A Rancher’s Daughter

Graduation Day Ellie was a nervous wreck with fighting with her father on such a big matter-her future and now everyone is coming to graduation day but he hasn’t spoken with Ellie since she said she doesn’t have plans to come home, at least not yet. Billie Bates though isn’t one to not get what he wants and Ellie knows her father is a stubborn rancher that isn’t use to not getting what he wants. A cold shower isn’t what Ellie planned but living as a dorm leader made her expenses less while at college and today apparently all the hot water got used up! So a quick shower and not the relieving kind is what Ellie got even though she wanted to stand in hot water for at least an hour before seeing everyone. Ellie got dressed and brushed her long blonde hair. She then put on some basic makeup and mascara to help bring out her blue eyes. Her mother had sent her a beautiful graduation dress. Her mother, Lanie, always knew what to buy that would look good on Ellie. Ellie was nervous about her families arrival she hadn’t seen them much since leaving for college. Ellie had to work to make it work to go to vet school she heard so much about how Doc in their hometown worked while attending to pay his way and she knew she would also do the same. But returning to her hometown had always been what her family had wanted and with her student loan debt she didn’t know if it would be feasible and was looking for jobs in the city. Ellie was always, even during high school very concentrated on her school and getting her degree. She didn’t date knowing it was unrealistic to think it would last so why bother. And during college between her school work and working she didn’t have the time. But right now she though about how nice it would be to have someone to talk to and lean on right now. Ellie headed to graduation still a little nervous but she wouldn’t see her family until after she walked across the stage and commencement was over. Her parents said they would treat everyone to a steakhouse restaurant. As Ellie got called up she expected some noise from her crazy younger brother but she wasn’t sure who else they brought as there was someone else back there making some extra noise. Embarrassing but normal she figured as some other families were the same way. After ceremonies Ellie found her family, it wasn’t hard since her father was 6 foot 5 inches barefoot and of course he wore his best boots and cowboy hat to add a few inches. Everyone gave hugs and said how great she looked and then she noticed the other yeller during her time on stage was none other than James a guy she went to prom with long ago. It had been 8 years since then and she wasn’t sure why he had even came as it isn’t like they really knew each other. James was slender and of course ran his fathers ranch she heard. But he spoke up “Ellie, wow, you look great.” Just then Billie, Ellie’s dad stepped in. “Well let’s load up, I’m starving!” Everyone loaded up into Billie’s truck and since Ellie was the smallest she got the middle back seat smushed between her brother and James. Her brother on the way asked Ellie, “so El, when can I come help you get moved back home?” Ellie wasn’t sure what to say, why would her brother Tom ask such a question when she already mentioned to her father that she was looking to find a job here in the city at least until her student loans were paid down. She saw her dad’s eyes in the rear view mirror and instantly she spat out “oh, I’m not sure yet with the dorms still being open for my position as dorm leader.” Just then thankfully they pulled up to the restaurant and she pulled her dad to the side while everyone else went on in. “Dad, why, what is going on does everyone not know that I am staying in the city?” “Darling, I don’t know what to say I really thought you would change your mind, why don’t you just think on it still at least wait until after dinner.” Unsettled about what waits her at dinner Ellie takes her seat expecting to be bombarded about questions of moving home now. But instead she turned and unexpectedly ran almost over James down on one knee with a ring out. “Ellie,” James said and she stopped him there. “What are you doing James?” Ellie asked James stood obviously it wasn’t going to go well and he could tell by Ellie’s question and tone of voice that her father was far from being right on her daughter wanting to settle down with a hometown boy like him. “DID MY FATHER PUT YOU UP TO THIS?” Ellie’s temper flared as she instantly knew he put James up to this and he thought it would change her mind on coming home but boy was he wrong. Ellie stormed out and called an Uber to come get her, how embarrassing and why? Billie abates was one that no one said no to but James seriously just was going to propose to her. Did her family think she was desperate to get married because she just graduated, if that was the case it was so wrong, she choose this. It wasn’t like she didn’t get asked out. Ellie got asked out many times but she was just busy and she didn’t want anything ever derailing her plans to be a veterinarian. She studied so hard she graduated one of the top people of her class and she passed her boards! Why couldn’t they be proud. Just then her mother Lanie came out to find Ellie, “Ellie, dear, he just misses having you around.” “Then why can’t he say that, why didn’t he help me have more time by not making me work while going to college, then maybe I could have been home more and actually had the breaks off, why didn’t he offer to help pay for my school so I wouldn’t be so far in debt. Why can’t the man talk to me?” Ellie just vented everything to her mom even things she didn’t mean to say. “I’m sorry, I never expected you guys to pay for anything, it’s my education, I’m an adult.” Lanie felt for her daughter she knew how difficult it was to get her father to open up about his feelings. But yes the man went too far and he got a young man that yes had a crush on their daughter forever go along with it! “Ellie, I know your dad is difficult and I know you and I know you aren’t coming home. At least not right now, I do hope you still do though. I know you feel the need to do stuff on your own just know he comes from a good place.” “Thanks mom, I think that is my cab, I’ve had too much excitement for the day I’ll call you tomorrow.” And with that Ellie left her family there. Ellie was getting ready for bed when she heard a knock on the door. It was Tom, her brother of course. “Tom? What are you still doing here?” “Well actually, I drove myself thinking I could load up some of your stuff now to take back home but I am guessing plans have changed but I thought maybe you could use your little brother to talk to?” He questioned. Tom explained to Ellie that James wasn’t a bad guy but he had a crush on her since before that prom and that dad had indeed fed his ego and thought that he would convince her to come home and start a relationship but that nobody knew that he would pull out a ring! They laughed most of the night and Ellie told him about her job offers and they went over the numbers as yes Ellie would love to move back to her hometown but they both knew their hometown vet clinic wouldn’t bring in the salary she really needed to help pay off her student loans and for her to live in her own place and she didn’t want to move back in with her parents, how embarrassing would that be! With that Ellie knew she would be staying in the city for at least a few years, even though she would love to be back home.