Botie…

I know I overreacted yesterday, but I can’t bring myself to think about it. I took an ax handle to the old chicken coops mom wanted torn down. I felt so much anger and I know it had nothing to do with Sage. I know Sage doesn’t owe anyone here the story of her past. Nick is happy with what he knows and he and Haddie are the only two people in this town that know Sage very well. I can’t imagine what Nick and Sage must think of the scene that played out. I need to get a tighter grip on my feelings. I had hoped that Sage and I might be friends. I was beginning to think that just maybe we might go to dinner or to one of the barn dances, but I am sure Sage thinks I am a raving lunatic now.

Trask called and told me to meet him in town this morning and that there is supposed to be some big interview taking place on Haddie’s big porch and I am not going to want to miss it. I don’t know why I would need to be at any interview but he’s buying lunch and this time we will get to eat it. I see Trask park his truck close to me. I get out of my truck and meet him at the front door of the diner.

“Today we become damn gossips like everyone else in this lovely community. I need to catch you up on a few things. For once in my life being related to Branton has come in handy. I am starving so let’s eat first.” I follow Trask through the diner door and to a table close to the kitchen. The place hasn’t started filling up yet so it’s quiet and only a few tables are full. The waitress is at the table with our drinks in no time. She knows us and knows exactly what we want—two iced sweet teas with no lemon.

“What can I get you two cowboys today?” Lesley, the waitress, asks us. Neither of us look at the menu.

“Mayo burger and fries.” Trask smiles at the woman.

“Mustard burger and tots.” I give Lesley a small smile.

“Seems like you two would try something different every once in a while.” Lesley is all smiles mixed with a little sass.

“Why mess with perfection, darling? I only come in here for the scenery anyway. If you get any prettier, I am going to confess my undying love.” Trask gives Lesley his best good ol’ boy smile.

“Trask, you can save your panty-dropping smile for someone that isn’t married and hasn’t known you since you were the skinny-nerd boy. You grew into that big head of yours, but I don’t have the time to swap flirts with you right now. I have it on the best authority that The Comfort Banner is getting the interview that will put Comfort on the map today. The diner is expected to fill up fast since everyone in the county will be here today to witness whatever is going to happen.” Trask and I look at each other.

“Has anyone said who is being interviewed or why it’s happening now?” I have a feeling I know but I don’t like surprises.

“No, Botie, but there are whispers that it has to do with that new girl that is always hanging around Nick and Haddie. People are saying her mom came looking for her yesterday and there was a big blowup. Would you know anything about that Botie? I heard the sheriff gave her a real dressing-down about her treating her mom like yesterday’s trash.” I knew the sheriff wouldn’t keep his mouth shut and Lesley probably isn’t the only one to hear it.

“I work for a living, so I wouldn’t know anything. Trask and I just decided to eat lunch in town today or we would have missed everything. We don’t hear much out in the country—we mind our business, not everyone else’s.” I know this will get Lesley to move along so I can get information out of Trask.

“I’ll have your order out as soon as it’s up.” The flirty tone is gone, and her voice is flat.

“Thank you darlin’.” Trask smiles at her again and then turns and looks at me. “I would be looking at my burger before I take a bite out of it. What has gotten into you lately? You are one ornery ass these days.” I know Trask is right, but I can’t get one certain woman out of my head. I don’t know how to deal with the feelings I have, and I haven’t even had any one-on-one time with the woman. I don’t know the woman at all.

“I know, and I am trying to control my short fuse, but I have feelings about Sage and it’s keeping me distracted. I can’t concentrate when I’m working, and I’m fixing my screw-ups more than anything. I need to get it under control because I have a full load next week. Our lunches are going to be put off until fall. If I don’t get my head back on my work, then Dad is going to start hiring more bodies to help me and we can’t afford that until harvest time or when we start getting money from the inseminations—then we will be sitting pretty. We just need to get there.” I know the only thing bothering me is Sage. I am used to the pressures of the farm.

“I am calling you on your bullshit. Your dad has more money than most people in this entire county. He can afford to pay for whatever he wants to do or who he wants to hire. This is all about Sage and you wanting her in your bed.” Trask calls me on my lie before I can barely get it out of my mouth. I smell the burgers before I see them. I neglected to eat this morning. I wanted to get a head start on my work.

“You are right, but I don’t want to touch a dime the farm made last year. My dad and mom are not getting any younger and they should be thinking about retirement soon. I haven’t gone back into the earnings from the year prior for eight long years and I don’t want to start now. Everything is on a schedule and I like it that way. If I watch the pennies, then the dollars will be drawing interest.” I sound like an old man.

“Now you sound like both our dad’s. Don’t forget you need to take some time and enjoy the day too. Which brings me to why I asked you here.” I look at Trask, but Lesley brings our food over. I noticed it’s the same food I had been smelling for a few minutes now. Lesley was ignoring it since I pissed her off. I should say something, but it will get me nowhere.

“Can I get you two anything else?” Lesley asks only looking at Trask.

“Ketchup, please, and maybe a refill on the tea.” Trask is turning it on thick.

“I’m on it,” Lesley says and walks away. It only takes her a few minutes and she is back with the ketchup and fills our tea glasses.

“Thank you, Lesley. I’m sorry for being an ass, not enough sleep and too much work. I’ll be back to normal come fall.” We both laugh because we both know I am always this way since Talia.

“You two enjoy your meal,” Lesley tells us.

“That’s the first descent thing I have seen you do in a month or two—maybe there is hope for you after all. I wanted to tell you if you want a shot at Sage you better take it soon. My dad and Branton had their heads together quite a while last night. Branton sent Cassia packing back to her dad. He was telling Dad that he knows Sage’s mom and that the mom is going to pay him to get close to Sage. That put Branton to thinking, so he did some digging on Sage and then he and Dad locked themselves in Dad’s office for the rest of the evening. I overheard the two of them together this morning discussing that instead of Branton taking the mom’s money, he would get close to Sage on his own because she is some big deal. They were watching what they were saying around me, so I don’t know the whole story, but what I do know is Branton is going to unleash his whole package of charm on Sage with Dad’s blessing. That means you need to make your move or stand back and watch Branton make his.” I consider Trask’s words as I eat my food. I consider my words carefully.

“Sage won’t let anyone get close enough to her to unleash their charm on her. She has a barrier built around herself, so no one can get to the real Sage. If something is meant to happen between Sage and me then it will happen, barrier or no barrier but I have come to realize that Sage needs control over her life. She’s felt so out of control in her past that she needs the control now to feel safe. I can understand that. I feel the same way, but we will need to meet half way. I don’t know if she is ready for that right now, but I am going to try and convince her that she is. We can get to know each other and see if we have anything but plain attraction between us—that’s if I can keep my anger under control so we can talk.” I think that is the most honest thought I have had since I met Sage. I’m pushing her away with my outbursts to protect myself and she is pushing me away, so I won’t let her down later down the road by leaving her. We are a total mess waiting to explode but I want to try. I have my insecurities where relationships are concerned, but if I want a chance with Sage, I need to overcome them. I feel a sick feeling in my stomach just thinking about it.

“Let’s get lunch over with because I want a front-row seat for whatever is going to happen this afternoon.” I agree with that. I am hoping to get another piece of the puzzle that is Sage.

“Sounds like a plan.” The sooner the better.