"Wake up... come on Andy. Answer your phone!" I cried frantically into my cell phone, jumping about. It was 3:30 on a Sunday night; not exactly the best time to be calling someone, but the crisis at hand was worth it. Grandmama trotted into the room, snapping her overalls around her nightgown. Her long gray hair was wild and her wrinkled face looked stressed. "Is he answerin'?" she demanded.

"No, and I don't know why!" I shot back, pulling on my own jeans. Of course… why would someone be sleeping at night— this early in the morning? Crazy? I couldn't say my sarcastic remark aloud, for fear that Grandmama might hit me.

"We don't have time t'stand here, that horse is havin' a baby now! She ain't gonna' wait for Andy!" Grandmama replied, yanking blankets out of a cupboard. Daisy had gone into labor around one o'clock this morning, she'd waxed over the previous night, and Grandmama hadn't been expecting her to birth so soon.

We didn't have any of the equipment that the vet's had, only tail wrap, to keep her tail out of the mess, and a Mountain Dew bottle with a nipple over it. That was for when the baby was born; Grandmama always fed them first. Though she'd only delivered a couple foals herself, she'd grown up watching her daddy do it. My great grandpa Joe, who died before I was born, made a living out of it. Grandmama had learned every trick there was from him.

But now, her nervous and bewildered face made it seem as though was her first time delivering a colt. Grandmama came over to me, snatched the phone out of my hand and threw it on the bed. "Now c'mon, we've gotta' get this horse comfortable 'fore somethin' happens t'that baby!"

"But Grandmama... what about Andy?" I asked, following her out the door. We needed Andy here, he was the only muscular one out of the three of us.

She stopped for a millisecond and then pointed towards the parked four-wheeler. "You take this ova' t'Andy's and drag 'is ass outta' bed. Ya' and I can't lift no foal."

Grandmama didn't usually cuss, only when she was really upset. I did as she asked, not wanting to upset her further. But by the time I pulled up Andy's driveway, he was jogging out of the house. "Get on!" I commanded and threw the four-wheeler into reverse. As we roared down Grandma's long gravel road, Andy screamed above the engine, "Sorry I didn't answer. I was'a takin' a shower."

"At three in the morning?" I called back, then cut the key and swung off of the bulky machine.

"Naomi was ova'," Andy explained, with an apologetic smile. It took me a moment to understand, but when I did, I made a face of disgust. She'd gotten over the whole almost being raped by college guys incident apparently, and was now back to sneaking into Andy's in the early morning.

"I didn't see her car there," I commented, stopping for a moment.

Andy nodded, "She didn't drive. I picked 'er up."

My eyebrow shot up in surprise, "So does that mean she's still there?"

Andy smiled, "Yes Peyton Maye. She's sleepin'." Good thing he didn't bring her, I thought to myself. That would have been fun… Then I frowned.

We stood there for a moment, staring at each other, before we heard my grandmama scream, "What are ya'll doin'? Get down here, NOW!"

We glanced at each other again and sprinted down to the barn. In the back stall, where I'd found Ace my first day back, Daisy lay twisting on the ground. Grandmama was fluttering about her, trying to soothe the agonized mare. "The baby's twisted," Grandmama cried, horrified. Then she pointed at Andy, "You're gonna' have t'pull th'feet straight. She won't be able t'foal if ya' don't! She'll die!" Grandmama's face was terrified. My heart beat quickened.

Andy's eyes widened, "Uh..." he stammered."I don't think I can do that."

"You're going to have to, Andy," I insisted. The nervous energy in the air was infectious. If Grandmama said that's what had to be done, then it needed to be done.

Andy looked between the sweating, frantic mare and I, his head swiveling back and forth. Then he met my grandmama's eyes, who ripped down into his. "I would do it, but I'd pull my hip. You're the only one strong enough," she said in domineering voice. He gulped audibly, and teetered behind the mare. "Now," Grandma instructed. "You're gonna' have t'pull the hooves down and parallel to the mare's tail." I couldn't see if Andy followed her instructions, but I heard the mare groan. The smell of blood filled the air and my stomach rolled.

"Do something Grandmama!" I cried, watching as the mare twisted onto her other side. Her eyes were wild and glazed over. I could hear her audible gasps as she moaned in pain. Tears pricked my eyes; the mare was dying.

