Chapter 15

Teaspoon sat in his rocker watching his family spread out over the old station. It was Sunday and other than feeding the stock, it was a day for rest. He watched as Billy rode up shortly after dinner. Annie ran over to meet him. He watched the two hold hands and laugh as they walked into the barn. Billy was a good boy. His granddaughter had made a good choice. He saw Lou and Elijah over by the large oak. Eli was swinging high as Lou smiled as she pushed him. Rachel came out the house with two mugs and sat in the chair beside him.

"Such a beautiful sight as always."

"I know. Seeing them together never gets old."

"I know what you mean. I miss the others so much."

"You know what we need to do."

"Drink this coffee before it gets cold." Laughed Rachel.

"No, have a reunion of sorts. With everyone."

"You know, that would be nice. A big dinner and for an entire week."

"A week. Now that's a plan."

"We'll figure it out more as soon as Jimmy gets back."

The conversation stopped as they saw Tate and Lori coming in. They saw Lou turn her attention to them as well. Tate was running behind Lori as she just kept walking and ignoring him. The boy seemed to be begging. He would cut in front of her but she would push him away each time.

"What in the world?" Asked Rachel.

"Ain't sure."

They saw Lou leave Eli and make her way over to the two. She stood between them and spoke. Lori was pissed and Tate seemed desperate. Lou shook her head and flung her hands up in the air. She stormed back over to Elijah leaving the other two to fuss.

"She seems really mad." Giggled Rachel.

"I can tell." Teaspoon said as Lori pushed Tate backwards.

They both looked down to laugh as he fell in the horse trough. Lori didn't even look back. She walked right past them with her head held high in the house.

"I'm going to have a word with Tate." Said Rachel still smiling.

"I'll take Lori." Said Teaspoon.

Rachel made her way over to Tate who had stomped in the barn. He hadn't heard her come in. She smiled as he threw down his soaked hat then proceeded to stomp on it.

"You stupid son of a bitch fucker! Why am I such a stupid fuck?! Why the fuck?!" He got quiet when he noticed Rachel.

"It's ok. You better now? I think you won against the hat."

"I'm sorry."

"Tate, you are always apologizing honey. Don't apologize for being yourself." Rachel came to stand closer where the young man was standing.

"I ain't supposed to be cussing. I know. I'm just so damn confused and fucking angry. Shit, I'm sorry."

"What happened?"

"Lori thought I was gonna have this big thing planned and ask her to the dance. I forgot all about that shit. She got pissed the more she waited. I'm so stupid."

"That's why she is so mad?"

"Yeah, then when she told me, I just asked. Dumb fucker. Sorry."

"Tate, honey. It will be ok. Girls are hard to figure out. We are very demanding at times." Rachel laughed.

"She's mad. Again."

"She'll be fine. Her Momma is head strong. Look here's what you do, I will pack you a small picnic. You go change your clothes then go pick her a bundle of yellow wildflowers. They are her favorite. Take her out to the fields where they bloom. That is her most cherished place. Then you don't cuss at all, you hear me. You make the world seem like it is stopping for her. Then as the sun sets, you ask her. Problem solved."

"Tell me that one more time."

"Come on my boy. Let's walk to the bunkhouse."

Teaspoon knocked easily on Lori's door. She cracked it open. She was clearly still angry.

"May I?"

"Sure whatever. Just don't you dare say that I'm being hard on that boy. Ugh, what a freaking dumbass! He knew about this dance and he does nothing about asking me! Why, why the hell would I pick someone like him?! I should have hit him in the head when I had the chance!" Lori said stomping over to her bed and flopping down.

"You like him that's why."

"But he's so stupid sometimes."

"Lori, darling, we all are. We ain't got a clue as to what is going on in y'alls heads half the time. We just try to go along with whatever it is. Women are complicated. Don't tell me otherwise."

"Grandpa. I don't know."

"Give him some time and give him a chance. I think he will make it right. He knows what to do now and he won't forget it. I'm sure of that. He's just like the rest of us. We didn't come into this world knowing how women's minds work. Y'all have to train us." Laughed Teaspoon.

"Really?"

"Really. Look at your Mom. She trained your Daddy pretty good." Laughed Teaspoon.

"How about you and Grandma?" Smiled Lori.

"I am like the wind. Untrainable."

Lori laughed and hugged her Grandpa when they heard a knock on the door. Teaspoon looked at her and nodded. She walked down. Tate was standing there with a bundle of her favorite flowers. He was smiling.

"How did you know?" Lori asked taking them.

"I didn't. Just thought something as pretty as you should have something as pretty as them."

Lori smiled. His words weren't eloquent but the meaning was there. Teaspoon watched as Lori took his arm. He made his way down to the door as the two rode off. Rachel was on the porch.

"Well, that should end that little problem." Said Teaspoon.

"Yes it should. I hope it works out for them. I think they are a good match if she can train him some."

"Think so, huh."

"Oh yeah. Just like you and me. I think I trained you pretty well."

Teaspoon and Rachel laughed while listening to Eli giggle as his Mom pushed him higher on the swing.