The Last Best Place

Chapter 3

Dawn POV

Standing in the private lounge at the airport I greet my family and Marge with teary eyes. Pops was excited knowing I’ll be visiting, he knows the story and he promised not to tell anyone about it. He’s just as outraged about the whole affair, but I’m scared. Yes scared, I know what type of person Leroy is, I’m scared he’ll hurt them

“Mom please, don’t go anywhere without Clive” I beg looking at our security guy

“Honey, I’ll be fine. Now go, rest please” she says and I nod hugging her tightly. I step back and look at my dad, he hasn’t spoken a word since Saturday and it hurts me that I hurt him. I lock eyes with him and he nods, opening his arms and I step into his embrace

“Starlight, be safe and rest. We’ll let you know when everything is settled” he whispers and I nod

“Love you”

“Love you to the ends of the earth” he says and kisses my head before stepping back

“Okay Rory, now don’t do anything I won’t do” Jake says and I scoff

“Short list” I joke and he grabs me, pulling me to him

“I’ll never let any man hurt you again” he whispers and I hug him tighter

“I love you goof” I say and he chuckles

“Love you too nerd” he says and I take my bags turning to the door

“Don’t miss me too much you hear” I say in my southern accent and they laugh waving me off. I board the plane and check my messages

“You happy now?!” his first text reads

“Answer me slut!” I sigh and block him. Dropping my phone in my lap I look out the window at the rain as the plane takes off. 17 hours later I step into the airport terminal and glance around. I spot him immediately and walk over, trying my best not to draw too much attention

“Hey Pops” I say and his eyes go wide and he hugs me, nearly crushing me

“Hey pickle!” he says in his deep voice

“How have you been?” I ask stepping away

“Oh ya know, little bit of this and that. Let’s go” he says grabbing a suitcase and turns to the door. I follow behind him silently, no one seems to recognize me and I must say it’s refreshing. He loads my luggage in the truck and we are off. Driving in silence for a while before he speaks

“Glad you came pickle” he says and I smile at him

“Thanks for fetching me” I say and he smiles

“Aw, no harm” he says and it’s silent again. By the time we get to the ranch it’s almost dark. I gasp at the house

“Wow, you renovated” I say and he shrugs

“Had a bad storm a while back, the old girl didn’t hold up too good” he says and I nod

“Looks great Pops” I say and he smiles

“Let’s get you settled” he says and leads the way. I follow him up the porch steps and he opens the door, the inside is mostly the same as always, but the upstairs are completely renovated

“Here’s your bathroom” he says pointing at a door and then turns to the door opposite that one

“Here you are” he says and opens a door, the room is big and has a massive window looking out over the barn and fields

“Oh wow, this is amazing” I say looking out at the fields and moon lit mountains

“Well, I’ll see you in the morning pumpkin” he says and kisses my head

“Good night Pops” I say and he tips his hat and leaves closing the door behind him. I unpack some clothes, get my PJ’s and head to the bathroom. After a nice shower I crawl into bed, I text my mom saying I’m safe and goodnight before falling into a deep sleep. A few hours later Pops wakes me up with a steaming cup of coffee and I groan sitting up

“It’s the middle of the night” I groan and he chuckles

“Nope, 4:30 time to get up” he says and walks out. I check my phone and slump back

“This is not happening” I grunt and glare at the door

“Crazy old man” I groan dragging my tired ass out of bed. An hour later I walk into the kitchen finding a note

“In the fields, breakfast in the oven” I shuffle over and take out my cold breakfast. Glancing around I realize there is no microwave

“Really Pops? Stone age much?” I groan and bite into the cold eggs. Not great but I’m famished. I struggle through the food, wash my plate and walk outside, glancing around I spot movement in the barn and I walk over, finding him loading huge bags on the truck

“Morning Pops” I greet him happily and he smiles

“Afternoon sleeping beauty” he jokes and I nudge his shoulder

“So what are we doing today?” I ask and he points to the bags

“Put out some feed, come on” he says and hops in the truck. I get in and he drives into the fields as I admire the landscape. It’s amazingly beautiful here. The air is clean, the sky is a blue you can’t begin to describe and it’s quiet, so very quiet

“Let’s go” he says and we round the truck pulling one of the bags closer

“Grab that side” he says and I nod, but I or rather he has over estimated my strength because the moment I have to take the weight my knees buckle and I groan struggling to grip the bag

“Oh gosh” I heave and he laughs

“Put your back into it pumpkin” he says and I move my hands, gripping the bag and nod. We carry it over to the feeding bowl and he cuts it open with his pocket knife. Oh I remember that

“One down, five to go” he says and we are off. A few hours later we drive back into the barn and he gets out

“Where to?” I ask and he nods toward the back

“Pigs need feedin’” he says and I nod walking there but I stop at the smell

“Oh wow! That’s uhm… strong” I say holding my nose

“You’ll get used to it, come on” he says and walks past me. When my feet sink into the mud I groan and look at my new sneakers

“Great” I groan and he looks back

“You need boots” he says and I nod

“Yeah, I figured” I say and he chuckles

“Look at the back, steel cupboard, middle rack” he says and continues his task. I walk to the back and open the cupboard, taking out a pair of boots much older than I am

“Was your mom’s” he says and I smile

“You kept it” I say running my fingers over the hard leather

“Yup. We don’t throw away something good” he says and I smile

“One problem”

“That is?”

