Chapter 13

Although Alexis and Melinda claimed to be lesbians, Jamie doubted their dedication to the sisterhood; they seemed to need a lot of extra attention with the line-dance steps from Jake. Between songs, Jake returned to his spot in line with Jamie.

“How hard is it to remember heel-toe, heel-toe, heel-toe, kick?” she asked Jake, her voice tinged with annoyance.

“Come on now, Sweetheart, ole Jake has to do what has to be done. We’ve got ... an hour and seven minutes to go.”

The DJ began playing a song she didn’t recognize, but it was a slow song. Jake held his hands out to her, and she folded into him. She breathed in his scent and sighed.

“Honey,” he whispered, “I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to talk–”

“How can you not have a cell-phone?” Jamie glared at him, incredulous.

“I do have one, I keep it in my room.”

“Well ... well ... start carrying it, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Okay.” Jamie rested her head back on his chest.

After about 30 seconds, Jake ventured, “I don’t have your number.”

“Don’t change the subject,” she admonished.

“Okay ... you seemed happy to see me earlier, not so much now.”

“I am fucking thrillled to see you. More than you can possibly imagine.”

“Hmm. I know I’m a simple cowboy, but there’s like a dissonance thing going on right now ... the words aren’t matching the attitude.”

She looked up at him, then rested her head on him again. Damn, he even knows not to use the word ‘you’ during an argument. Stop being perfect! “I had a rough day,” she allowed. “I didn’t know when you were coming back, I didn’t know what I was supposed to do, I didn’t know anything.”

Jake sneaked a kiss onto her forehead. “I’m sorry I didn’t call, I should have at least left you a message. I’m used to this kind of thing, where plans change in a big way at the drop of a hat. Did you do anything fun today?”

“Oh, yeah, big fun. Marcy said you were coming home at one, so I worked in my room until then.”

“Worked? You’re on vacation, why would you be working?” he asked incredulously.

“The jewelry store where I work ... I run the website and the Instagram and Facebook pages. Plus I run the mailers and the advertising and–did you know the WiFi sucks here?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“So then, the kitchen was too crowded for me, so I took an afternoon ride to Bitter Creek.”

“That’s our most beautiful trail. I’m glad you got to go, wasn’t it great?”

“Yeah, sure. Darryl was very nice and a great tour guide ... but...” Jamie leaned away from Jake so they could look at each other properly.

“But what, hon?”

“But you weren’t there, so it sucked.”

“I would have loved to see the sunset with you, little darlin’.”

“Yeah, well, you weren’t around.”

The song ended and the DJ reminded everyone of the unique hard cider especially prepared for this evening. Jake guided Jamie over to the bar, where they each got a Mason jar full of cold apple cider. Jamie went to sit at a table, but Jake steered her outside instead. Jake held his glass out to her and said, “To you.” Jamie clinked his glass, and they both took a big sip. “Ahh! That’s so good, isn’t it?” He smiled at her, disarming her anger somewhat. “Now, what’s really going on?”

Jamie drank some more, then turned to face the dark meadow. My life is a shambles; that’s what’s going on. I don’t know anything anymore. I have to tell Jake ... it might ruin whatever time we have left, but I can’t keep secrets from him. “Chad texted me today.”

Jake set his jar on the wooden rail and put his hand on her waist, moving in close behind her. Your touch, Jake. Your touch makes me melt, makes me feel safe and secure. “He said he’s sorry. Real sorry. And he wants to make it up to me.”

Jake backed up a step and removed his hand from her. “Oh ... I see.”

Jamie took another swig of the hard cider; she couldn’t even taste the alcohol. “I know, right?”

Jake took a big breath and let it back out. “So ... what next?”

Jamie turned back to face Jake once more. “I ... I need you to hold me, Daddy.” Jake held out his arms and took her in a big hug. This feels right. This is where I’m supposed to be, she thought.

After a few moments of quiet, Jake asked, “So, I’m still your Daddy?”

“You’ll always be my Daddy!” she answered without hesitation. She snuggled in tightly to him. “Damn, you just feel so good. What should I do?”