by Hite, Nicole
“Why did we wait so long to do that?” I joked with a smile.
“Leave it to you, Care Bear to make jokes right now,” he said taking me in his arms and laying me down on the bed. Turning sideways we rested our heads on the pillow just looking at one another. Tracing the lines on his face with my finger, I stopped “Why are you so good to me?” I asked.
“Because you deserve it,” he stated.
“But I don’t deserve anything,” I said slightly confused.
“You deserve the world baby, and I want to give it you,” he said with confidence.
“It amazes and shocks me still that you are here, with me. I don’t deserve this kind of happiness,” I said.
“You, of all people are worthy of this type of happiness, Carr. I couldn’t think of anyone else that deserves it more. I leaned toward him placing a soft kiss on the lips.
“I love you, Colt.”
“I love you too, Carr.”
“It feels good to say it finally out loud,” I said.
“I know what you mean. Baby girl, you will never be without love. I will love you today, tomorrow and forever if you’ll have me.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way, baby.”
Lingering on his lips, Colt made a clicking noise. “Taking a snap-shot to remember this moment.”
●
Leaving Colt’s apartment the next day, I was floating on cloud nine. Colt and I spent the night making love over and over. I can’t get enough of this man. He brings out my best qualities and now, I feel unashamed to love him fully and without fear. The weight that was holding me back was now lifted from my shoulders. Walking on air, I walked in my house completely dazed.
“Carrington? Is that you darlin'?” Granny hollered from the kitchen.
“ Yes, Granny. It’s me,” I yelled from the foyer.
“Get your tail in here!” she ordered. Oh crap! Granny’s pissed
“Whatever it is, I didn’t do it,” I pleaded my case like a child in trouble.
“Who says I’m going to yell at you?” she said as I peeked around the corner.
“You have that same tone in your voice mama had in hers when I had my hand in the cookie jar.”
“Ok, I’ll agree with you. It did sound similar,” she chuckled.
“So what did I do now?” I asked a little nervous wringing my hands out. Granny Bird’s wrath was nothing to mess with.
“I just haven’t seen you honey. Something tells me Colt has a lot to do with it. Am I right?” she interrogated me.
“You told me to fall hard. Didn’t you?” I said with a grin.
“Granny, I fell, and Colt was there to catch me,” I said with a smile.
“Now that you have that love, don’t let it go. Hold on to those reigns like a Colt…get it…” she said giving a nudge like Chuck would have.
“Yes, Granny. I get it. Are you sure you’re not in your twenties?”
“It’s my swag darlin’, whatever that means.”
Laughing hysterically, I couldn’t help but run over and give her a giant hug.
“What do you have planned for today, baby doll?”
“I’m going to head down to the town historical society to check out these blueprints they keep talking about. Something just doesn’t sit right with me, Granny. I feel like I’m missing something important. I just don’t know what it is; it’s driving me crazy,” I responded sounding frustrated.
“You’re a smart cookie. I know you’ll figure it out. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle. Chip away at it piece by piece and always trust your instincts.”
“Thanks. I’ve been stressing about this the last couple of days trying to rack my brain for a solution. I’m going to head up and take a shower. Is Daddy around?” I asked.
“He’s out in the field, but he’ll be back for lunch in a little bit. Would you like me to tell him to wait before he heads back out?”
“That’s perfect, Granny,” I said galloping up the stairs.
Stripping off my clothes, I could still smell Colt on me. Completely naked I stood in front of the mirror looking at my reflection. Staring back at me was not the same little girl who grew up in this room. This woman in the reflection was a strong, confident, intelligent, loved woman. Instead of looking in the mirror and feeling disgusted at my reflection, I was finally seeing the woman I always wanted to be. I would thank Colt every day for the rest of my life for guiding me to be this woman. He always brought out the best in me with everything I did.
Getting dressed, I bopped down the stairs, grabbed some papers from Dad’s office and wondered into the kitchen.
“Hey, Daddy. Rough morning?” I asked cheerfully grabbing an apple from the bowl.
“Not too bad, Care Bear. It’s a hot one out there today,” he responded.
“I’m dreading going back outside,” I said under my breath.
“I heard that. I take it you didn’t stay at the house again?” he asked with a questioning look. Damnit. I felt like a teenager who just got caught sneaking out of the house to see a boy, even though I was a grown woman. I had never had a boyfriend in high school though. This was my chance to take back those stolen moments.
“No, Daddy, I didn’t stay here last night. I’ve been staying at Colt’s place.” I said.
“So you and Colt are getting pretty serious, huh?” he asked not sure he was prepared to hear the answer.
“I guess you could say that,” leery on how much to divulge.
