Read Online Tutus & Cowboy Boots (Part 2) by Casey Peeler - Free Book Online

seat.
    “Since Christmas my life has changed a
little. You know that. Now I have no clue what I want to do,” I
state.
    “I understand that life has changed, but
that doesn’t mean that your dreams have. Where’s that girl with
attitude? The one that came in here determined to get out? The one
that reminds me of myself at your age?”
    “Oh, she’s here. I’m definitely getting out.
I just don’t know where to go at this point.”
    “Cadence, you need to have options. I know
there’ll be recruiters at our competitions but apply to the
colleges as a backup plan. I’ll do what I can to help, but you have
to decide what you want. You can’t sit back and wait. You have to
take the initiative. The clock is ticking,” she says as she points
to her watch.
    “Dancing is all I know. I want whatever I do
in the future to revolve around dancing.” At the end of the day,
that is all that matters. She stands and tells me to take a seat at
her desk. She turns on the desktop, and when the screen appears she
tells me to take the next twenty minutes to find the entrance
requirements for ECU and UNCG dance programs as well as
undergraduate admission. As she leaves me alone, I don’t waste
time. This is cutting into my favorite hours of the day. Within ten
minutes, I have everything I need. It’s time to dance my ass
off.
    ***
    Last week was stressful between checking on
Daisy, school and dance practice. All I want right now is for
Barrick to calm me down. We only see each other at the barn, and
let’s face it, that’s not quality time. He’s offered to pick me up
so we can talk, but something has come up at the barn every day. I
think Daisy wants him to herself. I’ll have to have a talk with her
about stealing my man.
    We had an extra practice today to prepare
for regionals and by the time it was over, I just wanted to sleep.
Barrick came over and we watched TV until I fell asleep.
    When I wake up, he’s gone, but I’m covered
with a blanket and there is a text on my phone from Barrick letting
me know he wished he could have stayed all night. I try to spend
time with Mom and Gran on Sundays and attend church with them. It’s
not something I’m accustomed to but, apparently, it’s a requirement
for the people of Delight. I’ve been going with them since New
Year’s and the best part is that I get to sit with Barrick for an
hour. Who can resist that? He’s not here this morning and I start
to text him, but Gran gives me an evil eye as the choir begins to
sing. I quickly set my phone on the pew.
    Sitting in morning worship, I try my best to
follow along with the preacher. It’s amazing what I’ve learned over
the past few months. I’m starting to understand what Gran means by
faith and giving everything to Him. As the children leave for
Children’s Church, I feel my phone vibrate. Glancing down, it’s a
text from Barrick.
    Barrick: Want to grab lunch?
    Me: Where are you?
    Barrick: Back row.
    Glancing over my shoulder, I see him sitting
in the back row with the ushers.
    Me: Hell yes!
    I quickly cover my mouth and stifle a
giggle, realizing where I am. If looks could kill, I’d be at my
funeral. Gran is ready to kill me. Taking a quiet but deep breath,
I pull myself together.
    As the service comes to a close, I quickly
exit to meet Barrick. As I close the distance between us, a smile
spreads across his face.
    Barrick
    As Cadence walks toward me, I’m amazed by
her beauty. I saw her every day last week, but only at the barn.
She’s always beautiful, but this is the first time I’ve seen her
dressed up in a while.
    “Hey there,” she says with a smile as her
arms embrace me in a hug.
    “Hey to you too.”
    “So where are we going?” she questions as
she steps back and weaves her left hand in mine.
    “It’s a surprise,” I say as Ms. Mae and
Regina approach.
    “Everything okay this morning?” Ms. Mae
asks.
    “Yes, ma’am. Took me a little longer to get
everything finished up this morning. Is it okay