I got to Marshal easily. I found the arena in no time. I pulled up next to a familiar truck and trailer. But the truck was unhooked. I looked down at my phone, realizing I never got Colt's number. A knock at my window startled me.
Colt was standing there. I opened my door and got out. "Glad to see you made it." He said. "Yeah, the only thing was the traffic on the highway," I said. He chuckled. "Well, we've got at least ten days until the next rodeo, so would you like for me to show you around my town?"
"Sure," I said. "We'll come back, get the horses, and go to my house." I followed him over to his truck. He opened the passenger side door for me. I got in, and he closed the door. He went over to his side and got in.
"So, where to first?" "Surprise me." He smirked before pulling out. He pulled into a nursing home. I didn't ask, but I only got out. He opened the door for me and led me over to an older gentleman. "This is my grandpa; he was in Vietnam as a soldier." The man looked up. "Hey Colt, it's been a while. Where did you go, mister?" "Papa, I told you I was in San Anton for the rodeo." "Egh. And who's this pretty lady?" He asked. "This is Hedli Drouten." "She's mighty fine."
I blushed. "Hey, Maggie Colt's got a girl." I saw Colt playfully roll his eyes. A woman who looked like she was in her forties came over. "Hey Colt, what's this I hear bout you having a girl?" "Hi, Momma." He hugged the woman before introducing me. "This is Hedli Drouten." "Nice to meet you." She said as she shook my hand.
"I'm Maggie Ray." I smiled. "Nice to meet you, too." "Hey Colt, can the girl cook?" His grandfather asked. "No clue." He said. "I can cook tonight if you want." I felt Colt's arm go around my waist. "Could you? My momma would appreciate it." "Then take me there tonight." The elderly man said. "I wanna see if she can cook." "We'd love to stay and talk for the rest of the day, but I told Hedli that I would show her around." "See ya later, Colt." The man said.
I giggled. "I think that my grandpa and he would get along perfectly." "But he was so quiet this morning." "Only when he's not on his stomping grounds." He chuckled while I giggled. Again, he opened the truck door for me. "Now you'll see most of the town on our way home...and not forget the horses." I giggled again.
He's so funny when he's in his comfort zone. I wonder if I'll be added to his comfort zone?
We got out at the arena. A man came up to Colt. "She's going to leave her truck and trailer here for a few days until the rodeo." I heard Colt say. "Ok, I'll ask." He came around to me. "Can you park your truck and trailer at the far end?" "Yeah, I can." "I'll meet you over there." He said as he hooked his trailer up.
I parked my truck where I was told. As Colt said, he picked me up. I got Reno out and loaded her up with just her bridle, halter, and lead rope. "Is that all you need for her?" He asked. "Yeah," I said, getting enough clothes for the ten days.
"If I practice or ride her, I usually ride her bareback," I said as Colt took the bag from me. He put it in the back and opened the door. Once I was in, he got in and was off.
I could tell he was hesitating about something. "Um, uh, would you like to go to the town picnic tomorrow? It helps with the funds for the town, plus to celebrate the upcoming rodeo." I was silent before saying, "Sure, I'd love to." He grinned. I looked out the window. Several people were waving at Colt as we went through town.
I saw him waving back. He's a small-town man. Once we left the city limits, I saw him relax into his seat. I heard the familiar groove come on the radio. I'm guessing he knew it too, cause he turned it up.
'Well, Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee
It gets hotter than a hoochie coochee
We laid rubber on the Georgia asphalt
We got a little crazy, but we never got caught
Down by the river on a Friday night
Pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight
Talkin' bout car and dreamin' bout women
Never had a plan, just a livin' for the minute
Yeah, way down yonder on the Chattahoochee
I never knew how much that muddy water meant to me
But I learned how to swim, and I learned who I was
A little bout livin' and a little bout love.'
By that time, he had the radio full blast with the windows rolled down. Singing along with me. Once we reached a ranch sign, he pulled in and drove down the dirt drive. The sign said, Rockin' Ray's Ranch. Cattle surrounded the place.
I saw horses in a pasture near the two-story house. He parked in front of the barn, and we got out. He went straight for the back of the trailer. He got Reno out and handed her to me. Then got Jet out. I held him while Colt closed the trailer door.
