Love Wears A Stetson "Wyatt" (3 page)

“Is that me?”

“Yes”

“Carson was right.”

Wyatt just stood there for several
moments
staring at the photo, like he was in shock or something.

“Carson was right about what? Wyatt, that was years ago. Just a silly teenager girl’s crush, that’s all.”

“Why didn’t you ever say anything to me about
it?
”

“Wyatt, I tried everything to get you attention, I’ll always be nothing more than Carson’s kid sister, no matter how old I am.”

Wyatt reached up and brushed a strand of hair out of my face. He looked at me with a tender almost bashful expression on his face.

“That’s not true,
Kenna
. You might be surprised to find out that some things do change.”

“With that, he walked out the bedroom door.”

What did he mean by that?

How could I have been so blind, it had been right there in front of my face the whole time? I knew there had been a point about thirteen years ago, when our relationship had changed, but it never dawned on me, why. I saw her mature, right before my very eyes and when she started dating, it seemed like our fights became more and more frequent. I had become even more of the bossy arrogant jerk she hated. Why would I do that? You would do that you fool, because you kept your feels for her bottled up inside. You were too afraid to cross that line. You were just flat out jealous.

“Wyatt, bro are you okay?”

I saw a hand waving in front of my face and realized that I was back at my truck. Carson was standing there looking at me with concern. I took off my hat and ran my fingers through my hair again, this was becoming a really bad habit. After I returned the hat to my head, I took a deep breath and answered my best friend.

“You were right, Carson. You were right. I’ve been blind for years and I’ve also been lying to myself as well.”

“I knew it!”

“What are you two babbling about?”

“Dad, Wyatt just figured out that
Kenna
has had a crush on him for years, and if I’m not mistaken, I think he just figured out that he’s had feeling for her too.”

“You both are just now figuring this out, are
you?
I’ve known all that for years. Geez, she would follow Wyatt around like a puppy, doing everything she could think of to get his attention. Then about the time,
Kenna
started dating, Wyatt became her second father, telling her, who she could see and what she could wear. Wyatt don’t you think you two have wasted enough time. I think you need to take the bull by the horns, so to speak.”

“But she has just gotten out of a really bad relationship Jack. I don’t think she’s ready for another.”

“Wyatt that was six months ago. I think you’re just what she needs. You’re a good man that will treat her right and won’t jerk her around like that scum in California. Just think about it, but if I were you, I wouldn’t think too long.”

“You’re right, Jack. Give me a few days to think on it. The Last thing I want to do, is jump into this before she is ready and
Kenna
get hurt again.”

“That’s wise and that is why, I know you’ll be good for her.”

We spent another ten minutes unloading the truck. I said my good byes and head back home.

I pulled up to the house and walked through the back door. The door opened up to a mud room and kitchen. I placed the tractor part on the table and went to the fridge to make some lunch. I knew it was 3:00 pm, with all that had happened over the last four hours, I hadn’t gotten a chance to eat.

I had just placed my plate of left over steak and potatoes into the microwave, when Jesse walked in the back door. He looked at the table, where I had sat the tractor’s fuel pump, then looked at me with a frown.

“What the hell Wyatt, did you get lost or something going into town. I’ve been waiting for you almost five hours. Where have you been?”

“Sorry Jess, I got side tracked with sort of an emergency.”

“What sort of emergency?”

“Well, I was coming home, after I picked up the part and I was about ten miles away when I saw this woman broke down on the side of the road. I stopped to help her and when I got out too look at her car. I realized who she was. I got tied up with taking her home and help tow her car here, so Josh can look at it tomorrow when he gets back.”

“Is that the old station wagon over by the barn? It has California plates.”

“Yeah she was moving back home and I had to unload her car and take her stuff to her dad’s place.”

“Well who is it, or is it top secret?”

I walked over to the microwave and took out my plate. I sat down and cut up my steak before answering my aggravating brother.

“It belongs to,
Kenna
Jamison.”

“What, she moved back home? I haven’t seen her in years. How does she look? Did she ask about me?”

“Jess, you had one date, what like ten years ago. If you remember correctly, that date that you tried so hard to keep a secret from me, got you an ass whooping.”

“Yeah, but were both adults now, maybe she’ll go out with…………

“No!”

I slammed my fork down on my plate with a loud clank. I stood up and got right in Jesse’s face.

“The reason that you got your ass handed to you last time by me, was you tried to kiss, her. I can’t even imagine, what you’d have in mind for her now, but it’s not happening. Do you understand me?”

“Wow calm down bro, what’s up with the attitude all of a sudden.”

“First of all, I know how you are with women. Second of all, she just got over a really bad break up a few months ago and doesn’t need you sniffing around her like she’s a dog in heat.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll keep my distance, but I think it’s more than just what you said. You figured it out didn’t you?”

I walked back over to my lunch and started eating again. Jesse walked over to me and just stared at me. Finally I answered him.

“Figured what out?”

“That you’ve both had feeling for each other for years.

What, did everyone know that we had feeling for each, except for
Kenna
and
me
?

Chapter 5

I lying in bed, I was doing the best that I could, to go back to sleep. With the sunshine and heat pouring into my bedroom, from the bright and cheery light filled windows, going back to sleep was very unlikely. I heard the downstairs phone ring and I put the pillow over my head to block out the intrusive sound. After four rings it stopped. I had just started to doze back off again, when I heard Carson’s irritating voice call up to me.

