Page 27 of Something More

Dakota

When I awoke this morning, Jack was already up and fixing himself a bowl of cereal. He was happily munching away when I came into the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee.

“I started it when I got up.” Jack motioned to the coffee pot. “I hope it’s not too strong.”

“Thanks, buddy.” I smiled as I grabbed a mug from the cabinet. “I’m sure it’s great.” Jack has tried several times to make coffee but always seems to be off with the measurements. He’s been getting better, though. I always drink it without complaint because I know he’s trying to help.

“I’m helping again today, and Hank says if we finish early, we can go to the creek. I wanna enjoy the last few days of summer.” School was starting next week, and as much as I was loving having him home, I was ready for school. It would help us establish a routine, and Jack needed friends.

“Sounds good. Make sure you listen to Grandpa and Hank.”

“I will.” He smiled as he placed his bowl in the sink. He waved as he rushed out the door and toward the barn.

I spent the better part of the day finishing up the data entry, but I got everything organized in a way so that I can see where we should be cutting costs and get a better idea of the budget we should be following. I’d walked down to the big house to meet my mom for lunch and mentioned to her that I’d like to talk to Dad after dinner tonight. She’d agreed that it was time, but didn’t seem too optimistic that he’d make time for it. I knew my dad, and I knew this was hard for him, so I was probably going to have to ambush him the first time before he gave in and listened to me.

I called Louise on my walk back to the house to confirm dinner for Saturday, but she didn’t answer. I left her a messageto call me later so we could talk. Something was going on with her, but she didn’t seem ready to talk about it yet.

“Mom!” Jack came bursting through the door, water dripping from his shorts, and his hair stuck up in every direction. “You need to come, quick!” He turned and rushed back outside.

Panic set in, and I ran after him. “Jack?! What’s wrong?” I looked around frantically.

“This way!” He was way ahead of me, running though the tall grass and past the trees along the border of the farm. All I could see was his head bouncing along as he ran. In my mind I was picturing some terrible accident that had occurred with one of the hands and imagining that they sent him for help.

“Slow down! What’s wrong?” I chased after him. It didn’t even occur to me that I didn’t have my phone or anything else with me. I skidded to a stop when I reached the creek. Hank and Bo were lying across tubes in the water, and Johney was sitting on the bank in a pair of wet jeans. “What’s wrong?” I tried again, and they just kinda looked at me. “Hank?”

“Nothing’s wrong. Why would something be wrong?” He flipped off the tube and stood in the water.

“Mom! Watch!” Jack called my attention over to where he was standing in waist-deep water. He flopped forward onto his stomach and began swimming. After a few feet, he stood up and wiped his wet hair out of his eyes. “Did you see?” He grinned as if he hadn’t just almost caused me to have a heart attack. I took a deep breath to calm myself before smiling with pride. “I can swim now. Hank taught me.” He flopped down again and swam a few more feet.

“Wow! That’s great.” I started to laugh because it was the only thing I could manage to keep from crying. A mix of emotions flooded me. Alex and I had tried for years to do something that Hank managed in a few weeks.

“I hope it’s ok.” Hank climbed out of the water and stepped in front of me. “He wanted to surprise you.” Water dripped from strands of his hair, landing on his shoulders and chest. His tanned skin sparkled in the sunlight as a few droplets made their way down his midriff. I swallowed as I watched them. His feet shifted in the soft mud of the creek bank. “My eyes are up here,” he teased.

My head snapped up, and I blushed from being caught staring. “Sorry.” I nibbled my lip. I glanced over his shoulder to see Jack splashing away, completely oblivious to what was going on between Hank and me. “You taught him to swim,” I whispered.

“He’s a quick learner.” Hank glanced back at Jack. “Hey, Jack! You think your mom remembers how to swim?”

“Maybe?” He shrugged. It took me a second to realize what was happening, and in that moment, Hank lifted me into the air and tossed me over his shoulder.

“Put me down!” I pounded on his back. The muscles flexed as he waded back into the creek. “Hank!” I pleaded.

“If you say so.” He chuckled before dropping me into the water. It wasn’t deep, but I didn’t have my footing, so I completely submerged before splashing to the surface. When my head popped up, everyone was laughing, including my son.

“Mom! That was so funny.” Jack giggled as he held his belly.

“Ya think so?” I turned and stomped through the water to where he was standing. I took my arm and flung a wave of water in his direction.

“It wasn’t my idea,” He gasped between giggles. “Hank said you needed a break.”

I turned and stomped in Hank’s direction. “He did, did he?”

“You seemed overworked,” Hank mused with a grin.

“Uh huh.” I tossed water at him before admiring the view one last time. “Now I have to go change. I was getting ready to go shopping for cookout supplies.” I laughed as I shook my head. I waded over to the bank and climbed out.

“Need any help?” Hank seemed to be watching the way my shorts clung to my ass.

“I think I’m good.” I grabbed my hair and squeezed as much water out as I could. “I’ll see you later.” I gave a little finger wave before following the path back to the house.

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