"The baby can't breathe!" She whispered fiercely, the fear in her eyes was strong. Andy dropped to his knees and gripped the hooves again. With a grunt, he turned the legs sharply. Grandmama smiled briefly, mostly to herself. I assumed that meant that Andy was doing something right. With a slick pop, the foal's snout appeared. It was followed by the ears, then the shoulder; until, the foal fell directly into Andy's lap. He chuckled and all three of us sighed. Andy pulled the foal up, setting the thing onto its skinny legs. But the foal's wobbly legs wouldn't support it, and it hobbled around for a moment.

Daisy rose, breaking the umbilical cord, and began to lick away the sticky mucus on the foal's back. The tiny thing collapsed onto its belly and all three of us laughed. "It's a beauty, alright," Grandma confirmed. "I'm gonna' run up t'the house and get some milk for it."

As her booted footsteps grew fainter, and I glanced at Andy. "Congratulations," he whispered. "It's a girl." His voice was quiet and I smiled, staring down at the colt.

"She's a pretty little thing," I agreed, then bumped him gently on the arm with my elbow. "How'd you know what to do?" I remembered Andy's face of determination as the fear evaporated from his features. He was so calm, while Grandmama and I were panicking.

"Whatcha' mean?" He asked.

"You delivered that foal, and you saved Daisy's life," I said, gesturing to his stained and slimy tee shirt. He followed my gaze and sighed, stripping off the white tee. Underneath, his perfectly muscled chest glistened with a sweaty sheen. I had to force myself to look back at the foal and not stare. As much as I didn't want to admit, Andy was very attractive. And the urge to slide a hand down his chest was strong, but I grinned, remembering whose chest it was. The foal was nuzzling up against the mare, and Daisy lovingly nudged it back with her nose.

Andy placed an arm around my shoulder, and pulled me into a hug. "I think we should name it Peyton Maye," he whispered into my hair.

I shoved back against him, laughing. "Why? That's kind of a silly name, don't you think?"

"No," he argued. "I like that name." I blushed at his words and Andy continued, "But alright... how 'bout Sparky?"

"No, that's bad."

"Daisy Junior?"

I chuckled, "Negative, how about Anne?"

"I don't think so," he replied. "Regina?"

"What?" I laughed, feeling bad for Andy's future kids. Poor things were going to have the oddest names in the world. "You're not very good at this naming process, Andy."

"I am a guy," Andy said, defensively. "You're not too great yourself… y'know. Anne? Who names a horse that? What else ya' got?"

I pondered his question for a moment, staring at the small horse. Five minutes ago, its life hung in the balance and now, watching it hobble around, was precious. Andy did that, I told myself. Andy saved its life. Turning to stare at Andy, I was filled with such an odd feeling— I wanted to kiss him again. I wanted to be in his arms. I was so proud of him.

He met my gaze and I shook my head, remembering Naomi and Brandon and the past two years. "Well?" Andy's voice was flirtatious.

I smiled, "I got nothing."

"Vida," Grandmama's voice came from behind us.

"What?" Andy and I both called back. Vida?

"The name of that horse… Vida— it means 'life' in Spanish," Grandmama explained. "When I met your grandfather, that's what he would call me."

"Aww," I sighed. "That's precious." Grandmama never spoke of Grandpa Joe, but from what she did say, I imagined that they'd been very much in love. There so much love in this tiny town: Grandmama and Grandpa Joe, Millie and Charlie, my mom and dad… even Andy and Naomi. How was it, that in a town so small, love was everywhere?

"Vida," I sighed. "Vee-da... Such a unique name."

"She's th'first foal I've delivered since your granddaddy died," Grandmama whispered, slipping the bottle into the foal's mouth. It sucked hungrily, and the sound echoed throughout the barn.

Andy yawned and pulled me closer, involuntarily. I shivered from a chill, even though it was summer. How was he shirtless and still so warm? "Are ya' cold?" Andy asked me, chaffing my arm in an attempt to warm me.

"Nah," I replied. "Just kind of tired." I leaned against him and his warmth, smiling. Grandmama rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the foal.