“Care Bear, I know what love is. Just because your mama isn’t here anymore doesn’t mean I don’t know what it’s like to see what love looks like,” he said finally realizing his little girl had grown up.
“Daddy, you will always be the first man I ever loved,” I said giving him a giant bear hug.
“While you’ll always be my little girl, I know if I had to pick a boy for you, it would be Colt. All I ask is you be careful with your heart, peanut. Colt comes from a ruthless family, and although I’m not convinced he’s like his parents, there will always be a part of me that worries a little until he proves it otherwise. His first step in redeeming those qualities was to pick you up on a proper date the other night. That’s a real southern gentleman to come and introduce himself to us. He looked at you the way I used to see your mama, and that makes me very happy. Just be careful,” he said with hesitation.
“I promise, Daddy,” I said kissing him on the cheek.
Heading out the door, dad yelled for my attention, “New papers from the developmental company came yesterday. Don’t forget to grab them before you head out, sweetie.”
“Which ones are they, Dad? There’s like a billion over here.” I said half frustrated.
“They are the envelopes marked “W&W Developments,” Dad said as I heard the screen door slam on the back porch off the kitchen.
“Don’t slam the door,” I yelled at him like a scorned parent. Snatching the papers I shoved them in my bag and flew down the stairs to Bessie.
Revving the engine, I was happy to be driven the ole’ girl. The sticky air licked my skin even with the windows down. The humidity was like driving in a sauna today. It would be nice sitting in a cold, damp room all day, but then again, I wasn’t with Colt. Oh, the trouble we could get into down there. Hopping out the truck, I climbed the steps to the historical society. Briefcase in hand, I waved to Martha at the front desk. Martha was Buddy Watson’s wife from the bait and tackle shop. Small town, small circle.
“Hi, Ms. Martha!” I said approaching the counter.
“Well, hey there, Carrington. Buddy said you were in town. It’s so good to see you, honey. How you been?” she asked politely.
“I’m doing peachy, Ms. Martha. Just comin’ to do a little research for Daddy if you don’t mind,” I responded.
“No, not at all, sugar. Go ahead and do whatever you need. You have full access to the records,” she said sweet as honey.
“Thank you, Ms. Martha,” I said patting her hand as I walked past the counter.
“They’re downstairs in the basement, to the right. Holler at me if you need anything else, sugar,” she said.
Creeping down the dank stairwell felt like a horror movie gone terribly wrong. It gave me the willies to be down there by myself. As soon as I hit the last step, I darted to the worktable, throwing down my bags. Feeling a little freaked out, I quickly sent Colt a text.
Carrington: FYI, if I never see you again, question Martha Watson first.
Man of My Dreams: She has you locked in her dungeon doesn’t she?
Carrington: Chained up like a damsel in distress. Wanna come rescue me?
Man of My Dreams: As tempting as that sounds, I’m actually on my way to see Dad. Dad threw a bitch fit about not getting documents enlarged yesterday.
Carrington: Awww, poor baby. Does someone need a little TLC tonight?
Man of My Dreams: I would love a little TLC. Especially from you, baby.
Carrington: Cell reception sucks down here. Call me later?
Man of My Dreams: Of course!
Carrington: Love you, XO
Man of My Dreams: Love you too, baby, XO
Swoon!
Time to get busy. Walking over to the card catalogs, I looked up Mason plantation. On the first shot, I found them. That’s the best part about living in a small town. There aren’t other Mason’s in the town. Process of elimination was pretty evident. Fetching the documents, I rolled them out on the worktable. Trying to make heads or tails of it, I finally found the blueprints for the property lines. The document was drafted almost forty years ago. Sure enough, the property lines indicated our property and Ole’ Man. Johnson’s farm, where part of the developmental property’s territory. To think all this time Dad’s been paying on the farm. Looks like this developmental company owned a lot of Avery farms. This poor town will collapse if this deal goes through. How did no one catch this? They are nothing but a bunch of greedy bastards trying to take over what doesn’t belong to them. Who the hell were these people?
Pulling out the documents from my bag, I start riffling through the paperwork. The first statement indicated the back due payments on the farm that were due. The number was almost too high to comprehend. If the property lines are correct, how can the bank still want them to pay? Technically, it’s not his property and shouldn’t be held responsible. Daddy’s been paying on the farm for years. I guess after taking out a mortgage and a second mortgage, the payments must seem never ending. Poor Daddy. Not only do I need to find a solution to this property line ordeal, I needed to find out what the hell I was supposed to do about the bank essentially ripping off Daddy. Depending on how long the property lines have been in their territory, which will depend on how much money Daddy paid unnecessarily. Finally, I feel like I’m getting somewhere.
