The next morning I got up and started my day. Coffee was a must along with a nice hot shower. So, I put on a pot and went to the bathroom. I looked down at my body as the steamy water rolled over me. The bruises had faded, bones had healed, but a scar that ran along my side between my ribs looked angry and pink. The tube that they had shoved in me had hurt more than anything I had imagined. I shook my head in an attempt to get rid of thoes thoughts. It was a nightmare but, I was choosing not to relive it. Try as I might, however, still it haunted me. Realization struck me that I didn't have time to dilly dally so I cleaned up real quick and got ready for the day. I was pouring my cup when I heard an engine pull up outside. I rushed to the door and out onto the balcony style porch.

As I looked out over the drive, the same big black GMC truck sat in the gravel. Wayne and Dan got out and I could hear Mr. Johnston in the distance.

"Hello, Wayne, How are you, now?"

"Fine, and you, Mr. Johnston?" Wayne politely answered back.

"Hi, Mr. Johnston," Dan also called out as I watched him run his thumbs through his overall straps.

"Oh, Hello, Dan. I'm not doin' so bad, Wayne. If you dont mind me askin', what can I do for yah?" The elderly man asked from his porch.

Wayne stood in his signature ram-rod straight position as he answered,

"I'm here tah bring Jess her truck." As if on que, my little red truck pulled up behind them. Daryl emerged from the driver side and lit up a cigerette. I couldn't contain myself as I practicly ran down the stairs.

"Y'ALL DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT!" I exclaimed. Daryl had walked up as we collected together. Mr. Johnston was long forgotten as Daryl handed me the keys and I hugged every one of them. Dan blushed and Daryl giggled a bit. Wayne was the last one I wrapped my arms around. For a breif moment he stood still and I started to feel a bit awkward, but then I felt his hands glide around my waist. It made something blossom in my stomach as I pulled back slightly to look at his rugged chiseled face. He looked down at me and our eyes met. My heart pounded so hard through my body, that I was sure he could feel it. We held on to one another as I broke the silence,

"I really appreciate what you and your friends did for me," I whispered as I looked at his lips. His eye brow lifted for just a second,

"It was nothing. I know you are more than capable of fixing your own truck, but I thought it would be nice to surprise you," He answered. It was my turn to blush. As my face smoldered like coals in a fire I broke away and cleared my throat.

"I know it might still be a bit early but, lunch is on me if yall are hungry?" Dan and Daryl perked up immediately calling out suggestions. Ultimately, we decided on pizza and Wayne offered to drive us in his truck. I politely declined the ride due to a grocery trip afterwards but told him I would follow. I tore out after him as we drove through the country roads. I could see his seemingly indifferent eyes dart back to me in his rear view. I smirked to myself and turned up a country radio station. A familiar song started to play, its rythmic beat spurred me on, faster as my imagination slowly turned the Canadian scenery turned into the evergreen covered landscape of Tenneesse. I sang at the top of my lungs the as the violins in the background whined their lonesome melody. Seconds turned to minutes and soon I noticed that my surroundings morphed into a small town. Two red lights and a left turn and we were at our destination. I turned the volume down after I put my truck in park, Wayne's massive beast sat still me . As I grabbed my purse the driver's side door opened. Hastily, I unbuckled myself and turned to see my knight in shining armor. Wayne stood by the door patiently waiting for me to climb out of the cab so he could shut the door for me. Whoever said chilvary was dead had it all wrong. It just moved to Canada.

"Thanks," I smiled. The door creaked as it slammed shut with a thud.

"You're Welcome." Wayne relpied.

"Come one guys lets get something to eat I'm starving!"

The outside of the building was worn brick and a red and white striped awning topped the door. It was quaint and had a real home town feel. The smell of delicious baking pie crust and herbacous sauce hit my nose. We picked a round table near the back and sat down. A server came and got our drink order and asked about what pizza we would like. We decided on a pepperoni for one and a supreme for the other. The door bell above the entrance door sounded in the distance and a broad shouldered guy walked in.

"Hey, look Wayne its McMurray." Daryl said as he peeked behind him. Dan, sighed in annoyance and shook his head.

