In the Dust Read online

  “Dad, I am perfectly capable of saddling a horse.”

  He stands up, stretching his limbs. “It’s been a while … just meet us in the barn in twenty minutes, Dixie.” I stare at him blankly as he reaches for the handle. Dad adds, “Don’t forget to feed the chickens on your way to the barn, sweetheart. I’m really glad you’ll be home this summer.” He smiles over his shoulder at me as he exits the room. I don’t have the heart to tell him I was planning on only staying for the week, but from the looks of how tired he is, I need to plan for all summer.

  Letting out an irritated sigh, I walk towards the bathroom in need of a quick rinse.

  I strip naked, throwing my dirty clothes into the tan wicker basket that sits next to the sink. Behind me is one of my favorite places to wind down after a long day on the farm, a freestanding cast iron tub with black claws that sit against the hardwood floor. I’ll take a bath over a shower any day.

  I know I’m about to get dirty, but I need to wash the city off me.

  I turn on the faucet, feeling the water with my fingers. As I'm waiting for the temperature to rise to epic heights, I unload my shower bag onto the counter. The thought of staying here all summer settles into my mind; just being here still doesn't feel real.

  I know I need to be rushing to get down to the barn, but this is all a little heavy for me. I didn’t in a million years think I would be working with Colton this summer. I just need to take a few minutes for me.

  Steam fills the room as I sink into the tub. I lean back and let the hot water envelope me, flowing over my shoulders as I dip farther in.

  I lather a lavender scented bar of soap I paid way too much for at a farmers’ market back in New York. I always went because it reminded me of home, but it was full of overpriced items and lacked that sense of community that you get in places like Willow Creek.

  My dad and grandpa go every Friday, rain or shine. It was always our thing, and then Momma … I sink under the water, rinsing the conditioner out of my hair before getting out.

  I don’t bother drying my hair. June in Georgia is warm, especially working on the farm. Plus, I love the way my hair makes beach waves when it air-dries.

  There aren’t many things I love about my body, but my hair is my favorite thing. I look closer in the mirror, willing myself to love my most hated attribute, but it never fails to make me look away from my reflection. It’s a birthmark, smack dab above my left eyebrow.

  I’m going to sweat it off, but I can’t help myself as I cover it with concealer. Next, I head to the closet, hoping what’s left still fits. Since moving to the city and growing a little older, I’ve gained hips and curves.

  I pull the accordion doors of my closet open, and a sense of nostalgia overwhelms me. I run my fingers across the tops of the hangers, remembering the wild nights I would sneak out and meet him in the middle.

  Colton … I still can’t believe he’s here, and I can’t believe no one told me. I mean, all through high school he worked here, but … I let the memories drift away. It may have been a few years, but the scars are too deep to dig into right now.

  Sliding my hands through the shirts, I push them apart, looking deeper into my closet at the few summer dresses dangling from wooden hangers.

  But one in particular catches my eye. It’s still here. A mid-thigh length dress, sky blue with little red strawberries scattered over the fabric.

  A wistful smile spreads across my face; I must have worn this dress a million times my last summer here.

  Shaking my head, I put the dress back in its rightful spot and push my shirts back, grabbing a lightweight t-shirt before leaving the strawberry dress in the back of my dark closet, along with its memories.

  I look at the clock. ‘Shit!’ I shout, hastily settling on a pair of dark, faded jeans.

  Heading back to the nightstand to grab my phone, the old white rustic frame catches my eye. It holds an old picture of a young girl in love sitting next to a handsome boy. Picking it up, I slowly run my finger down the middle of the glass, along a crease that runs down the center of the picture.

  That wasn’t there before.

  4

  The dewy grass sways with the morning breeze. I inhale the fresh, unpolluted air; I don’t want to admit that I’ve missed this. The nostalgia of home blankets me, stirring up every emotion I’ve pushed down the past few years.

  I swing by the chicken coop, lazily tossing their feed out onto the dirt. I know I’m doing this slower than necessary; there’s no need for me to stare at the chickens as they attack the dirt to get their breakfast, but I can’t help myself.

