Page 29 of Home Is Where You Are

I’d woken up this morning bright and early to an empty bedroom. I shouldn’t have felt anything but relief, but many more emotions coursed through me. I was more hurt than I’d like to admit that she wasn’t the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes this morning. I knew that we shouldn’t be edging toward crossing that line and getting close again, but part of me wanted it more than I should’ve.

It was for the best. I had to keep reminding myself to stay away from her, even if I felt that same pull from years ago anytime she was near.

Instead of continuing with those thoughts, I did something productive and got ready for the day. I needed to get my schedule for the day from her father.

I made my way down to the main house, and the smell of coffee instantly assaulted my senses. I needed a caffeine drip just to get through today. I was emotionally drained this morning.

“Good mornin’, Gentry,” Lillian greeted me from her spot in front of the coffee pot, a to-go cup of coffee in her hand that she graciously held out to me with a smile on her face.

“Mornin’,” I grumbled, not sure of how good of a morning it would be.

I took the awaiting cup from her hand and took a sip. The hot liquid tasted of perfection. She always managed to make the perfect cup of coffee every time. She remembered how everyone took theirs. It shouldn’t shock me, but it never ceased to amaze me how she always got everyone’s right.

I leaned against the granite countertop and took another sip of coffee, waiting for Sawyer to arrive so I could know where he wanted me today.

Ainsleigh and her father entered the kitchen at the same time. My eyes took her in as I took another sip of coffee. She wore her long blonde hair up in a ponytail, and a blue flannel shirt that had slipped off her shoulder, revealing the tank top she had on underneath. My eyes raked down her body and took in the sight of her tight jeans and the old cowboy boots before they drifted back up and took in the look in her eyes. They were focused on her mother, but she looked as tired as I felt. At least I wasn’t the only one who didn’t get any sleep.

“Gentry, glad you stayed and waited for me. Jasmine and Tawney called in today; they both have some type of stomach bug. I’ll need you and Ainsleigh to lead the treasure hunt they had planned for the kids,” Sawyer said before he walked over to his wife and placed a quick kiss on her lips.

I held in a groan. I wanted to argue with him, but I refrained. He didn’t need the added stress from my complaints after he’d had to readjust the schedule to accommodate the sick employees’ tasks.

“But, Dad,” Ainsleigh protested as she crossed her arms over her chest.

I looked away from her before I said something I shouldn’t in front of her parents.

The treasure hunts were something Ainsleigh, her brothers, and I usually tried to get out of. They tended to be something of a disaster and always lasted longer than they were supposed to.

“It’s fine, Sawyer. We’ll cover it. No problem,” I agreed even though I wanted to protest as much as she clearly did.

“That settles it. Ainsleigh, your mom will be around for when your friends arrive since you’ll be busy. Make sure you message them and let them know your change of plans. Y’all have fun today.” He smiled, and I swear that grin held a mischievous look. The conversation with her mother last night replayed in my mind. She probably had something to do with him sticking us together. Sneaky woman. I wouldn’t out her. I’d play along with her game, but I wouldn’t give in to what she wanted. Ainsleigh and I weren’t ever going to be an item again. No matter how much her mother clearly wanted us to be.

She didn’t withhold her disdain and groaned before she took the cup of coffee her mother offered. She stomped past me and went out the back door of the house.

“Make sure y’all get the stalls mucked this mornin’ before you meet the kids at ten for the scavenger hunt,” her dad said as he walked toward the back door.

“Yes, sir,” I responded, knowing today was going to be a long one.

“Don’t let my daughter get one over on you, Gentry. You’re in charge today,” he said with a grin before he got on the ATV and headed toward his office building.

That just made the day more hopeful. Getting to boss Ainsleigh around might just make my day even better than I thought it would be.

I walked into the stables after bidding her dad a goodbye to find Ainsleigh at Sparkle’s stall. She was brushing down her horse as she fed her a sugar cube. She didn’t hear me approach to which I used to my advantage.

“Hey there, butterfly,” I whispered into her ear just as I stepped up behind her.

She jumped back into my arms and screamed.

“Dangit, Gentry. Must you always have to scare me,” she screamed as she turned around and hit me in the shoulder. She could still pack a mean right hook. The pain in my shoulder was evidence of that.

“But it’s just so fun to scare you,” I taunted while she went back to brushing Sparkle.

“Fun for you maybe. You scared me half to death. You probably shouldn’t call me that nickname anymore,” she suggested as she turned to face me.

She’d always be my butterfly, whether she liked it or not.

I’d started calling her that because when I’d first met her, she was chasing a butterfly around the field. The name just stuck from that day forward.

She didn’t need to know I still remembered how much she loved seeing different color butterflies. I’d leave pieces of paper in the shape of butterflies in her locker or in her notebooks. I loved seeing the smile cross her face knowing I was the one who’d left them. But that was then.