by J. Darling
Leaning in, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
Ah, not quite what he had in mind. “That’s it? I want a real kiss. Give me a kiss. I’ve missed you.”
She looked down. “Kris…”
Something wasn’t right here. “Kris, what?”
“Um…well, I, ahhh…”
Just then, a loud rumble started down the street and she pushed out of his hold. “Kris, it’s over,” she blurted out quick.
“What?” he asked in confusion. He couldn’t have heard right.
Rolling her eyes in annoyance as she let out a deep sigh, she answered him with a shrug of her shoulder like it was no big deal. “It’s simple, it’s the freshman turkey drop.”
“Huh?”
A loud, souped up black car with orange flames running along the hood and fenders pulled up in front of her house. The window went down and the guy behind the wheel leaned and yelled, “Get a move on sugar, I got us a room and I’m hungry.”
Turning, she skipped down the stairs and headed towards the waiting car. Barely in, and with the door hanging open, the guy took off with a squeal.
CHAPTER 1
~Nine Years Later~
Zzzzz… Zzzzz… Was the sound coming from Kris’s drill as he set screws in the sheet rock.
“You’ll be moving in before you know it,” his youngest brother Nik said, as he held up the building material for him.
Nodding, he answered, “Yep. Nate and his dad finished the plumbing and heating bit yesterday, and with the electrician done with his part, I’ve called for the taping and mudding crew, so I need to get this done tonight.”
“Well…you’re…almost there,” Nik added, hefting another piece of sheet rock up against the wall. “You’ve done good. This will be a nice little place when you’re done.”
“Little my ass, it’s bigger than I planned on.”
Nik nodded, then smiled. “Nothing wrong with that, guess you’ll need to get married, have some kids, fill ‘er up.”
His brother was jerking his chain. “Not happening.”
“Ahhh, come on,” his other brother, Jake, chimed in, “being married is great.”
Kris shook his head. “Not interested, no wife, no kids,” he growled.
“Why not?” Nik quizzed. “What’s wrong with settling down and starting a family?”
Kris snorted. “Can’t count on a woman, that’s why.”
“Vannie was immature,” Jake responded, discrediting his answer, “not ready for the commitment, plus that was nine years ago. You should be thanking your lucky stars you didn’t end up with her. There are a lot of good women out there who’d make a good wife and mother.”
“Spoken by a true romantic,” Kris answered with a sneer. “I don’t see it like that.” More drill sounds, some banging, and up went another piece of sheetrock.
“You just haven’t met the right one,” Jake continued, “because when you do—he chuckled—watch out.”
“Haha, laugh all you want, it’s not happening. They’re all the same, fickle, giggly, flighty, and manipulative, and they all want to be waited on hand and foot. I’m not into it.”
Nik jumped in. “They’re not all like that, Linnie and Jules aren’t like that. Well, maybe a little giggly, they do know how to have a good time. You just need to find someone who has interests similar to yours, one who’s strong, strong enough to take you on when you’re in one of your moods, which is pretty much all the time by the way.”
Both his brothers laughed.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” he snapped in irritation. “What mood?”
That made them really laugh. “It means you can be a crabby, bossy, arrogant son of a bitch at times. Women pick up on that stuff right away, you attract them and then inadvertently make them act the way you’re describing by being so moody. I mean, how else do you deal with a someone like you other than being…what did you call it, flighty and manipulative. Then when they’ve had it with your shit, they become fickle. They’re interested, but then when they get around you, they get mixed messages.”
Kris’s phone rang. Looking at it, he answered it with a growl, then listened. “Yeah probably,” he replied, none too happy. … “I don’t know, it’ll be late… Because, I’m in the middle of things, that’s why… Nooo, I’ll get there, when I get there… Fine.” Snapping his phone shut, he shook his head as he scowled.
“Charming as usual. You just proved our point. Who is it this time?” Jake asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No one you know.”
Nik smiled. “What’s her name? She cute?”
Kris shrugged. “She has her attributes.”
