Always His Cowgirl (Always 2)

“You’re late.” Mom is the last to hug me. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. She rests her head on my chest for a moment. Dad gives me a smile. Mom has been getting empty nest syndrome. I was the first to move out, and now Bryson and Cooper have taken off to the city.

“I got distracted.” I finally answer her, my eyes never leaving Daisy as my mom dips out from under my arm, going over to Dad.

“Everyone help yourselves,” Bunny says. “No, I didn't cook it so you’re safe.” She gives a huff. Her husband Jameson kisses her on top of the head. She is a terrible cook. Not for lack of trying. Daisy is just as bad.

I don’t know why I find it so cute when she burns something. And by something, I mean basically everything. Not that it stopped me from eating whatever it was she made for me. I grew to love burnt chocolate chip cookies. Then one day she stopped making them for me.

She gets up from her chair to make herself a plate. I see her still when she glances at me out of the corner of her eyes. She works her way down the kitchen island, filling her plate and getting closer to me with each step. Her beautiful dark hair is curled and rests on her shoulders. She’s wearing a yellow sundress that complements her sun-kissed skin. She looks beautiful.

“When are you moving?” I ask her. She won’t ignore me in front of the whole family.

“Tomorrow.” The burn in my chest is back. I need more time with her. I ask as if I didn't already know. She and Noelle got a place close to the university Daisy will be attending. She’ll be studying to be a vet tech. It’s not surprising with her love for animals. Since she was a little girl, she has always said that she’s a country girl and the city isn't for her. I’d planned in my mind that one day she'd be mine and I’d give her what she wanted.

“Are you and Josh going to help the girls move tomorrow?”

“No,” Daisy says, shooting a glare at her mom for asking.

“Yes,” Josh butts right in.

Daisy rolls her eyes. Her nose scrunches and I have an urge to grab her and pull her into me to kiss the tip of it. Shit, this is getting bad. I wonder if some space would do me some good. Naw. I ditch that thought. It had been rough when I was away at college. I came home as often as I could. I am a lot like Daisy when it comes to the city. It’s too loud and busy for me. I belong here. Now my little brothers are a totally different story. They took to city life.

I listen to every word she says when everyone starts to ask her a million questions about moving. Every now and then I’ll see her steal a peek at me. Mom elbows me in the side, giving me a look that says Knock it off. I don’t. My hours are numbered when it comes to how often I’ll get to stare at her. I’m soaking up every last one of them.

“What if you meet a city boy and fall in love?” Cooper asks her. My whole body goes tense. Mom's hand comes down on my back, her fingers digging into my shirt.

“Many have tried,” Noelle sing-songs as she gets up to put her plate away.

“I never heard about you dating,” I throw out, unable to stop myself.

“Why would you hear about it?” Daisy grabs her plate and begins to stand.

“Because everyone hears everything around here,” Cooper says.

Isn't that the truth? Nothing stays secret long. She didn't even take a date to prom. She and Noelle went together. I might have ridden by the school that night and taken a peek inside. Mom releases my shirt. I stand, taking my plate with me.

Daisy slips from the kitchen, and I follow after her. I’m guessing I don’t have much time until Noelle comes looking for her. As much as the girl can drive me nuts, they would do anything for each other.

“Daisy.” I grab her hand before she tries to slip into her bedroom. I pull her back into the hallway with me. Even after all of these years, I still can’t figure out what went wrong. At first I thought she was embarrassed about the night she snuck into my room because her cramps were so bad that she lay on my chest until she passed out. She’d been half asleep when she said she would wait for me. She was too young to make a promise like that. Didn't stop me from holding on to it.

“Wait.” She pulls her hand from mine.