Austin arches a brow my way when she’s not looking. I shrug, and then he shrugs back, both of which Dee somehow catches. “Is this a shruggin’ contest or somethin’? C'mon, guys. Tell ya what, we could try darts if you want a chance. I'm not as good at that."
“I could have a go at darts,” Austin says. “Darn sight better at it than pool.”
A snort escapes me. “Speak for yourself, brother. I’m a pool shark.”
Both of them start laughing at me, Dee reaching over and patting my shoulder sending tingles through my arm. She doesn’t react though, which yet again has me thinking she’s not feeling the physical effects of the Call.Is this soulmate business always so damn confusing?“Don’t worry, Tobes. I’ll go easy on ya.”
Austin's eyes alight with mischief. "Maybe we should put a bet on it again. The winner gets to choose everyone's chores for the next week."
Dee’s smile turns into a beaming beacon I can’t tear my eyes away from. “You’re on, Graham Brothers. I can’twaitto have y’all muckin’ out the stables while I sit back in the Gator and patrol the fields. This is gonna be fun,” she says, rubbing her hands together.
Fun… yes. I just don’t know who for yet.
The next weekdrags like a stubborn donkey plowing a field. It feels like it takes forever but really, it’s just because–true to her word–Deedidgive me the worst chores to do, but curiously, she gave them to herself too. Part of me was hopin’ she did it because she felt guilty at beating us at darts despite her saying she wasn’t good at it. A smaller part hoped it was to spend time with me.
“I was thinkin’,” she says, stopping outside the stable I’m currently cleaning out. “What do y’all do for fun around here other than drinkin’ and hustlin' at the Cow? There must be somethin’ in the air because I’m feelin’ real antsy, like I need todosomethin’.”
"OK," I say, eying her curiously. "I hadn’t read about any squalls due to hit but maybe there’s a weather change afoot or somethin’. What did you wanna do?”
"I dunno. I figured you're the one who knows everythin' about everythin'. I was kinda hopin' you'd have some ideas."
"I could take you to the swimmin’ hole at the back of Sunshine Farm. It's at the foot of the mountain so any meltin’ snow flows into it. It's pretty peaceful and real pretty."Like you,I don't say. “And you did say somethin’ a while ago about likin’ a dip.”
"Sounds great. I'm in. I don’t care if it’s iced over. Those cold baths are all the rage now anyway."
A short while later after gathering everything we might need from the bunkhouse and some food to snack on, we slowly make our way toward the boundary with Sunshine Farm in the Gator. Unable to take it any further, we leave it at the fence and walk the rest of the way along a worn path my brothers and I have made.
Finding this small swimming hole was like discovering a mirage in a desert, it's so different to any other pond or lake in the area. The air is warm and always smells like fresh rain.
As we reach the water, Dee stops, her eyes widening at the picturesque scene in front of us. The crystal-clear blue water reflects all the bright colors around it, making the whole place seem almost heavenly. Well, what I imagine it could be like anyway. ambiance.
"This place is amazin'," she says, turning to me and playfully whacking my arm. "And I can't believe none of you have brought me here before. I feel like this should be on the Bull Mountain Ranch and Stud Farm brochure. Then again, maybe not. No one would ever wanna leave."
I chuckle, forcing my eyes away from her. The wonder in her gaze is so... I can't even put it into words. She truly loves it here, and I can't help but imagine her coming here every summer,sunning herself in the grass, swimming in the water when it's at least a little bit warmer than it is now.
"You wanna sit down?" she says. "We can have lunch while I let you get your fill of this pretty view."
"You or the water?" I say before I can stop myself.
I catch her blush before she dips her chin, her brown wavy hair falling over her face but not enough to hide the small smile curving those pink lips of hers. “Charmer. You learn to sweet talk ladies when you were on the road?”
“Nah. I’ve always believed it’s not sweet talkin’ if you’re tellin’ the truth.” I don’t even think about biting my tongue this time.
Dee glances through her lashes with a mischievous spark in her eyes. "Guess it depends on who's doin’ the charmin’," she says playfully before settling down onto the grass and patting the spot beside her. "Now come on, Tobes. Let's eat before I decide to give you all the dirty chores for another week."
I join her on the soft ground, feeling a warmth spread through my chest as our shoulders brush against each other. Opening the lunch bag, I hand her a sandwich and take one for myself.
"Lucky for me, you don't get that honor unless you earn it again." I chuckle. "Besides, I don't think Austin's gonna betanythin’like that again. He was grumblin’ for days, and he’s not a man that grumbles about anythin’.”
"Pity," she says, taking a bite of her ham and salad roll. "It's been fun."
"You've been workin’ with me all week."
"Exactly,” she says, shooting me a wink. "Fun."
“You teasin’ me, Skippy?” I say with a playful shoulder bump.
“Maaaybeee…” She laughs, fixing her gaze on the glistening water in front of us. “Not sure how to explain it, but it felt strange you not bein’ here. It was like there was a piece of the ranch missin’, you know?”
