by Casey Peeler
I give her a look. “What? She’s my baby. Plus, now I’ve got proper boots on,” she says with a smile.
“Hey girl! Mommy’s got a hot date with this cowboy. Doesn’t he look handsome?” she says as she greets Paisley and the calf moves her head in agreement.
Regina and Ms. Mae tell us to get closer to Paisley and we take a few pictures with her. When Cadence gives Paisley a big kiss on the top of her head, I fall harder. She’s taken this life and embraced it, and damn, if she doesn’t look good doing it.
“What are you grinning about, Bare?”
“You amaze me.”
“What do you mean? It’s just Paisley,” she says like it’s no big deal.
“You wouldn’t even come out here in regular clothes when you first got here, and now here you are in a dress and makeup, kissing a cow. I almost feel like this is our little family.” She pauses and I see the tears build in her eyes. “Don’t cry.”
“Oh, I won’t because I refuse to mess up my makeup,” she says as she blots the side of her eye. “But you are exactly right. It does feel like a little family. Thank you for not giving up on me, Barrick.”
“Never.”
We finish up with Paisley and then Regina insists on a few more pictures before we leave to meet everyone for supper.
As we walk toward my truck, I can’t take my eyes off the beautiful girl in front of me. I help her into the truck and as I walk around to my side, Regina stops me.
“Barrick, make sure she’s home by morning. We know you’ll want to stay out late and we trust you,” Regina states.
“Yes, ma’am,” I say as I climb in and stare at the prettiest girl in the world.
Chapter 30
Cadence
Holy shit! I don’t know if my heart can take this. Barrick is not only hot as hell in his tux, but it’s the way he presents himself in it. It’s like he has extra swagger. I know it’s not his style but he’s totally rocking it.
I stare at him on the short drive to The Loft. I can’t believe prom is here. It made me laugh when I first heard the news that prom would be held there, but then I remember how beautiful it was at New Year’s. Barrick helps me from the truck and he can’t seem to stop smiling.
“See something you like?” I question.
“I can’t believe you wore them. Tonight of all nights,” he says as I loop my arm through his.
“When I looked at myself, something was missing and when I put these on, it just felt right,” I admit.
“Well, they look amazing with that dress,” he says as we meet Jade and Aaron by the door.
“Cadence, y’all look amazing! And you’re wearing the boots!” Jade squeals.
“Thanks, Jade. And, yeah, they just felt right tonight. You look absolutely beautiful,” I say.
“Thanks, Cade. I can’t wait to see how they’ve converted this place,” she says with a smile.
“What do you mean?”
“Hello, it’s a ‘Starry Night’ theme,” she says.
I stop dead in my tracks and look at Barrick. How did I miss this?
“Let’s go wish on some stars,” he says with a wink.
I’m blown away as we step into a masterpiece. The worn out dance hall has been transformed. White transparent fabric drapes the ceiling and walls while the mason jar lights are intertwined with stars. Looking at the tables, the centerpieces are silver glittered mason jars with a tea light in each. There are no other words to describe it than Southern chic. Delight might be onto something with this décor. I can totally see it trending soon.
As we are served a three-course meal, I steal glances at Barrick. Never in my life have I met a guy that makes me feel this way. I am truly blessed.
Once we finish eating, we sit and talk while the DJ begins to play. Several girls take to the dance floor but we continue to talk, until Jade’s “jam” starts to play.
“Come on, Cade! It’s ‘Move’ by Luke Bryan! Let’s go!” she says, dragging me onto the dance floor. I don’t even know what to do, so I just follow the beat and start to move.
“You got it girl!” Jade says and I shake my head.
As everyone else begins a line dance, we follow for an eight count and jump in. It’s amazing how much noise my feet make with my boots, but boy do they make this line dancing easy.
Barrick
“Dang Barrick, give her a pair of boots and the country comes out,” Aaron says.
“I don’t know if you can call her country, but I ain’t ever seen anyone move like that in a pair of boots.”
