The Country Duet(14)
“I worry about you, son. Your heart is too big for this ugly world,” Mom adds.
Rolling storms of emotions attack me. “It just hurts to see Dave with a sane mind, but a body failing him. He loves that ranch. He has told me story after story about how his old man built the house he lives in and grew up there.”
“Like I said, Hunter, God put Dave in your life for a reason. Know we will always be here for you.”
I remember the tingling sensation that shot up my spine the day I knocked on Dave’s door. I was there for a reason…only if I knew why then, the picture might be clear. It’s beginning to become a murky gray.
I digest their advice and wish I’d come to my parents before now. I know better, but out in the real world is so different from life on the Sweetwater Ranch. It feels good to be home—actually perfect. It’s just what I’ve needed.
Dad stands up with his empty plate. “Moving the herd tomorrow. Be up and ready at dawn.”
I nod toward him and then head outside for a walk. December in Idaho isn’t ideal weather, but it’s an abnormally warm evening. Warm as in, a brisk twenty-five degrees with no wind. Nothing my Carhartt coat can’t handle. I go to my truck and decide on going for a drive down to the pond.
The night air is clearing my mind and making all of me aware and alive. George Straight blaring from the cab of my Dodge truck and the cold beer in my hand are what I consider paradise. Pure perfection. The cowboy way. This might be the first time I’ve been down here with a case of beer and no Burton. It’s a bittersweet feeling knowing our lives are going in separate directions. We’ve been best friends since birth.
Our neighboring ranches were the perfect scene to play non-stop. It never hurt that our families have always been best friends. Our crew always at their place on branding days, and vice versa. Remembering the day our dads gave us our first pocket knives, we spent hours cutting bailing twine and random shit like kings on top of the world. We shot our first bucks on the same hunting trip and also shared lots of whippings over the years.
I crush the empty can and pop a new one open and barely hear my phone beep over the blaring Johnny Cash song. Unknown pops up on the screen. Dave is the first thing that I think of, but then realize he only has a landline and wouldn’t be able to text with his arthritic fingers anyway.
Unknown: Hey! Made a Christmas card for your Long Dong Silver (Hope it’s long or this just got real awkward.)
A few seconds later, a picture message comes through. I knew the text was from Teale before it even downloaded. A selfie of her holding up her book with the page open to a cowboy hat where she’s drawn a perfect set of balls and dick on it. Her bright smile is half covered by the book, but her gorgeous auburn hair is wild on top of her head. With my finger, I press down on it, saving it to my phone.
I had no idea how much I’ve missed this girl over the last two weeks until she sent me a drawing of a dick. I finish my second beer before replying back to her. I’m not exactly sure how one replies to a dick picture.
Me: Kind of speechless here, Teale.
Me: And how did you get my number?
Teale: I know my drawing is damn good and from my Dad’s phone, duh!
Me: How was your Christmas?
Teale: Didn’t get the pony I’ve been asking for the last fifteen years.
God, this woman.
Me: Bummer. I have an extra pony here on the ranch looking for a beautiful red head.
Teale: HUNTER! Was that a dick joke?
Me: No…I really have a pony you could ride.
Teale: Smooth, real smooth, Hunter Yates. I bet you do.
Me: See I’m not going to win here. I’ll be back up on campus New Year’s Eve. Want to do dinner or something?
Teale: Yes, something for sure. Would even be up for a pony ride!
I toss my phone on the tailgate, excited about returning to campus. Life is changing rapidly with me in the passenger seat or rather on the tailgate of my truck. Just like the old saying goes, “The only thing that stays the same is everything changes.”
I crack open another beer, knowing I’ll be regretting it in the morning, but nothing right now could kill the high I’m riding. Not even the promise of a hangover in the early rays of the morning.
Chapter 6
Hunter
“The foundation of family - that's where it all begins for me.” –Faith Hill
Abby had quite the dramatic show when I drove down the lane leaving for campus. Quinn waved like a lunatic because she got a new car for Christmas and has no time to miss her older brother.
The two weeks back home were just what my soul needed. I’m rejuvenated spending time on the ranch. I’m shocked how excited I am for my date tonight with Teale. I’ve never dreaded going back to campus, but also have never looked forward to it as I do now.
I fight to unscramble my brain on the long ass drive back. The hours and miles fade away in the rearview mirror. By the time I hit town, it’s already eight p.m. I should go home and shower, but instead reach over for a spritz of cologne and pull into Frank’s.
Teale had texted, letting me know she’d be at the shop working on an online course. The one thing I have learned about the mysterious woman is that she is busting her ass to get an LPN license, along with an associate’s degree while working for her dad.
Just like so many times before, when I open the door, she’s at her desk with her face in her MacBook, intent on something. This time is a bit different. After tasting her and feeling her lips on mine, I want more in the worst way. To go fast in the slowest possible way with her. That one taste ignited more in me than any other kiss in my life.