Lacey headed up to her room that night in a good mood. She was still flying high from her day with Slade. Sure, she hadn't seen or talked with him since before supper, but she didn't let that get her down. Everything had been so perfect today.
     Lacey dumped out the clean basket of clothes that her mom had placed on her bed and began folding them, getting them ready to put away. Smiling, Lacey noticed that she was humming to herself. A ringtone randomly playing in her quiet room almost made Lacey jump. Turning to her left, Lacey snatched her phone from her bedside table. She tried not to let her disappointment show when she saw the call was not from Slade. "Hey, Brooke. I was just about to call you." Lacey said to her best friend. Her and Brooke talk every day. Brooke has been Lacey's moral support throughout this last year during Lacey's recovery.
     "Well whatcha up to?" Brooke asked Lacey.
     "Just puttin' away some clothes. You?" Lacey responded, putting her phone on speaker and setting it down on her bed.
     "Nothin much. On my way home from work." Wind whistled in the background, telling Lacey that Brooke was driving with her windows down.
     "Yeah? How is work goin', by the way?" Lacey asked, folding a t-shirt.
     "Same old same old. But it's whatever." Brooke sighed. "So tell me, what's new with you?"
     "Nothin..." Lacey said, trying to sound convincing.
     "Mhm. And how's Slade?" Brooke said Slade's name in a funny way. Almost singsongy or playfully.
     "He's good." Lacey drew the words out as she put away the t-shirt.
     "Just good? I need details. You told me this morning that he was takin you to physical therapy. How'd that go?"
     "It was fine." Lacey relived the memory in her head. In reality, it was amazingly awesome. From the second Lacey got into Slade's truck, when he told her there's no air conditioning and that you have to bang the dash to make the radio work, to the singing contests. It was all good...definitely the most fun car ride Lacey had had in a long time...maybe ever.
     "Dadgum...you're not very talkative tonight. Do you want me to go and I'll call you tomorrow?"
     "No no it's fine." Lacey grabbed more clean clothes off her bed.
     "Okay...then tell me more. Did y'all do anything after physical therapy?"
     "Yeah. He took me out for lunch at Amarillo's."
     "Really?! That's good! So you took my advice, you got out of the house and did something."
     "Yeah. Well, and also because Slade said he was starvin' and he was pretty persistent, so I didn't have much of a choice." Lacey said, rolling over to her dresser, clean, folded clothes on her lap. She took her cell phone with her.
     "But you're stubborn. I know that you could've talked him out of it easy. No doubt in my mind."
     "That's true. Oh, and Paige says hi by the way. She's still workin' at Amarillo's."
     "Oh really? Yeah. I haven't seen her in a while. All four of us need to hang out sometime soon. It's been too long."
     "Four? Who's the fourth person?" Lacey asked, slipping a pair of jeans into her dresser drawer.
     "Well, I mean...you, me, Paige, and uh...maybe Slade..."
     "Brooke..." Lacey groaned.
     "What?" Brooke asked defensively.
     "Are you still goin' on about tryin' to set Slade and I up?"
     "Maybe...but what's the harm in that? Y'all had fun today, right?"
     "Yeah..." Lacey tilted her head side to side. She didn't know why she was denying it.
     "Okay. So what's the harm in havin' fun?"
     "No harm, I just..." Lacey started. She rolled back over to her bed to fold more shirts and jeans.
     "So get out there girl! Go have some fun."
     Lacey chuckled. "Okay. I will. I promise." After all, she did have more fun with Slade today than she had had since her accident.
     "Good. So what did y'all do after Amarillo's? It can't stop there. I know that y'all did something else."
     "Well, we got back home and he needed help lookin' for a set of keys in the barn, so I went out there to show him and-" Lacey was speaking fast, especially when she said "barn" because she knew that Brooke would freak out, in a good way, but she'd probably make a huge, unnecessary deal about it.
     "You went out to the barn?! Lacey, that's great. I like this Slade guy, he's good for you. Sorry sorry. Finish the story."
     "I know that he was fakin' it though. He knew where the keys were, he just wanted to get me out to the barn."
     "But it worked though, didn't it?"
     Lacey sighed. "Yeah I guess."
     "Okay, so then y'all came back in from the barn. Then what?"
     "We watched a movie. End of story." Lacey said quickly. She knew how much Brooke would love it if Lacey told her about what happened, or almost happened, after the movie, so Lacey kept it short.
     Brooke hesitated. "Why do I get the feeling that you're not tellin me everything?"
     "Because I'm not..." Lacey said honestly. She set down the pair of jeans she was folding.
     "Oooo. Okay girl, dish. I want all the details." Brooke said excitedly. Lacey could almost see her bouncing up and down with excitement.
