At First Sight

As I stand over the stove, stirring the chilly I think of the conversation I had with John earlier this morning. John had agreed he would think our deal over, then we rode back to the ranch.

The door swinging open tore me from my thoughts.

"Hey Honey" Lee says as he closes the door behind him.
I look over and give him a smile in return.

"That smells heavenly" he adds as he takes off his boots

With a chuckle, I open the oven door and take the fresh cornbread out.

"Perfect timing" I say

He walks into the kitchen and places his hands on my hips, then pulls me in for a kiss. I pretty well melt in his arms for a moment before our lips slowly part.

"How was your day?" He asks as he grabs a bowl and starts filling it with chilly

"It was...eye opening" I reply

"How so?" He asks as he turns his head to look at me, then hands me the filled bowl.

I take it in my hands and walk over to the table.

"I may have found a buyer for the ranch"

"Didn't know you were looking" he replies as he walks over to the table to join me

"Neither did I to be honest" I say

"Someone you know?" He asks

"Your father" I reply, taking a small bite of my dinner

He stops eating and looks at me for a moment, as if he's trying to read my thoughts.

"He wanted to pay the taxes and I gave him a better offer" I say

He nods "Not sure giving up your family's home is a better offer"

"It is" I say, nodding my head. "I am not taking money from anyone. This is the only way to ensure it stays whole. It never gets developed."

"I can help" he says

"That includes you, Lee" I say, reaching across the table to take his hand in mine.
"Everything will be fine. All my family wanted was for that place to stay the way it is. This is how I can do that for them. If your father decides to go with me on this" I finish

Be nods his head, then rubs his thumb across the back of my hand.

---

The following day I head over to visit Ellis. As I drive up, Rex starts panting as he paces from side to side along the bench seat of my truck.

"Alright alright buddy, calm down" I say with a chuckle as I put the truck in neutral and pull the hand brake.

I let him out and he runs up to the deck, directly to Ellis who sits in his chair. I can hear a little chuckle as he give Rex a rub down

"You old goof, you" He says

I walk up the steps and take a seat in the chair next to the old man. He has a coffee waiting for me on the small table between the chairs. When I had called him this morning, he seemed quite eager for a visit. With how busy I have been lately, I have been slacking on our weekly visits and I feel terrible about it.

We talk about just about anything under the sun as we sip on our coffees. Rex takes a little nap on the porch, head resting on my feet.

"So, how have the animals been treating you? They're behaving, I hope?" I ask

"Oh yes, they've been wonderful company" he replies with a smile

"Good. I may have to sell the ranch, which means I need to figure out what to do with the animals. Would you be willing to let me board my horses here?" I ask

Immediately, he nods in approval. But I hold my hand up and continue

"Now I don't want to just drop my animals here and leave you to do the work. I know that's the way it happened when my parents passed, with all the meetings and decisions I've had to make. If you let me bring the rest here, would you be open to renting out a room to me? That way I can take care of them and you won't have to"

With a smile, he places his hand on my shoulder lovingly

"You're welcome here any time, no need to rent anything" he says

"I will only be staying here if I am paying rent, but we can work that out later. Hopefully I hear back from the potential buyer soon and then we can talk specifics" I reply

---

"How was your visit with Ellis?" Lee asks as we cuddle on the couch. My head lays on his lap and his fingers slowly drag up and down my arm.

"Good" I say with a small smile "Worked out board for everyone, if your father buys the ranch"

"Board?" he asks as his hand stops

"Mhm, I will need somewhere to put the horses after everything is said and done" I reply

"Well why wouldn't they stay here?" he asks, confusion in his voice

"I can't just leave my horses with you, that wouldn't fair of me. If I board them at his place, I can rent out his spare room and he won't have to do the work"

Lee doesn't reply, I look up at his face and notice he is staring at the fire.

"Figured it would be easier to do chores before and after work, I'll have to find another job since I won't have the ranch. Singing at bars doesn't pay the bills" I finish

For a while, we sit in silence and watch the fire burn. Then we head to bed.

As we get ready, Lee is quieter than normal. I try my best to convince myself he is just tired and had a long day.
—

I wake to Lee's arm tightening around my torso, then pulling me backwards into his chest. We lay in this position for a few minutes, until I can hear is groggy morning voice in my ear.

"I never want to wake up in a bed where you're not next to me"

My heart jumps in my throat, realizing why he was so quiet last night. I sigh and turn towards him with a small smile, though he can't see it considering how dreadfully early it is. I find his face with my right hand, and place it on his cheek.

"I don't want to overstay my welcome, Lee" I reply

"It's not overstaying if we make this permanent" he replies as he places his forehead on mine.

Before I can answer, his alarm clock starts blaring" He sighs and then rolls over to turn it off.

We both get out of bed and head to the kitchen. I fill the coffee pot and then turn to look at Lee, finding he's already watching me, patiently waiting for an answer.

"Look" I start "when the time comes to move in together, I want it to be because we think it's time, not because I'm loosing my home" I finish, placing my hands on his chest

He nods, grabbing my hand in his and bringing it to his mouth. He places a small kiss on the palm, then smiles.

"Everything happens for a reason, it's called fate. When you decided to stay here, it meant you were ready. So was I" Lee says

I nod in agreement with a small smile, knowing it was true. But I still didn't like the fact that all my animals would have to come here.

"So if we make this permanent, I'll be paying board to your father instead of Ellis" I say

Lee shakes his head but I interject before he can respond

"Then I'm not doing it. I mean it Lee, I don't want any hand outs" I say sternly

"It's not a hand out, you're the person I love. That makes you family" he says with a chuckle

"Family or not, he's running a business not a charity. I'm paying or I'm working it off, he can pick one" I say before I place a kiss on Lee's lips then grab a steaming hot cup of coffee.

I take a long sniff as I look out the window where the sun is starting to peak over the mountains and I can't help but feel at home.