“Her feet is smaller than mine” I say and he shrugs

“Take the truck to town, buy new ones then” he says and throws me the keys, I catch it and look at him

“I can’t drive here” I say and he looks back

“Why not?”

“I don’t have a license”

“Never bothered me” he says and walks out the barn. I look at the keys in my hand. Well let’s see if I still remember how to do this. I walk up to the truck and open the door but stop when I see there are keys in the ignition

“The new one, at the back” he calls from somewhere and I round the barn and gasp opening the door. A brand new, shiny black truck stands there in all its glory

“Your mother bought it, not sure why. Said it was an upgrade” he says suddenly behind me and I yelp clutching my chest

“Sorry pickle” he says and I nod

“It’s a monster” I say and he laughs

“Well, while you’re going there, stop by the general store. Need some supplies” he says and stuff a piece of paper in my hand

“Oh okay, cool” I say and run to the house to grab my purse and phone. I get in the truck and start it, the engine roaring to life. Awesome. I connect my phone, select a playlist and adjust all the mirrors and the seat, since I’m much shorter than he is. I slowly creep out of the garage and turn the truck facing to the road. I set up the GPS and drive off, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles are white. Making sure to keep to the limit. I must concentrate to drive on the right side, this is so weird. I park, with much effort, in front of the general store and walk inside, smiling at the girl behind the counter handing her the note

“Good day” I say and she nods

“I need some things for Triple Falls Ranch” I say and she nods, taking the note. She looks at it then nods and I look at her

“Hey I need some boots, do you know where I can get some?” I ask and her eyes go wide

“Y-you… the back” she says pointing and I nod smiling walking to the back. Not the biggest variety but I manage to find a pair and some gumboots, its raining season I’ll need it. I grab a few other items and she rings it up

“C-cash or credit?” she asks in a small voice and I smile

“No card” I say and hand her my card. She takes it, her eyes landing on the name and glance at me again. Oh yay, this should be good

“Are you like the Dawn Farrow?” she asks and I lean closer

“I am, but please don’t say anything” I beg and she nods

“O-okay” she says and I smile

“What’s your name?” I ask and she pales

“Millie” she says and I smile brighter

“Pleased to meet you Millie, let’s keep this on the down low okay?” she nods and hands me my card

“He’s your granddad?” she asks and I nod

“Yes”

“Cool” she says giving me a shy smile

“You’re very beautiful Mille” I say as she packs the items

“Th-thank you” she says blushing profusely. The doorbell chimes and I hide my face behind my hair. I hear heavy footsteps and then a gruff voice speaks

“Millie” he says and she nods

“Clemens”

“Need some feed” he says and she nods

“Let me just finish up with her” she says and he moves

“Oh yeah sure. Hey” he says and I give him a wave

“Hi” I say and he moves closer. Get away

“We look each other in the eye here missy” he says and I nod

“Just passing through” I say grabbing my bags

“Pete has loaded the other stuff D- Ma’am” she corrects herself and I give her a grateful smile before he can say anything else. I jump in the truck and drive off, leaving him standing on the sidewalk and I sigh in relief. That was close. I drive back smiling as I turn into the ranch, I park in front of the barn and jump out rounding the truck

“Got everything?” he asks and I jump

“For a big man you sure move as silently as a mouse Pops” I joke but his gaze is fixed on me, his expression unreadable

“You are very jumpy” he says but I wave him off

“It’s you, stop creeping up on me” I smile but he doesn’t

“Men like that hurt you in more ways than one pickle” he simply says and starts off-loading the supplies. I keep quiet, helping him before walking to my room to change my shoes. He’s right, they do, but I ruined his career. Oh lord, this is not good. And worst of all I feel guilty for leaving my family to deal with it.

“Lunch!” he calls and I walk downstairs

“Wow, this is so much!” I exclaim taking a seat. He bows his head and says grace before turning his gaze to me. His face is that of a man that worked hard all his life, but since my parents got married it has been easier on him. He still works hard, too hard according to me but he loves this so much. His light blue eyes trace my features, like he’s studying me from head to toe. I shift in my seat then he speaks

“Too skinny” he says and pushes my plate closer

“We need to get some meat on your bones” he says and I chuckle

“According to the world I’m fine” I say but he glances up

“They’re wrong” he says and continues eating. I’m used to the silence, like I said my dad doesn’t talk much, but like Pops his eyes tell you everything

“So you’d have me fattened up” I kid and he smiles

“Naw, just a little healthier lookin’ pickle. You’re pale, and skinny. I don’t mind you watchin’ your figure but there are limits darlin’” he says and I smile

“Okay Pops, thanks for having me by the way” I say and he stops mid-bite

“Shoulda come sooner I reckon” he says and I do my best not to wince. Ouch, right in the kisser Pops

