Page 29 of Falls County

LUKE

The next week went by unbearably slow. It was the same old shit different day. I sat in the combine everyday and continued to think about Kaci. Harvest was usually my favorite time of year when I saw all the hard work had paid off.

This year was different now. Kaci was constantly on my mind. What was she doing? What was she wearing? Where was she working? She probably took her old job back. The one she had before the accident. Why hadn’t I gone to visit her again?

I went to the bar every night this week and Kaci was no where to be seen. I didn’t get drunk like usual but I was on the fast track. She sliced my heart open and put a single stich in when I saw her the other night. And nothing from her since. She’s told me she’s back for good. Drake has too. So why couldn’t I believe it?

On my way home I made sure to drive by her place to check if she was still here. Her car was there but no lights were on. It was late so she was probably in bed. I wanted to see the house, the progress that she’d made. I wanted to see her.

This woman was so damn frustrating. She just shows up at the fucking bar with no warning and acts as though were buddy ol’ pals. Then doesn’t show her face again. She doesn’t text or call. She doesn’t Snapchat or DM. Nothing. Silence.

Fuck!

I was boiling mad. She brought that side out in me. She drove me fucking crazy. And I missed her. I missed her so much it hurt. I looked down at the scar on the palm of my hand from a couple months after she left.

Six Months Ago

“What happened to your hand?” This girl asked as she sat down next to me.

It was late. Not many people were in the bar tonight for it being a Saturday. A group of women I didn’t recognize sat at a table by the bar.

Looking up from my hand I replied. “I smashed a glass right here on this bar, in this seat.”

Taking a long drink of my whiskey I took her in. Her breasts were practically spilling out of her shirt. They weren’t a perfect handful like Kaci’s. She was thin. Very thin. She didn’t have thick muscular thighs like Kaci did. Her hair was a dark brown. I’d never had a thing for brunettes.

Turning back towards my drink she continued to speak. Her voice was annoying as fuck. I tuned it completely out. Her fingers drew up the side of my arm under my t-shirt.

“What?” I tried to shake her off but she held on tighter.

“I said, you’ve got some big muscles. Hard. Do you want to buy me a drink?”

Maybe she’ll help you get over Kaci.

“Sure.” I turned towards the bar. “Kim?”

“Another one?” Kim was already grabbing the whiskey.

“Yeah and one for my new friend here.”

“What are you having?”

“Vodka cran.” Fuck me she would be drinking that. “I’m Anna.”

“Luke.”

She perched up on the bar pushing her tits out. “So Luke what do you do?”

“I’m a farmer.”

“Oh my gosh that’s so cool!” Her hand landed on my arm, again. “So you have like pigs and sheep and stuff?”

Laughing I shook my head. Fucking idiot. “No not even close. We plant corn, beans, wheat, and alfalfa. We also have cattle and a few horses.”

“Oh.” She giggled. “So how many acres do you have?”

Like I said fucking idiot. “Ah, ah, ah.” I waved my finger in the air. “Never ask a farmer that.”

“Sorry.” Her hand drifted to my thigh.

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