The Ranch

A Comfortable Stay

Last night played over in my head as I thought about Nyle. I felt like a school girl falling in love with my high school crush. I knew this kind of romance would only last a few more days because ballet always came first. I had to accomplish my big moment on stage before I thought about settling down. I did not want to get stuck in some small town with a man who probably only saw me as long one night stand. I would never be domesticated even for sun-tanned muscles and cowboy boots.
I shuffled through my closet to see what I would wear for tonight's dinner. We both decided to eat a late lunch at Texas Roadhouse. He was a steak man and I had planned to eat a Caesar salad. I was instructed to stick to a strict diet from my dance company. My eyes wandered to the back of my closet as I chose a red floral dress. I slid my newly French pedicured toes into  my brown sandals and headed for the door.  To my surprise, Nyle stood there with a large gift bag and fresh daisy's from his farm.
"You look beautiful." He complimented through his newly shaped beard.
"Thank you," I responded with a twirl of my dress.
"I have a surprise for you. Can I come in?"
I smiled as he entered my hotel room. His butt looked amazing in Wrangler jeans. Nyle sat on the bed as he motioned for me to sit next to him. He excitedly handed me the pink gift bag  he hid behind his back. With a huge grin on my face I reached inside and grabbed a brown shoebox. With a look of confusion I read the brand on the box.
"Cavender's," I whispered.
I was unfamiliar with the any shoe store that did not sell ballerina slippers. I neatly placed the gift bag down by side and slowly opened the shoe box. It was a pair of new cowboy boots. They were covered in brown leather with custom-made pink bows on the front shaft and vamp. Nyle watched in admiration as I removed them from the box.
"Toni, I know they are not ballet slippers but I thought it was only right you should leave here with something to remember me by." He finally spoke.
"They are beautiful. I will wear them tonight."
"Perfect. I thought we could go to a rough stock and then head to a party instead of Texas Roadhouse." Nyle suggested.
"What is a rough stock?" I quizzed.
"Bull riding, baby," He spoke with pride.
"Sounds interesting."
"How's your whiskey intake?" Nyle asked through a smirk.
"I can hold my own." I spoke with pride.
He laughed, "Well see."
Nyle grabbed my hand and lead me through the threshold. I locked the hotel door behind me as he gave my butt a little smack. He grabbed my hands and placed them to his mouth. He kissed each finger slowly and then wrapped them around his firm arm. On the way to his truck a few locals smiled at my new boots. Some of the ladies yelled in the distance as they complimented my outfit. I felt comfortable. I felt loved. I would not let this small town get to me even if I wanted this moment to last a lifetime.
Nyle opened the truck door as he watched me slide in. He walked around the back of the truck and finally hopped into the driver's seat. I slid closer to him and cuddled underneath his arm. I relaxed my head onto his shoulder as the sky changed to the color of a grapefruit. His country music played softly on the radio as he drove down the dirt road.
"When I taste tequila..."