“
KENNA
, PHONE!”

“GRRRR
, OKAY
, OKAY I”LL BE THERE IN A MINUTE. WHO IS IT?”

“ITS, MARY LU WALKER.”

“OKAY.”

I got out of bed and ran down the stairs to the hall phone. My dad I guess had not heard of cordless phones. I retrieved the handset, from the table and lifted it to my ear.

“Hello?”

“
Kenna
, sweetie, it’s Mary Lu Walker. The reason I’m calling is I wanted to invite you and your family over for a barbeque Saturday afternoon.”

I’m not sure Mary Lu, but I’ll ask dad and Carson. I’ll let you know later today.

Great, we’re butchering a few of our hogs, Friday and the boys thought it would be fun to pit a half a pig in the back yard. So they are going to take care of that Friday night, and it will be done by Saturday afternoon. If you want to come, remember your bathing suit, because we put in a large hot tub a few years back.

“Okay Mary Lu, I find out and let you know? You have a great day.”

“You too dear, talk to you soon.”

I hung up the phone and walked into the kitchen for a much need caffeine boost. The smell of fresh coffee swirled through the air. I found Carson sitting at the kitchen table sipping his own cup of coffee. I walked over to the cupboard and retrieved my favorite cup, it was pink and had a cute happy bunny saying on it. I set about filling it with dad’s wonderful tasting coffee. I walked back to the table and took my usual place. Some things never change.

“What did Mary Lu, want?”

“The boys are roasting a half a pig in a pit Friday night and they want us to come over Saturday afternoon for a barbeque. I told her, I would have to talk to you and dad, and I call her later today. She also said to pack your swimsuit.”

“Oh, that hot tub of theirs is cool. It’s
an
in ground type and it can hold like fifteen twenty people. Dad really enjoys it.

With a chuckle, Carson walked out the back door. What was with everyone around here/ I leave for a few years and what they all go nuts?

After Carson had gone out to help dad feed the cattle, I made myself a quick breakfast of peanut butter toast and went into the living room to start unpacking my things. Most of it was my knick-knacks and etc… they would go into the storage area in the barn, up in the loft. I unpacked all my personal items like my flat iron clothing accessories, purses and shoes and took them upstairs. Before I knew it, dad and Carson were walking in the back door, coming in for lunch. I hurried to the kitchen and set about making their lunch of tuna melts and homemade tomato soup.

“
Kenna
, I heard Mary Lu called this morning about a barbeque Saturday. Do you feel like going, it seems like it might be fun and they
have
a huge hot tub now,
too?
”

“I guess if you want to go dad. I can always walk home if I need to.”

“Honey, we live two miles away, that’s a little bit of a walk in the dark. If you want to come home, we’ll all come home. Won’t we Carson?”

“Why, do I need to come home, just because…Owwww.”

My
dad
shot Carson a dirty look, after he had kicked him under the table from the sounds of it. What was that all about?

So honey, can you do me a favor and call Mary Lu and tell her we would be happy to come. Ask her, what we can bring and find out what time she wants us there, so I can make sure we’re done with chores by then.

Okay, and remember dad, don’t forget your swimming trunks?

I started laughing and got up to clear the table. But the laugh was on me, when he said.

“I don’t need to remember my swimming trunks, I have a pair already over there.”

I looked at Carson and he was trying not to laugh.

“Why would you have your swimming trunks already over at the Walkers?”

“Because sweetie, I go over there and use the hot tub two or three times a week.”

I just looked at him, through confused squinted eyes.

“Just because, I’m going bald and my middle has gotten bigger, doesn’t mean your father doesn’t have a social life. Your mother God rest her soul, has been gone for sixteen years. William Walker has been gone ten. Mary Lu and I like each other’s company.”

I looked at Carson and he just shrugged his shoulders.

“You know Carson, you could have mentioned this.”

Sis, you’ve had enough on your plate lately.

Dad got up from the table walked over and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“Thanks for the lunch, honey. It was a whole lot better than what your brother would have fixed.”

Then he was out the door. Carson got up and started for the door. He turned and looked at me.

“It’s nice to have you home
Kenna
, I was really tired of listening to dad complain about my cooking.”

He gave me a wink and
then
he was
strolling
out the door to help dad with the morning chores.

Chapter 6

“What can I do to help you get ready for the barbeque, mom? I‘ve got Jesse and Josh out in the back yard right now, setting up the picnic tables. Can I help with the potato salad or something? Maybe get the hot tub ready to use?”

“Why don’t you go and see how many paper plates we have. I’m sorry, but I might need to send you to town for a few things.”

I went to the pantry and checked over how many paper plates, disposable cups and paper napkins we had. There wasn’t near enough. I walked back out to mom to give her the inventory update.

“Mom, we need a lot of things, paper plates, cups, napkins and it would be a good idea to get a couple more bags of ice.”

“Wyatt would you mind going to the store for me? I should have had you do this yesterday, when you went into town, I’m sorry.”

“No problem mom, just write me a list.”

As she was writing out the list the doorbell rang. I walked to the front door and opened it to find Jack and
Kenna
. Hmm, where was Carson?

“Hello Wyatt, Carson has a few more chores to do, but he said he would be here in about an hour.”