Page 37 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

“Are you ready to get rid of me or something? What’s that look for?”

“No,” he smiled. “But if your thoughts lean in the direction of staying or coming back home, I hope you’ll tell me. I would never tell you ‘No,’ but instead, I’d rather talk about how it would affect us. I just want you to be happy – with me.”

And Becca looked past him, hesitating. They were going to miss their turn if he didn’t slow down, she realized as the farm road was coming up quickly. Instead of commenting on what he’d just said, she decided to let sleeping dogs lie because that might be nothing or a conversation for another time. Instead, she pointed.

“Slow down and turn up ahead. We’re almost here.”

Travis did as she said, pulling onto the road – and Becca sighed. Rolling down her window, the wind whipped her hair as she looked out on the barbwire fence running the length of the road. The grass was waving slightly in the breeze, welcoming her home.

She could see the pecan grove in the distance where they used to take empty grocery bags and pick them up all day long before sitting around the kitchen table cracking them. Those memories as children, remembering the laughter, the smiles, the way they all seemed to get along before either of her parents died seemed so long ago and brought tears to her eyes.

It had been nearly a year since she’d made the drive out this way – and it was too much lost time between them. Smiling tearfully, she glanced at Travis, who simply held out a hand to her, steering with one hand as she pointed in the distance.

“That’s the old barn, and the newer one is quite a ways further near the house…”

“Y’all have two barns?”

“Two barns, stables, a pasture, outbuildings… everything,” she said softly in an emotional voice. “My family holds a lot of land and livestock, and contributes quite a bit to charity anonymously – or at least they used to before Daddy passed away.”

As they continued down the road, she finally saw the arch over the simple driveway with Bar-B brand in wrought iron that was branded on the cattle. She and Toni used to joke that they were ‘Barbie girls,’ and the song was all about them. Matthew would laugh when Luke was little, saying that he wanted to be Barbie girl too – which immediately made Jason frown, telling them all to quit being stupid.

“Turn into the next driveway,” she ordered quietly and heard Travis chuckle, glancing at him. “What?”

“Becca, it’s the only driveway I see for miles.”

“Oh, yeah,” Becca smiled proudly, laughing. “I suppose it is.” Looking back over, she squeezed Travis’ hand and pointed excitedly. “Oh, I see Toni! She’s on the horse headed to the house…” and released his hand, she unbuckled the seatbelt, before leaning precariously out the window, waving with both hands. “TONI! TONI… HELLOOOO!”

“Becca, honey, get back in the car,” Travis said warily, reaching over and hooking his hand in her pocket to keep her from falling out – not that she minded.

All of this, being home, seeing her sister, knowing she was moments from seeing her family, the feel of his hand – all of it was so intense and overwhelming. Her heart was fluttering wildly in her chest and tears sprang forth as she saw Matthew step out onto the front porch, followed by Luke, then Jason.

“Becca, I’m scared you’ll fall, or we’ll hit a mailbox… well, I guess there aren’t any mailboxes out here, but please! – You are giving me heart failure, and I’ve got to make a right turn onto the driveway.”

She waved happily and then slid back into the vehicle, looking at Travis and feeling alive like never before. He slowed down, looking at her like he was seeing her for the first time. His eyes were full of wonder and emotion, and a smile touched his lips as she chuckled, wiping her eyes.

“Travis, I’m home…”

“I see that – and I’m so happy for you.”

Becca launched herself at him, hugging him wildly around the shoulders and neck, kissing his forehead happily and laughing. She was so ecstatic and thrilled, needing to share this feeling with someone, and she heard his easy laugh as he hugged her back with one arm, coming to a stop almost in front of the driveway.

“What are you doing?” she chuckled, rearing back and meeting his eyes.

“I can’t drive safely, if I can’t see – and I don’t want to let go,” he grinned. “Anytime you wanna throw yourself at me, everything else comes to a screeching halt… just like my heart.”

“You are so sweet,” she said tenderly, feeling such an overwhelming abundance of emotion within her as she gazed at him. “Let’s go,” she urged, smiling. “They’re going to be watching.”

“Are you staying in the car and not hanging out the window this time?”

“I promise – and I guarantee my family will love you.”

“How’s that?”

“You sounded awfully like them just now,” she smiled, leaning forward to kiss his temple before plopping down in the passenger seat and nodding. “Proceed.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Travis laughed, pulling onto the driveway and not a moment later, she was launching herself from the truck, hugging everyone.

“Oh my gosh!”

---