Gramps walked over and gave Ari a small hug and welcomed her. Ari thanked him and told him about her own grandfather’s ranch where she spent almost every summer riding in the local rodeos barrel racing. Jeff looked shocked to say the least. Damn that girl never ceased to shock me one way or another.
Next thing I knew Gramps was looking straight at me. “Now where the hell is this girl who has stolen our Drew’s heart?” He had a huge smile on his face, the same smile he wore when ever Grams walked into a room.
It was time…. . my hands started to sweat again and my knees felt like they were going to buckle any moment. I wiped my hand on my jeans and gently took Ellie’s hand in mine. I walked up to Gramps first since he couldn’t seem to tear his eyes from her.
“Gramps, I would like to introduce you to Ellie Johnson, Jeff’s sister and well…um…. the girl who has captured my heart and soul. ” Ellie turned and looked at me. She slowly gave me that goddamn smile of hers that melts my heart every time. Her beautiful blue eyes looked even more beautiful out here under the vast Texas sky.
God I loved her.
Ellie walked up to Gramps as he bent down and wrapped her in his arms and lifted her up. Ellie started to laugh. “Well aren’t you the prettiest thing I have ever laid eyes on next to Emma here. ”
Gramps set Ellie down and her cheeks were a beautiful rose color. She smiled up at him and I swear he swayed a little. I knew right then and there she had bewitched him just as much as she had me.
Ellie turned to face me and gave me a wink. “I see where you get it from now. ”
I placed my hand on her lower back and brought her over to Grams. I thought I felt a shiver go through Ellie’s body. As we got closer to Grams I thought I saw tears in my grandmother’s eyes. What was that all about?
“Ellie this is the most important woman in my life, I adore her and I know you will also. Grams……. this is my Ellie. ” I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. I looked around to see if anyone else could hear it also.
Grams walked up to Ellie and handed her the daisies. Ellie’s smiled grew bigger and she told Grams that daisies where her favorite. Grams threw her head back and laughed and told her she had heard that from a little fairy. Grams placed both her hands on Ellie’s shoulders and looked her over. Her smile was all I needed to see to know she already loved Ellie. She brought Ellie in for hug and whispered something into Ellie’s ear as well. Ellie didn’t laugh like Ari did. She pulled back and looked at Grams shocked and then turned to look over at me.
“Trust me Ellie darlin’, trust me!” Grams said with a wink. Ellie smiled as Grams linked both Ari and Ellie’s arms into hers and walked them into the house. Both girls started laughing at something Grams said to them. Ellie turned back around and gave me a smile. I returned her smile along with a wink as she turned her attention back to what Grams was saying.
Watching her walk into the house for the first time with Grams almost made my heart burst into two. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her retreating body. Just has the door shut Gramps slapped Jeff and I both on the backs.
“Well I’ll be goddamned! Holy fucking shit boys how the hell did you two luck out with those beauties?” Gramps said with a loud laugh.
“You lucky sons of bitches! Now, let’s head down to the barn and find Drake, I think I need a beer or ten. I’ll get Dewey to bring the girls suitcases up to their room. ”
Jeff and I both looked at each other and smiled. We walked with Gramps to the barn while he got us caught up on all the work he had in store for us while we were there. Jeff leaned over and whispered in my ear.
“I don’t care how many goddamn fences need mending…I just want to see Ari in a fucking bikini. ”
I let out a laugh and shook my head. No way was I going to admit I wanted to see his sister in one also.
Jeff gave me a wink and slapped my back…. . Bastard already knew I was thinking it though.
“Let’s go boys…we have some catching up to do. ”
CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
Ellie……
After Gunner’s grandmother gave us a tour of the house and her garden, she showed Ari and me the bedroom we would be using. I was falling more and more in love with Emma. She had a tiny frame but looked like if you pissed her off she could haul off and knock the shit out of you. She absolutely adored Gunner and he adored her. The way he introduced her made me swoon and I couldn’t help but fall for him even more.
When she whispered in my ear how happy she was Gunner was finally in love I almost passed out from pure shock.
“Ari, what did Emma whisper in your ear when Jeff introduced y’all?” I asked as Ari was unpacking her suitcase.
Ari started to laugh again and looked at me.
“She just said ‘Stupid bastard will admit how he feels about you, don’t worry!’”
I lost it and started laughing. “WOW! Looks like Emma has some kind of super power. She told me she was happy Gunner was finally in love!”
Ari dropped her flat iron on the floor and just stood there looking at me.
“W…What did she say? Did Gunner tell her he was in love with you? OH. MY. GOD! Has Gunner told you he LOVES YOU and you didn’t tell me YOU BITCH!”