Gunner……

Jeff, Gramps and I all cleared and cleaned the dishes while the girls went out and sat on the porch. I couldn’t stop thinking about what it was that got Ellie upset. Did Grams say something to her? Maybe Ari said something? I would have to talk to Grams about it when I was able to talk to her alone.

“Jesus Gunner….you’re deep in thought.” Jeff said as he was trying to hand me a plate to dry.

“Sorry dude, I didn’t mean to space out on you.”

“Women, they will do that to you. Best if you just get used to it now boys cause it will be like this the rest of your lives. When I met my Emma my whole world turned upside down. The boys used to tease me ‘cause they said I walked around with a dopey look on my face all the time. It wasn’t that, I was just thinking about her all the time. What was she doin’ at that moment? Who was she with? Was she thinking about me? It totally scared the shit out of me too let me tell you. Now Drew, your grandmother was not the first girl I ever dated. But she was the first one that ever made me lose my breath when I saw her. The only one I ever thought about damn near 24/7.” Gramps laughed and looked over at Jeff and me. We both were just standing there taking it all in.

“Shit, I still feel the same way about Emma after 49 years of marriage.” He turned and leaned his back up against the sink. “I want you both to listen to me right now. I’m not stupid. You’re both 21, almost 22 now. I know you’ve had sex with girls, probably a lot of them with your good looks. But let me tell you, when you find that one girl….. you’ll know it in an instant. You won’t want to just get in her panties and then leave her. Her eyes will hold your eyes captive and take the air out your lungs with just a smile. Her laugh, well shit……. her laugh will drive you mad and you will try to do everything under the sun to hear it as much as you can. Her tears will rip your heart out, especially if you caused ‘em. Just the sound of her voice will drive you mad. When you find that girl boys, you found love. Not lust….true love. You’ll have found the girl who you will spend the rest of your life loving, taking care of and just trying to make her so goddamn happy that you would gladly die doing it.”

Jeff and I just stood there. I had never heard my grandfather talk about women like this. I mean I knew he loved my Grams with his whole heart that was never a doubt in my mind. But here he stood at 73 years old and it was like he had a window into my heart since the moment I met Ellie.

“When you find it, don’t be stubborn and don’t be scared. Fight for it boys….never let it go.”

We just stood there in silence. Then Jeff let out a laugh.

“Fuck Gunner……I think your goddamn grandfather got a job at Hallmark also.” Gramps slapped Jeff across the head.

“You shut the fuck up….I see how you look at Arianna boy. I might have to staple your damn tongue in your mouth because every time she walks in the room it just hangs out panting!” Gramps said as he finished up and started to head out to the porch.

“You know he’s right.” I said as I put the last of the dishes up. “She’s not going to wait forever Jeff.”

“Yeah, well….I don’t know what the hell y’all are all talking about. There is nothing between Ari and me. Besides, she has a boyfriend or did you forget that?” Jeff said as he grabbed the dominos and headed for the door.

“Nah, I didn’t forget but she sure seems like she has!” I said with a laugh. Jeff just shrugged and headed outside.

Stupid fucker.

We played dominos until the sun went down. I loved every minute of being with the ones I loved so much in my favorite place in the world. Watching Ellie with Grams warmed my heart more than I ever thought it would. Jeff was unusually quite the rest of the night while Ari just went on and on from everything to how she loved dominos to how she was going to kick Jeff’s ass at fishing tomorrow. I knew my Gramps liked Ari. She had a fire about her that he appreciated. You really would never know that this girl came from a shit ton of money.

I really knew he loved Ellie. How could he not? That smile, that laugh and those breathtakingly beautiful blue eyes. Grams had gotten up and went into the house. Gramps foreman Drake showed up with his two sons, Aaron and Dewey. I thought Dews was going to fall over when he saw Ari. Jeff noticed it also and I could practically see the steam coming from his ears.

We talked about going fishing tomorrow and to the river and Dewey made it a point to let Ari know he had tomorrow off and would love to join us if it was alright with us. I had no problem with it and when Ari said she would love for him to join us, Jeff got up and pushed his chair back so fast the damn thing fell over.

“I’m going to take a shower. Talk to y’all later, Drake, Aaron, Dew…..have a good evening.” Jeff gave Ari a look and headed into the house.

“What the hell was that all about and why has he been so quiet tonight?” Ari asked as she looked straight at me like I knew what the fuck his problem was.

“I have no clue; he had been fine all day. Maybe he’s just tired.”

Drake and the boys excused themselves after they talked to Gramps about a few items that Jeff and I were going to take care of while we were there.

Ari stood up and leaned over and kissed Gramps on the cheek. “I think I am going to go and grab a book and relax a bit if y’all don’t mind. There is a sexy vampire named Kane who is waiting for me!”

