I snapped my head over to Billy, and he just shrugged his shoulders. Never taking my eyes off of Billy, I said, “I’m not avoiding her. I just…I just don’t know what to say to her. I mean, she deserves more than what I can give her. I can’t give her anything.”
David grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me to face him. “Excuse me? You can’t give her anything? What about love? Respect? A beautiful home sitting on one of the most beautiful countrysides God has graced us with. So, you’re not going to college. I didn’t go to college, and your daddy didn’t go to college. Do you think your mother would have been happier if your father had a law degree?”
I swallowed hard. “No, sir, I don’t think she would have been.”
David looked back out and motioned with his head. “You’re not even going to give her a chance to decide for herself? Son, you don’t make decisions about a woman’s feelings—ever. You let her decide on her own. They are her feelings, and only she knows them.”
I turned back to David and smiled as I whispered, “That sounds like something my father would say.”
David’s eyes began to fill with tears. He quickly wiped at his eyes and then looked me square in the eyes. “No one will ever take the place of your daddy, but I want you to know that I’m here for you, Garrett. You’re like my own son. I’ll always be here for you.”
My heart began beating harder in my chest, and for the first time since I’d held my mother in my arms on that fateful day, I wanted to cry. I nodded my head and barely said, “Thank you, sir. Thank you.”
Billy stood up and walked up to us. He slapped us both on the back. “Well, hell, this is nice and all, but you better get your ass out there, Garrett, and show that girl how much you care about her.”
I stuck my hand out and shook Billy’s hand and then David’s.
Billy started laughing. “Now, maybe we can go on a double date—you and Emma with Marg and me.”
I let out a laugh and turned to make my way out of the barn. Everyone had gone into the house by this point. I walked up the stairs as I wiped my sweaty hands on my pants. I took a deep breath and opened the door. I walked into the living room, and Emma was standing at the window, looking out at the west pasture.
She slowly turned around and smiled when she saw me. It wasn’t the same smile I’d been getting from everyone else. It was different. Her eyes sparkled, and her face flushed.
“Your mama’s packing up a picnic. I thought maybe we could go for a ride, if you’re up to it,” Emma said as she tilted her head.
She gave me a look I’d never seen before. My dick jumped in my pants, and I had to shake my head to clear the thoughts I was having.
“That, um…that sounds, um…” Holy shit, what is wrong with me? I can’t even think clearly.
“Yesterday was my birthday. The least you can do is take me on a picnic, Mr. Mathews.”
My mother and Mrs. Birk came walking up behind me, and it was the first time in weeks I’d heard my mother laughing.
“Why, Garrett Mathews, you’re a mess. Run and clean up, and I’ll have Pete saddle up some horses for you and Emma Rose.”
I winked at Emma and turned to face my mother. “Yes, ma’am.”
Five minutes later, I was walking Emma down to the barn. I helped her up onto my buckskin horse, Jack. I loved that damn horse, and if I ever had a son someday, I was going to name him Jack.
“What’s this guy’s name?” Emma asked as she got atop the horse.
“Jack,” I said with a smile as I handed her the quilt.
“Jack. I like that name.”
Yep, I just fell in love with her even more. Wait, am I in love with Emma? We’ve never even been on a date. How in the world could I possibly love her?
I grabbed the basket and tied it onto the back of Jack’s saddle. Then, I led him and Buttercup out of the barn. When I got on Buttercup, she started getting feisty with me.
“Whoa, Buttercup girl. Settle down.”
Emma looked at me with a shocked face. “Your horse’s name is Buttercup?”
I wanted to laugh because I knew she was thinking back to the night of the dance when I’d called her Buttercup. “It sure is. She is feisty but still a lady, stubborn but sweet as hell, and strong but gentle, too. She’s my Buttercup.”
Emma gave me a crooked smile that melted my heart on the spot. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do to make her smile like that every day for the rest of our lives.
As we made our way to my favorite oak tree in the west pasture, I let Emma do all the talking. She had an amazing sense of humor, and for the first time in weeks, I felt alive and happy.