"I'd imagine," she whispered, not looking at Andy or me. "Ya'll can go on back t'bed. I'll clean up here."

"Are ya' sure?" Andy asked. "We can help…"

"Yeah, yeah," she said, shooing us away with a dismissive wave. I frowned, and I saw Grandmama wipe something from her face. Was she crying? I watched her, silently. She was crying over Grandpa Joe... She missed him.

Andy nudged me with his elbow; he noticed it, too. I nodded. "Grandmama, what's wrong?"

Her head shot up, and I could see the sheen from her tears glisten on her cheek. But she shook her head and gave me a small smile, "Just thinkin' 'bout your granddaddy, that's all. Really, ya'll needta' get some sleep. Go on, now."

I was going to say more, but Andy gently tugged me away by the elbow. I nodded solemnly, watching as Grandmama stroked Daisy's mane. "C'mon Peyton Maye," Andy encouraged softly. I let him lead me out into the early morning dark. The warm night seemed soft somehow. The subtle heat stroked my face like a feather, and the slight breeze cradled me in its humid arms. Stars above twinkled like a thousand diamonds; it was so pretty.

"I don't want to go to bed," I told Andy. "Can we go to the creek?"

Andy looked at me and nodded, turning to unlatch the gate for me. Moments later, I plopped down on the grass next to the trickling stream and sighed. Andy joined me, sitting an inch from my side. He still didn't have a shirt on. "Aren't you cold?" I asked him, running a finger down his bicep. Goosebumps marked my path.

"Nah," Andy shrugged. "Not really…" I blushed, that meant the goosebumps were from my touch. He turned towards me, crossing his legs Indian-style.

"What?" I asked, feeling his gaze on my face.

"I need t'know somethin', Peyton Maye. And I need ya' t'be honest with me…" he whispered, so quietly, that he blended with the darkness.

"Of course," I sighed, smiling. I was staring at the water, watching as it danced and swayed over the rocks. "Anything…"

"Why did ya' leave? Why did ya' leave me?" he was so serious, that I shivered. But the question sent a hundred emotions running through me. There were so many reasons why I'd gone to North Carolina— both simple and complex. And Andy knew part of them, while others I'd kept from him.

"I was going with my mom; I couldn't abandon her," this was the biggest reason. It was also the most simple; there was no thought involved. I wasn't going to leave my mom; everyone else had. We needed each other because we were all each other had.

"No," Andy contradicted. "That's not th'real reason…"

"It's one of them," I defended.

"Peyton Maye, please. I've been waitin' two years t'know. Don't lie t'me."

"I'm not lyi—" I tried to say, but Andy held up a hand. "Fine… I needed a change. I needed to get away from this place. Just like you said, there were expectations. I was supposed to be the country girl. I was supposed to be this person I didn't want to be; so I left."

All my life, before Raleigh, I was thought of as the hometown girl. I'd never be more than this town let me. I'd get married, most likely to Andy, and have a couple kids. I'd stay at home and be nothing. It wasn't only because that's what was expected in this town, it was because I hadn't known how to be more. And in fear, I ran. I ran to escape and to learn how to be myself— how to be Peyton, not just Peyton Maye.

Andy stared at me, frowning. "There's more… I can see it in your face."

I sighed, unlocking a door that I'd stood fast in front of for the past 800 something days. "There's one other reason Andy… a very childish, very immature reason."

"What is it?" He asked.

Could I tell him? Could I share this little hope that I'd clung to for the past two years. "I wanted you…" I paused, my mouth hanging open as I waited for the words to come.

"What?" Andy demanded. "What did ya' want?"

"I wanted you to come after me." I whispered. "I wanted, more than anything, for you to meet at the airport and not let me go. I wanted you to tell me that you couldn't bear to be without me; I wanted you to say that you couldn't imagine living without me. And then, when you didn't come, I wanted you to meet me in Raleigh. I wanted you to be there, sitting on my front step. I wanted you to pull me into your arms and say that you were taking me back with you. And you didn't. But I was waiting; I was always waiting for you. In the back of my mind, you would come. Maybe not that day, but tomorrow, or the day after, or the month, or maybe six months after. But you could come eventually. That's why I left, so that you would follow. Because I wanted you to show me that I was more than just your sweetheart. That you were with me for me."

