And the hell? I don’t need to get home…
“Actually, I,” I stutter out once again, taking my hat back off my head, both girls looking back at me with wonder in their eyes. “Would you, I mean would you ladies...”
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Would you ladies, like to come with me, to the fair on Saturday?” I manage out, luckily without hurting myself too much at the simple request.
Ellie lets out a loud squeal at my request. “Can we, Mama, can we?” she asks back at Mabel. Her response brings a smile back to my really nervous look. Mabel looks back at me wide eyed. “Are you sure?” she asks.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I reply, completely sure of this girl and her daughter.
“Okay then.” Is all Mabel manages, before Ellie starts cheering so loudly, it makes both the horses jump. Mabel and I laugh at the little girl, dancing round in the pen.
“Alright, Ellie, calm down,” Mabel says, trying to stop her daughter from scaring the horses even more.
“Sorry, Mama,” Ellie replies, stopping her dancing almost immediately. “Sorry,” Mabel shrugs out at me, and my shoulders sag in relief.
I’d give anything right now to take hold of her and dip her into a deep kiss; but I know I can’t, not with Ellie watching. “Nothing to apologize for, Firefly.” I wave her off, accepting my queue.
“Anyway, I’m going to get back to the barn, I’ll see you girls later,” I wink back at Mabel before mounting Storm, giving her a gentle kick to walk on towards the horse barn.
****
Running the brush down alongside the black coloured mare whose stall I’d just mucked out; I let out a shaky breath; what on earth was wrong with me?
Why couldn’t I just ask them to the fair on Saturday without turning into an absolute wreck?
I’ve just spent the last thirty minutes muttering profanities at myself, talking to the horses about what a fucking idiot I am.
I’m definitely losing my mind.
“Hey, Cowboy,” I hear echoing throughout the barn, my head shoots up towards the direction of the voice.
I find Mabel, leaning up against the entrance frameof the barn, leg crossed over the other, arms down to her sides, still in the same purple dress that I’d left her in, fitting her curves perfectly.
“Nice going on the date, Ellie’s just a tad bit excited,” she winks at me, before walking in my direction.
“I’m sorry, it was a terrible way to ask,” I laugh, trying to hide the nervousness in the pit of my stomach.
Mabel reaches me, pulling my hand into hers before curling her fingers into mine.
“I thought it was wonderful,” she says, looking up at me with her big sparkling blue eyes. I soften under her touch.
I lock my eyes to hers, gripping her fingers in my hand tighter, hoping she wouldn’t let go.
“Well,” she starts. “Are you going to give me a kiss hello? Or am I reading into this completely wrong?” she asks cheeks blushing.
I bring my face down to hers, hunching my back over to meet her small frame.
“You aren’t reading this wrong,” I whisper, as she lets go of my hand and throws her arms around my neck.
Our lips crash together once again, and I pull my arms around her waist, gripping on tight enough so I can lift her up to my level.
On impact, Mabel wraps her legs around my waist, giving herself a better grip onto me.
I stand there, holding us both up, lips and tongues moving in perfect sync with each other for what feels like hours, but could only have been minutes.
“Now that, was a kiss hello,” Mabel laughs as she pulls away from my face.
