Tutus & Cowboy Boots (Part 2) Read online

  Tutus & Cowboy Boots

  Part 2

  By Casey Peeler

  Edited by Beth Suit at BB Books

  Cover by Paperclutch

  Published by Casey Peeler at Smashwords

  Copyright 2016 Casey Peeler

  Paperback ISBN-978-1522878919

  Digital ISBN- 9781311522313

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is a written act of fiction. Any places, characters, or similarities are purely coincidence. If certain places or characters are referenced it is for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. The author recognizes all copyright and trademarks that are mentioned within this work of fiction.

  Table of Contents

  Previously in Tutus Part 1

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Epilogue

  Playlist

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Our Song

  Extra Scene

  For my Carlee Bug, may you always dance to your own beat!

  ~Mommy

  Previously in Tutus & Cowboy Boots (Part 1)

  Barrick

  Getting in my truck, I turn the ignition and make my way home. As I kill the engine my phone begins to ring, and I see Cadence’s name.

  “Hey!” I say with excitement, but that quickly fades when I hear her voice.

  “I need you to come and get me,” she says and I can tell she’s trying to hold back tears.

  “Where are you?” I question.

  “I’m at the airport.”

  “In Charlotte?”

  “No. My flight is boarding now. It will land in less than two hours.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I will be. Please just promise you’ll be there.”

  “Of course.”

  We hang up and I have no idea what to do. Do I call her mom and Ms. Mae? Do I take Jade with me? I look at my clock and realize I’ve got about twenty minutes to decide before I need to get on the road. Jade isn’t home, but my parents are. I walk in and briefly tell them what is going on and they suggest I call Ms. Mae and Regina.

  “Hello?”

  “Ms. Mae, it’s Barrick.”

  “Is everything okay?” she questions.

  “I’m not sure. Cadence just called and said she’s boarding a plane to come home tonight. She wants me to pick her up, but there’s something wrong with her.”

  “Regina!” she yells away from the phone. “Barrick is on the phone. Did you know Cadence is coming home?”

  I hear the shuffle of the phone as Regina takes it. “Barrick, what do you mean she’s on her way home?”

  “She called a few minutes ago and was upset. She said she would be okay, and asked if I’d pick her up. I’m on my way now.”

  “I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’ll find out. Please text me and let me know when she’s landed and that she is physically okay.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say as I hang up and quickly call Jade. She’s a mess and begging me to turn around and wait for her. There’s no way. I won’t risk not being there when she lands.

  I put my truck in the wind and I make it to the airport with time to kill. I hurry to the baggage claim and scan the crowd. I don’t see her. I glance at my phone for the time. I check the arrival board and scan for any flight coming from New Jersey or New York within the next fifteen minutes. Bingo! I hurry to baggage claim four and wait for what feels like an eternity. When I can’t stand still any longer, I walk toward the escalator and look for her. Nothing. Finally, I see her descend but I don’t see my little spitfire, I see a hollow shell. Even with a designer outfit, makeup, and all the superficial stuff, I can see that something is terribly wrong.

  Stepping off the escalator she looks at me and I can see tears start to form. Why does she have to cry on me? She quickly pushes them back as we walk in silence to get her luggage. I don’t say anything because frankly I’m not sure if she will cuss me out or cry. When her suitcase arrives, I grab it and walk her to my truck.

  “Where to?” I ask.

  “Anywhere but Gran’s,” she says as I quickly text Jade to let her know she’s okay and for her to call Regina.

  “You need to call your mom,” I say quietly.

  “Fine,” she says, taking her phone from her purse.

  I glance at her and see that she’s trying so hard to be strong, but I think she’s about to crumble.

  “Here,” she says bluntly, handing me the phone.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say to Regina.

  “It’s her father. Give her some time and bring her home. For you to be the one she called, says a lot. Get my baby home safe.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say as I hang up and hand Cadence her phone. She doesn’t say anything, but as she leans her head against the glass I want to have her in my arms. I flip up the console, and tell her to slide over. Without a word, she slides next to me and quietly wipes away the silent tears.

  Arriving back in Delight, I only have a few places I can take her. Deciding that she’s probably better off in the middle of nowhere, I turn onto a dirt road and pull into a field near a set of pine trees. She lifts her head from my shoulder to look around.

  “You said you didn’t want to go to Ms. Mae’s.”

  “Thanks.”

  We sit in silence and I run my fingers through her hair to let her know it’s okay.

  “Can you tell me what’s goin’ on?” I finally ask. She pulls away from my chest and I brace myself for a good tongue-lashing from her.

  “Let’s just say that my visit didn’t go as I had hoped.”