     Lacey stopped putting away clothes to fully retell the memory. She tried to hide her smile, but found she couldn't help herself. "We didn't get any dessert at Amarillo's, so we split a carton of Connie's ice cream, and he put his arm around my shoulders and by the end of the movie, which he picked out, Slade was sitting really close to me. So close that his arm was now around my waist, and we were essentially cuddling. Oh, and the movie was a comedy one and it was hilarious, so naturally, I laughed a lot during it. Well, after the movie, I told Slade that I had fun today, and told him thank you, etc. He then went into this spiel of how happy I looked when I was in the barn blah blah blah. Then I smiled and blushed and he..." Lacey was smiling so hard, she didn't realize it. She also didn't realize that she was talking really fast until Brooke told her to slow down. Lacey took a breath and continued. "He took two fingers, put 'em under my chin to bring my face up and then he said I was beautiful..."
     "Aww. Seriously? Lacey, that is the sweetest thang. He totally has a thing for you."
     "I'm not done yet." Lacey said, her smile never fading.
     "Really? Okay. Go on."
     "So he started to lean in to kiss me and he asked the most sweetest thing in the world." Lacey started.
     "Uh huh. What'd he ask?" Brooke was so eager to know, it made Lacey's smile even bigger.
     "He asked, 'Lacey, are you okay with this?'" Lacey said in an almost starstruck voice.
     "As if he was askin' for permission to kiss you?" Brooke asked.
     "Yeah." Lacey breathed out.
     "That is the sweetest thing." Brooke stated. Suddenly, she quickly inhaled. Lacey could picture her immediately siting up as straight as a board in the seat of her truck. "Wait a minute. He kissed you?! Why didn't you tell me earlier?! Oh my goodness, I'm freakin' out right now!"
     Lacey had to take the phone off of speaker phone because Brooke was practically screaming with excitement and she didn't want her parents to hear. Lacey chuckled at her friend. "No. We didn't kiss." Lacey tried to not seem too disappointed.
     Brooke paused. "Wait, what? Y'all didn't kiss?" Brooke said, disappointed. Lacey could picture her slouching back down in her seat.
     "No. My parents and brothers came home right when Slade leaned in. We almost did though."
     "Aw man." Brooke sounded more disappointed about it then Lacey was.
     "Yeah. But that's not all."
     "There's more?!" Brooke's excitement returned.
     "Yeah. So after the kiss was ruined, he smiled and said, 'later. I promise.'"
     "Oh my goodness. Lacey, he sounds like such a gentleman."
     "I know. He really is. Oh and he wants to hang out tomorrow."
     "Hang out, like as a date?"
      "No. Well, I don't know. I don't think so...no. He said it was a surprise..." Lacey paused. "It's not a date. I don't even think he likes me." Lacey's voice was sad.
      "Buttercup, he likes you. He almost kissed you." Brooke said to Lacey.
     "Yeah, but he didn't. And I know that when guys say, 'later, I promise,' they don't mean it." Lacey fingered the arm rest of her wheelchair.
     "Lacey, are you hearin' yourself right now? That cowboy likes you whether you believe me or not."
      "I don't know though. Today Ryder got a new lariat and he wanted Slade and I to watch him practice, so we did. Ryder asked Slade if he could rope off his horse tomorrow with a steer in the arena and Slade said that he was takin' me out, so he couldn't. Ryder asked if he meant take me out on a date, but Slade just chuckled and changed the subject, so it's not a date."
     Brooke hesitated on the other end as if choosing her words carefully. "That doesn't mean that it's not a date, it just means that he wants to make sure that it's what you want. He probably doesn't want you to feel like y'all are rushin' into anything yet."
     "That's a good point. And also, before supper, when he was goin' back outside to work with Ryder, he said he was lookin' forward to tomorrow and when I told him I was too, he smiled and said 'it's a date.'"
     "See girl, he thinks it's a date. What is there to worry about?"
     "I don't know. I think I'm just trying to be careful after Jeremy. I haven't gone on a date or even really talked to a guy since we broke up."
     "Exactly. It's time for you to get out there and start doin' stuff again. And this Slade guy sounds like a good guy. He sounds like the complete opposite of Jeremy. At least how he treats you."
     "He's had a really bad past. I don't know what all has happened because he hates talkin' about it and tries to avoid talkin' about it at all costs. And he has a tattoo and a huge scar on his left forearm. I can't see what the tattoo says, but I want to know."
     "Oooo, he's the mysterious type. He's totally perfect for you." Brooke said, a smile in her voice.
     Lacey chuckled. "Yeah, he's pretty great." Lacey said in a dreamy voice. Snapping back to reality, she asked Brooke. "So, he almost kissed me. What was that about?"
     Brooke exhaled. "I honestly think that he likes you. He's takin' you out on a date tomorrow. I believe, from what you've told me, he might honestly be scared of the idea of a relationship because of his past. And also, y'all have only known each other for what, a month?"
     "Yeah...I guess you're right. I'm just not sure because he promised me later we would finish our 'conversation', but I never saw him after that tonight because he was doin' work outside."
     "Okay, so tomorrow is your chance, girl. But let him make the first move; that's his job. He will kiss you when the time is right. He obviously wants to or else he wouldn't've leaned in after the movie, or be takin' you out tomorrow." Lacey heard the sound of a car door close on Brooke's end. "Hey, girl. I just got home from work. I have to go feed the horses and such. Let me know how tomorrow goes."