  I know today will be hard. My high school sweetheart is in the barn that I’m trudging towards, but I told myself there’s no sense in kicking up dust … He doesn’t have to affect me. Damnit, Dixie, this isn’t that big of a deal. You broke up years ago, and you’ve moved on.

  “You’re late, Dixie May.” Colton smirks as I walk into the barn. It’s still early morning, but it’s already steaming hot. He’s wearing only a pair of wranglers, and his button up is strewn over one of the barn doors.

  His toned stomach is glistening with sweat as he throws another bale of hay on the stack.

  “Didn’t want to be rude to the rooster.” I tilt my head to the rooster that’s standing on top of the fence and stick my tongue out at him. “Woke me up at the crack of dawn this morning.”

  Colton laughs. “Well, it looks like you took your sweet time. It’s eight already.”

  I shrug, placing my palm against the weathered wood of the barn. “I had to take a bath.”

  He takes off his ball cap, shaking his messy hair out before flipping it on backwards. I bite my lip; he knows that’s my favorite way he wears it. “The city did a number on you, having to bathe before work.” He laughs again. “On second thought, where do you work now?” he asks.

  “Oh, here and there.” Nowhere. I couldn't find shit for work in the city. You would think it would be easy with all the shops, but my entire life I’ve worked on a farm. I didn’t have the skills for anything there and no job history to back myself up. School kept me busy enough.

  It’s not like anything there really caught my eye work wise, but I’d never admit that.

  “Want some help?” I change the subject.

  He quirks his brow. “You wanna stack? You always hated that.”

  “Things change,” I lie. I don’t want to stack even one freaking bale.

  We work in sync and silence and twenty minutes later, a thin sheen of sweat is lining my forehead, making my attempt to cover my birthmark pointless. “Are we done yet?”

  “Yeah, yeah,” he replies, throwing one more on the stack. “We need to get the cows together. Who do you wanna ride?”

  “Pixie, of course.” I snort, wondering why he’d ask that question.

  Dad appears from around the corner, already on his horse, Texas. He’s named that because his favorite show is Walker Texas Ranger. I note the smirk on his face, and I don’t think it’s solely from seeing me and Colt together.

  I cross my arms, directing my attention to Colt. “Where is Pixie?”

  He holds out his hands, already proclaiming innocence before I hear what he’s done. “Peaches—”

  I stomp my boot in the ground. “I don’t even like freaking peaches, Colton!” My horse neighs when I say the name of that stupid fruit. “Colton.” I shake my head, “Please don’t tell me you’ve stolen my baby. I’m riding her.”

  “No, you left her.”

  Dad laughs. “While y’all figure this out, I’m going to wrangle the cattle.”

  I huff, climbing onto Pixie and noting that she seems a bit wider than I last remember. Before she steps forward, Colton slides in behind me. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

  “You’re not taking my horse.” He grabs the reins from me.

  Who does he think he is? “And you’re not taking my horse!” I take the reins back. “What have you been feeding my baby?”

  “All the b
est.” He pets her mane. “I’ll take—”

  I shake my head. “Me and dad got this.” I pull the reins, leaving him behind.

  Honestly, it’s like riding a bike. I flank the cows on their left side in the back to keep up with stragglers while Dad wrangles them into the gate. “You’re doing great.” He grins.

  Great, yeah. My legs are already sore, I took a bath for no damn reason, it’s hot as Hell. “Thanks!” I shout.

  The ride back to the stables is much calmer. Dad and his horse are gently galloping beside me and Pixie.

  “So, we’ve got the cattle wrangled and the hay stacked,” I tell him.

  “He stacked the hay?”

  I nod. “Yeah, we put it on the empty shelf.”

  Dad takes one look at me, wondering if I’m really that clueless. “So, you took the hay from one wall and put it on another?”

  Come to think of it, that was a little odd. I shrug. “Yup.”

  Before riding off, he tips his hat to me. “I don’t think Colton was re-decorating the stables, Dixie. I think he was wanting to impress you.”

