Page 41 of In the Dust

Colton shakes his head, cool as a cucumber. “She knows what she’s doing.”

I try to relax, watching nature take its course.

She lays down one more time, and with each push the baby horse pushes out a little more. It’s disgusting, and beautiful, and my eyes are glued to her as the sack slides out with a perfect little bay colored foal tucked safely inside. Their little face looks around at their new world.

My hand reaches for the stable door, but Colton urges me to stay back.

The baby struggles to get on her feet; her new legs are wobbly.

I just watch them interacting, standing by in case one of them needs help. The baby feeds, and I nearly kick myself for not noticing that Pixie was pregnant.

I smack Colton’s chest. “You got my baby so fat I didn’t even notice her stomach dropped!”

I smile, watching her with her baby wondering what I should name her.

“Good job, Peaches,” he whispers to Pixie.

“Good job, Pixie.” I grin.

“You’re a grandma now.” Colton, attempting to weasel his way into this sweet moment, places his hand over mine.

I rip my hand away. “Nuh uh. Don’t think this changes anything. Go home, Colt.”

He runs his hands through his hair. I know he hates it when I don't call him Colton. I’m the only one in town who uses his full name, besides his mama.

He shakes his head, refusing to move. “We need to talk.”

“I don’t want to have this conversation.” I attempt to walk past him, but he jumps in front of me, blocking my escape.

“Oh, we’re havin’ it whether you want to or not.”

“Okay, let’s have it then.” I step outside into the pouring rain to give Pixie a calming space. Colton follows, closing the door behind us. “You gave us away for some girl that didn’t care about you like I did.”

He shakes his head, his disbelieving crooked grin cemented on his stupid chiseled jaw. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Not to mention we would never work since you’ve knocked boots with every girl in town.”

“From the moment you left, yeah I was with a bunch of girls, but that’s only because I'm never gonna let someone hurt me again like you did,” he snarls, his eyes filled with pain.

“I hurt you?” I scoff.

He staggers back. “You were bigger than this town, Peach. All you wanted was to get out, and all I wanted was you here. Well, you got what you wanted.”

“You didn’t want me!”

“I would have followed you anywhere, Dixie May.”

I step towards him, pinning his back against the old wooden fence. “But you didn’t.”

“I couldn’t run with you, Peaches. You were running away from this town and everything that came with it. You were outrunning me.” I take in a deep breath at his words. “You outgrew me.”

“Then don’t say you would have followed me anywhere!” One bullshit excuse after another.

He’s impossible, and I can’t ride on this twisted carousel any longer. I take off, stomping my boots in the mud.

“Dixie!” Colton screams, rushing after me. His hand closes around mine, pulling me against him. I back away. “This town always knew we would be together. Why didn’t you know that?” My chest heaves at his words, the same heartbreak I felt three years ago rushing back. “You left me, Dixie. And you’re fucking leaving again. I’m going to tell you something I should have said years ago, Dix. As I watched your taillights disappear from sight.” Oh my God, he saw me go. “I shouldn't have gone to that party.” He shakes his head, “If you just would have talked to me. I know it was hard—” He stops himself, not wanting to say it. “You didn’t have to leave me behind.”

“That’s not fair Colton, you know what happened the night we graduated, you know!”

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