Page 84 of Tastes Like Watermelon Moonshine
“I hate not being able to see.” I sigh, and lean my head back against the headrest. Fresh spring air blows through the open window as we drive along.
“Mommy not see? Need glasses?” Three-year old Grace pipes up from the back seat.
Austin and I laugh. “Glasses won’t help right now, Mommy is blindfolded.”
“Mommy, doin’ laundry? I can help fold.” Frustrated groans filter to the front of the car. Even though I can’t see her, I know exactly what she’s trying to do right now.
“Don’t unbuckle, Grace. You’re not allowed to unbuckle until the car is parked.”
She sighs, but thankfully the fidgeting stops. “Yes, Mommy.”
“We’ll be there soon. Just hang tight a little longer, Gracie-girl.” Austin reaches over and squeezes my hand where it rests on the center console. His thumb brushes back and forth over the diamond bands on my left hand. They’ve been there for a whole year now, and I still clean them daily and delight in making them sparkle in the light every chance that I can get.
“Where we go, Dada?” Grace asks. Her penchant for asking questions overtaking her. Everyday an endless stream of questions gushes from her, interspersed with giggles and the occasional “No!”
“It’s a surprise for Mommy. We’re just about there.”
“I see cows, Dada.”
“There’s a few here. We can say ‘hi’ to the cows after we see a few other things.”
“Yes, Dada.”
The car comes to a stop, and Austin shuts the engine off. “Can I look now?”
“Not, yet. I’ll come around and walk you a little ways, and then you can look.”
“Me, too, Dada. No forget Grace.”
“I’ll never forget my Gracie-girl.” Austin’s door slams, then I hear him unbuckle Grace. He finally comes around and opens my door, gently takes my hand and helps me out of the jeep. Grace’s little fingers worm their way in between our hands.
“Grace hold too.”
I smile and make room for her little hand.
“Okay, we’re going to walk this way, and then I’ll pull off the blindfold.” Austin leads me a few paces, then positions me, his hands on my hips to turn me just right. Grace’s fingers cling to mine.
“So pretty, Mama.” I wonder if she’s complimenting me, or whatever it is that Austin has taken us to see.
Austin’s hands settle on my shoulders. “Ready?” I nod. His hands move to the tie on the bandana. “Three. Two. One.” He pulls off the blindfold.
The afternoon sunshine blinds me. We’re standing in front of the ranch house on the Rolling R. But the house has fresh dark blue siding, and a sage green front door that matches the color of Austin’s eyes. Newly installed windows dot the first and second floors. Black shiny light fixtures hang from the front porch and each corner holds a porch swing. Beside the front door is a sign.Rae of Sunshine Ranch
My chest tightens. “You bought me a ranch?” I turn and look at Austin through teary eyes.
“I boughtUSa ranch.” He runs a finger down my cheek. “When I retire, I’m going to ranch, just like your dad. And we needed a bigger space as it was.” His lips tilt up and his eyes glint with a special twinkle. “And I’m going to start back with the Lariat’s this season, so…” He grins so hard I think his face might split wide open.
I cup his face and pull him down so that his lips touch my own. He slips a hand into my hair, and I open my mouth under his. A sigh from his mouth mingles with mine.
I’m truly blessed. There were days where I wondered if God still loved me. If He could maybe work a miracle for me. And here I sit with Austin as my husband… with a beautiful child in the backseat. God has restored my faith, He has covered me with grace and forgiven me for my shortcomings.
Looping an arm around his neck, I pull him close till his chest touches mine.
“No more kissin’. Come play.” Little hands tug on the hem of my shorts.
Reluctantly I pull away from Austin, his green eyes are dark with desire. “We’ll finish that later.” He winks at me. I suck mylower lip into my mouth and blush. We’ve been married for a year, but that man can still make me blush like a schoolgirl.
“It’s a good thing you bought us a ranch.” I reach for his hand. “That little apartment was going to get cramped in about eight months.” Austin twists his head, a confused look taking over his handsome features. I watch as his eyes light up and his jaw drops slightly as it dawns on him.