"Why would ya' think I wasn't?" Andy asked, shocked.

"Because we were meant to end up together, and I knew that you knew that. And I thought that maybe, deep down, that's the only reason you were with me. And so, if I left and you followed, you'd prove me wrong."

"I didn't know…" Andy mumbled. "I neva' knew that ya' wanted me t'come afta' ya'. Ya' coulda' told me."

"No," I whispered. "You were just supposed to… know." I thought of all the nights I'd spent waiting for Andy. I thought of all the days I'd checked for his letters or himself, standing in my front driveway. I remembered telling myself, He'll come, Peyton. He has to.

But he never did. Andy never showed. And so I moved on; I found comfort in Brandon. I threw myself into loving Brandon so I could forget the fact that Andy never came after me.

"Ya' couldn't just expect me t'know somethin' like that, Peyton Maye," Andy was saying, desperately trying to control his temper.

I looked at his face, and smiled, placing my hand over his. "It's okay, now," I soothed. "It's over now."

"No!" Andy disagreed. "If I'd have known, don't ya' think that I woulda' run afta' ya'? I woulda' found some way t'find ya'! Peyton Maye, I woulda' chased ya' t'th'ends of th'earth! I woulda' neva' let ya' go! If only I had known!"

I stared at Andy, watching him shake his head. "But you wouldn't have Naomi," I reminded him. His words seemed wrong. He wouldn't have Naomi, the girl he was crazy about. He wasn't remembering all the good that had come out of our separation. He was just dwelling on the bad. "So many things have changed, Andy. You have grown and changed and learned so much. You wouldn't have any of that if I'd stayed."

"But I woulda' had you." he whispered and my jaw hit the floor.

I stood, "I have to go." I couldn't talk about this anymore. Before I could take a step forward, an overwhelming sense of exhaustion crashed over me, causing me to sway and stagger sideways. I blinked twice, but the whole ground shifted below my feet. Andy's arm wrapped around my waist and he gently lifted me off my feet. He was carrying me back, I realized. Why?

"Stop..." I tried to protest as he carried me into the house. But he shook his head and pulled me tighter. Without a word, he laid me on my bed and began to gently pull my shoes off. I rolled onto my side and gave him a small smile. You should have really come after me, I thought. He would have saved me so much heartache, over him and Brandon.

"Ya' shoulda' told me, and I neva' woulda' let ya' go again," Andy whispered and I blushed. Had I said that aloud? He stared at me for a moment, and I watched him, basked in the moonlight. "I wish ya' neva' would have left," I thought I heard him mumble. But I was so tired, that I wasn't sure, maybe I was dreaming. Silently, he left as if he were a ghost.

I fell asleep that night with thoughts of new life and beauty on my mind, picturing Vida frolic about in the fields. The thought of her small head flying freely back and forth set a smile on my lips. Then, I thought of Andy and I pictured him at the airport. "Don't go," he'd say. "Don't leave me."

"I'm going anywhere," I said to the Andy in my head, as I gently nodded off into unconsciousness.

The next morning I awoke to the sun streaming in through the blinds and the smell of bacon hanging heavy in the air. Grandmama's soft voice was humming some song and as I rolled out of bed, I heard her throw in a few lyrics. She didn't know half of them, and she hummed a few words. I chuckled softly, padding to the window.

My mind wandered for a moment, back to the previous night. I thought of Andy's gentle touch and how sweet it was that he'd carried me to bed. I also remembered our conversation and I blushed. What if Andy had stopped you? I thought. What would you be like today?

I wouldn't have Brandon. I nodded, to myself. I wouldn't have Brandon. I didn't think I could live without him. I still hadn't heard from him and I frowned briefly. Why wasn't he calling me? I shook my head, and peered through the blinds. The sun was bright and the sky was cloudless— the perfect summer day. I could hear the birds singing and a horse whinny loudly. Time to face the day, I thought happily.

"Good morning," I said, strolling out into the kitchen.

"Hmm?" Grandmama sang, turning to see me. "Oh," she greeted me, with a smile and wave of her spatula. "Mornin' dawlin', how'd ya' sleep?"

"Good," I replied, rubbing my head. "You?"

