"Study!" He calls back.
His study is one of the guest rooms he converted into a home office, and then put up a few bookcases to store his collection of books in. It sits right next to my room that I still use, when I come to visit and stay the weekend.
When I step into the study, Dad is just closing his laptop.
"Don't stop on my account," I joke.
"Oh, it was nothing important. Just reading some of the local news."
When my dad says local, I know he doesn't mean Whiskey Run. He’ll read news about anything from here to Nashville, and even as far as Atlanta. But he still calls it the local news.
"So, tell me, daughter of mine, is this conversation one I need to pour wine or whiskey for?"
This is always how my dad would gauge how serious a conversation he and my mom were going to have. Once I turned twenty-one, he started doing it to me. Wine meant it was a normal conversation. Whiskey meant it was a hard topic or bad news.
"Wine for me, but I'm not sure for you."
This causes my dad to pause and look at me, and then pour himself some whiskey and join me in the living room.
"Okay, out with it. I'm assuming it has something to do with Garrett since we are going over there for dinner tonight."
I decide it's best to just rip off the Band-Aid.
"Garrett and I are... dating," I say, for a lack of a better word.
My dad stares at me but doesn't say a word, as he takes a sip of his whiskey. Finally, a smile crosses his face.
"Well, it's about time. Anyone with eyes can see you two are perfect for each other."
"Seriously?"
"Yes, the whole town knew you two would eventually end up together when you both turned around and really saw each other."
Dad stands and pulls me into a hug, as I stand there shocked. I had a feeling people like Violet would play matchmaker, but I didn't think the whole town saw it, much less, my dad.
Well, things just got a lot more interesting.
Garrett
It's been a week since I've been able to hold my girl. Last weekend was perfect, having her in my bed and in my arms every night and waking up with her there.
Dinner with her dad went better than expected. Though, he did give me the dad talk about how to treat his daughter right, and how I have so much land, that no one would find me if I hurt her. But after that, it was just like old times, easy going and fun.
Kaylee and I talked all week. In the morning, as she got ready for work, we talked. Then, we texted all day, and then after dinner, we talked all night. How can two people, who have known each other their whole lives, have so much to talk about? But even when we don’t, and just sit in silence together, it's perfect.
Going this last week without being able to touch her, is driving me mad. My bed is empty, and the house doesn't feel like a home without her there. That's why I moved things around and surprised her last night, coming into Jasper for the weekend.
When I suggested going to surprise her, Geo practically pushed me out of the door. He said I've been a big bear, since she left Sunday night, and insisted there was nothing important to do at the ranch.
To have her in my arms again was what I needed. I felt like I could breathe again. Today, I’m hanging out at her place, while she works. Though originally, she was working a half workday, but since she went in late, because I couldn't seem to let her out of bed, that means she’s working, until dinner.
I plan to take her to the new place that opened up last month that she hasn't tried yet. If the reviews are to be believed, they are supposed to have these amazing burgers. We both love a good burger, so I'm looking forward to it.
My phone goes off, and after a quick check, I see it's her.
Kaylee:Just leaving work. See you soon!
A simple text has me smiling like crazy. What if it was like this every day? What if she was coming home to me every night? This is the dream I have, but things are still so new, that I might scare her off if I say them out loud.