Colt: How are things going your way?
Me: They’re going. I haven’t started painting yet. I kind of need the paint in my car to do that
We’ve talked throughout the day a few times, him calling after he dropped Nellie off at school this morning and me shooting him a text here or there. I very much know he’s a man who’s busy and works with his hands, which keeps him from being near his phone as much. Exactly how I’ll be tomorrow when I’m finally starting the outline of my painting.
Colt: Shit, I meant to bring them over earlier today and got sidetracked. How about Nellie and I bring them to you when she gets out of school?
Me: I’d really like that. I don’t need the paint today but could definitely use it tomorrow.
Colt: I’ll get them to you. Now, because I know Nel, she’s going to come home from school starving. She’ll request a snack, so what can we bring you?
Me: Thank you! Aw, you don’t have to bring me anything. I’m well stocked up on coffee, and I only had breakfast a couple of hours ago.
Colt: Not taking no for an answer, plus you’ve got a couple more to go. Pick your poison. She usually goes for a fruit tray or a cucumber with gobs of ranch. Anything you want, it’s yours.
Me: Oh, I know. You more than proved that last night. As for food, whatever Nellie has, I’m good with. No reason to prepare different snacks.
Colt: There’s more where that came from, too. See you soon.
I don’t respond to his last text, mainly because there isn’t much left to say. Then there’s the fact that I’m sitting on the ground beneath an oak tree, knees up, sketchpad propped on them, when a shadow appears, blocking my view.
“Hey, Sable, I see you’re already working away. I thought you were taking a few days before you started?” I look up and see Ronnie standing in front of me. I hurriedly stand up whileclosing my sketchbook and dusting off my butt that’s covered in what I’m sure is dirt and grass.
“Hi, Ronnie, I thought that, too, but the mood struck.” I shrug my shoulders.
I notice the man standing next to her, covered in tattoos, a possessive hand on her waist. From our chat yesterday, I think it’s safe to assume this is her man. “You must be Jude.”
“I am, and you must be Sable.” He extends his hand for me to shake, so I do.
“That’s me. What are you two up to today?” I ask.
“We’re off to look for a piece of jewelry for Rory, Jude’s sister. She’s graduating this year. We, excuse me, I thought it’d be a good idea. She’d prefer another tattoo, but this guy is trying to hold her off from getting more right now.” Our hour-long conversation shed a lot of light on their family dynamic. Jude and Ronnie essentially adopted Rory when a tragedy struck, making sure his sister could have a great chance at life instead of being stuck in the system. A fact that Ronnie made clear was never an option to begin with.
“You do know she’ll end up with both, right?” I may not have any tattoos, but I also remember being her age and having free will. Much to Rafe’s chagrin, I came home with a belly button and nose piercing, and when I mentioned getting more, he grumbled about spacing the time out a bit more before I had more holes than skin. I didn’t stop. I got my helix done, then took a break.
“I figured as much. Still, it’s worth a shot. Do you need anything? A drink, lunch, maybe a chair?” Jude asks.
“I’m good, I promise. I’d rather sit on the ground. It allows me to look up and see the visual from a child’s point of view.” While all that is true, it’s also where I’m most comfortable. As a child, we didn’t have much, but what Rafe made sure of was creating memories of the free variety. A park with a playground,trees surrounding us, a blanket of sorts with a lunch thrown in the mix. It was my favorite place to be.
“Alright,” he responds.
“If anything changes, shoot me a text. We’ll be out and about, and we can always swing by and drop off the goods.” Ronnie moves in for a quick hug.
“Thank you. I appreciate the offer. It was nice seeing you and meeting you, Jude.” He gives a light nod, Ronnie smiles, and they head on their way. I get comfortable on the ground once again, really digging the town and people of Whispering Oaks. And I’m really looking forward to seeing a certain man with his adorable daughter later today, too.
14
Colt
“Tell Ms. Sable I said hi, Daddy.” Nellie was dropped off at my parents’ house only ten minutes ago, and she’s already on the phone talking to me. Her excuse was that she forgot to tell me something very important. “And don’t forget.”
“I won’t. Are you sure you’re okay at Mimi’s and Poppy’s? You don’t usually call this fast.” While I’m worried about how she’s taking this whole dating thing with Sable, I also don’t want to cancel our plans at the last minute.
“She’s fine. Go on your date. We’re going to make s’mores by the fire, watch a movie on the screen out back, and go from there,” Mom says in the background.
“Yeah, I’m fine, but don’t forget!” She’s making sure of it, apparently.
“I won’t. I love you, Nell Bell. Love you, Mom.” I’m almost at Sable’s B&B. from there, we’ll grab a bite to eat and figure out the rest as we go.
