That Kind of Cowboy

Chapter Six: Lucas

I knew Maddie would not agree the first time I asked her out, but it has been five times! Five dang times I have asked that woman out. I did not ask her every time I saw her. I do not want her to think that I am some kind of stocker.

She is still telling me she needs time. I will give her all the time she needs but I need to feel her touch again. I want to feel the softness of her hand again. I want to take a deep breath of her perfume. I want to smell the fruity scent of her hair again. I want to feel her lips against mine.

I have turned into the world's biggest sap. What am I thinking, of course, I will give her time. She has been through so much and I need to respect that. I am better than that man, putting his hands on her.

I am not going to give up though. I will keep seeing her and asking her out. I will not be pushy or anything like that. I want to show her that I will be there for her. I want to show her that I stick to my word. I will show her how a real man is supposed to treat a woman. How a real man cares for his kids.

My thoughts are wrapped around that family. All my thoughts centered around them. I feel protective of them, I care about them. I want that family; I want to show them what a real family is.

* SMACK! *

“Hey!” I yelled, jumping up and placing my hand to my head, where Grayson hit me. “What was that for?” I faced him with a glare.

“If you were not lost in La, La Land I would not have to smack you upside the head. Now, are you going to listen to me, since you are not helping with this fence?” Grayson told me shaking his head like I am a loss cause.

“Yes, I am listening to you.” I replied, crossing my arms in front of my chest. Scowling at my brother.

“Has Maddie said yes yet?”

“Nope.” I said popping the P. “She said she needs more time.” Why is he asking about her? He knows I would be in a better mood if she did.

“I may have a solution that will help you out.”

“Okay, good. What is your plan?” I asked him, intrigued by his solution.

“I will tell you in the truck.” Grayson started walking fast towards my truck. I had to jog just to keep up with him. He might be more excited about this than I am.

“Where are we going?” I asked as I shut the door to my dark green F-250.

“To the store, I told you I had a plan to help you.” Ironically, the name is The Store. I would have never thought of that, but I would not name my dog, Dog.

“Are you going to tell me your plan?”

“Nope, you just have to follow my lead and trust me.”

“Really, you are going to keep me in the dark?”

“Just trust me. You should catch on quickly if you are smart enough.” Grayson laughed aloud, enjoying the pain that he is causing me.

“Is it a least a good plan?” I hope he really does have a plan.

“Will you just trust me?” Greyson groaned out, leaning back in his seat.

“Fine.” I huffed out, turning up the volume on the radio. The song is a classic country song that everyone should know. Should've Been a Cowboy by Toby Keith. One of the legends right there.

************

“Hey Maddie, look what the cat dragged in.” Bella laughed, getting Maddie’s attention. She is breath taking, taking my breath away without even trying. I swear she gets prettier every time I see her. No make-up again and her normal outfit of jeans, a tee, and sneakers. Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail. I wonder how long her hair is? I bet she looks amazing with it down.

“We needed a break, thought a tea would be perfect for this fine hot day.” Grayson smiled. What is he doing? I thought he had a plan. “How are y’all doing this hot summer day?” Really, Grayson. I thought it was supposed to be a good plan, not rambling on and on.

“We are fine and dandy. Now, what did you really come in here for.” Bella asked, hands on hips, and a look that says, ‘I know you are up to something.’

“Okay, okay, you caught us. We have something to ask y’all.” Grayson replied, if this is his idea, I do not think I want to be a part of it.

“Well, then ask already.” Bella told him, tapping her foot to say that he was wasting time.

“If we have a cookout for this weekend, would you and Maddie be interested in attending?” That is his plan? Was that his grand scheme? Why could he not tell me in the truck?

“Really, that was the big secret you couldn’t tell me?” I huffed out.

“Yes, I thought it would be nice to have a big cookout and invite Bella, and Maddie. Plus, I wanted tea, but I did not want to drive.” Grayson laughed as he headed to get his tea.

“Get me one while you are over there.” I called out to him.

“So, bossy.” Maddie laughed out. That laugh, I could listen to it all day long. Is that a ‘real’ smile on that pretty face? I believe it is, I love seeing that smile.

“Hey now. He is the one that tricked me.” I defended myself.

“Did he really trick you?” Maddie replied, still laughing.

“Yes, he did. Do you want to come over for this ‘cookout’ that Grayson thought would be a great idea to have at my house?” I asked her, letting her know that it was not me but Grayson’s plan.

“I would love to, but that is the time I spend with my children.” She replied, lowering her head, fidgeting with her hands. I notice that she does that when she gets nervous.