Nik chucked. “I bet. You need coverage? You don’t want to be without.”
“No, I got it, I never, ever go without. No kids remember. Let’s just get this done.”
*****
Passing through the Village of Luck, Dani looked around. Not much to it, she thought, the main highway being on the outskirts of town. All she could really see was a couple gas stations and a grocery store, a small little mall with some nondescript business, a hotel, a church, and then a bunch of nothing, houses, farmland, cows, cows, and more cows. No horses, just cows. Hmmm, works fine for me, she mumbled, everything I need, food, fuel, peace, and tons of quiet.
She wanted quiet, boy did she. She’d spent the last two years talking, and talking, and talking, and she wanted to be done with the talking. It’d taken “beating a dead horse” to a whole new level, and quite frankly she’d done all she could do, or wanted to do, with it all. Rubbing her forehead, she felt the ache of exhaustion that came with just thinking about it.
That she was here, figuratively and literally, was, she supposed, amazing. People like her, and people who’d been through what she had, didn’t do change. It was too unpredictable, and being in control was the name of the game. She smiled. The two or three people that knew what was going on had great reservations about her coming here, raised plenty of objections, but in an interesting way, she felt that her decision to leave everything behind was, in her own way, a means of taking back the control she needed to actually move on with her life. When she’d presented it that way, they had no choice but to agree.
What if she wouldn’t be able to move on? What if she was stuck in a time and place so distant—Stop. Breathe. This is right, she told herself, you know it, it’s in your heart, remember?
She couldn’t explain it, but she felt an overwhelming, compelling draw to this place, and when the opportunity presented itself to her, it was like there was a shifting in her universe. One that felt like all that was wrong was now going to be right, a feeling so profound it left one hopeful and excited that something wonderful was about to happen. She didn’t ignore it, she jumped at the chance, and hoped to never, ever have to look back, only forward.
Heading north of Luck, to the intersection of 280th and Highway 35, she was to find the ranch on the left hand side of the road. This sure is a far cry from the rough and tumble state of Wyoming, she thought, still looking around. Thank God. She didn’t care if she had to live in the barn with her horses and eat from a trough if it meant she could get away from the dysfunction she’d been bred from.
Passing the light green house on her right, she started watching her left for the ranch. Finally, there it was, a nice big sign with a shamrock fashioned from horseshoes on it, blowing in the wind. Putting on her signal, she waited till her way was clear. Turning into the driveway, she bounced along the pitted road, and laughed. Well, this part’s just like Wyoming, she thought, I feel like I’m on an old wagon trail. The horse trailer hooked to the back of her pickup, tugged and dragged with each bump and rut. Responding to the whine on her right, she said, “Hold on boy, we’re almost there.”
Coming to a stop outside the barn, she took a moment to look around. Not bad, small compared to what she was used to, but perfect for her and her needs. Old barn, pasture, corral, house, it all looked promising, nice. “Come on boy, l
et’s check it out.” Getting out of the truck, she waited for Coco, her Australian Shepherd cattle dog, to jump from the truck. “Good boy! Let’s go.” Heading to the barn first, Coco happily explored.
Removing the padlock and pushing the door open, Dani stepped inside and walked along the alleyway to a small arena in the back she hadn’t seen when pulling in. Nice, very nice. Needs attention, she thought, but doable. I can make this work.
Heading to the house, she gave Coco the command to stay, then stepped into the porch. Putting the key in the lock, she turned the knob and entered the living room, then on to the kitchen, dining area, and down the hall to the bedrooms. Back in the kitchen, she stopped, reached and plugged in the refrigerator, then listened. It started right up. Nice. She turned the knobs on the stove and could feel the burners heat up. Perfect. Then to the sink, and…she had water, hot water even. Excellent.
