Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Inside, a huge Christmas tree dominated the cozy living room. It was so big that the top foot or so pointed sideways, bent by the ceiling. “That’s a hell of a tree,” I said.
Hal sighed, but he was also grinning. “It’s ridiculous. I told Ryder it was too big, but he didn’t listen. You should have seen him trying to wrestle it through the front door.”
When we reached the kitchen, he pointed down the hall and said, “I almost forgot to tell you, the box you were expecting from your housemates arrived this morning. I stuck it in the guest room for you.”
“Thanks.”
“Did you forget something when you left on your road trip?”
“No. I asked JoJo to send me a dress, along with a wig, shoes, and a couple of other things I’d had stashed away. I might have promised Devon I’d do an open mic night at a drag club while we’re here. In return, he has to do one at a bar.”
“Oh wow, you’re actually going to perform? I seem to remember you insisting that was something you’d never do.”
“I always said that because it terrifies me. But it’s secretly been a dream of mine since I was a kid, so I decided to go for it—in a town where almost nobody knows me, so I won’t be humiliated forever if I totally bomb.”
“I think it’s great that you’re going for it,” he said, as he filled a kettle and placed it on the stovetop. The appliance looked like it was from the 1970s, along with the rest of the kitchen, which I liked.
“It’s partly because I wanted to use it as leverage to get Devon onto a stage—I will if you will, that sort of thing. He’s an incredible singer, but he’s never performed for an audience because he feels like he waited too long and missed his shot at making a career out of it,” I said. “But also, he inspires me and makes me want to take chances. You should see his bucket list. It’s this wild jumble of experiences, everything from jumping out of an airplane and traveling through Asia, both of which he’s done, to goofy stuff like driving a tank and riding a bull. Those two particular items have yet to be crossed off his list.”
Hal grinned as he pulled four mugs from the cupboard. “Both of those things are possible in Texas, as long as he’ll settle for a mechanical bull. I’m pretty sure they don’t let beginners climb onto the living, breathing variety without taking a class or doing some type of training.”
“You’re right about that, I looked it up online.”
A minute later, Ryder and Devon joined us in the kitchen. Ryder went straight to his fiancé and gathered him in an embrace, kissing him like they’d been apart for days. I loved the fact that Devon did the same thing to me.
“You have to go see the horses,” he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “They’re so cool! Ryder let me give them some apples, and they ate right out of my hand.”
“I need to work my way up to the horses,” I told him. “I’m starting with trying not to be afraid of the donkey.”
“I was the same way about the horses at first,” Hal said. “They’re just so big. But I love them now, and I bet you will too, if you give them a chance.”
“I will. My goal is to pet a horse while I’m in Texas.” I looked up at Devon and said, “Speaking of goals, Hal and I were talking about your bucket list, specifically driving tanks and bull riding. Will you settle for a mechanical bull, or do we need to find you a place to take lessons?”
He shrugged. “I don’t want to spend a bunch of time on it, so I’ll settle for the mechanical variety.”
“You don’t have to compromise when it comes to tanks, though,” Ryder said, with a big grin. “There are a couple of places around here that let you get behind the wheel of the genuine article, no experience required. We can do that tomorrow, if you want.”
Devon lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Awesome!”
We’d brought a big gift basket of treats for our hosts. After they served up some cookies from the basket and poured the tea, we all took a seat around the kitchen table. “We want to hear all about this road trip,” Ryder said. “What’s been your favorite part?”
After I rambled on about all the incredible things we’d seen and done, Devon squeezed my hand and smiled at me. “My favorite part has been watching Kit experience these things for the first time,” he said. “I can’t begin to explain how much that’s meant to me.”
That evening, after a big dinner, a few beers, and a great conversation, my friends said goodnight and headed to bed. It wasn’t very late, but as Hal explained, mornings were busy on the ranch, and they started early.