"Who's McMurray?" I asked leaning in, but before I could get a sufficient answer we were spotted. A Kentucky waterfall of golden curls adorned with a ball cap strutted toward us. Wayne, arms crossed, turned his body toward the man in silence. What followed was the most awkward greeting in history,

"Hey Way-" "Hello, McMur-" they said that the same time. They continued to talk over each other to Wayne's annoyance until finally, he took charge,

"Just go ahead and spit it out, McMurray!"

"Ah okay," Mc Murray's lips pursed so close together as he talked that it was a pucker, "Well, ah, I just wanted to remind you about the meeting tomorrow at the Ag Hall. Me an' Mrs. McMurray have some ideas for the coming holiday seasons. I, uh, just want to make sure you'll still be there."

Wayne sat straight forward not looking at McMurray.

"Well, Why the hell wouldn't I be?" he droned as he craned his head toward the strange man with a mullet. The man looked a little uncomfortable and swirmed under Wayne's hard gaze.

"Well, uh... that's good tah hear," he stammered as he finally said his weak good byes and left us. I sat back and laughed.

"A part from that being the most awkward thing I have ever seen, he didn't seem so bad," I said as I took a drag off my drink straw. All three of the boys just watched his retreating form in pure annoyance.

"Fuckin' McMurray," Daryl hissed as they turned back to the table.

"He's a nosey bastard," Dan said as he also took a drink.

"Right, a nosey fuckin' bastard," Daryl added.

"If's there is one thing I can't stand its a nosey bastard," Wayne confirmed. I sat there for a moment and shook my head. A smile still played on my lips as I looked at Wayne. He looked back at me and I thought for a second I had seen the corner of his mouth turn upward into a smirk, but it was gone just as quick as it came. Soon our food was at the table and so we dug in.

Near the end of our pizza and drinks I went to grab the check on the table.

"Don'ts worries about it, Ms. Jess," Dan called as he raised his big paw hands at me. I stared with a puzzled look on my face.

"I said lunch was on me guys," I defended as I took looks from around the table.

"You see, Jess we don't feel right letin' a girl pay for everything." Daryl reasoned. I half smiled at their attempted manners and plucked the check up.

"This ain't a date its payment for the truck. So as I stated before, boys, lunch is on me," I drawaled in my sweet southern voice.

"Tell you what," I said as I grabbed my things, "Here is 40 to cover the tab and tip. Ya'll have to promise to come by Modean's tonight and keep me company, incase a damsel might need you again." The two perked up a bit as I smiled. I chanced a glance at Wayne who sat with his arms folded looking at his friends. I thought I was home free at secretively staring, but he caught me.

"Jess, Do you mind if I walk you out?" his warm voice rumbled.

Blushing from having my hand caught in the cookie jar, I agreed and slung my purse over my shoulder.

After some quick good byes to the boys Wayne and I turned to leave. The cool autumn air hit my skin and a shiver ran through my body. I felt my nerves amp up as we walked in silence to the door of my little red truck. I unlocked the door and we fell into this new routine as he opened the door and stood to the side as I slid into the driver's seat. He moved to fill the open space between the door and the cab. As he leaned against the door I took in his rugged good looks.

"Thank you, again for helping me last night and this morning. I can't repay you enough." I stammered as I avoided his gaze.

"Its nothing, as I said I know you could have done it but I got done with my chores early," he repeated as he avoid me too.

"I guess I'll see you tonight?" I asked as I tried to fill the awkward air between us. Maybe, it was the fact that we didn't know where one another stood with each other or what the other wanted. In truth if I was asked right then I couldn't have given a straight answer myself.

"We'll be there," Wayne assured as he stepped aside and closed the door. I felt my heart fall a bit as his retreating form. He was so nice and handsome, but I couldn' let myself get tangled into a relationship so soon. I sighed loudly as I turned the key and my truck came to life. I would just shove it out of my mind until later, when I would have to think about it. I pulled out of the space leaving the big black truck behind and made my way to the grocery store I had found on the way in.