Back outside, Coco personally oversaw the unloading of the truck, barking when he saw his food and water dish, then his blue ball. “Yeah, I’m happy too boy,” Dani said, as she pulled a saddle out and threw it over a fence rail. Going to the trailer, she opened it and unloaded Topaz, her golden Palomino Quarter horse. “Hey girl, how’s one of the best horses in the world, hmmm?” she asked, soothing Topaz with her hands and words. She was rewarded with a snuffle and a huff. “You want to work out some kinks after that long ride?” Another snuffle, and some shifting from hoof to hoof. “Alright, let’s saddle up and ride the perimeter, we’ll check out the fence, okay?”
With a hop, Dani was up and through the open gate and into the pasture. No sagging lines, no gaps, secure, but old wobbly posts that needed replacing. Stopping in the center of it all, she took a good look around her and smiled, giving it all a nod. She loved it, all of it, and with her heart full, she couldn’t help but think…she was in Luck, and she was home.
After finishing the unloading and putting away of things, she pulled out her phone and dialed. Putting it to her ear, she leaned against her pickup and waited. “I’m here.”… “It looks good, yard and pasture need attention, new fencing and mowing mostly, barn needs some work too, house has some furnishings left in it.”… “Nah, not really, some cleaning and elbow grease mostly.”… “I’m fine. I like it. I’ll get it put together for you.”…“Yeah, we made it alright, no troubles. Topaz and Ricochet are in the pasture now, Coco’s rolling in the dirt.”… “I should be ready in a few days, week tops, then send some my way.”… “Will do, bye.”
*****
“Mmmm, nice. You’re good. I want this all the time. We’ve been doing this a while now. Why don’t you move some of your things over and make this more permanent. We’re good together, lover.”
Rolling onto his back, Kris shook his head. “I don’t do permanent, remember? I told you that in the beginning.”
“Why not?” she pouted. “I’m good to you, I let you have it anytime, all the time, any which way.”
“That you do, and I appreciate it, but this is the way it is.” He knew where this was going and started searching around for his things. After all, the breaking in period and novelty phase was wearing off.
“You’re sleeping around, aren’t you?” she accused more than asked, her voice going up a few notches. Then turning hard and edgy, she continued, “Screwing whatever you can, I bet.”
He shook his head again. “Nope, only you.” Yikes, he probably could’ve softened that up a bit. Maybe Jake and Nik were right.
“Get out!”
Grabbing his pants and pulling them on, Kris felt around for his shirt and boots, not able to see much in the dim candlelight. So much for the relaxing romantic ambiance.
“I said, get out!” she shrieked.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m working on it,” he said, with a shake of his head as he pulled his keys from his pocket. “You did call me, remember?”
“Drop dead!”
Something flew past his head and fell to the floor with a thud, a shoe maybe. Whatever. “Bye-bye.” Well now, wasn’t he polite? Stepping out of the house, he headed for his truck. Another one bites the dust. Oh well, this was why he’d never commit himself to a woman. They were too unpredictable, and you sure the hell couldn’t trust them, that was for damn sure.
Lightening flashed as he turned onto the main road. Good thing they’d gotten the crops in the ground. Now if they’d just get a little rain it would work out nice. They sure the hell didn’t need a deluge though. They’d already gotten a late start because of a long winter and spring flooding, and he didn’t want to lose that seed and have to plant again. His pickup swayed when it was hit by strong winds. Great, they didn’t need the wind to blow the seed away either. Big fat raindrops began to fall and splat onto the windshield.
“Women,” he growled aloud to no one but himself. He liked them, but he sure the hell didn’t love them. Always out to manipulate and change a guy. Well, forget it, he wasn’t changing for any woman, and he told them that straight up. Not getting married, no kids, no commitment, just get together and have a good time. Period. That’s the way it was, and they’d go for it, hanging all over him, fawning, dolling themselves up and making a spectacle to keep his attention. Then it was always the same when they realized they couldn’t change him, they’d kick his ass to the curb. Oh well, he wouldn’t do commitment again, had no reason to, because in his book, all the women he’d ever met were all the same.
Turning down 280th, he stopped when he heard a loud high pitched whine, then a loud crack. Hmmm, tree must have fallen, he’d check it out tomorrow. Stepping on the gas, he crossed over the Gandy Dancer Trail and headed towards the farm. Coming upon the end of the driveway, he could see all the lights on in the barn and outside. Heading into the yard, he pulled up as his dad was coming out of the house.
