I think we swayed their minds the other way, twos enough. Anymore would have been an almighty reckless crowd.
Although, I’d always dreamed of so many more than my daughter who sat next to me at the table. That was before all the mess that dictated how my life’s been lived; with no thought to ask my opinion on the matter, even though it’s the only dream I so desperately wanted.
****
Settling Elle into bed, wrapping her covers around her as tight as it possibly could fold around a small nine-year-old girl.
“Mama,” Ellie whines. “I’m getting too big for this.” She smiles at me, and I look down at my baby girl and the realisation that she turns ten soon rattles my cage.
“No matter how old you get, you will always be my baby.” I laugh, flicking my thumb gently over her button nose.
“I know, Mama.” She looks into my eyes, that same twinkle shining back at me like it did the first time she ever opened them. I still see the whole universe in this one’s eyes.
One thing about this girl is that no matter the situation, she could always command the room.
I suppose the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree really, just one look into her deep sky-blue eyes would make anyone bow down to her.
Well, that’s how me and my family feel, but I guess people would say that about their own child. But to me, she’s truly been my light in the dark.
And trust me, I’ve got plenty of dark inside of me.
“Night, baby-girl,” I say, placing a kiss on her forehead.
“Night, Mama.” She yawns back at me.
As I leave her room, with the door slightly ajar, I head back to the lounge and straight for the kitchen. Cracking open another bottle of wine, I lean against the island, glass in hand and take a sip. My phone gently buzzing in my pocket causes me to place down the glassand pull the phone out of my back pocket.
Jake; Meet me on the porch :)
I smile.
Taking the bottle of wine and my glass, I decide to leave my phone on the island. Pulling the sliding door open, I’m met with a familiar face sitting comfortably on a chair on my porch.
“Hey, stranger,” Jake smiles at me, lifting his glass of whiskey to his lips.
“Hey, honey. What’re doing here?” I ask, leaning in to kiss his cheek before taking a seat next to him on the swing.
“Stopped by to see Colter, thought I’d try catch Ellie, but he said you was putting her to bed,” He flashes me a smile.
“Yeah, you just missed her,” I reply, taking a sip of my wine.
“Damn you, and your bedtimes,” He winks at me.
“Hey! She’s nine. Needs routine,” I laugh which makes him smirk back at me.
Jake being at my place at this time of night is nothing unusual. His parents and mine are greatfriends. His family’s here all the time when they aren’t busy running their own ranch.
The Bennett’s primarily train horses. We get our working horses from them whenever we need them. They get cattle from us. It’s a well-bred working system.
Pun intended.
“Little birdie told me your coming out tomorrow night?” he asks.
“Jesus,” I start. “Why is me coming out tomorrow such a big deal?” I ask, scoffing at his notion.
Has it really been that long or are people extremely bored at the moment. If they’re bored, I’ve plenty of jobs that need doing that I could keep them busy with; running alongside our herd being the top one.
He smiles at me and raises his hands. “Hey, don’t start on me. I’m glad you’re coming out.”