She laughed, "Quite well, actually. I feel fit as a fiddle." Her bright mood seemed marred by the deep circles under her eyes.

"Grandmama..." I chided. "Did you actually sleep last night?"

With a bow of her head, she responded softly, "No."

"Why?" I asked, sliding into a chair at the table. Grandmama set a plate of bacon and eggs in front of me, but remained silent. "Well?" I sighed, shoveling food onto my plate.

She sighed, and then set down with her own cup of coffee. "I spent th'night with th'foal. I was worried that it may be sick..."

"You're lying," I whispered. "That foal was fine… What about those tears running down your face last night? Did those have something to do with this insomnia?"

"Fine..." Grandmama huffed. "I spent th'night thinkin' 'bout your granddaddy."

"Aww, Grandmama. I'm sorry," I sighed.

"Don't be, child." she replied happily. "There are just some nights that are harder than others… Did ya' know yesterday was his birthday?"

"What?" I asked. Why had she not told me?

"Yeah… that's why I was'a so sad. I was just rememberin' th'ol'grump." She laughed.

Before I could say anything else, the phone gave a shrill ring. "I got it," I said, jumping up. "Hello?"

"Peyton Maye?" Arlene's voice asked breathlessly.

"Yes..." I drew out the word, confused as to why she was so cheering this morning. Maybe she'd looked outside, too.

"Hey!" She cried. "I have a question."

"Shoot," I replied uneasily. Whenever Arlene said something like that, it usually meant that she was scheming about something.

"The gang's all goin' up to Eagle's Nest for the week. And we wanted t'know if ya' wanted t'come." Eagle's Nest was a series of mountainous riding trails that all the teenagers went to… together. It was a beautiful place about an hour away, and I'd always had a lot of fun there. But I wasn't in the mood for a week of nonstop riding. I really just wanted to spend the week relaxing with the farm and Vida.

"Tell her it's not an option!" I heard Millie cry, laughing, in the background. "She's coming!"

"I got to ask Grandmama," I replied, but when I looked back at Grandmama, she was nodding. "You knew about this?" I asked her. Grandmama rolled her eyes and took a sip of her coffee.

"She's comin'!" Arlene shouted joyfully, I assumed to, Millie because I heard her cheer, too.

"Alright, Alright... Relax." I smiled, even though I really didn't want to go. Deep down, I was a little bit excited. It did mean no work for an entire week. "Who else is coming?"

"Just th'usual: Tommy, Charlie, Millie, Sandra, Millie, Andy and me. And now you!"

"Andy's coming?" I asked, remembering his face in the moonlight.

"Is that a problem?" Arlene pressed. But I could hear the sly connotation in her voice. "Or are ya' happy that he's a'comin'?"

"I really don't care either way, Arlene." I shot back, chuckling.

"Whateva' ya' say..." She didn't buy it, and I looked over to see Grandmama laugh. I stuck my tongue out at her. Arlene cleared her throat, "But yeah, that's it."

"No Naomi?" I pressed. The thought of Naomi made me frown. I really didn't want to spend an entire week with her.

"Of course not!" She scoffed.

"Don't say that... she's Andy's girlfriend." I warned, smiling. We are all so evil, I thought. We don't want someone whose important to Andy to come, that was being bad friends.

"I don't care if she's th'president of Mexico! I don't like her at all!" Arlene shot back. I laughed.

"Oh hush..." I chided. "That makes me happy, though. I do have to admit."

Arlene chuckled, "So we'll be there at five today, and you'd betta' be ready!"

"Okay, see you then!" I called over her excited chatter to Millie, and then hung up the phone.

"You'd betta' get packin' Peyton Maye. Looks like you've got a big week ahead a'ya'." Grandmama giggled.

"Yeah, yeah... I'm going." I sighed, trudging off back into my bedroom. I was only pretending, and the excitement in me was finally bubbling over.

It was going to be an entire week with friends. We'd spend the days riding and the nights laughing over a campfire. This week was going to be great.

The sun was still streaming in, but for some reason, it seemed much brighter. In fact, everything seemed so much prettier. Maybe my excitement was getting the best of me, or maybe it was the fact that Naomi wasn't coming. Whatever it was, I felt like dancing. And I did… around and around until I was so dizzy that I fell, laughing, onto the bed.