  “Okay, but why did you decide to leave without telling anyone?”

  “I got in an argument with my dad.”

  “Why didn’t you go to Lauren’s?”

  I see her breathing increase. “That wouldn’t have worked out,” she says as her eyes fill with tears as she continues. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you. I’m so stupid.”

  “No, I’m glad you called, and I’m sorry if I’m asking too many questions. I can see that you are hurting so just talk to me. Please,” I practically beg.

  She doesn’t say anything for a few minutes, but pu
lls her legs into her chest. “I thought going home would be easy. Barrick, they are all selfish bitches and assholes,” she says, looking me in the eyes. “You know what’s worse?” I don’t say anything, I just wait for her response. “My dad is the biggest one yet. I hate him.” Tears begin to stream down her face. “I don’t want to cry. I want to forget I even went.” I have no idea what happened with her father or Lauren for that matter, but whatever it was has completely broken her. I take her in my arms, pull her onto my lap, and hold her while she cries on my shoulder.

  When she seems to have stopped, I turn her chin toward me. “Cadence, whatever happened up there you can get beyond it. I promise I’ll help you. You can depend on me.” I want her to know I’ll do anything to make her happy and feel loved.

  “Thank you, Barrick. Can you take me home now?”

  She just called her Gran’s house home. I really like the sound of that.

  Chapter 1

  Cadence

  Barrick doesn’t say a word as he pulls me into his shoulder and briefly kisses my forehead before starting the truck and driving me home. Home. Never in a million years did I plan on calling Delight home. In fact, I’ve always seen it as the place that ruined my life, but after today, I know this place just saved me.

  As the truck pulls in front of the house, Mom opens the door and sobs escape my lips. I run to meet her and fall into her arms as tears stream down my cheeks. She holds me in her arms while she walks me inside.

  Gran is standing in the entryway, wearing her floral nightgown. “Come here,” she says. She wraps her aged arms around me as I walk into them and I let her love soak in.

  Mom and Gran sit me down on the couch as Barrick walks into the room. “I put your luggage in your room.”

  “Thanks, Barrick,” Mom says as I look up.

  “I guess I should go. Cadence, call me if you need me,” he says and I give him a brief nod. As much as I want him to stay, I need to talk to my mom and Gran.

  “See you in the morning, Barrick,” Gran says as he excuses himself.

  When the door closes behind him, Mom holds me tighter, and lets me cry.

  She takes my hair and brushes it out of my face. “Cade, he told me.” I pull back.

  “What?” I question, wiping away my tears. “When?”

  “After you called Barrick, he called me. I immediately called your dad and he told me the news. I’m so sorry,” she says with tears in her eyes.

  “Mom, it was completely different there,” I say as I shake my head remembering it all — Dad, the bimbo, Lauren, and how I didn’t belong anymore. “I don’t ever want to go back,” I say as I start crying again.

  “Aw, honey, you can’t be serious?”

  “Mom, it was like I was an outsider. Everyone was so materialistic and superficial. Am I really like that?”

  “I believe we all are like that to an extent. We all want the best things in life, but those things don’t make us happy.”

  “You’re right. If you have a mansion and no one to share it, what’s the point? It’s all stuff. How did we fit into that life?”

  “Cadence, it’s part of who we are. Your dad has a very important job and it goes with the territory. Not to mention my position at the magazine. You’ve always been surrounded by the newest trends, wealth, and the best of everything.”

  “Do you think Lauren will realize there’s more to life than a new pair of Jimmy Choos?”

  “I hope so. She’s a smart young lady, but she’s always been a little more materialistic than you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Gran butts in. “Cade, that girl has dollar signs in her eyes. She doesn’t think about what will happen when the money is gone because it’s never been an option for her.”

  “She hasn’t realized that money isn’t the answer. She hasn’t been as lucky as you to see life in a new light,” Mom chimes in.

  “You’re right. Moving to Delight has made me see everything differently.” I shake my head.

  “Well, it’s about damn time you realized why we call this place Delight,” Gran says with a joyful laugh.

  Gran’s timing is spot on. I look at Mom and we both giggle through the tears. How in the world did my life come to this?

  I finish telling Mom and Gran about my trip and when I can’t stay awake any longer, I head to bed. Before I fall asleep I text Barrick a quick thank you for picking me up, knowing he’ll probably see it in the morning.

  Barrick

  Jade is pacing the living room floor when I get home. “What the hell? Is Cadence okay?”

  “She’s alright. She didn’t tell me much of anything but I know if I ever see her dad I’m going to give him a piece of my mind.”

