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Ashley
“I can’t believeGriffin forgot his phone. It’s practically attached to him all the time,” Travis teased as we drove through town toward the vet’s office.
“He seemed distracted today. I don’t know what was up with him.” I stared out the window, taking it all in like it was the first time again.
In honesty, it always felt like the first time. This place, these people, they made life feel so fresh and new. I had no other way to describe it.
Travis tapped my hand to get my attention as he pulled to a stop sign. “Do you think he’ll get mad if we stop to get some candy from the store first? This morning, Daddy told me I could get something small while we were here.”
I wasn’t sure who all knew about my hearing loss, but it seemed someone new would make an accommodation for me every day. It was as wonderful as it was frustrating.
In my mind, I knew they were doing it because they cared. Sometimes, though, that dark part of me believed it was a burden. That the fact they had to stop to get my attention, thereby adding an extra step to the conversation, was a nuisance.
I wanted to be like everyone else again. I didn’t want people to go out of their way for me.
But at the same time, I was terrified to go to the doctor about it. Daddy had told me he’d made an appointment. It was for later this week. We were making a day of it since we needed to go into the nearby city to see the specialist Sean recommended.
“I think Griffin will just be happy to have his phone back. What are a few extra minutes?” I told him when he got closer to the corner store.
He parked, then pointed to himself. “I’ll only be a minute. You want to come in?”
I shook my head. “No thanks. I can wait here.”
Travis took off at a jog, leaving me behind to grab his sweets. I chuckled at the sight of him. Sitting in the truck, I used the time alone to think about how much my life had changed and how grateful I was for the chance to start over.
Mid thought, I looked over to see a familiar figure walking down the sidewalk towards the store. I opened my door quickly and waved as I yelled, “Hey, Adler!”
He startled at my call, though it quickly turned to a grin when he saw it was me. “Hey there, Ashley. Looks like everything worked out after all, huh? I wondered for a while there if you were going to need my help.”
“Thank goodness I didn’t.” We both chuckled.
“I agree. Better that you found your place on the ranch. How are things? Did your surprise go like you’d hoped?”
I dipped my head as I thought about the first time I met Corey that day at the market. I had no idea then that I’d get to this point or that we’d sync so well together in person.
“Funnily enough, it all went better than I’d hoped. The short version is that I showed up on the ranch to meet my pen pal of eight years. We’re together now, romantically that is, and it’s thebest thing to ever happen to me. I can’t thank you enough for giving me a ride that day.”
He shook his head quickly, his smile beaming and proud. “It was nothing, man. I’m really glad it all turned out well for you.”
“It wasn’t nothing. Things could have gone very differently if you hadn’t been there to guide me. It all played out just how it needed to for the timing to be right. So yeah, I’m going to thank you immensely for your role in it.”
“Ok, fine! You’ve twisted my arm. I’m the most awesomest chauffeur to ever drive a stranger around.” He threw up his hands with a smirk. “Happy now?”
I smiled back at him as I shook my head. “Was that so hard, my friend? I think you should come out to dinner at the ranch sometime when you get a minute. We’re always cooking too much, and the guys would love someone else to rag on.”
“You’re a far cry from the quiet man who barely spoke the day he came to town. These months on the ranch have been good for you. And sure, I imagine I could come by sometime. Verify it with your boss, then give me a call.”
Travis tore through the front of the shop with a rolled down brown paper bag in hand. “I’ve secured the goods!”
He blushed upon seeing I wasn’t alone. “Looks like it. We’ve got to get a move on, but yeah, I’ll definitely call for the dinner thing. I’m sure Corey will want to thank you for getting me to the ranch safely too.”
“I’ll see you soon. Good to see you, Travis. Be safe you two!” He turned with a wave and went inside the store.
We climbed into the truck to head toward the vet clinic. While we probably could have walked, neither of us mentioned it.
“How do you know Adler?” Travis asked me.
“He’s how I got to the ranch from the bus station. I’d been clueless about the area, and he saw me standing there all lost ascould be. When I gave him the abbreviated version of why I was going, he told me I was welcome to call him for a job or a ride or whatever I needed if things didn’t work out with Corey.”
