Page 10 of Something More

“Hank? You up there working?” Jeff called from down below.

I positioned myself where he couldn’t see the raging boner I was trying to make disappear. “Yeah. I was stacking some near the back to make room for tomorrow.” I stuck my head out and waved.

“Good. That’ll be good. We’re eating soon, so you might wanna head in and wash up when you’re done.” He nodded and turned away.

I needed an ice bath for what I was dealing with.

My eyes opened as the memory passed. I was frustrated and confused. I still didn’t know why she left. If what Jack said was true, then Alex had nothing to do with her leaving.

I pushed myself to a seated position and shoved my feet back into my boots. I stood and stormed back outside. I needed space to think. “Later.” I waved at Jeff as I was walking away and he was coming up to the bunkhouse.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” he called at my back. I waved him off before turning to make a beeline for the barn. I don’t know why I thought being in there would help. Habit maybe. Before I knew it, I was climbing the steps to the loft.

I stared at the small space. Bales were stacked everywhere from the last few days’ worth of work. Just the smell made me think of her. For years, I’ve been able to make myself forget, but now that she’s back, the memories are front and center all the time.

“Hank? You up there?” she whisper-shouted from down below. I stuck my head out and she grinned up at me before climbing the ladder.

“How long can you stay?” I helped her over the threshold, and she toppled onto me.

“They went to bed. I snuck out. Unless Louise rats on me, I have a while.” She shrugged before leaning down to kiss me. “You smell good,” she whispered.

“Soap does that when you shower.” I chuckled as I tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Her cornsilk hair was glowing. “You’re so beautiful when you’re bathed in the moonlight.”

“This is my favorite time of day.” She shifted toward my side, leaving one leg draped over me. “It’s the one time I feel like I don’t have to worry about anyone seeing me.” Her mouth turned down slightly, but she shook the thought away as she leaned in to kiss me again. “Did you mean it today? When you said you loved me?” Her nose skimmed up my jaw. I shivered against her. She has always been able to turn me on but seemed to be trying harder tonight.

“Yes. I think I loved you before I really knew you.” My heart was racing. “I tried to stay away because I know your daddy would not be ok with this, but I just can’t.”

“It’s only because you’re older, and two years isn’t that big of a deal.” She rolled her eyes. We can tell him soon. I promise.”She leaned down and kissed me again. “Only four more months and then I’m eighteen.”

“Have you thought about college?” I had been trying to bring this up the last couple times we had snuck off, but Codie was always changing the subject.

“I’m going to stay local. I want to get an accounting degree so I can do the books for the farm.” She smiled. “Daddy wants bigger things for me though, so we’ll see.” A look of sadness washed over her face before she pushed it away and looked back at me. “I don’t want to talk right now.” She sealed her mouth over mine, and as the kiss grew, she rubbed herself against my thigh.

We made out for quite a while before I put the brakes on. She looked at me confused. “Don’t you want to?”

“I do, but I don’t want to give your daddy a reason to fire my ass. I’m nineteen, Codie. I could get in real trouble. We need to wait.” She started to scramble away, but I grabbed her hand. “Wait.” Her mouth turned down and her lower lip trembled. “I’m doing this because I love you. I want a forever with you. I’m not going anywhere.” I moved closer and kissed her lightly. “There is a lot of other stuff we can do.” I gave her a lopsided smile before kissing her again.

“Ok.” She kissed me back.

I picked up a piece of loose hay and twisted it between my fingers. This hay loft saw so many things and held so many memories. I often wondered if she left to escape the memories of this place.

I moved over to the far side and peaked through the cracks in the boards. I could see the big house. A few lights were on, and a shadowed figure was moving around upstairs. I watched it until the lights went out, and then I slowly made my way back to the bunkhouse. Most of the guys had gone to bed. It was going to be an early morning of stacking hay again. I slipped out ofmy clothes, and climbed into bed, hoping that she would evade my thoughts and allow me to sleep. I needed a night that wasn’t plagued by her, but if the last few nights were any indication of what was to come, tonight would be sleepless again.

Chapter 6

Dakota

I was up before the sun this morning. The moving company had called last night to let me know my things would arrive today, and I wanted to get an early start. I could hear my dad in the kitchen as I made my way downstairs. He always got up early, even after he stopped going out with the guys. He’d brew the coffee and read the paper while he waited for Mom.

“Morning.” He smiled as I came into the kitchen.

“Morning.” I yawned. I’d tossed and turned most of the night. Memories of my teen years have been filling my head for days. I thought finally talking to Hank would help, but it only made things worse, and now even more confusing.

“Your mom will be up soon to start breakfast. It’s another day of hauling hay. Think you could run the water truck again?” He smiled as he folded the section he was reading and placed it in front of him.

“The movers called last night. The truck will be here in about an hour. I don’t think I’ll be able to do anything today.” I frowned as I thought about how much work this was going to be. I hated moving, and I had a lot to unpack.

“How about you take a break to do the water, and I’ll have the guys come help with the moving?” He gave me the look he used to do when I was a kid and he was requesting I do something, but it wasn’t really a request.

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