“I have.” I give him a puzzled look until I realize he’s talking about my sister. I frown and his face goes pale as a ghost. It’s hilarious.
“I’m joking, but you better keep it ‘PG’ rated with her,” I say with a serious tone.
“No worries, man. I’ll be a perfect gentleman with her,” he says.
I look back at Cadence and laugh as I listen to the song lyrics. It’s almost the story of her life and she has no clue. I ask Aaron to request a song for me and then head to the dance floor as the song ends and bleeds into the next.
We spend the rest of the night on the dance floor. It doesn’t matter what’s played. My girl loves to dance and I love her in my arms. When there’s a pause in the music, people begin to clear the dance floor. Cadence looks at me as I pull her in tight and dance to the rhythm of our hearts.
After a few beats, a guitar begins to strum the opening notes of “My Church” through the speakers. Cadence smiles at me before she begins to sing and get lost in the music. The way her body moves to this song like the waves of the ocean does me in.
As she continues to sing, Jade and Aaron meet us on the dance floor and join in. When the song ends, she jumps into my arms and plants a kiss on my lips.
“How’d you do that?” she questions.
“I had some help,” I say, looking at Aaron.
“Dang girl! To not like country you sure looked like you loved that one,” Jade says with a smile.
“Maybe it’s rubbing off on me.”
Chapter 31
Cadence
Barrick pulls me into his chest and we continue to dance to whatever song is played. At this point I don’t care what it is. I just want to be held in the most loving arms I know. As the house lights begin to rise, Barrick looks at me.
“Want to go wish on our own stars?” he asks.
“You bet!” I say as we walk out to his truck.
When we get to our spot, Barrick and I walk to the tailgate. He lifts me onto the back like he’s done before, but instead of sitting beside me, he places himself between my legs and caresses my face with his hands.
“Tonight has been perfect,” he says, tenderly.
“As long as I’m with you, life is perfect,” I reply.
I can feel my nerves rise as he looks at me with a hunger I’ve never seen before.
“Barrick, I’ve never…” I start.
“Me either,” he replies and I’m completely caught off guard. “And I don’t plan on doing it tonight. You’re worth more than the bed of a truck, Cadence. One day when the time is right it will happen, but right now I just want to fall head over boots in love with you,” he says with a smile.
He pulls his phone out of his pocket and hits play before pulling me down from the tailgate. He softly sings the words as I sway in his arms and listen. He’s swept me off my feet tonight. He is everything I need and I’m glad that I’ve found the one person who has made me worthy of their love.
As the song ends, the sounds of spring fill the air and we dance to the world around us until we can’t dance any more.
Barrick
Holding Cadence in my arms tonight made everything right in this world. Looking at her and then to the stars above, I count my blessings. I never knew what I was missing in this world until she came in like a hurricane. Watching her slow down and grow over the past few months has been good for me as well.
She’s helped me realize what I want for m
y future. I’m going to go to ECU and get a degree. I want to be able to support her and take care of her and I know that getting a degree will help make that easier. I hope and pray that now she’s turned down Boston she’ll go to ECU with Jade and me.
As Cadence lets out a yawn, I scoop her into my arms and take her to the truck. “Let me get you home,” I say as I sit her in the passenger seat.
She looks at me and my heart flip-flops. “Can’t we just sleep out here?” she questions.
“I… I...” She cuts me off.
“I’ll call my mom. Please?” she pouts.
She takes her phone from her purse and calls her mom. I can only make out half of the conversation but Regina seems to be giving her a lecture of some sorts. Cadence looks at me then hands me the phone.
“Yes, ma’am,” I say as politely as possible.
“Do you intend to have sex with my daughter?” she questions and I want to crawl in a hole from embarrassment.
“No, ma’am. I do not.”
“I’m trusting you with her. Do not let me down.”
“Never. I respect Cadence more than to do something like that. I’ll have her home by daybreak,” I say, handing the phone back to Cadence.
