Love Me ~ Like That (30 page)

Two Weeks Later

Journal Entry:
I’m so glad tomorrow is Friday, Cash has taken the day off, and we are going away for a long weekend. Margie will spend the weekend with Granny and Papa. I’m glad she and Granny have become close friends. I like Margie too.

I need this time away. The last couple of weeks have been a nightmare. A few days after Papa’s episode, we had a visit from the Department of Adult Protective Services. I had been turned in for elderly abuse. Someone reported that I had been not only taking advantage of my grandparents, but I was physically abusing them and I was also dispensing extra medication to Papa.

Papa was coherent that day and told them that I wasn’t even big enough to hurt him. Granny was furious. She demanded to know who had called in the report, but they wouldn’t tell her. She said it had to have been the paramedics, but it could have been Papa’s doctor’s office or even the pharmacy. They are actually investigating me, but that doesn’t bother me because I have nothing to hide. I love my grandparents and I would never do anything to hurt them. So, they can investigate me all they want, but I would like to know what happened too.

We have been making good use of the barn. On my trip into town a couple of weeks ago, I picked up the shortest pair of Daisy Duke shorts I’ve ever seen in my life. I wore those and a barely there red checkered top that tied at the boobs. My boots completed my outfit, and I tied my hair in a low side ponytail. I packed a blanket and a picnic and went to the barn where Cash had been working all morning. When I walked in, he almost dropped the hammer. I was playing up the whole farmer’s daughter scenario. I love that no matter what I come up with, he picks right up and runs with it like everything was planned.

Things have been crazy around here so when Cash mentioned a getaway, I was thrilled until he clammed up. He won’t tell me where we’re going. I don’t even know what to pack. He said it is a surprise, and we are leaving Friday afternoon.

He did ask me to dress nice for dinner so now I have on a dress and my boots. I packed casual clothes and some new lingerie I bought just for this occasion. All of my essentials, which have gotten less over the last few months, fit in a small bag. I’m all set, ready to go when Cash pulls up in his truck with Margie. She comes in with her overnight bag, and Cash has a mischievous grin on his face. I can’t wait to spend the weekend with him. He looks great all dressed up, but it doesn’t matter what he has on, he looks great in nothing at all, too.

“Hello, beautiful, are you ready to go?” He pulls me in for a small kiss.

“I’m ready, if you are handsome.” I turn to Margie and Granny. “Margie, you have my cell number, right? Call me if anything happens.” I give them both a kiss and a hug. I’m so giddy I’m practically bouncing. “Bye, love y’all!”

Cash picks up my bags, he says his goodbyes and we are out the door.

Once we are on our way, I ask, “So, are you going to tell me where we are going now?”

“Patience, Sweet Cheeks, patience. Don’t you like surprises?”

Ugh, he has been this way all week. “Casssh, you’re not being fair. I’m going to see where we are going anyway.” I give him pouty lips and puppy dog eyes.

“Alright, I didn’t want to have to do this, but you really leave me no other choice.” He sighs and pulls into a parking lot then he opens up the center console of his truck.

“Hey, is that my lucky bandanna? How did you get to that?” He is full of surprises today. “It’s not dark enough for us to play around in the truck, Cash.” My man does like to play. I love it!

“Yes, this is your blindfold, and no this isn’t for play, Baby Doll. Remember when you told me I could take a turn and blindfold you? Well, I’m taking my turn tonight. You’re not going to be able to see where we are going. Now, turn around and let me tie this on you. Oh, and if you don’t close your mouth, I’m going to give you something for that, too.”

I’m speechless. This makes me more excited. Bring on the surprise! “I’ll play. You know how much I like our games.” I lick my lips, giving him a devilish smile.

We drive for what seems like an hour. When we finally get to our destination, he still doesn’t want me to take off the blindfold. I really don’t want to walk inside somewhere with this thing on. I don’t protest, though because he is being so sweet in wanting this to be a surprise.

“Just stay seated, I’ll be right around to help you out.”

I can hear his door opening and closing. He opens my door, and I only hear crickets and birds chirping.

“Here, take my arm, I won’t let you fall.”

I guess he is really going to make me wear this inside. I take his arm and I can tell we are walking on grass.

“Stand here for just a moment and let me get the door.”

I hear a creak, and I smell a familiar aroma. I reach up and take off my blindfold. We are at the barn. He takes my hand and we step inside.

He has transformed a section into a beautiful dining area. He had to have someone help him. Candles in little votive holders are tucked in several places, and tiny lights hang from the rafters. In the center of the table is a large mason jar with wildflowers. On the table is a linen tablecloth with a burlap runner. He has thought of every little detail. “Cash, this is absolutely stunning—the most beautiful place I’ve ever been in my entire life.” He did this for me. No one has ever done anything like this for me before, and I feel loved, honored.

He leads me over to the table, and that’s when I notice it is our picnic table. He helps me sit down and puts a bandanna in my lap for a napkin. My guy has turned up his country charm tonight. I’m going to reward him real good tonight for all of this. He is going to be one very lucky guy.

The look in Bailey’s eyes as she takes in the barn is precious, and it is my job to keep it there. I think this is the last thing she was expecting for tonight. She has been trying to get clues from Mom and me all week. She was adorable, offering me sexual favors in exchange for information. She has been excited for this weekend, and I have too. There were many times I wanted to forget this plan and get to the end result.

