Page 56 of In the Dust

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The loud roar of a tractor starting instantly wakes me. I slide my hand over to the other side of the bed, feeling for Colton, but his spot is cold and empty. The morning sun blankets my face, and my waking mind realizes it’s most likely Colton using it.

I rub the sleep from my eyes as I fling the covers off myself and head for the bathroom. I wonder if he decided to get an early start on clearing the fields. We still have a couple days before it needs to be done. Plus, it’s Saturday; it’s supposed to be a slower day. That means sleeping till ten, but who am I kidding? He’s the early riser, and I’m the night owl.

Walking back into my room, I grab my phone from the table and let out a loud groan as I stretch my stiff muscles. Coffee needs to be in my system now.

After getting dressed, I head down to the kitchen and find Grandpa standing at the window and looking out at the field. A small grin crosses his face.

“Morning, old man,” I say as I reach for a mug.

“Some of us have been up since five.” He takes a sip of his drink.

“Yeah, yeah.” I pour the steaming black liquid into my cup and grab the honey. “Is that Colton out there?”

“Sure is. Been out there since six.” He walks to the table and sits down.

How did I not wake up?

“Must be getting an early start with clearing the fields.” I shrug as I tap my spoon on the edge of the mug before tossing it into the sink and taking my seat across from him.

“I don’t think so.” He winks at me.

I close my eyes. “Have mercy, what are you implying?” I shake my head, taking a sip of the delicious liquid that gives me life.

“Go look.” He’s smiling as he tilts his head in the direction of the door.

I take another sip of my liquid gold, not ready to part from it just yet. “Okay, fine. Let me finish this and I’ll go see what he’s up to.”

Crossing the kitchen, I glance over at Grandpa and smile as he lets out a small chuckle. I wonder what’s got him in such a good mood.

I quickly slide on my boots and head out the door. I skip down the back porch steps and stop in my tracks as my eyes settle on the small field we didn’t harvest.

My hand flies to my mouth in an effort to stop the gasp from leaving my lips as a sense of joyfulness begins to envelope me. A tingly sensation rises in my nose, and I can feel tears forming in the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill over.

He didn’t.

After gathering myself, I walk towards the stalks where Colton has plowed through only certain sections.

I can’t believe it.

The closer I get, I realize what he’s been out here doing all morning.

I’m a few feet from the entrance when Colton drives out of the corn with the biggest smile plastered on his face. He shoots me a wink before driving the tractor a few yards away from his beautiful creation.

I’m standing at the entrance of my very own corn maze.

Colton walks up behind me, sliding his hands around my waist and pulling me into him. “What is this?” I whisper.

“The day I took you to the sunflower field, on our way home you mentioned a corn maze.”

My breath hitches in my throat. “You remembered.”

“Well, that other one didn’t look that good.” He kisses my cheek, releasing me to stand beside me. “So, I made you a better one.” He looks around, proud of his hard work.

“No one has ever done anything like this for me before.”

To everyone else, this is just a simple corn maze, but to me it’s so much more than that.

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