Looking Kris over with a critical eye, then to his watch, his dad said clearly irritated, “It’s two thirty in the morning.”
Ignoring the statement, hoping his dad would let it go, Kris asked, “What’s going on in the barn?”
“It’s a good goddamn relief your mother isn’t alive to see you sneaking and sleeping around.”
No luck, this had been one hell of a day. “I’m a grown man,” he answered, sounding tough but feeling a little bleak.
Nodding, his dad said, “Yes, you sure are. So quit acting like a boy.” Then he turned and walked to the barn.
Well, that was his third kick in the ass, all within twenty four hours. Heading in the house, he went up the stairs and into the kitchen. Seeing his sister Linnie, he tried smiling. “Hey, what are you doing up?”
Stopping what she was doing and staring at him, taking him all in, she raised an eyebrow. “Maybe, I should be asking you that. Slow in the ER, just got home from work. Who is it this time?”
“No one, it’s over.” Looking down to where she was staring, he saw that his shirt was on inside out. Great. He headed for the fridge. “How’s the baby?”
“Kicking,” she said, rubbing her pregnant belly. “Kris, hate to break it to you, but you’re a mess. You need to let this thing with Vanessa go. It was years ago. There are a lot of good women out there, but you’re getting to an age where you’re going to have to go a lot younger to find one that isn’t divorced with children, and we all know how you feel about kids.”
Laughing as he slapped a thick slice of ham on a bun, he answered her, “Kids are okay, as long as they’re not mine. Besides, it’s not a problem. I’m not going to get married, and don’t want kids, I’m going to be a bachelor forever. I’ll simply spoil my nieces and nephews,” he said with a mischievous grin and a wiggle of his eyebrows. “You better watch out, I’m buying them the noisiest toys I can find, then sending them all to your house. And what do you mean about my age? You make it sound like I have one foot in the grave, I’m twenty-eight not eighty-two. Besides, even if I was interested, which I’m not, there are only two good women in this world, you and Jules, and that’s a no go. So, there’s no hope for me,” he said with a shrug. “Wh
at’s going on in the barn?”
“Famous last words, you’re impossible. You just wait, keep talking like that and I promise you, you’ll be eating those words,” Linnie answered with a shake of the head. “One of the heifer’s been laboring for a while and is having trouble. Jake and Dad have been out there all night. Nik’s sleeping. You better catch some winks yourself, because the two of you will need to pull double duty tomorrow, and with this storm, who knows what kind of clean up there’ll be. Oh, and Jules left a note on the fridge for you, something about new neighbors at the Luck-E ranch looking for hay.”
Gulping down a glass of milk and finishing his bun, Kris grabbed the note and glanced at it. “Heading to bed now. Get to bed yourself, and give the little one a rest.”
She grunted. “Yeah, right. It’s the other way around, the little one needs to give me a rest. Good night.”
Grinning as he left the room, he took the stairs two at a time. In his room and crawling into bed, Kris thought about what Linnie had said. He’d let it go, sure had, a long time ago. Even had the satisfaction of laughing in Vanessa’s face when she came back several years later, unmarried with a child in tow, “missing him.” Hah, yeah right! So not into that scene, he thought as lightening flashed outside followed by a loud thunderous boom overhead.
A woman would mean rearranging his life. Did that once, not doing it again, he thought. Besides, he liked to come and go as he wanted, sleep with whoever he wanted. Go hunting and fishing when he wanted, and then drinking with the guys if he wanted. He’d play cards, watch football, and spend money if he wanted, all without having to get permission from the little woman.
Not to mention he hated chick stuff, the romantic dinners, the “aren’t I special” dance nights, the “you never buy me flowers” crusade, and then the sappy, make you want to poke your eyes out with a rusty fork, movies…hell no. No thanks, forget it, he’d take a rain-check and never redeem it.
