“Nah, I think if I’d gotten up the courage to ask, you would’ve said yes and we’d still be together. You’d have graduated college and I would be here running this ranch.”
“Pretty confident there, buddy…”
“I tell you what. I’ll have enough confidence for the both of us.”
“That sounds good to me.” I snuggled back in close to him, enjoying his warmth.
“Hey, Cassidy Mae?”
“Yeah?” I peeked up at him from the comfort of his arm.
“Would you go to the fireworks with me this week?”
I raised my hand to my chest in shock, “Beau Montgomery, are you asking me on a proper date, in public?”
“Suppose I am. What do ya say?” I didn’t have to think about it. I knew the answer.
“Yes.” I breathed and he leaned down to kiss my forehead.
“Are you ever gonna kiss me here?” I pointed to my lips as my tongue reached out to touch my bottom lip.
“You bet your sweet ass I’m going to, sweetheart, just waiting for the perfect moment. That first kiss is going to be followed up by lots and lots of other kissing so we gotta start it off just right.” I nodded my head. Lord, if death by swooning was possible, I’d be dead within the week.
A couple of nights ago was the first night we’d had that much physical contact since she’d moved in with me. I was thrilled that she was finally getting comfortable enough with me to let me touch her.
It was a tiny jump in the right direction. Cass had fallen asleep on my shoulder and I didn’t want her neck to get a kink in it, so I’d carried her to her own bed. A small part of me was sad that I couldn’t crawl right in beside her and snuggle up close, but we weren’t there yet.
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
