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The feeling when you meet your true soulmate is a unique one that never leaves regardless of how time passes. Mike had wrestled with those words as his head spun after leaving the ranch. As much as he knew he needed to get home, he wanted nothing more than to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.
From the first night back, he made a point every night to call and check in with her. At first their check in sounded like two friends making up for lost time. Yet, they meant the world to both. The more they chatted on the phone, the more they wished they could meet in person again.
It was two weeks after they reconnected before they had the chance to see each other. Mercifully, they were able to score two days off which meant they would have about a day and a half off. Since Mike was working the night before their date, they decided to meet up for dinner. The time meant Mike would have enough time to sleep and Lucy had time to help with lunch and setting up dinner for the ranch.
She was able to keep her mind busy by helping around the ranch. A long ride at sunset helped settled the last of her nerves. On the way back to her place from the barn, Sandy met up with her.
Sandy smiled softly, “Good evening, Lucy, how are you?”
“Good evening, ma’am, I’m okay how are you?”
“Doing well. Do you have time to chat?”
Lucy was surprised, “of course.” “Would you like to come over?”
“Would you mind? The boys are sleeping and I don’t want to wake them.”
“That would be nice, thank you very much.”
The ladies made the short walk back to Lucy’s while they caught up on the day. They also planned the menu for breakfast and lunch the next day. Finally, they walked through the door. They took their hats and boots off.
“Ma’am, would you like a drink?”
“I would love a soda if you have one.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Lucy walked into the kitchen and retrieved both sodas. Then she walked into the living room and handed one to Sandy who was sitting on the couch.
“This is a nice surprise, ma’am.”
Sandy smiled softly, “I am so sorry that I surprised you.”
“It’s okay.”
“As the only two ladies on the ranch, I wanted to check in with you before your date tomorrow night.”
Lucy swallowed as she felt her heart skip a beat when she thought of Mike. Sandy saw the reaction and smiled, “Lucy, do me a favor.”
“Yes?” The young woman was curious.
“Take a breath and forget that you work for me for the rest of our conversation.”
Lucy relaxed before she took a long drink of her soda. Sandy did the same before she smiled warmly, “My friend, are you excited about tomorrow?”
Lucy smiled, “More than I can put into words.” Her voice softened, “Can I be completely honest with you?”
Sandy smiled softly, “Please do.”
Lucy looked up at her nervously. “I am extremely excited and more nervous than I’ve ever felt.” “My stomach is flipping more than the day I left Italy.”
“He means a lot to you.” It wasn’t a question.
“More than I ever knew until the other day.” “Reuniting with him at the campfire has me feeling like I’m a teenager again.” “My nerves are so brittle they’d make good kindling right now.”
“Why are you so nervous?”
“Because he is so special, warm, caring, protective, talented, and just everything that is special to me.”
“Can I ask you something personal?”
“Yes?”
“Do you know what you guys are doing?”
Lucy smiled, “He said something about going to the beach, but we haven’t set any details in stone.”
“Do you have any idea of what you are going to wear?”
“I have something of an idea, but I haven’t decided yet.”
“Would you like an opinion?”
“Y…you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” “I know that when our nerves get in the way we have trouble thinking about things for ourselves.”
“I’d love some.”
Lucy led Sandy into the bedroom. As the outfits hit the bed, chats about love and other things filled the room. It was clear that they were connecting as more than a boss and their worker. As they chatted, two full outfits appeared. One was a lightweight sundress with a light-colored purse and soft beige sandals that doubled as dress shoes.
Sandy smiled warmly, “It’s going to be hard to top this, but do you have a second option?”
Lucy looked in the closet again. She shook her head, “nothing that’s special enough for a first date.”
“Oh good, I was hoping this was your choice because it’s perfect.”
Lucy’s voice caught in her throat. “Does it say he makes me feel loved without being too desperate?”
The question confirmed the ranch owner’s suspicion; her cook was falling head over heels for her high school flame. “He’s your high school flame, isn’t he?”
Lucy blushed a deep crimson, “Yes, ma’am.” “Sadly, I did not chase my heart then. Yes, it would have been hard to convince my family to let me stay, but my heart never left this side of the pond.” “Instead of letting my heart lead me I went home, went through a lot of stuff to put it as nicely as I can, then came back here.” “The fact that you helped us reconnect us is something I can never thank you enough for.”
Sandy’s eyes filled with whimsy, “That whole weekend seemed like a fairytale playing out in real life.” “I am so glad you two reconnecting was part of it.”