  “Pshh,” I croak. “He’ll have to do a lot more than that.”

  When we get back, Dad puts up Texas and heads inside. I walk up to Colton, who now is sitting on the bales, drinking a glass of water. I sit beside him, and he hands it to me. I take a sip without thinking about how his lips were just on the rim and that this could be inappropriate to my boyfriend to do that.

  How it’s even more inappropriate that I’m watching the way his muscles bend and flex as he stretches. “Wanna go on a ride?” he asks.

  Now that is most definitely, positively, crossing the line. “I just rode. I’m okay.”

  He laughs, standing up. “Come on. There are new things I need to show you. It will be easier if we’re together.”

  Hesitantly, I stand up. “You sure we need to?”

  “Positive.”

  He helps me up in front of him on Pixie and instinctively, I sink into him, unable to hold back the way we fit together, like a glove. A glove laced with fire and gasoline.

  So many things to say, too much unforgiving time to say them. We’re quiet at first, letting Pixie guide us around the land.

  There are new crops sections, and over the big hill a wildflower patch has sprung. “It’s so beautiful here,” I whisper.

  He stops Pixie in the middle of the flowers while his strong hand rests on my hip, and the feeling of his touch brings me back to when we were young. “You always love—”

  I cut him off, unable to hear one more thing about the past. It’s in the past, and it can’t come back. “I can’t walk down memory lane with you, Colton.”

  “Wasn’t trying to, Dixie,” he sneers, hopping off Pixie … I mean Peaches, and stomps away from me.

  I don’t feel like dealing with this right now, but as he’s getting farther away from me, it makes my heart sink. “I’ll leave you here, Colton Payne!”

  He doesn’t turn; he just lifts his hand in the air. “Go ahead and leave me, Dixie. It’s what you’re fucking good at.”

  5

  Later that night, I wake with a gasp.

  I begin to panic, my heart thumping uncontrollably. I reach for the bat that’s sitting in between my nightstand and the bed, grabbing it as the intruder flicks on the light.

  “Don’t even think about it.”

  Relief washes over me at the familiar tone, “Harper! What the hell are you doing here?” I check my phone. “It’s six in the morning.”

  “Honey, it’s six at night, and I hadn’t heard from you, so I came to check up.”

  It can’t be. Checking my phone again, I let out a groan when I see it is in fact six in the evening. “I can’t believe I missed my alarm. I bet my dad is pissed.”

  I sit up and begin to rub my tired eyes.

  “He seemed fine to me. He’s the one who told me you were up here. Mentioned you had a long day yesterday, so he probably just let you sleep in.” She walks to the bench at the foot of my bed.

  I shrug while sliding the blanket off myself. “Maybe. I’ll talk to him later.”

  There are a few moments of silence between us before Harper speaks up. “So …” She’s fidgeting with the heart shaped pendant that’s hanging from her neck. “How was your first day back?”

  Shifting my eyes to her, I can tell by her mannerisms that she already knows Colton works here. “I understand why you didn’t say anything,” I tell her.

  “What?” she squeaks.

  “Colton.” I lean back against the headboard. “I understand why you didn’t say anything, but you should have told me.”

  “Technically, you did say you never wanted to speak of him again. I was just respecting that.” She sends me a devious smirk.

  “Whatever … It’s fine, Harps.” I give her a small smile as I run my fingers through my hair.

  She nods. “Good, because we’re going out.” She walks over to my closet and rummages through my clothes. “Now, tell me what happened.”

  I let out a small giggle. It’s no use trying to convince her we should stay in. Her pin-straight hair and perfectly applied makeup gives away her intentions. I knew we’d end up going out sooner or later, but I had hoped for the latter.

  I think back to the little ride Colton and I took yesterday and decide it’s best to skip that part for now. I fill her in on how annoying he was throughout the whole day. Starting with stacking the stupid hay to him stealing my horse.

  “He did what?!” she damn near screams.

  My lips curl back in disgust. “He changed Pixie’s name to Peaches, of all things.”

