“I’ll say, something like that.”
Emma turned to face him squarely and said, “I don’t know what you do but I’m sure it’s probably something that has made you rack up flight miles which is something I can’t say for myself. But what I do know is this, a life of no joy is no life at all. You can try to find your lost passion or find a way to free yourself, so you don’t have to live so tiredly.”
“I wish it were so simple, Emma. I really wish so.”
They sat in silence for a while staring at the dancing flames. Some people left and more came just as the party started to thin out. Shortly before eleven, Emma looked down at her watch andstood up. She tightened her cardigan around her and said, “I should get home now. It’s getting late.”
Without hesitation, Xavion jumped to his feet, “Why don’t I walk you home? I know you’ve lived here all your life but please, let me.”
She nodded and with a smile, said, “Sure, you can. Thanks.”
“So, how long do these ranch nights last?” Xavion asked as they walked down a trail. Several others walked past them.
“Sometimes, till twelve, the latest they’ve lasted to is two. Usually, the organizer gauges the number present and decides if it should conclude or go on.”
“You know an awful lot about this ranch,” Xavion observed.
They were arriving at her gate just then. She turned to him and said, “Thanks for walking me home, Xavion. I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah, see you around. Good night.” He stepped back and watched her enter going in. She locked the low gate behind her.
“Good night,” she said with a wave and hurried up the front steps.
Once the door shut behind her, Xavion turned around and smiling sheepishly, he headed back to the cabin. He was the first one in. It was a good thing they all went with their keys, he thought to himself. He did not go straight to his room, instead he headed to the deck. Leaning against the railing, he sighed, a happy sigh as he observed the activity out there.Why are youso happy?A voice asked in his head.Is it the conversation that you had with her? The fact that you’re getting to know her or simply because you now know that the father of the kids are not present?
He rolled his eyes at his inner voice. Why should I be pleased about that? We are just friends, or rather, we are getting to know each other. We are almost friends.
“She is an almost-friend that makes me smile a lot,” he muttered.
He had known her only a few days, spoken to her only three times but during every one, he could never stop the delight he felt.How about you get some sleep? You can sort through your feelings in the morning, you know, with a clear head.
There are no feelings, he argued with himself. Still, he headed to the room.
Sleep did not come quickly for Xavion. He was restless, trying to find the best position but with every turn, a certain green-eyed blonde kept jumping into his head. The rays of the sun were peeking out over the clouds when he finally drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Thirteen
“What do you think of the rock roses? I think the gum and pink rock roses will blend pretty well,” Emma said as she adjusted the flower arrangements in the basket. She looked at Brianna.
Brianna's lips turned up in a smile and she said, “Well, Emma, for a country girl, you actually do have great taste.”
Emma chuckled, “I can see you still haven’t figured out that I take pleasure in being a country girl, Brianna.”
It had been three weeks since their first meeting. The next day, Brianna had called with the contract. They were not wasting any more time. The wedding was going to be that weekend. Brianna said she had already spent too long searching for a venue. Despite the protests of aunts and mothers, the plans were underway.
“Like you said, Emma, it is my wedding,” Brianna had said sweetly.
Emma felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned around to see one of the staff holding a milkshake.
“From your friend over there,” she said with a smile as she handed it over. Emma turned in the direction the girl had pointed and chuckled when she saw Xavion standing near a fountain, pretending as if he could not see her.
“Thanks,” she told the girl and she left. She unpeeled the paper around the cup and saw the note, 'We are still on for the picnic right?After the bonfire night, they had become friends and seeing each other every day for the past three weeks had become a big part of their lives. He was referring to a picnic they were having later with the twins. She looked up and nodded. He grinned, tipped his cowboy hat and left. Emma chuckled as she watched him go. Slowly, he and his friends had shed off their city fashion and hugged the country life attire of button downs, plaids, jeans and the cowboy hats.
“Hmm... It seems your friend cannot spend a moment without you,” Brianna said in an amused tone.
Emma quirked a brow as she asked, “Why do you say it like that?”
“Like what? Like I think you both are too blind to see that you aren’t just friends?”
