Cowgirl Up ✔️

Chapter Thirty Three

As much as I adore my golden child and the outdoor life, when Saturday afternoon rolled around and we all made it back to the farm, stripped our horse's of their tack, hosed them down and unloaded the Ute, I could not wait to step into the farm house and head to the shower.
My boot's felt heavy as I dragged them up the worn stone path to the back door where the faded 'welcome' mat lay.
With a contented sigh escaping my body, I pulled the screen door open and stepped into the small hallway which had the out dining room, laundry and kitchen door's branching off it.
I pulled my dusty hat off my head and hung it onto a vacant hook on the hat rack.
Next, I stepped out of my boot's, biting my lip to stop the relived groan from escaping.
I love my Ariat's beyond word's, but at the moment even they felt uncomfortable.
Using my feet, I pushed my boot's to the side so they stood against the faded yellow wall of the small hallway, out of walking range so I didn't send anybody tripping over.
Rolling my shoulder's, I walked into the kitchen which smelled deliciously of chocolate and strawberries.
So my Grandma was up to something amazing then!
My eyes first landed on Grandma with a blue and white striped apron tied around her waist and faded jeans and a light blue shirt visible from the back, her hair swept into a messy bun.
Then my eyes found Mum, who wore a long, flowing floral printed dress and had her hair swept up into a ponytail with some tendril's falling loose around her tanned face.
"Hey."
I greeted tiredly.
Both women twisted around.
Grandma smiled.
"Hello Darlin."
"Baby!"
Mum crossed the kitchen, opening her arm's for a hug.
"I'm dirty and no doubt stink."
I warned.
"And I don't care!"
Mum pulled me into a tight hug.
"I missed you!"
I couldn't help but laugh and hugged her back tight.
"I bet you didn't even notice I was gone!"
With four young kid's, as if she'd notice the absence of her seventeen year old!
"Lies!"
She denied, stepping back to hold me at arms' length.
Now I noticed she actually had a light coating of makeup on her face, namely mascara and lip stick, along with maybe a gentle line of eyeliner.
So she's been out.
"You look knackered."
Mum stated after her appraisal of my appearance.
"I feel it."
I nodded, feeling like one of those bobble headed dolls who's head is way too big for it's body.
"She must've noticed your absence, because she slept in your bed both night's."
Grandma said from where she was mixing some concoction in a bowl that would no doubt wind up tasting amazing.
I hope I can inherit Grandma's cooking ability!
She rock's at any and everything she attempt's making.
Meal's, sweet's, savoury, she nail's it!
Laughing, I faced Mum, finally registering the word's Grandma had spoken.
"Really?"
She looked somewhat sheepish.
"Maybe..."
"She did."
Mum looked toward the kitchen island.
My gaze snapped that way too.
I froze.
Paul sat at the island, coffee mug in front of him and all I could see of his appearance was his dark, ironed shirt and his washed and styled brown hair.
What the hell is he doing here?
Before going off my head, I turned to Mum expectantly.
She of all people should be able to answer.
"When you've had some rest, I think you, Paul and I should sit down and talk."
Mum said in a quiet, calm voice.
It was pretty obvious she was hinting that there was going to be no room for aggressive explosion's like last time.
I shook my head.
"I'm too tired for this."
"I know you are."
Mum gently placed her hand on my arm.
"How bout you go take a shower and I'll fix ya a cuppa?"
"If I don't fall asleep first."
I agreed.
"Go on."
Mum urged.
"Thank's."
I headed for the kitchen archway.

Once in my bedroom, I put my phone on charge, then sent Blayze a message.
Me: 4:32PM: Guess who's here 😑
When the message delivered, I set the phone onto my bedside table, then went to my drawer's to find myself clean underwear and clothes.
As I was pulling a pair of track pants out of the drawer to join my pile of t-shirt, bra and undies, I faintly heard my phone vibrate.
I pushed the drawer shut and crossed back to my bed.
Setting the clothes onto the mattress, I picked my phone up.
Blayze 😊😀👍🐎🍔🌭🍕🍩🍿🍫🍭🍪🍺☕️🎱🎬🎸🚜🇦🇺: 4:33PM: Who?? 😜
I couldn't help but laugh at the weird faced emoji he'd sent along with his question.
Though soon, I doubted he'd be joking around.
Me: 4:33PM: Paul's back 👿
My phone buzzed in my hand pretty much immediately.
Blayze 😊😀👍🐎🍔🌭🍕🍩🍿🍫🍭🍪🍺☕️🎱🎬🎸🚜🇦🇺: 4:34PM: For real?
Me: 4:34PM: Yep 😑 Mum wants her, me and him to 'chat' when I've had a chance to 'rest' 😑
Once again my phone vibrated in my hand.
Blayze 😊😀👍🐎🍔🌭🍕🍩🍿🍫🍭🍪🍺☕️🎱🎬🎸🚜🇦🇺: Can't say it surprises me. They did start dating about the same time I arrived 😑 Guess you're in for some fun then 😜 But in all seriousness, let me know if you want me to just so happen to be 'nearby'.
I couldn't help but smile at the screen.
Typical Blayze.
Me: 4:35PM: I think we'll be OK 😊 Mum seems pretty determined to keep things 'civil'. But thanks 😊 I'll probably put it all off till tomorrow anyway. Too knackered to deal with Paul and his shit at the moment 😜
Finally I found the emoji face he'd been using and sent it back to him.
I set my phone back onto my bedside table, gathered my clothes and headed to the bathroom to get clean and get some hot water into my tight muscle's.