  “I’d say he’s still hung up on you.” She winks at me. “Seriously though, Dix, he knows how much you love that horse. I can’t believe him.”

  I roll my eyes at her admission. “He’s just an ass. Hence why he chose Peaches.”

  I remind myself that I just have to get through the summer and then I won’t have to see him ever again. Luckily, I only have to see him during working hours.

  I continue telling Harper a little more about my first day back as I walk into the bathroom and plug in my curling wand before setting it down on the counter. At least I had enough energy to take a bath before I passed out, so I’ll be fine with just splashing some water on my face to feel refreshed.

  After curling my hair, I ask Harper to do my makeup. It reminds me of high school when she would do it for each of the formals.

  Once she’s done, we get dressed. Harper picked out an olive-green sundress with tiny white polka dots for me. She’s wearing a simple white one with delicate lace stitching.

  I slide on a light jean jacket and my favorite pair of boots, then check my reflection in the tall mirror that hangs on my wall. For once I’m satisfied with the magic Harper has reigned over my appearance.

  Pulling the front door closed behind me, we head for Harper’s car. I stop a few feet shy of the Honda when my phone starts ringing. “Damnit!” I whisper while frantically digging through my purse. I meant to call Brad earlier.

  “I was just about to call you,” I fib while sliding into the passenger seat.

  Brad’s voice beams through the phone, “Hey, babe! Perfect timing then.”

  I sigh, “How’s New York without me?”

  “I’m managing, but I do miss you. Especially at night.”

  “I bet you do.” I switch the phone to my other ear. “Listen, I’m a little busy right now. Can I call you back in the morning?”

  “What are you doing tonight? Busy milking the cows?” He’s the only one laughing at his little joke.

  “That’s not what we do here. Actually, Harper and I are going down to Fuzzy Bud’s.”

  “What the hell is that?”

  “It’s a bar, Brad.”

  “Okay, well, have fun at Buzzy Fud’s.” He laughs.

  “It’s Fu—” I stop myself. “Never mind. Have a good night, babe!”

  We pull into the old gravel lot, stopping next to a grey
Chevy. There are quite a few vehicles here and about a dozen motorcycles closer to the door. It’s going to be crowded tonight.

  Harper and I walk arm in arm into the dimly lit dive. I look around, scoping the place out. It’s smaller than I remember. There are four pool tables off to the left, taken over by couples hanging all over each other between turns.

  The scent of stale beer and smoke fills my nostrils as some guy walks past us, causing me to scrunch my nose. Brad would never approve of a place like this. He’s too clean cut.

  Harper heads straight to the bar top, towing me behind her. “Two shots. Make them neat.”

  “Coming right up, beautiful.” The handsome man nods his head.

  I turn my head to her with curiosity. “Who is that?”

  “Nobody. He’s just being friendly because we usually bartend together.”

  “Considering the way he looks at you, I bet he’s real friendly.” I giggle, nudging her side with my elbow.

  “Not gonna happen, Dix.” She looks over my shoulder. “Let’s check out the pool tables. That one looks open over there.”

  I follow closely behind her until we stop at the table in the corner. I don’t see any quarters holding the table, so I turn to grab a pool stick from the wall while Harper begins to rack the balls.

  “Excuse me, but we’ve been waiting on this table,” a distinctly familiar voice flows from behind me. I close my eyes. Maybe it’s not him.

  I take a beat before turning around to see that it is in fact Colton and his best friend Jackson standing in front of us. I turn to Harper, who’s staring at them dumbfounded. “You have got to be kidding me,” I mumble to her.

  “Ladies.” He tilts the tip of his hat. “Didn’t expect to see y’all here tonight,”

  I hate that stupid grin of his. I silently curse my guardian angel as I walk around the table.

  “Good to see you, Dix.” Jackson leans against the pool table.

  I shoot him a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes. “You too, Jackson. Been a while.”

  Turning my attention back to Colton, I try not to huff. “Look, we’re just trying to have a girls’ night. Why don’t you and Jackson wait on the next table … from the other side of the bar.” Or how about another bar entirely?