Read Online Meadowlarks by Ashley Christine - Free Book Online Page B

memory of her wiping her mouth with her hand.
                  Stepping out, I wrap a towel around my waist and decide it's time to shave the scruff off of my face. I lather the cream and use my hands to apply it to my face.
                                When I'm dried off, I put on a pair of stained blue jeans and a black t-shirt. No point in dressing nicely today; there's a lot of work to do around the ranch, and I've been putting off painting the chicken coop for a few weeks.
                  Downstairs I hear the radio playing some hip hop music and a girl’s voice trying to quickly repeat the lyrics in the chorus of the song. Jeremiah is dancing like a fool in front of the range, trying to sing along with her and very obviously not knowing the words at all.
                  When the song ends, I speak up. “Encore!” I yell and clap my hands together.
                  They both turn, and Jer bows graciously at my applause.
                  Gwen gets off the stool. “Morning, Blaine. How are you today?”
                  I know what you're doing, young lady, and it's not going to happen!
                  “Hey ya, Gwen. I'm great, thank you. How did you two sleep?” I grab a piece of toast from a plate on the island and shove it into my mouth, chewing down obnoxiously at her.
                  Jeremiah wraps his arms around her waist and plants a kiss on her cheek. She smirks and shoves her behind into his lap and then breaks free from his grasp.
                  He winks at me, and I can't help but smile back.
                  You better not play games with him, Gwen. So help me.
                  “We have a lot to do today, eh?” he asks, noticing my grubby clothes.
                  “Yeah, gotta get that coop painted. I've slacked big time.” I slap my hands and rub them together quickly, hoping my insinuation gives Gwen the hint that we will be busy and she should probably go.
                  “I'm gonna drive Gwen back to her house, but I'll be back in twenty.”
                  He's a mind reader.
                  “Okay, see ya. Gwen, have a nice day.” I smile at them both, put my hat on my head and tip the brim down at her.
                  “Bye, Blaine.” She looks like she's going to pout, turns on her heel and follows Jer out the door. I wave at him as he closes the door behind them. Grabbing my work boots, I slap my hand on my thigh and call to Rex.               “C'mon, boy!”
    He gets up from his giant pillow, and we go outside.
    *              *              *
                  I may be one hell of a rancher, but I'm a horrible painter. I think I have more red on my hands than I do on the coop. Thankful, that's why I have Jer around—for things like this. He takes pride in his work, and I am always satisfied with the tasks he completes.
                  My phone buzzes, and I grab a rag to wipe my hands before pulling it out of my pocket.
                  My truck kicked the bucket. It won't turn over. I'm by Lander's.               Come get me?
                  I laugh. I knew this was going to happen someday. That old Chevy should have died years ago. It was older than we were; it belonged to Jer's dad, and I think that was the reason why he couldn't bring himself to part with it.
                  Sure enough, Jer is sitting on the tailgate waiting for me with a big frown on his face. I pull in behind his truck and turn off the ignition.
                  “Hey buddy! Do you need me to call triple A?” I joke, and he gives me the finger.               “So, what happened?” I ask as I walk up to the front of the truck. The hood is already up, so I examine