“It really did.”
“You know when you get home from your date, I am going to want to know how things go.”
Lucy smiled, “I cannot wait to tell you.” She sobered, “thank you so much for helping me with everything.” “Ater my last relationship in Italy, I am still relearning to trust myself.”
The small confession stunned Sandy. The older woman reached over and hugged the younger woman, “You can come to me at any time.”
“Thank you,” Lucy’s voice was slightly muffled for a moment.
“You’re welcome.”
The hug broke after a moment as the ladies headed back to the living room. They said good night before Lucy went to take a shower, set her alarm clock, and relaxed for the night. Eventually, just after midnight she fell asleep on the couch to the din of white noise. Nerves controlled the early part of the night but eventually the white noise won out, and she drifted into a peaceful sleep.
In some ways Mike’s night was like Lucy’s. In others, it was quite different. The shift had been smooth considering the weather was nice. Normally, the nicer the weather, the dumber the people. Yet, the twitness was minimal during the day.
As the sun began to set, Mike brought the flags down as the hues of dusk backlit them. It was the first time all day that he let his mind wander. Although it wandered for just a moment, the nerves from the brief thought settled deep into his system.
He tried to ignore the nerves as the county woke up for a little while. Yes, the calls kept his mind busy, but his underlying nerves were tugging at him. Finally, the county decided to settle down for the night. The pace let the squad restock and Mike wax Big Red.
Hank finished the last of the day’s paperwork before he quietly watched Mike working on Big Red. The former engineer sensed his right-hand man was anxious. That sense heightened as he watched the methodically slow pace that Mike worked at. It was a pace normally reserved for stressful nights.
As Mike finished, Hank knew it was time to check on his good friend. Since Chet and Marco were semi-watching a B role movie, it was a perfect time to chat. The concerned man got up, stretched, and headed for the bay.
“Hey Mike,” Hank’s voice was down so as not to interrupt the movie.
“Yea, Cap?” Mike replied as he put away the cleaning supplies.
“Got a minute to chat?”
Mike swallowed nervously, “Sure, can I go grab a drink first?”
“Of course, meet me out back when you have one.”
“Okay.” “Would you like one?”
“Sure, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The duo split. Hank went out back. He left the door cracked open just in case. There was a slight chill in the air that helped the day melt away. Moments after Hank walked outside, Mike joined him.
Surrounded by the darkening night sky, Mike reflexively let out a loud breath as he handed over Hank’s drink.
Hank smiled softly, “You needed that.”
Mike blushed the color of his beloved engine. “For several hours.”
“Why didn’t you come outside earlier?”
Mike swallowed hard as his nerves tightened his throat. “I thought I could get through this on my own, but now that night has fallen my head is starting to spin.” “I feel like I’m back in high school.”
He coughed back a gas bubble. “Even when I met with her the morning after the campfire, I was less nervous than tonight.”
“She means a lot to you.” Hank said as he watched Mike’s emotions play across his face.
“I’m not even sure I can put it into words what she means to me.” He downed the rest of the soda which took his breath away for the moment.
“Trying to bust a bubble and clear your head?” Hank asked in a concerned tone.
Mike shook his head yes, “Been stuck for a while,” he grunted out as he caught his breath.
Hank slapped him between the shoulders twice before the bubble broke as an almost inhuman sound. The nervous man’s fist barely muted the sound. His face filled with relief after a second one.
Hank winced at the sound, “feel better?”
Mike caught his breath, “Physically yes, thank you.”
“Anytime.”
“Mentally, I’m still messed up.”
“Why?”
Mike’s eyes misted over, “I’ve dreamt of tomorrow for years and I am scared I’m gonna mess it up.” “She’s the missing piece of my heart that’s been gone for so long.”
“Does she know?”
“I think so.”
“Tell her.”
“I will. I just do not want to scare her after her last relationship went so bad.”
Hank took a breath, “I don’t blame you, but hiding from her won’t help either of you.”
Mike swallowed, “You’re right.” “Honestly, I wish I could see her now.”
“I know you do buddy, but you will soon.”
“Be patient with me tonight.”
“We will, but don’t hide from us either.” “If you need an ear or something else just say something.”
“I will. I promise.”
Hank finished his soda before the guys headed back inside. Hours later, the dorms called as the guys settled down. While Mike had calmed down, he was still anxious and worried about what to wear as he fell asleep. It was not until the brick room filled with the sounds of sleep that he fell into a much-needed slumber.