“I want them there too. I want them to see our place.” I reassured her the best I know how to. I really do want them to come. I have missed them; I have not seen the kids since we had ice cream.

“I didn’t know if they were invited.” Maddie replied quietly.

“Yes, you all are always welcomed.” I told her.

“I am sure they would love that.” Maddie answered in a whisper.

“Come on, Maddie. It will be fun, and the kids will have fun” Bella encouraged.

“If you would let me talk, I was going to say we would go.” Maddie spoke a little louder, so we could hear her. Her voice, like a soft whisper that makes me break out in goose bumps.

“Would you and the kids like to help me get the supplies, one day this week?” I asked her, mentally crossing my fingers hoping that she would say yes.

“It would have to be after school.” She replied with a ‘real’ smile on her face.

“Is that a, yes?” I asked in shock.

“Yes.” Maddie laughed.

“What is a good day for you?” I asked her.

“Well, you did not give us a lot of time. Are you planning for Saturday or Sunday?”

“Saturday, if that works for you.” I replied, keeping eye contact with Maddie.

“That works for me.” She did not break eye contact with me. She is slowly lowering her walls for me. Giving me hope.

“So, what day will you be able to go with me?”

“Well, today is Thursday. We will have to do it tomorrow.” Maddie replied with my smile, and a twinkle in her eye.

“I guess I lost track of days.” I laughed out.

“I lose track all the time.”

“Well, you have three little ones running around. I can see why you could but not me.” I replied.

“The reason you forget is because you are old. You know age does a number to your brain.” Bella smiled as she walked over to us. Was she gone this whole time? It is hard to pay attention with Maddie in the room.

“Really, Bella? I am not that old.” Is my hair turning grey or something?

“You are getting up there in age. You are not getting any younger. And I will bet that you are no spring chicken anymore.” Her laughing and comment caused Maddie to start laughing too. Bending and holding her side. I am glad that I am so funny.

“Are you trying to make me look bad in front of Maddie? Are you trying to make sure I don’t get points?”

“Shut up, Lucas. I could never make you look bad. Are y’all planning to waste away your day here?”

“Grayson, what is taking you so long?” I asked, looking around the store for him. I caught him browsing through the candy aisle.

“I was giving you time. Did she agree to come?”

“Yes, now hurry up before she changes her mind.” I called back to him, teasing Maddie in the process.

“Is that a challenge?” Maddie asked, an amused look on her face.

“Nope, if you do not show up by a certain time, I will just kidnap you. Remember, I know where you live.”

“You sound like a creepy stocker.” Bella laughed at his wording.

“That did sound a little creepy.” Maddie added in.

“You know what I meant. Is it pick on Lucas day or something? First it was Grayson and now it is you two.” I asked, looking around at them.

“You know we love you, Lucas.” Bella said moving around the counter giving me a hug.

“Yeah. Ready to go brother?” I asked, pushing Bella aside, in a playful manner. I wish that Maddie would love me. Wait, love? When did that feeling come about? It is too soon to be in love, right?

“Yeah, we will see you girls later.”

“I will see you tomorrow, Maddie.” My eyes locked on hers, I do not want to leave her.

“Bye, Lucas” She replies with a shy smile.

************

“I cannot believe that was your plan. You threw me under the bus. You just left me hanging. You did not even help me.” I told Grayson on our way home.

“No, I did not, I helped you out.” He defended himself.

“And how did you help me?”

“She agreed, didn’t she? Oh, and the truth is I did not have a plan. I just wanted tea, but it still worked, and I helped.”

“I still don’t see how you helped me.” I told him, giving my head a little shake.

“You are going to be seeing Maddie outside of her workplace. By the way, if it were not for me, you would not have been at Braum’s with her.”

Dang it! He has a point there. I saw her because Grayson asked Bella. Now he produced the ‘cookout’ idea. Why did I not think of it? Why did I not think of something involving the kids?

“I will let you have this win. I did ask her and the kids to come with me to buy the stuff for your ‘cookout’ at my house.” I told him with a silly smile on my face.

“I hoped you would. I now know it will be at your house, but what day so we can let the rest of the family know?”

“Saturday. I want to try and get some stuff put together for Noah. I am thinking about getting something for the girls, but I have no idea what.”

“The best person to ask would be Bella or mom. Sofia might like a pony or princess stuff. She is still little. Emma, on the other hand, is a different ball game for me.”

“A real pony or toy? I think it is too soon to be getting her a real one.”

“Yes Lucas, a real pony.”

“I knew what you meant.” I laughed as I cut his words off.

“If I were you, I would ask someone who knows girl stuff.”

