enough time to enjoy this view!” I huff.

  “It’s a deal. I will even cook the food myself. How’s that sound?”

  “Oh-mm-gee! You cook, too?”

  “I do. I can do lots of wonderful things, Sunshine, lots.”

  My goodness, the look he is giving me has my heart racing and my eyes widening. I just sit there staring at his shit-eating grin and wonder what the hell, I mean seriously….

  “ Wow, you’re not full of yourself or anything are you? I mean, here I am thinking you're this amazing guy who knows a beautiful sunset when he sees one and can cook, too, then you go and ruin it by tootin' your own horn?” I say shaking my head from side to side. Oh no, he didn’t. There he goes with that hearty laugh that makes my head spin.

  “You think I’m amazing, huh?”

  “Correction, I thought you were amazing.”

  He chuckles “ Well, all jokes aside, I really like you and wanna get to know you. I wanna know all there is to know of Ariana, like what’s your full name? Where were you born? When’s your birthday?”

  “Ariana Paige Tate. I was born in Rotan, Texas, on November 2,1991, making me 23 years old which you probably already assumed since Liv and I are best friends. Oh, and my favorite color is purple. What about you, Gentry Sloan? Tell me all your secrets.” I push because really all I wanna know is what he isn’t telling me. I have already questioned Liv about the generic stuff.

  “Well, I’m not sure I can give away all my secrets just yet. You already know my last name, and the middle isn’t nearly as awesome as yours, but I will tell you anyway, I guess. Gentry Neal Sloan, Neal is after my Dad. I was born in Dallas on Sept 23,1989, making me a couple of months shy of twenty-six, and my favorite color is blue, if I had to pick.”

  The sun has long since gone down while we share little details about each other. It’s effortless conversation, and I feel a comfort with him that I haven’t felt with a guy before. Looking over, I notice he looks tired and ask, “You ready to head back? I know you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow.” He sighs and looks at me with a crooked smile.

  “Yeah, as much as I hate for this date to be over, let’s get you home, Sunshine.” We drive back to town with the sounds of Thomas Rhett singing “Make Me Wanna” on the radio.

  So I asked, “So you like country music?”

  “I like all music really, but since coming back, the radio has been on country. What about you?”

  “Oh, I love country. My Dad always played country growing up. He loves George Strait and Garth Brooks. I love music period. Just depends on what mood I’m in. Luke Bryan, though, major favorite,” I say with a smile.

  Gentry pulls into my drive and kills his truck “I will walk you up.” At the door, I dig through my purse for my keys.

  “I had a great time, Gentry. Thanks so much for showing me your spot. It was beautiful.” He takes my hand and pulls me to him

  “It was my pleasure, Sunshine,” he purrs as he is going in for the goodnight kiss. He presses his lips to mine for what seems like forever. I feel the goosebumps cover my body. He pulls back and dips right back in. I shiver as
he sweeps his tongue across my bottom lip, then takes it in between his teeth with just enough pressure. I open my mouth to let him in. With confidence, he deepens the kiss, his hand moves up my arm to the back of my neck, pulling me in closer. He holds me in place with the other on my lower back, which is good because I’m sure I would collapse otherwise. He slows his pace and places one last soft kiss on my lips and says, “ That was everything I thought it would be and more. Thanks Ariana, for an unforgettable evening.” I just nod and smile still dazed from the best kiss EVER! Smiling he says, “Goodnight,Ariana.”

  “Night, Gentry!”

  Chapter 5

  Ariana

  I sleep better than I ever have, all my dreams of Gentry. He is kissing me, holding me to him with one hand on the small of my back, and the other tangled in the hair just above my neck. Out of no where, a beeping interrupts my peaceful slumber. I reach across to my nightstand for my phone. Checking the caller ID, I see it’s Liv. Ugh!

  “Olivia Anne Sloan! You better have a good reason for waking me up at the butt-crack-of-dawn.”

  “Good morning, Sunshine. Aren’t we a grouchy Spongebob watcher this morning?” she jokingly jabs, but I’m not laughing. She just woke me up from making out with her cousin that she is so adamantly trying to hook me up with. I could… could just kill her sometimes.

  “I’m gonna show you grouchy if you don’t get to the point.” Ugh, again.

  “I will just call you back after you’ve had your coffee. How about that?” she asks.

  “Seriously? A cup of coffee isn’t gonna help you. Spill it.”

  “Okay. Okay. I just wanted to see how it went last night. You know how impatient I can be. You didn’t call me last night so…”.

  “So you thought I what? Turned in early and would be up at eight A.M. on my day off?” I ask.