When Love's Gone Country - By Merri Hiatt Page 0,2
move the dog by pushing on his rear end. He was greeted with a head turn and a disinterested look. Diego didn’t move an inch.
“Ask Brad to help you. Diego obeys him.”
“Brad, Mom says you need to get Diego to move.”
“Consider it done,” Brad said.
“He says he’ll do it.”
“Good. Anything else?”
“Nope, that’s it.”
“We’ll see you in about an hour in Alene. If you need anything, call.”
“I will. Did you know this ranch brands their cows?”
“I think that’s pretty standard.”
“How come?”
“So, if one strays off and is found on another ranchers property, they know who it belongs to. Some people also steal cattle. If they’re branded, everyone knows if the person who has them are thieves or not.”
“What would you do with a bunch of cows?”
“Sell them and get money.”
“Oh. I see. It’s always about the money, isn’t it?”
“Pretty much.”
“What do you think a cow’s worth?”
“I really don’t know, honey. That would be a great question to ask at the ranch when we get there.”
“I better write it down or I’ll forget.”
“Good idea.”
“Is it lonely without us?”
“Of course. It’s like part of us is missing.”
“I think so, too, except Court let us get ice cream. You’d never do that in the morning.”
“Don’t be telling tales on me!” Courtney yelled loud enough for Meg to hear.
“I’m not getting her in trouble am I?”
“No. I trust Court and Brad completely.”
“Me, too.”
“I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Okay. Bye, Mom.”
“Bye.”
“So what was the crisis?” Bob asked.
“Diego’s butt.”
“Now there’s a butt I don’t have any desire to see or feel. You, on the other hand—”
“Hold that thought. We really need to get going. They’re already ahead of us. If we plan to do any scenic exploration, we need to double time it to Alene.”
“Spoilsport!”
“Hey, I’m doing you the favor here, buddy. This was your idea.”
“All right, let’s get going, but let the record show I’ve been ready for half an hour. It’s you who’s been dilly-dallying.”
“Dilly-dallying? We’re going to be gone for two weeks and I need to make sure we have everything we’re going to need.”
“We can pick-up whatever we don’t have.”
“You say that now, but wait until your favorite robe comes up missing, then you’ll be singing a different tune and wishing I’d taken five minutes to make sure it was packed.”
“That reminds me, did you pack my hunting socks?”
“Are those the ones with the bright orange bands around the top?”
“Yeah.”
“Yes, I did.”
“And the long-sleeved t-shirts? I don’t want to get ticks while we’re there.”
“Packed ‘em.”
“And the—”
“Packed it.”
“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”
“Bobby, I packed the whole damn house. Look around. The drawers are practically empty and there’s nothing on the counters. Why do you think Pure and Alex are carrying that trailer behind the pick-up?”
“I didn’t really think about it.”
“It’s mostly our stuff. Court and Brad filled four suitcases between them and at least one was full of art supplies, probably two, knowing Courtney.”
“I think this makes reason number eight hundred and fifty-two why I love you.”
“Because I’m neurotic?”
“Because you love everyone so much and want them to have all their belongings at their fingertips.”
Bobby placed his hands on opposite sides of Meg’s face. “I love you more than anything else in the whole world.”
“I love you, too. You’ve made me happier than I ever dreamed I could be.” Meg ran her hands through Bobby’s unruly sand-colored hair. “Your face is like the ocean.”
“What?”
“Did I say that out loud?”
“Uh, yeah.”
Meg chewed on her bottom lip. “I didn’t mean to. I was just thinking that your hair is the color of warm sand and your eyes are this amazing sea green. You’re like the ocean.”
“Then you must be the breeze that carries the sea birds aloft so freely. You’re like a welcoming beacon to all the ships, giving them hope that mermaids are real, and kind.”
“That’s a lovely thing to say.” Meg felt tears prick her eyes and she sniffed to keep them at bay.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“Good tears, happy tears. You are my heart.”
“And you are mine.”
As they stared into one another’s eyes, Meg’s cell phone rang.
Bobby chuckled. “I’ll get it.” He read the display. “Court again.”
“You mean Jeremy again.”
“It’s for you. Jeremy wants to tell you that Diego is now sitting in the seat like a good dog.”
“Tell him we’re glad and we love him. I’m going to make one last check around, then we need to get out of here.”
“Mom says she’s glad Diego doesn’t have his butt in Jacob’s face anymore. We’ll see you