“Baby girl you make yourself at home you hear.” Gramps said as he stood up when Ari got up and walked into the house.

Just then Grams walked out with a blanket and a basket. Gramps looked over at Ellie and smiled as Grams sat it all down on the small white table that we had been playing dominos on.

“Now, Ellie darlin’, Drew told us you’ve never seen the night sky away from the city lights. I think that is a crime right there that needs a fixing right away. Everyone needs to see the stars out in the country! It is a sight to behold” Grams said as she sat down next to Gramps. He took her hand and kissed the back of it.

Ellie let out a laugh. “No, I never have. That was one of the things I was most looking forward to coming out to the ranch for. I heard it’s amazing!”

“Well, Drew why don’t y’all take the blanket and goody basket your grandmother made up and head out to the west pasture. I think that one will give you plenty of space away from the lights up here.”

I smiled at my grandparents. I knew exactly what they were both up to. My grandfather winked at me as my grandmother told Ellie what she had packed in the basket.

“There are is a mug of hot chocolate along with some fresh chocolate chip cookies I baked this morning. There is also some cut up cheese, crackers and fresh berries straight from the farmer’s market.”

“Oh wow Emma! Thank you so much for putting all this together! I’m so excited. It is a little chilly I’m going to run and grab a sweatshirt and change into sneakers. Be right back!”

Ellie jumped up and kissed Grams on the cheek and headed into the house. I watched her as she practically skipped into the house. Her excitement was infectious.

“That’s a pretty big ole smile you’re wearing on your face Drew!” Grams said as I pulled my eyes away from the door Ellie just went through.

“Yeah well, that girl has turned my world upside down.” I said as I gave Gramps a wink.

“Grams, what was Ellie upset about when I walked in earlier. The site of her crying about had me fall to my knees.”

Grams smiled and looked at Gramps. Something exchanged between the two of them and they never even said a word.

“Don’t worry Drew, I think Ellie was thinking a little bit too much about the past and she got a little overwhelmed that’s all. It’s awfully clear to me how much that young lady adores you. Now you treat her right Drew Garrett Mathews or I will kick your ass up and down the west pasture do you hear me? I like that young lady….a lot.”

“Yes ma’am, I won’t let you down or Ellie for that matter. I um, I actually….well I think I um….I might be…”

“Holy shit son spit it the hell out, I ain’t gettin’ any damn younger!” Gramps said as Grams slapped him.

“Garrett!”

I took a deep breath and looked at the two most important people of my life.

“I love her.”

I just blurted it out and I shook my head as if I couldn’t even believe it still. “I love her so much I can’t even breathe with the thought of her not being in my life forever. I dream about marrying her, having kids with her and sitting on this very porch and watching sunsets with her for the rest of our lives. I love her Grams and Gramps. I know you probably think it is too soon for me to even be thinking about Ellie like that but…”

“Drew listen to me and listen to me good. The first moment I laid eyes on your grandfather I knew. I knew I was going to be spending the rest of my life with him and he felt the same way about me. You are preachin’ to the choir son.”

I took a deep breath in and let it out. “I’m not sure Ellie feels the same way about me Grams.”

“Bullshit!” Gramps said. “I see how that girl looks at you. She can’t take her eyes off of you, just the mention of your name and her eyes light up.”

“Drew, remember what you told us about her mother. All of that negative crap that was pumped into her all those years. I’m sure that Ellie feels the same way about you. It’s just going to take her a little longer to allow that to even be a possibility for her. Even if she has not admitted it to herself Drew, she loves you sweetheart. Just give her the time and space she needs sweet boy of mine. It will happen when it’s meant to happen.”

Just then Ellie came bursting out of the front door with the biggest smile on her face. She stopped dead in her tracks. “I’m sorry, did I interrupt something?” Ellie asked as she looked at my grandparents and then me.

“No sweetheart, not at all. Are you ready to get going and look at some stars?” I asked as I stood up and grabbed the blanket and basket Grams had packed.

Ellie did a little jump and let out a little squeal. I couldn’t help but laugh. She was so damn cute when she was so excited.

“I’m more than ready!”

“Let’s go then. Will y’all be up when we get back?”

Grams started to laugh. “Take your time Drew and don’t worry about waking us up when you get back. Your granddad and I tend to turn in rather early these days.”

“Okay then, good night Grams, good night Gramps.” I said as I leaned down and kissed Grams good night.

Ellie said goodnight to Grams and Gramps and skipped out to the jeep. I couldn’t help but shake my head at her giddiness. It was funny how such simple things excited this girl.

“One rule Ellie….you cannot look up at all okay?” She nodded her head and took her finger and made a cross over her heart.

I hopped into the jeep and we set off for the west pasture. I knew the perfect spot I was going to take her to. There was a giant live oak that I use to lay under when I wanted to be alone and think. It was one my favorite places on the ranch to be.