It was a clear morning, when the Singin' Strays were being ordered around by Cash, as usual. "Granny Rose, you stay at the right side of everyone and Waylon and Floyd, each of you sit on either side of her."
Dixie narrowed her eyes as she came through the barn doors, looking at them.
She sat down a distance away from them and cleared her throat.
Cash didn't hear her and continued, "Granny, try one note of the song we were rehearsing."
Dixie grew irritated and said, "Cash."
He still didn't hear her over the screeching of Granny Rose and smiled, his back turned at Dixie.
"You may want to work on that a bit." Standing up, Dixie growled, "Cash!" He turned his head to look at his girlfriend, waving his tail slightly, "Yea?"
She rolled her eyes.
He had forgotten.
"I need to talk to you."
Cash nodded and followed Dixie as she stalked out.
Dixie sat in the wet grass, glaring at him. Feeling a little bit anxious, he asked. "What is it, Dix?"
She thumped her bushy tail on the ground impatiently, "Did you forget?"
He twitched uncomfortably, "Is it your birthday?"
She shook her head.
"Anniversary?"
Nope.
"Our puppy's birthday?"
Dixie got up. "We don't have a puppy, you idiot! You said you'd spend time with me!" Her amber eyes reflected hurt.
Cash inwardly let out a sigh of relief.
It was nothing important. If it were her birthday, he was sure she would've bitten his ears off by now.
"Dix, you know we have to rehearse. Why don't we spend time together on the weekend?" He coaxed gently, touching his tail to her's.
She pulled away, eyes blazing. "No! You said that last week! Do you really care about your performance more than me?"
Cash hesitated, "Well, Dix-" Dixie snarled, "So you do! Well in that case, we're through!" she jumped up and sprinted off.
Cash was about to run after her, but looked up to see the whole group was watching.
When they saw that he turned, they moved away and backed back into the barn.
He sighed, "C'mon gang. Let's get back to rehearsal. She'll come back." Cash stood up slowly and returned to the barn.
After rehearsal Cash was sitting in the trailer, watching for Dixie.
Nothing.
He jumped down and decided to go after her.
Sniffing for her scent, he caught a whiff of her flowery smelling perfume and followed it, all the way to the Ferris Wheel, where she'd been sitting the whole time, looking up at the spinning lights.
Cash started, "C'mon Dix, I'm sorry."
She refused to even look at him, sniffing the air in distaste and turning her head away.
He shook his head silently and sat beside her, nosing her cheek so she looked at him, "You know you didn't mean it."
Dixie looked at him, growling. "I did. Every single word of it." But the way she said it told Cash she didn't.
He felt a little triumph in knowing he'd gotten through to some of her, "But you really mean more to me than anything else. Even more than the group. A lot more."
Dixie was one for flattery, as Cash knew all too well, and curled up the tip of her tail, signaling she was listening.
"And I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He continued, "Because you're the most gorgeous, kind, and intriguing dog I've ever met."
After a few moments of silence, she finally turned and cuddled up next to him, pushing her head under his chin. "Really?" she murmured.
Cash nodded, "I'd spend any day with you from now on, whenever you want. Just ask."
Dixie swished her tail on the ground in delight, and that was enough to tell Cash what she wanted to say.
"Are we back together now?" he asked.
She thought about it for a moment, then shook her head, pulling away from him. "No."
Dixie gave him her most charming smile and flounced away, brushing her tail under his chin as she did so.
Cash just sat there, frozen as the sun set and the Ferris Wheel closed, wondering what just happened.