He looked down at the ground and kicked at something. It was then I noticed he had on loafers.
“Why are you wearing those shoes?” I asked.
“I like these shoes.”
Covering my mouth with my hands, I tried not to laugh. “Easton! You’re on a ranch! You should have at least worn sneakers.”
He rolled his eyes and smiled at me. “I didn’t realize you were taking me on a nature walk.”
Taking my hand in his, he kissed the back of it. “I’m sorry. I really try not to be jealous of your friendship with Rip, and maybe he does simply care about you as a friend.”
The corners of my mouth turned up.
“Come on, let’s go so we’re not gone long. I think we’ll be eating soon.”
When we walked into the barn, I took a deep breath. “Oh! That is the best smell!”
Easton gagged. “What in God’s name is that smell?”
“It’s called a barn, East. Animals live and eat here.”
“And obviously shit here.”
I made my way in and stopped at Patches’ stall. He was kicking at the door, having heard my voice.
“This is my baby boy, Patches.”
I opened the door and slipped inside. Patches was all over me, which made me laugh. When he pushed me down, Easton walked in and started to pull him off.
“Get off of her, you idiot!”
“Easton!” I scolded. “Do not call him that. Let him go right now!”
“Chloe, he was…”
“Greeting me. It’s been months since I’ve seen him. Now be gentle with him. He’s really old.”
“He stinks.”
Patches turned and stared at Easton. He looked ready to charge, and a part of me wished he would.
“You should step out of his stall, East. I think you pissed him off.”
Easton looked at me like I had lost my mind.
“You’re joking, right?”
When I nodded, Patches answered him with a beeeeehhhhh, and then came the charge.
“Shit!” Easton yelled, jumping and managing to slip out of the stall without being hurt.
Patches trotted back over to me, happy as a clam.
“Patches, I missed you so much. I’m so happy to be home. Yes, I am.”
“Tell me you’re not thinking of bringing him. I don’t think we can keep a goat in the city.”
Looking up at him, I asked, “City?”
“Yeah. My folks said they’re going to start looking at houses in their neighborhood for us and send us some links.”
“Houses?”
He laughed. “We are going to have to live somewhere, Chloe.”
“You don’t want to live a little bit out of the city? Maybe on a couple of acres?”
“No. No way am I driving in the Houston traffic to work.”
Nodding, I kept scratching behind Patches ears.
“And your parents want us living by them?”
“Of course, they do. Do you have a problem with that?”
“No. Of course not.” I’d only met Easton’s parents one time about seven months ago. We had only been dating a few months, and they came up to visit for the weekend. They were nice, but I couldn’t tell if they liked me or not.
“Your folks do like me? Right?”
Easton forced a smile. “Sure they do.”
I tilted my head and gave him an incredulous look. “That was reassuring.”
He laughed. “Probably just as much as your dad likes me. Or Gage, for that matter. Everyone just needs to get to know each other more. Once you’re in Houston, you’ll get to know my whole family.”
“When will you get to know mine?” I asked, standing and giving Patches a long hug.
“I’m sure we will be coming back to visit often.”
“Christmas time?”
He shrugged. “Every other, I’m sure.”
Laughing, I stared at him before I said, “No. Easton, I’m not going to come home every other year for Christmas. We’re only six hours away. We can find the time to visit. We can switch off whose family we spend Christmas day with, but I want to be home for the holidays.”
“Mom’s not going to like that. Christmas is a big deal in our family.”
“And you don’t think it is in mine?”
“Your family is so big. You won’t even be missed.”
I slammed the gate shut and jerked the latch down. “Alrighty, then. So I’m forgettable. Thanks for that.”
This time I did stomp off. I was pretty sure I threw in a little huff while I was at it.
“Chloe, come on. We’re arguing about stupid things. It will all work out.”
“Stupid things?” I said, spinning around and causing him to nearly run into me. “Easton, we need to talk about these things. I’m giving up my entire life here to be with you. The least you can do is let me come back and spend every other Christmas Day with my family.”
“Giving up your life? Funny, I thought we were starting a life together.”
“We are, but can’t you understand what I’m walking away from? My family? The job I always thought I would have? My friends? The only life I’ve ever known?”
“Then maybe you should have thought a little bit longer on your answer, Chloe.”