Dinner goes well and now on to stage two. I hit a button on the remote that is in my pocket and the music I’ve had piped throughout the barn plays. King George is singing our song, “Give It All We Got Tonight.”

“May I have this dance?” I take her by the hand and lead her to the space I have designated as the dance floor. I sing along with him again, just like I did that night on that back road when we danced under the stars. I hope all of these little touches aren’t lost on her. She has probably figured out what’s coming. The anticipation has to be eating her alive. It is me. I hold her to me and breathe in her honeysuckle-scented shampoo. George finishes our song, and I ask, “Are you ready for dessert or would you like to dance more?”

“I’m ready for whatever you’re ready for. I want this night to last forever, Cash. You have swept me off of my feet. Who knew you were this romantic? I mean, I knew you were romantic, but tonight you’ve pulled out all the stops.”

She looks lovely with the dreamy look in her eyes. I really want to take her upstairs and get her out of this dress right now.

“There are more good things to come, Baby Doll. What are you ready for next?”

“I want the next good thing.”

I knew it. She is on to me. “You do? What do you think that would be?” I ask.

“I don’t know, but I’m ready for it. I just don’t see how you’re going to top all of this.”

“Why don’t we have dessert first and then we will go upstairs? I’ve made us a bedroom upstairs so you won’t have to sleep on hay.” I go over to where Lizzie set up our dessert. I owe her big time. I think she must have known the significance of bandannas as napkins. She asked if she should bring a cooler the next morning with orange juice. I’m sure as close as she and Bailey are, Bailey told her about my fondness for oranges now. I bring out homemade Italian Cream Cake and set it in front her, but I sit beside her this time so I can start this process.

“How did you know this was my favorite dessert? You have gone to a lot of trouble for this weekend. I’ve noticed all the improvements you’ve made to the barn, I’m glad you decided to keep it.” She leans over and gives me a peck on the cheek.

“I’ve had a lot of help preparing all of this. There has been several people involved to make this weekend special.” I take her hand. “When you stepped off the elevator that night in the hospital, I wasn’t thinking about a long term relationship, but I did think you were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen in my life, and I wanted to get to know you better. The compassion you have in your heart for everyone around you makes you even more beautiful on the inside.”

I click the remote in my pocket one more time. The chords to Lonestar’s “Amazed” plays, and I take her back to the dance floor. This time, I sing her the whole song myself. She lays her head on my chest, and when the song finishes, I get down on one knee. I take the ring out of my pocket. She is in tears with her hand over her mouth.

“Bailey Grace Reynolds, you are the love of my life and you’re my best friend. I want the whole world to know how much you mean to me. Will you marry me?”

She doesn’t say yes. She doesn’t say no. She stands there and cries. Taking a deep breath, she says, “Cash, I want to be your wife more than anything else in this world.”

Whew, she had me worried there for a minute.

“But…”

No, no but, why does there have to be a but?

“I have my grandparents, and I’ve promised to be the one who will take care of them. I love you with everything I have to give. You have all of me, but I can’t move them out of their home and into your house when it’s built.”

I give her a smile. If that’s all she is worried about, it has already been taken care of. I put the ring back in my pocket for the time being. “Bailey, look around you. Do you think I would overlook any of the details?”

She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. I know she wants specifics and that isn’t what I want tonight to be about, but for her not to feel like she is abandoning her grandparents, she needs to know how they will be taken care of. For her peace of mind, I tell her what my momma and her granny have been cooking up the last few weeks. Mom is going to move in with the Jacksons and take care of them on a regular basis. She’s been over there all day everyday anyway. Bailey will become the backup. Bailey looks relieved as she knows they will be in good hands, and she’ll be right across the street from them anyway.

“Cash, you really have taken care of all the details. Do you know what it means to me that you thought to take care of Granny and Papa, too? How did I get so lucky to find a guy like you?”

“The two of us meeting was fate, Bailey. We began somewhat as friends, though I did have other intentions in mind. I think us falling in love was inevitable. I didn’t know why I was waiting on a relationship until I met you. Now, I know, having a relationship with anyone else wasn’t right because you’re my soulmate.” I tell her and genuinely mean every word.

“I love you so much, Cash. I can’t imagine my life without you. I’m so glad you came along when you did. I would be a broken mess right now.”

We dance for a few more minutes then she looks at me seriously. “Cash, are you going to give me my ring now?”

“You haven’t said yes.”

A wide grin spreads across her face. “Do you want to ask me again?”

“Hey, Bailey, I’ve been thinking. I love you and you love me, right? So why don’t we make things all official and get hitched?” This made her giggle. I love to hear her joy.

“Well, you know Cash, I was hoping to marry a cowboy. You wear a hat sometimes, so I guess you’ll do. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

“I’ll do, huh?”

She nods and holds out her hand.

“I might need to reconsider my options, since ‘I’ll do’.”

She playfully swats me on my shoulder.

I get back down on one knee and take her hand. “Will you marry me and let us grow old together? I want to sit on the front porch with you in big rocking chairs and sip sweet tea while we enjoy the cool breeze. I want to give you a love like that forever.”