"Wanna ride there?" He said, pointing to the empty paddock in front of the house. "Sure." I took the lead rope off of Reno and got onto her back. Colt had tied the other side of his lead rope to Jet's halter. "Race or leisure?"
He didn't answer but took off. I took the grass with Reno while he took the gravel. I passed him, beating him to the gate. He slowed Jet and came over. "How?" It was the only word that came out of his mouth.
"I raised her. She's only three years old!" I said. "Goodnight." He said before opening up the gate. I slid off Reno, letting her go. Colt got my lead rope from me and placed it in a metal box with a lock on it. "Every pasture and paddock has one if you're wondering." "Nice, that might have to be something I might have to add to my ranch." He put the lock on it before walking over to me.
He put his arm around my arm and led me to the house. A teenage boy was sitting on the front porch tuning a guitar. He looked up when we were close. "Hey Colt, how was San Anton?" "It was fun. How's dad?" "He's good." He stopped tuning the guitar and stood up. He set it by the chair he was in and walked over to the edge of the porch.
"And who is this?" He asked. "This is Hedli Drouten," Colt said. "Wait, the Hedli Drouten?" "Yes," I said. "I'm Zach Ray, Colt's younger brother. You'll meet Bucky later." I shook his hand before Colt and Zach led me inside.
"Hey Zach, can you go get her bag from my truck?" "Sure thing, bro," Zach said before going back out. "My dad and older brother will be here shortly. My mom and grandpa will be here in bout half an hour." Colt said. He led me up the stairs to a lounge area.
"This is youngsters only up here. It's mainly where my brothers and I hang out." He led me to one of the doors, which was off to the side. "This is my room." He opened the door, revealing a clean and neat room. It had bull riding and bronc riding posters as well as calf roping ones, too.
One in particular caught my eye. "Is that my dad?" I asked aloud. I walked over to it. It was my dad, younger than before he met my mom. "I can't believe you have a poster of my dad bull riding." I was ecstatic. "So that's who that is. I've been wondering who it was. I knew he was from Stillwater, but I didn't know who he was." Colt said, sitting on the bed.
We heard the door downstairs close. Colt was the first to the railing overhanging the foyer below. "Up here, Zach." He said. Next thing I knew, Zach was up the stairs.
"What did you do this time?" Colt asked. Suddenly, there was a slam. "Hide," Colt said to me. I hid behind the couch with Colt behind me. My bag is behind him. "Zach." A voice said. "That's Bucky. He and Zach go round and round." He said, pulling me closer.
We heard angry footsteps on the hardwood stairs. I saw a pair of boots before I saw the person in them. Once the person was turned, Colt got up slowly and quietly. I watched him carefully make his way to the person.
Once Colt was close enough, he wrapped his arms around the person. "Ah, Colt." The person said before they both collapsed on the floor. They were both laughing. Zach came out of his hiding place and joined the dog pile. "Ohho." Both Colt and the person said. "Zach, I'm going to..." Before he could finish, I heard a throat clear. I peeked out of my hiding spot to see a man standing there.
"Colt, your mother told me that we have a visitor?" I silently giggled at him being scolded. I watched him get up and walk over to where I was hiding. The boys, still on the floor, looked at him, puzzled. Especially the older-looking one. Slowly, I stood up. I felt Colt's hand grip my belt before moving to my stomach. "Bucky, you and Zach aren't the only ones ticklish, I know."
He wouldn't. I squealed when he jerked around and tickled me. He then threw me over his shoulder. I gave a small shriek. "This is Hedli Drouten. Her professions are barrel racing and bronc riding. He turned me around to face them. "Nice to meet you the older man said. "I'm Joseph Ray, Colt's father." "I'm Bucky, Colt's older brother." I shook both of their hands before Colt turned back around. "So what's for supper?" Zach asked. "Something with deer steaks," Joseph said.
"Hedli offered to cook tonight for mom," Colt spoke up. "Is that so?" I ignored their conversation. Let's see, chicken fried deer steak sounds good tonight or... I was interrupted when Colt readjusted me on his shoulder.
"So what did you decide, Hedli?" he asked. "Have you guys had it like chicken fry?" I asked. "Every time mom tried to make it, the kitchen would almost burn down," Zach said. I wiggled a little, trying to get down.
