I shake my head and chuckle a little bit. Those memories with Jack —those are the ones I like to hold onto.
Moving into the kitchen, I open up the fridge and see there isn’t much that I can whip up for dinner besides some ham sandwiches. I take everything out for those, then hunt around her pantry for some chips. Heading back to the fridge, I grab two cans of pop. The one thing I know, she’ll never not have. She told me about her addiction for canned Dr. Pepper. It couldn’t be fountain or in a plastic bottle. Peyton always kept it on hand, and I noticed she hasn’t let her stock slip up since she’s been home either.
Smiling to myself, I grab our drinks and plates, making my way back to her.
11
Peyton
Levi spent the night last night, after serving us dinner in bed. It may have been a simple meal, but him making sure I’m taken care of means more than he will ever know.
I forgot in the midst of my breakdown that I got a call from the clinic letting me know they had a change in shifts and I’m now on the one I really wanted. It was another stress relief after things calmed down.
What really helped, though, was Levi staying with me and holding me all night long. I slept the best I have in what seems like years. I only hope that it will happen again and again.
Some may think we’re moving too fast, but I don’t feel that way at all. For the past six months we’ve been talking nonstop. Up until this week, I thought it was for him buying the ranch. Now though, now I know it’s not. He’s made it known that I’m his and he’s mine.
Levi woke me up this morning, with a kiss that had my toes curling, and me grasping for more.
“Have a good day, baby,” he whispered, as we pulled apart.
“See you soon,” I murmur aloud, my eyes already drifting closed.
It took me another two hours before I finished taking care of things, and I still have so much left to do.
In all fairness, I wasn’t too thrilled to get motivated, but I knew I needed to. Things are starting to look up and when I’m done with loading everything in the truck maybe then I’ll do some yoga. Afterward I’m sure I’ll want to go out to the barn and take Snickers for a ride over to Levi’s place for the day. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen what he’s done to his place. My dad used to tell me everything he was doing over there, and now seems like a good as time as any to get my rear in gear and see what he was talking about.
I smile to myself as I get ready for the day. My hair is thrown up in my usual top knot if I’m just around home. I do my usual routine of washing my face, brushing my teeth, and putting on some mascara before getting dressed.
Grabbing a pair of riding pants, tee shirt, flannel, bra, and panties. It doesn’t take me long to get ready.
Once I’m downstairs, I start some coffee before I set off to have a better day. Seeing how much was bagged and boxed up yesterday. I thought I’d look at it this morning and want to put everything back in its place. I don’t though, my parents would be disappointed if I didn’t give their things that no one is now using to others in need. Especially so close to our first snow, there is so much that could be used.
“Hey, Pey,” I hear Buck call, as he knocks while walking through the side door that leads into the kitchen.
“Hi Buck, how are you?” I ask.
“I could ask the same question but, I’m okay. Came over to make sure you were alright, though,” he replies.
“Yeah, thinking I just needed to let it all out finally. I’m glad you called Levi though,” I say with a smile.
“First person that I knew could comfort you. This old man can’t lift you like I did when you scratched your knees back in the day.” I look at him and can see he’s more gray now than ever, his skin is weathered from the sun, but he’ll still always be Buck to me.
“Thank you, want some coffee?” I’m making my first cup and I know he usually enjoys a cup of coffee.
“Nah, I better get. You want me to have someone take this stuff to the church clothing shop in town?”
“That would be great. I was hoping to ride Snickers over to Levi’s today. I can move it all on the porch or load it up in a truck,” I suggest.
“I’ll pull the truck around and get Neil to help you load up and then he’ll take it in for you. It’s kinda slow out today.” He guffaws. I know he’s lying, there’s never a slow day on the ranch.