  “I’ve been going crazy here, tell me what happened!”

  “Keep it down!” I say to her as Mom comes in the room.

  “Bare, everything okay?”

  “We’re good. I’m just going to head to bed.” Mom gives me a look and I know she needs more information. “Cadence is a mess and it’s a good thing her dad isn’t within driving distance.”

  “Barrick! That’s not how we solve things around here,” Mom states with her hands on her hips.

  “I know, but he hurt her and I can’t stand to see her so sad.”

  “I understand, but we don’t fix one hurt with another. It’s so sad to hear it’s her dad who has upset her. All you can do is be there for her and be the bigger person. Now, I’m glad you’re both home safe so I can get some sleep,” she says as she hugs me and leaves Jade and me alone.

  “Spill it,” Jade says, following me into my room and planting herself on my bed.

  “Jade, truthfully I don’t know much. I just took her to a spot to try to calm her down before she went home. All I know is that she didn’t have as good a time as she hoped. And something is up with her dad. I’ve seen her go absolutely crazy after a call with him and she pretty much just cried on my shoulder for an hour. When I asked about her friend Lauren she said that wasn’t good either. It sounds like no one was there for her. I want to do everything I can to let her know she can count on me. I’m sure she could use your support as well.”

  “Oh wow, Lauren was her dance partner and best friend. I wonder what happened. Well, she’s my partner now and she’s not getting rid of me.”

  “I knew I could count on you, Jade. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed because milking time comes early.”

  “Okay, goodnight. Oh… Bare… just be careful. I mean, I know she’s my friend but you’re my brother and as much as I want to help her, I also don’t want to see you get hurt. As much as I’d like to believe she’ll want to stay here now, I just worry something will change her mind and she’ll run off after graduation.”

  “Right now, I just want her to know she can trust me. Whatever happens after that, we’ll just take one step at a time. But, thanks Jade.”

  Jade gives me a hug and closes my door behind her. I fall into bed and take a deep breath; tomorrow is a new day.

  Cadence

  As the sun peeks through my curtains, I realize I’ve slept longer than normal so I quickly get ready to go help in the barn. I pause when I see Barrick’s truck outside and wonder if he got my text because he never replied.

  Gran stops me in the kitchen and hands me a green smoothie.

  “How are ya this mornin’?” she asks with concern.

  “Actually, I’m better than I thought. Talking to you and Mom last night really helped and I feel like I finally belong here. Thank you for the smoothie. I’m going to go help Barrick.”

  “Well, that is music to my ears. Now get out there and don’t give Barrick such a hard time.”

  “I won’t. He really came through for me yesterday so I think I’ll lay off the pranks, at least for a little while,” I say with a giggle.

  Gran laughs and shoos me out the door with her dishtowel. When I get to the barn, all I hear is the sound of the milking machine. I walk toward the stall and notice that
Barrick is lost in thought, so I take the opportunity to watch him work for a minute. When he feels my eyes on him, he glances up at me.

  “Mornin’,” I say, in my worst southern accent, as a smile spreads across my face.

  “Mornin’,” he says as he stands and walks toward me. I walk toward him with my arms crossed. “How are you?” he asks with concern in his voice.

  “Better. Thank you again for picking me up. Did you get my text?”

  “Not until this morning and I thought I’d talk to you in person instead of texting back. Cadence, I’m glad you called me. We may have gotten off to a rough start but I want you to know you can trust me and I will always do what I can to help you.”

  “Barrick, I —” Barrick places his index finger over my lips and shakes his head no.

  “You don’t have to say anything. Just know that when you are ready to let me in, I’ll be ready to listen,” he whispers as his hand caresses my cheek. He looks deep into my eyes as his lips brush against mine.

  “Thank you…” His lips find mine again but this time with more intensity. Holy shit! I don’t want him to stop. He’s making all the painful memories of the last week disappear.

  Barrick pulls away first but I lean in for one more gentle kiss. “Come on. Let’s get done so we can enjoy the day,” he says as we walk toward the cows.

  “So how much longer until the calf is born?” I question.

  “Early spring,” he answers, as he hooks up the next cow for milking.

  When we are finished with our chores and putting away the last feed bucket, Barrick stops and looks at me.

  “I’m happy to see you looking better already.”

  “Yeah, it’s amazing how being back here has already made a difference. I mean, it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours but I just feel like I finally belong somewhere.”

  “I’m so glad you said that,” he says as we both begin to walk toward the house.

  “Y’all finished?” Gran questions.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Barrick replies.

  “Great! That means you’re both done for the day.”

  “I still have this afternoon,” he says as she shakes her head no.