Why Can't I Be Happy?
Chapter 8
--
Reba woke up in a cold sweat. It was just a dream, Brock hurting her was just a dream. Reba was so relieved to know that her horrible nightmare was just that, a horrible nightmare. The alarm clock by her bedside was going off. Reba, still half-sleep, turned over to turn it off. It was then she remembered that Brad would be dropping off Sam. She slowly made her way to the bathroom. Reba needed a hot shower to calm herself from the hellish dream she had.
Once she finished getting ready, Reba made her way downstairs. She waited for about twenty minutes before Brad came. As Reba opened the door, she seen the cutest sight. Sam had a little red backpack on his back. Reba could tell he was happy to see her because he stuck out his tongue and wagged his tail. Reba kneeled down and allowed the dog to lick her cheek.
"Well good morning to you too." she said to the excited pup.
"Don't forget about me." Brad gave her a cute boyish, innocent look. Reba looked up to him and smiled. He was quite surprised when she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a mind spinning kiss.
"If you keep kissing me like that I might have to cancel the trip." He gave her a seductive look. He had to force himself to remember that he was over her house for a reason.
"So here's Sam. He has all of his toys in his little backpack. He likes ice in his water. He loves apples. Sam is really good with kids and he'll lick your hand when he has to go to the bathroom. Oh and if you have flowers, I highly suggest you hide them; Sam likes to eat them." Reba just looked down at the cute pooch.
"Are you sure you're a dog?" Reba asked a rhetorical question.
"Well don't worry. He'll be safe and happy while your gone. My son and granddaughter love dogs and I'm sure they'll keep him entertained."
"Thank-you so much Reba. I promise to make it up to you."
"Don't worry about it, I'm happy to do it." Sam noticed the big comfy couch and made it known that it would be his favorite spot in the house. He happily ran and jumped onto the sofa. Once he found the spot that made him most comfortable, he settled himself nicely. Brad and Reba just laughed.
"Someone has made himself at home." Reba said looking at the dog. When she turned around she noticed Brad looked a little sad.
"Brad honey what's wrong?"
"Oh nothing. I just always get a little down when I have to leave him. He's like my son."
"Aw, I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to make it better?" Reba was genuinely concerned.
"Well a kiss might make me feel better." Reba smiled at his insinuation. She took him into her arms and kissed him sweetly. Neither one of them wanted to let go but Brad was already running late and he really needed to catch the first available flight out. Brad, though hesitant, left.
Sam was a really good dog. He listened to Reba when she told him to go outside. He was well potty-trained and played well with the kids and Van. Sam loved being outside and when he was tired he would climb onto his new favorite spot on the couch and go to sleep. Everybody laughed at his mindless snoring. While he slept on the couch, Reba started reading a book. She was really getting into the story when Barbra Jean walked in. Reba remembered what happened at dinner last night, so she didn't give Barbra Jean one of her zingers.
"Hey BJ how are you doing?" Reba said sympathetically.
"Fine I guess. I just can't get over my anger at Brock."
"Did you try telling him how you felt?"
"Yeah when we got home last night. But like always he played the victim, like I was the one at fault. I haven't talked to him since then."
"Barbra Jean you can't just run away and not talk, you have to try and work this thing out."
"I know but it's just so hard. Brock hasn't been himself lately." Reba knew exactly what she was talking about but didn't want BJ to know.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. It seems like for the past two weeks, he's been acting really strangely. He's quick to lose his patience, he doesn't talk to me that much anymore, he's distant and I don't know if I can stand it."
"Have you tried confronting him about it?"
"Only like a million times, but I wasn't getting anywhere so I gave up. Reba I think he might be having an affair." Barbra Jean's voice started to break-up.
"No Barbra Jean, Brock loves you and wouldn't do anything to jeopardize his marriage to you."
"Then what else could be wrong Reba? He has never been this troubled before, even when he was taking the anti-depressants." Reba had to seriously think about what she could tell BJ. To be quite honest, she didn't fully understand his behavior either. He had never acted this way before.
"Just try being there for him. And when he's ready to open up to you, he will." Reba tried to give her best poker face.
"Thank-you Reba. I really appreciate your friendship." Barbra Jean had been so consumed in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed the canine sleeping peacefully on the couch.
"Reba why didn't you tell me you were getting a dog."
"This is Brad's dog Sam. Brad went to New York for a business meeting and asked me if I'd watch over him."
"He's so cute and cuddly looking."
"Yeah he is. The kids and Van love him and he loves them."
"Reba your really starting to get close to Brad aren't you?" Reba blushed a little.
"Yeah I am. It's just something about him that drives me absolutely crazy, but in a good way."
"Do you think you'll marry him?"
"It's way too soon to be talking about that. I mean he's a great guy and I like him a lot but it'll be a while before I walk down the aisle again."
"Well I hope everything between you two goes great. You truly deserve someone who'll love you unconditionally and treats you like a queen." Reba was really touched by Barbra Jean's words. The two women talked for a little while longer until Barbra Jean decided she needed to go and run some errands. Reba looked at the time. It was close to the evening and she wanted to make sure dinner was prepared before it got too late.
Reba and Cheyenne laughed at Jake, Van, and Elizabeth because the three of them decided to eat dinner on the floor with Sam. Reba thought it was so cute how well they got along with the dog. They all spent some family time together before retreating to their rooms for bed. Sam decided he would sleep in Jake's room. Reba laughed when Van and Elizabeth decided they would sleep in Jake's room also, so they could play with Sam some more. Reba figured they wouldn't get too much sleep that night.
Reba had just laid down on the bed when her cell phone rang. She was excited to talk to Brad. When she answered and heard his sexy voice on the other end, it enhanced her excitement.
"Hey gorgeous, how are you?"
"Fine. Just missing you."
"I miss you too. When I got to the airport, I seriously contemplated ditching the meeting and coming back to you."
"I wouldn't have mind if you had."
"So how was Sam, did he give you any trouble?"
"Oh no, he is simply perfect. My kids already love him more than they love me. Right now their all in Jake's room having a slumber party." Reba and Brad chuckled at the thought.
"How's New York?"
"Rainy. As soon as I got off the plane, the clouds came out and they don't intend on leaving anytime soon."
"I bet in times like these you really miss the Texas sun huh?"
"Among other things." his voice became more suggestive. Reba smiled because she knew where he was getting at.
"What kind of other things?" Reba decided to play along.
"A certain red-headed woman."
"And do I know this red-headed woman?"
"I don't know. Her name starts with an R, and I'm pretty sure if you knew her you'd love her." His voice became a little more serious. Reba's heart skipped a beat when she heard him say the four-lettered word. Reba didn't know what to say. Her head was going in opposite directions.
"I'd love her huh, do you love her?"
"More than she'll ever know." Reba began to tear up. It amazed her how he could make her feel so good without saying too much.
"Well I'm pretty sure this red-headed woman…loves you too." though hesitant at first, Reba said the thing that had been on her mind for a long time. Brad was at a lost for words. He had been thinking hard about how to tell Reba that he loved her, but was nervous that she wouldn't feel the same way. He could feel that Reba was probably a bit overwhelmed at what they had confessed to each other, so he spoke up.
"It's starting to get late and I don't want you to get sleep depravation. So I'll talk to you tomorrow. Sweet dreams." Reba had worked up the courage and found her voice.
"Sweet dreams to you too. Thanks for keeping your promise and calling me." Before either of them hung up the phone, Brad softly spoke up.
"I love you Reba."
"I love you too."