Damon let out a low whistle when they stepped inside. "Is this a full-size basketball court?"
"Yep. Basketball, volleyball, dance hall, whatever you want to do...we can do it here." Jake pointed in one direction then the other. "We don't have much equipment in it yet, but there's a weight room back there in that corner. And a kitchen and bathroom over here." He continued to point out the sound system, and the dozen other little and not so little things that made the space incredible.
"I see why Paige wants to have the wedding here. It's beautiful." Grace's eyes were as wide with amazement as Damon's.
"We're excited to host the wedding. We built it for family to enjoy." A pleased expression filled Jake's face. "And a wedding is the perfect inaugural event."
When they finally walked out of the rec center, Damon stopped Jake. "Before we ride, do you mind if Grace and I borrow one of your old farm trucks?"
Jake's face grew puzzled. "I can't vouch for how clean they are, but sure."
"Thanks. Grace wants to learn how to drive a stick shift."
"What?" Grace's chin dropped as she turned wide eyes on him. "We don't have to do that today. Riding horses is enough."
"Oh, we’re doing this." Damon grinned at her.
"Knock yourself out." Jake motioned toward the big shed where they kept all the farm equipment. "Stay away from the white one. The brakes are going out on it."
Ten minutes later, Damon parked the truck on the side of the road headed away from the ranch. "Okay, it's your turn." He opened his door and jumped out. Grace still sat on the passenger side when he opened her door. "What's wrong?"
"It's such a big truck. I've never driven a vehicle this big."
"You've got this." He waved his arm. "There's nothing but wide-open road. There's rarely much traffic out here. And if you run off the road, you won't hit anything but sagebrush."
Grace shot him a scowl before scooting across the bench seat.
He waited for her to move the seat forward and adjust her mirrors. By the time she had the seat positioned so she could reach the pedals, his knees brushed the dash. "Just don't crash into anything. I don't think my knees will survive."
She smirked at him. "Maybe we should do this another day."
"Nope. No time like the present. You're going to feel so accomplished by the time we're done."
"Or maybe I'll feel like strangling you."
He gave her a cheesy grin. "That's a possibility, but hey, at least you’ll have learned how to drive a stick shift before you go to jail."
"Jail. Now there's something to check off the bucket list," Grace said in a dry voice.
Damon busted out laughing, and Grace joined him. "Yeah, that's definitely one you put on after the fact. I'd hate to think anyone would actually aspire to that." He motioned toward the pedals. "Okay, now quit stalling. Left foot on the clutch, right on the brake. Now put it into first gear and slowly let out the clutch and apply pressure to the gas."
The truck lurched forward and died.
"Push in the clutch and start it up. Now this time, let the clutch out slower." Damon continued to coach Grace as she jerked her way through the gears. Once she got to fifth gear, hemade her slow and drop down a couple gears before coming to a stop. "That was great. Now go again."
By the time they returned to the ranch, Grace drove the truck with a manual transmission almost like a pro. Judging by the smile on her face, she felt every ounce of her accomplishment.
"Wait." Damon stopped her before they walked out of the equipment shed. "Take out your phone and put a check mark by Learn to Drive a Stick Shift."
"I've hardly mastered it."
"No, but you're off to a good start. Don't worry, we'll squeeze in a few more lessons while I'm here."
Tempering her smile, Grace pulled out her phone.
He watched as she checked the box. "Good. Now add: Go Four-Wheeling."
"What?" When she gave him a puzzled look, he pointed at the ATVs in the corner.