Now, what about this developmental property; W&W Developments? I understand they want what is theirs, but is building a shopping mall more important than protecting and preserving Avery? I guess it depends on whose asking. For some of us family, friends and our home were all we had. You didn’t need to be dripping in diamonds as long as you had a roof over your head for you and your family. That’s what used to matter to this town. Firing up my laptop, I Google searched the company. Immediately I noticed the company was based in Avery. Right away, I was shocked that someone from Avery would try to destroy its people. It just didn’t seem right to me. In a small town, there were two things you never did, talk about someone’s mama and try to harm your fellow neighbor. When all else failed, your farm, friends, and families were the only thing you had. Seeing as this company was from Avery, they breached this agreement, which now, made it personal.
Scanning down the page, I came across the name of the company; Wilson & Wilson Developments. I had this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that was all-in-all unsettling. Please be wrong. Tell me I miss-keyed the entry. I felt nauseous, but mostly I felt heartbroken. The room started to spin, and I felt like I was going to pass out. Taking a seat on the bench, I quickly stuffed the papers in my bag including the property line sketches. I needed to get out of here, now. Reaching the top of the stairs, I felt out of breath and began struggling. Tossing my hand in the air, I waved to Martha.
“Carrington, did you find what you were looking for sugar?” she asked as I ran out the front door not answering her. It was horribly rude, but I needed to get out of there. I needed to go somewhere I felt safe and secure. I couldn’t go to Colt’s; I was still trying to process the fact that his father owned the company that was attempting to take away my father’s farm. And, I couldn’t go to Dad’s; I wouldn’t be able to look him in the face.
Pulling up to Ole’ Man Johnson’s farm I immediately jumped out, almost forgetting to turn off the truck. Running at full speed, I collapsed just as I reached for the tire swing. Gripping the rubber, I bowed my head and sobbed. Please tell me Colt had nothing to do with this. I’m not sure I could handle two huge heartbreaks at once losing Colt and losing our farm. I had finally hit that low I was so afraid of, and this time, it was warranted. How am I going to get through this? I just need some time to process myself. I’m almost positive Colt didn’t know about this, but what if he did? Would he really hide this from me? Was he playing me this whole time, or acting as a distracted while him and his father swooped in and took everything we had? I know Colt, and this is not the type of man he is, but I’m terrified to confront him. Part of me doesn’t want to hear what comes out of his mouth. What if he did know about this? That would forever change us. I couldn’t see myself being with someone who was willing to go to such depths to hurt my family and me. I couldn’t breathe as the sobs poured out of me.
Chapter 20
Man of my dreams: Carr, I just left the historical society, and I’m headed to your house right now.
The hell you are.
“I can’t believe that asshole,” Harley said.
“But guys, when have you ever known Colt to be anything like his father? He would never do that,” Skye said defending Colt.
“That’s the point of being a liar, you can bullshit anyone with a poker face,” Harley added.
“I just feel like everything we said to one another last night doesn’t matter,” I said with tears in my eyes. “I put myself out there and now I feel like an idiot. This is worse than ripping the band-aid by telling him I loved him, Harley,” I added snorting into a Kleenex. “He purposely lied to me. Looked me right in the face and played me like a fiddle. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” I added.
“Let’s just take a minute and look at the facts here before we jump to any conclusions,” Skye interjected.
“What do we need to look at? He’s a fucking dirt ball, and Carr should be done with him,” Harley proclaimed.
“I just don’t believe it,” Skye said. “I mean, how could he have known about this for so long, and not told Carr, especially since he hates his father? Do you really think he could fake liking her since Kindergarten?” Skye challenged.
“He’s had that same stupid grin on his face ever since he was little. You can’t fake that,” she defended.
“She has a valid point. He cried in my arms last night,” I added.
“Exactly!” Skye cheered. “No man willingly cries in front of anyone!” Skye added.
“The fact of the matter is how did he not know about this?” Harley said.
“He works in the same office with his father; it was bound to come across his desk at some point in time,” Harley interjected.
“What if I’m the reason? What if he didn’t notice the papers because I was a distraction? I mean, I didn’t know it was his company until today maybe he didn’t either!” I said with hope. “He did say he was just a paper pusher over there. Perhaps he didn’t see the documents until recently.”
“Always give a person the benefit of the doubt,” Skye said.
“No way, fuck that. You have come
too far to let another person knock you down. You stand your ground girl,” Harley pleaded.
“You guys are like a good angel and a evil angel on my shoulders. It makes a girl confused sometimes,” I half smiled.
“I know we are giving you a hard time, but to be fair, we care too much about you to get fucked over,” Harley said trying to sound sympathetic.
“I don’t know anyone else that makes the word “Fuck” sound so endearing,” I said giving her a hug.
“I must look like a blotchy mess right now. My face is all puffy and swollen,” I said grabbing my cheeks with both hands.