“You are right. I do not know what I was thinking asking you for help.” I sarcastically replied.

“Hey, I tried!” Grayson exclaimed.

“Yes, you did. Now, get out.” I told him, as I pulled up beside his truck.

“Where are you going?”

“To talk to mom. See if she needs anything from town and for help with the girls.”

“Good luck, you know how mom has been recently. On us about getting married and giving her grandbabies.” Grayson said, throwing his voice to sound like mom. Well, he tried too anyway.

“I will be fine. I will see you at supper.”

“See you later.” He replied, jumping out and closing the door. Heading for the barn on the other side of his truck.

************

“Hey mom, you here?” I called out, walking through her front door.

“In the kitchen.” She called back. Making my way through the living room. The closer I got to the kitchen I could hear mom moving things around.

“You need any help?” I asked walking into the room.

“No, I found what I was looking for. What would you like to talk about?” She replied, taking down two coffee cups.

“Why do you think I am here for that?”

“It is the middle of the day, and you are in here instead of out there.” She replied knowingly, pointing a finger towards the window.

“You are good.” I told her.

“I know, now talk.”

“We are having a cookout Saturday at my house. Bella, Maddie, and her kids are coming. I am going to Wal-Mart tomorrow with Maddie and I wanted to ask you a couple of things.”

“Go ahead and ask.” Mom replied placing a coffee mug in front of me. She took a seat across from me at the breakfast table.

“Do you need me to pick anything up for you or Gramps?”

“No, I just went yesterday. I am stocked up for a while. Next question.”

“What would you get for a teenage girl?”

“Something a teenage girl will like, why?” Mom replied sarcastically. Well, now I know where we get our sarcastic moments from.

“Well, we are gathering some things for Noah, but I do not want to leave the girls out.”

“That is sweet of you. You can always walk around the store till something jumps out at you.” Mom suggested.

“I am so lost with teenagers. Sofia is still young enough to be happy with anything she gets.”

“I am sure they all would be happy, no matter what you get them. Now I have a few questions for you.”

“Okay, ask away.”

“Why are you doing this, Lucas?”

“Getting the kids something or the whole thing?” I asked not knowing what she meant.

“Both really. But we will start with the kids. Why are you getting them something”

“I want to do something for them. They have had a rough childhood, and their father is not a nice man. I love seeing their smiles, I have missed them since the last time I saw them. Is that enough or do I need to add to the list cause I can?”

“I believe you, son. Now, what about Madison?”

“It is harder to explain everything I feel about her.” Taking a couple deep breaths before I continued. “I feel like she could be the one, mom. I cannot wait to see her again. I go to town every chance I get just to see her. I smile more around her than anyone else. I have never felt a spark with any girl before. One touch of her hand and the sparks flew. I might sound crazy, I have only known her for three weeks, but I just know it is right. She is shy but does what she has to for the kids. And I think that I might be in love with her.” I exhaled a breath, talking faster towards the end. Trying to get it all out there in the open.

“That is all I needed to hear. I know you will find something special for the girls and not just the children but Maddie too. If she is as shy as you say, do not do it with others around. Give hers when it is just the two of you.”

“Thanks mom, you always know what to say.” I told her, picking up my mug to finish my coffee.

“I know. I just want to see you and your brothers happy.”

“Do you mind trying to find some of my old stuff? I was wanting to give them to Noah, but I will not have time too.”

“I will look now.” Mom replied, patting my hand as she got up from the table. Leaving me alone with my thoughts about that little family. I am always thinking about them. It never fails, my mind always goes back to them.

If I am going to get something for the girls, I need to do it now before supper. Pulling my phone from my pocket I called Grayson.

“What’s up?’ he asked as he answered his phone.

“I need you to fill in for me today and tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“It was your bright idea for a cookout, and I need to prepare for it.”

“Why do I have to be the one to fill in for you?”

“If you don’t want to, then have someone else fill in but I would make it up to you.”

“Fine, the next time I need to leave I will let you know.”

“Alright little brother, talk to you later.” I replied, Ending the call, I stood up from my seat. Looks like I am headed out to shop for some important people. Ones that I would love to stay in my life forever.

Am I really in love with Maddie? I mean we have not even been on a date, then again, I heard Gramps’ story. The one about him and grandma, and how they fell in love at first sight.

It could happen and I hope it does. My feeling for Maddie grows stronger every day. I wonder if she ever thinks of me? Does she return my feelings? Will her kids like me enough to step up and be a part of their lives?

It is more than one person thinking about, in a relationship like the one I want with Maddie. There are three extras who have been through challenging times. They need someone to stand with them, not walk away from.