“Yes, Mom,” she says, turning away from me. I give her privacy and lay the blankets out in the truck bed.
As I lay on my back, I feel her come up beside me. “Are you ready to wish on some stars?”
“As long as you’re beside me, I don’t have to wish on the stars any more.”
“Why is that?” she says as she rests her head on my chest.
“I don’t need to wish on the stars because I already have you,” I say as I lean down and kiss the top of her head sweetly before we fall asleep in each other’s arms.
Chapter 32
Cadence
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.
Chapter 33
Cadence
The next two weeks fly by and I’m still anxiously waiting for an acceptance letter. On Tuesday afternoon, I swing by the house to check the mail before going to the studio. There’s nothing in the mailbox and I can only assume that Gran has already gotten the mail. I quickly go to the house to ask, knowing I have to be at the studio within the hour.
“Gran!” I call as I walk in the house. “Anything…” I start to say as I see two monster envelopes on the table. One is from East Carolina University and the other is from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. My heart begins to beat rapidly.
“So, you gonna open them or what?” Gran asks as she walks in the room. I didn’t think one would arrive today, let alone two.
“I don’t know if I can. What if they don’t want me?” I ask her.
“Then they are dumb as rocks, and bigger and better things are on your way. But I’m guessing the bigger the envelope, the better,” she says wisely.
I take the envelope from UNCG, which is on top, and rip it open.
Ms. Lewis, Thank you for your application. You have been accepted for the Fall 2016 semester at the University…
I stop reading at that point and then take the other envelope and tear it open; I can’t believe what I see.
Ms. Lewis, we would like to congratulate you on your admission to East Carolina University.
Dropping the letters on the table, I look at Gran. “I told ya so,” she says as she gives me a great big hug.
I take a few minutes to process what has happened. I’ve been accepted to both schools. They are the two best in the state and Jade is going to one of them. We could be roommates but I’m drawing the line at matching comforters. I can’t wait to tell her.
I know I’ve got to get to the studio but when I see that Barrick’s truck is s
till at the barn, I sprint down and find him in the tool closet.
“I got in!” I exclaim, as he turns to face me with the biggest smile on his face. I jump into his arms as he spins me around.
“Which one?”
“Both ECU and UNCG!”
“I never doubted it for a moment,” he says as he looks me in the eyes and kisses me sweetly. “Aren’t you supposed to be at the studio?”
“I had to check the mailbox first,” I shrug.
“I’m so proud of you! How about we celebrate tonight? Me and you under the stars?”
“Sounds perfect! I’ll be finished at the studio around seven,” I state.
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at eight after I clear it with Ms. Mae,” he winks.
“I love you, Barrick Carpenter,” I say as I leave my arms around his neck.
“I love you more than life itself,” he says as we stare into each other’s eyes and I swear I can see into his soul.
I can’t contain my excitement when I get to the studio and tell Jade about the acceptance letters. We jump up and down while Ms. Lyndsay congratulates me. She declares that we need to celebrate, so instead of flex we have freestyle hour. I’m truly blessed that I have a dance family that celebrates each other’s accomplishments. Before leaving, Ms. Lyndsay pulls me to the side and tells me how proud she is of me.
“Thank you. I’m excited I got in but what if I don’t get into the dance program at either one?” I ask with concern.
“We will worry about that in the future, but right now you have one foot in the door. You also have two options. Take a moment to think about where you see yourself. Is it UNCG or ECU? Where does Cadence Lewis feel at home? The choice is yours, but I have a feeling your heart already has an answer.” She’s right. I know exactly where I belong.
Barrick
When Cadence pulls out of the driveway, I walk up to the house to ask Ms. Mae for permission to celebrate tonight since it’s a school night.
“Hey Ms. Mae,” I say as I sit on the front porch. “How about our girl?”
“I know! I’m so excited. Two schools in the same day. Which one do you think she’ll choose?”