“I know, being busy is not an excuse” I say and he nods

“Bein’ busy is a good thing, bein’ stubborn is a whole other thing” he says as he finishes his food and sits back, gulping down the lemonade

“What are we doing after lunch?” I ask trying to get away from the impeding conversation

“Have some shoeing to do, need you to collect the eggs” he says and I nod smiling

“Sure thing” I say and he nods, giving me half a smile. After cleaning up he walks to the stables and I turn to the chicken coop. I open the door and smile

“Hi guys! Miss me?” I ask happily at the hens and move to the first one. I take out the eggs and place them in the basket. Four, five, six

“Wow you girls are eager huh?” I joke and reach for the last hen, but to my horror she squawks loudly and flutters her wings furiously

“Oh!” I stumble backward; she attacks me with vigor I might add. I drop the basket flailing my arms wildly

“Get away!” I yell but this makes the others panic and soon it’s a mess of feathers, clucking and squawking and yelling. My foot slips on the broken eggs and I tumble to the ground

“Oof!” I hit the ground hard and the hen is pecking the s**t out of me

“Let up!” I yell but she doesn’t, she keeps coming with wide eyes, flapping wings and razor sharp claws. I cover my face with my arms but her sharp claws scratch my arms and neck. I move toward the door, trying to get out of this onslaught

“Ouch! Dammit!” I manage to get out of the coop and slam the door, a very angry white hen still glaring at me like I’m Satan

“Hah!” I exclaim and then his boisterous laughter echoes around me and I spin around finding Pops bent over with his hands on his knees

“Something funny?” I ask with a raised eyebrow and he glances up, he bursts out laughing again and I start chuckling

“You” he heaves out. I walk up to him and when he looks up he plucks a few feathers from my hair and we burst out laughing

“You looked like a monkey learning to swim” he exclaims and I double over laughing, clutching my stomach

“Good thing no one saw that or the little reputation I had left would be ruined” I laugh out and he nods, wiping his eyes

“I haven’t laughed like that since your brother decided he wanted to rodeo the steed. You remember that?” he asks and I nod laughing harder

“I don’t think my dad has ever yelled like he did that day” I laugh out and he laughs again

“Jake’s face when the horse took off with him clinging to him like a Koala to is mother” he says and we fall on the ground laughing

“You remember how mom roped him in?” I ask and he laughs nodding

“She always could lasso anything” he says as our laughter calms down

“Yeah, your everyday cowgirl” I say and he nods, still smiling

“Well, seems we won’t be having eggs for breakfast” I say and stand but he’s silent. I turn to find his face wiped clean of any emotion as his eyes settle on my lower back. I quickly pull my shirt down and give him a shy smile

“Stunts, occupational hazard” I say and he nods

“Lies. They corrupted you pickle” he says, grazing my cheek with the back of his hand before turning and walking away. I stand there and watch his broad back disappear around the barn and clutch my chest

“This is bullshit” I whisper walking back to the house. When I see myself in the bathroom mirror I chuckle, my hair is a mess, feathers and dirt covers it and I fluff my hair, trying to get it all out. When I look up again, I slowly lift my shirt, exposing all my bruises and wince. They have only seen half of it, there are more, so many more. My upper thigh and butt is one big blue bruise. Still not sure how he didn’t break anything, guess the fact that I was partially unconscious helped

“Pickle” he calls and I quickly cover myself up again

“Yup” I answer

“I’m going to the Peterson ranch, won’t be long” he says and I smile opening the door

“Sure thing, I’ll start dinner” I say and he nods walking out the front door. I busy myself with dinner and soon enough I’m setting the table. By sunset he returns and we have a quiet dinner

“Hey Pops” I say while we’re sitting on the porch

“Hmmm”

“How come you have no farm hands? I mean you can afford it” I say and he shrugs

“Had a boy, but he had other business” he says and I nod

“Well we could put out an ad, if you like” I say and he turns to me

“Somethin’ wrong with how I run my ranch?” he asks and I shake my head

“No, it’s just… you know…” I trail off and he looks at me intently

“You’re not young anymore” I say and he huffs

“Nothing wrong with me, got you now don’t I?” he says and I glance at the fields

“Yeah for now” I say and he leans forward

“Pickle” he says and I turn my attention back to him

“Change is not a bad thing, just make sure to change for the better” he says and stands

“Good night pumpkin”

“Night Pops” I say and he heads inside. I listen as his heavy footsteps heads upstairs and I sigh

“Change… easier said than done” I say rubbing Colt’s head. He’s sleeping peacefully on my lap, his big head covering both my legs

“So boy, you think I should give this a shot?” I ask and he licks my hand

“I’m asking a Rottweiler for advice, my mind is gone” I chuckle and he grunts

“Hey you’re clever, no offense” he sighs and nuzzles his head in my lap. Well my mom did it, she grew up here, without a mother and she turned out just fine. Pops did a great job raising her, sure she was a little rough around the edges when she met dad, but she’s feisty and strong. Maybe I need this more than I thought