"Want down?" Colt asked. "Yes. I want down if you want supper." "Magic word?" He asked. "Please." He set me down in the kitchen and sat down at the bar. "You wanna learn, don't you?" I asked him. "I do," Zach said. "I need eggs, salt, pepper, and flour.
Bucky got the eggs and flour. While his younger brother got the salt and pepper. Colt got a pan, bowl, and plate out for me. "These boys have been waiting for someone to be able to make it for a while," Joseph said. "Oh, and I need someone to start on mashed potatoes.
I got my grease going, one was battering the steaks while the other two were working on sides. When needed, Zach got me a plate with a paper towel on it. Once the steaks were done, I started the gravy. The mashed potatoes were done, and so were the green beans.
We were almost done when Maggie came in with their grandfather. The four went over to greet them. I finished the gravy and set it on a hot pad.
"Something sure smells good." Their grandfather said. "It's Hedli's cooking." The three brothers said in unison. She walked into the kitchen with a shocked look on her face.
"Did you make this?" She asked. "With help on the sides." I could tell she'd been hoping I could cook like this. "Well then, let's not let the food get cold." Their grandfather said. Love that man.
We fixed our plates and sat down. I'm between Colt and Bucky. I watched them bite into the meat. "I'd say she's a keeper," Joseph said. "Colt, if you don't marry her, I will," Bucky said.
I ate with the rest of the family as they ate. When we were done, the dishes were done. Then everyone gathered on the front porch. I sat next to Colt, who then pulled me onto his lap. Zach and Bucky had their guitars out.
At first, I didn't realize which song it was being played until Bucky started singing.
"Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots
And ruined your black tie affair
The last one to know, the last one to show
I was the last one you thought you'd see there."
"And I saw the surprise
And the fear in his eyes
When I took his glass of champagne
And I toasted you
Said, Honey, we may be through
But you'll never hear me complain." Zach sang
'Cause I've got friends in low places
Where the whiskey drowns
And the beer chases my blues away
And I'll be okay
I'm not big on social graces
Think I'll slip on down to the oasis
Oh, I've got friends in low places." We all sang the chorus.
"Well, I guess I was wrong
I just don't belong
But then, I've been there before
Everything's all right
I'll just say goodnight." Joseph sang.
"And I'll show myself to the door.
Hey, I didn't mean
To cause a big scene
Just give me an hour, and then
Well, I'll be as high
As that ivory tower
That you're livin' in." Maggie sang.
'Cause I've got friends in low places
Where the whiskey drowns
And the beer chases my blues away
And I'll be okay
I'm not big on social graces
Think I'll slip on down to the oasis
Oh, I've got friends in low places." We all sang the chorus again.
"I guess I was wrong
I just don't belong
But then, I've been there before
And everything's all right
I'll just say goodnight.
And I'll show myself to the door." Colt sang.
"Hey, I didn't mean
To cause a big scene
Just wait 'til I finish this glass
Then, sweet little lady
I'll head back to the bar
And you can kiss my ass." They let me finish the song.
They whooped and hollered. "Dang, I didn't know you found a cooking songbird." Their grandfather said. "And it's time to get you back, dad, before they wring our necks," Joseph said. The family cracked up.
"And I'd better show you to your room," Colt whispered into my ear. He slid me down onto the porch and led me to my room. "The bathroom is between this bedroom and Zach's." He said. "Thank you." He smiled shyly before going into his room next to mine.
I quickly got a shower and went back into the room I was staying in. I had on cupcake pajama pants and a blue tank top that had the American flag shaped like the U.S. I turned the radio on. Head over boots was playing.
'Cause you're the one I want
You're the one I need
Baby, if I were a king, you would be my queen
You're the rock in my roll
You're good for my soul
And I'm head over boots for you.'
I sang along to the chorus. Thinking that it could be me and Colt. I went over my schedule like I always do before a rodeo. I had Reno's baby halter with me. I packed it and had it with me wherever I went with her.
There was a knock at the door. "Come in," I said. Bucky came in. "Hope you're comfortable." "I am thank you." "Hope you enjoy your stay." He said before leaving.