You're a little mind reader. Yeah, that's what you are. You play it off a little shy baby, but you're a heart stealer and right here in this car, it's like you know that smile was gonna melt me down. Like you know those lips are what I'm needing right now. And girl when you lay 'em on mine, yeah, it's like you're reading my mind...
The sun was rising.
In the early hours of the morning, early morning rays were stretching across the gap in the curtains of my room. I found myself unable to sleep after a decent hour, thoughts of Brantley in my mind.
Stretching, I turned my head to keep the glare of the sun out of my eyes. I knew I wasn't going to be able to sleep anymore, and pulled the covers off of me and stepped out of bed. Dustin Lynch's voice was drifting through my radio, having gently pulled me from my sleep.
I pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt, wanting to go for an early morning ride. I ate a quick breakfast before tugging on my boots and heading out to the barn. After feeding both the horses and saddling up Apollo, I led the pair of them to the riding trails.
Grace was following easily behind us.
She was attached to him, and most of the time wouldn't let him out of her sight. She was growing quickly, reaching up to my chin now. She was beginning to trust me a great deal, for I had spent a lot of time working with her.
It was the middle of June, which meant that I had been here for about two months. I wasn't going to trade it for the world. Brantley had gone on one more date, but he had been caught up in work the last week or so. It was Thursday night, and we had planned a third one for tonight.
My thoughts drifted to my mom.
It had been about two weeks since she started in rehab.
She had called once, to tell me that she had gotten there. After that, she wouldn't be allowed any phone calls or social media for a month. Two more weeks after today. I wasn't sure if her and I were ever going to be close, but I had forgiven her.
When I returned the horses to the stables and brushed them down, I realized I was completely out of food after this mornings feeding. I cringed, knowing I would have to go to the very store in which Rose worked.
Maybe she wouldn't be here this morning.
I grabbed my wallet from the house and headed into town, making a mental checklist of the other things that I needed. I went into the supply store and saw Rose at the only cashier station open.
Pushing the cart past her, I ignored her completely.
Ordering food in bulk was done in the back of the store, and I ordered a month worth of it to have delivered that afternoon. I grabbed some other things that I needed and went to check out.
Rose scanned my things in complete silence, not looking at me as she did so.
"So you called my mom, huh?" I asked.
Her eyes flicked up to me, widened with surprise. Before she could open her mouth to say anything, I interjected.
"I don't know why you did that or what your motive was, but it really wasn't any of your business."
"It was...It was before the fight. I was just trying to help."
"Well, I guess it did. She's in rehab."
I didn't thank her. I was far too angry at her for choosing Mia over me. Right now, telling her that it helped was thanking her enough for me. Once she was done scanning my things, I swiped my card and was given my receipt.
"She's going to screw you over," I said, my tone matter of fact. Rose became defensive.
"You don't know that. You don't even know her."
"I know enough about her. She will screw that over. I'm telling you that right now. I just wish you would see it before it happens."
She didn't respond and I shook my head, saddened.
This was her lesson to learn.
xxx
My next stop was refilling some of the cleaning supplies that had been depleted in the last few weeks.
I was in the grocery store, a basket in my hand when arm when a gentle hand touched my arm.
I turned around, coming face to face with Brantley's mother.
"Good morning, Kennedy," She said.
"Good morning, Mrs. Nash."
She waved a hand at me.
"Please, just call me Charlotte. I was wondering if you were busy."
I shook my head, wondering what she had in mind.
"Not really busy at all."
"Would you like to sit down and have coffee together?"
"I would love to, thank you."
"Great! I'll meet you at the cafe in about fifteen minutes. Does that sound good?"
I smiled at her.
"Sounds perfect."
She beamed at me, turning around to head to the check out. I wasn't sure why she wanted to have coffee with me, but I couldn't say I wasn't pleased. Brantley's parents seemed like such good people.
I checked out, sticking the stuff in my car and taking the short drive to the cafe. Callie was working, and she greeted me as I walked through the door.
"Mom's already waiting for you in the corner booth," Callie said, nodding to where her mother sat. "Brantley's going to love this. Make sure she shows you his baby pictures."
I shook my head, laughing at her.
"Don't instigate things," I said, rolling my eyes at her.
"There's one where he's in the bathtub, and you can see his butt..."
"Callie!" I play scolded.
She held her hands up in mock surrender.
"I'm done, I'm done."
I walked across the cafe.
"Thanks for inviting me for coffee," I greeted, sliding in across the booth from her.
I poured some creamer into my mug and took a sip.
"How are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm great," She said. "How are you liking Hudson so far?"
"It's amazing. I don't think I'll ever leave this place," I answered.
"That's awesome. I'm glad you like it. I was a little bit worried when we first moved here, but it's a great town."
"It really is."
"There's something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"Sure."
"I...Uh, I heard about what happened to your mother and I wanted to see how you were doing."
I didn't respond for a second, unsure how to take in this information.
"Brantley didn't tell me. I accidentally heard him on the phone talking to you. I'm so sorry. He sounded so concerned...I know eavesdropping is wrong..."
Charlotte's face was twisted in concern, and I couldn't be angry at her. She was worried because her son sounded worried, and I couldn't blame her for that.
"Don't worry about it. You were just being a mom. My mother and I are working on our relationship. It's been rocky before now...Really rocky, but we're working on it. Although, I don't know if we will ever be close."
She reached across the table, squeezing my hand for a second.
"My mother and I went to war when I got pregnant with Brantley. If you ever need to talk to somebody, about this or anything, feel free to talk to me. It will stay between you and I."
My heart warmed.
"Thank you, Charlotte. That means a lot."
I sat back, taking a long drink of my coffee. An idea popped into my head.
"I have a question."
"Shoot," Charlotte responded.
"How did you and Brantley's dad meet?"
A grin broke out on her face, and I could tell that she was amused at my question. She leaned in a little bit closer.
"Well, it all started on Spring Break..."
Author's Note: Sorry it's been so long. My life has been a little...hectic lately. I thought that I would reward your patience with a little bit of Charlotte in this chapter. I hope you like this update and Charlotte's appearance. Kennedy is finally hearing the story about how they met! Yay! :D