     "I will. Thanks Brooks."
     "No problem. Talk to you later." Brooke replied and hung up.
     Lacey sighed and finished putting her clothes away. After her room was cleaned up, Lacey thought about her conversation with Trevor: how he told her that she needs to start doing her home exercises at night to help keep the muscle in her legs. But she knew that Trevor would find out if she didn't do her home exercises and he would be disappointed in her. That being said, Lacey carefully slid herself out of her wheelchair and started the exercises. She really hoped it was worth it.

     Lacey woke up the next morning more sore then she had been in a long time. On the contrary, she was also in a better mood then she had been for as long as she could remember. Slipping into her wheelchair seemed to be a bigger, and more painful, task than it usually it. Groaning, Lacey rolled into her bathroom to brush her teeth and get ready for the day. When she spit out the toothpaste, Lacey remembered that today was her "date" with Slade.
     Deciding to not get fully dressed yet, Lacey slipped on her bra under her pajama shirt and made her way downstairs. She wasn't surprised to smell sausage and pancakes being cooked, but she was surprised to see Slade manning the stove. "Hey. Good morning, sleepy head." Slade greeted Lacey with a smile.
     "Mornin'." Lacey replied. She looked at the two plates that Slade had put on the kitchen island. They both had three sausage links and two pancakes on them. A glass was placed beside each plate.
     "And how are you this fine mornin'?" Slade smiled at Lacey, turning to fully look at her.
     Lacey groaned. "Sore." She let out a chuckle.
     "Sore?" Slade gave her a look. Pointing the pancake flipper at Lacey he asked, "You did your home physical therapy exercises, didn't you? Good. I'm glad."
     Lacey chuckled because Slade answered his own question. Before she could respond, Slade said, "C'mon in the living room, I'll give you a back rub." He turned off the stove before walking out of the kitchen.
     "Wait, what? Are you serious?" Lacey asked, following Slade into the living room.
     "Yeah, come on." Slade said.
     Once Lacey was next to the couch, Slade carefully lifted her out of her wheelchair and set her down on the ground. He then plopped down on the couch and put his legs on either side of Lacey. Unsure what to do with her hands, Lacey kept them folded in her lap. "Alrighty." Slade said, placing his large, warm, calloused hands on Lacey's shoulders. He carefully massaged Lacey's shoulders. His touch was soft, but somehow it still penetrated down to the root of her soreness. Slade made a fist and pressed his knuckles into Lacey's shoulders and back. It felt so good; it was the best back rub that Lacey had ever had.
     Lacey closed her eyes and let herself relax under Slade's slow hands, letting her head slightly tilt sideways.
     "Sorry. Am I hurtin' you?" Slade asked. He leaned forward slightly.
     "No, not at all." Looking over her shoulder, Lacey smiled at Slade. "It actually feels really good."
     Lacey didn't realize just how close they were until Slade stopped rubbing Lacey's shoulders and started to lean in. His eyes flashed between her lips and her eyes. Lacey hated what she was feeling right now. She really didn't want to like anybody right now...she couldn't. And she definitely didn't have feelings for Slade, right?
     Slade seemed to read Lacey's thoughts because he leaned back and continued massaging the soreness out of Lacey's sore and tense shoulders and back. As Slade finished up, Lacey tried to remember the last time someone had given her a good back rub. Sure, her mom often gives her one after physical therapy, but they were never this good.
     A few minutes later, Slade stood up from the couch, helping Lacey back into her wheelchair. Lacey tried not to think about how cute Slade looked in his white t-shirt and jeans with his hair all messed up from sleeping. Once Lacey was seated, she noticed Slade set a hand on his rib cage. "Are your ribs still hurtin' you from when Smokey kicked you?"
     Slade retreated his hand, standing upright. He smiled before responding, "They are just sore. I'm okay, though."
     Lacey put her hands up in defense. "Okay. Whatever you say."
     "Why don't we have breakfast, then you go and get dressed and meet me back down here in about an hour? We have a lot of fun thangs to do today." Slade smiled that smile that she loved.
     "Sure. That sounds good. Where are we goin'? Just so I know what to wear." Lacey asked.
     "Nice try, but it's a surprise. I'm not going to tell you."
     "Please?" Lacey pushed her lip out to make a pouty face as she looked as Slade.
     Slade chuckled. "Just wear something comfortable. That's the only clue you're getting. Now, let's go eat breakfast before it gets cold." He smiled, motioning for Lacey to follow him into the kitchen.
     Once in the kitchen, Slade dished Lacey out a plate of delicious smelling food. He said grace for them before digging in. Man, Slade seemed to be good at everything. From back rubs to cooking, to working, to riding and roping...smiling...flirting...Lacey stopped herself before Slade could see her smiling. Just to be sure, as she lifted a piece of sausage to her lips, Lacey nonchalantly looked to her right to make sure Slade wasn't watching her. Sure enough, Slade seemed more interested in his food, which Lacey figured was probably a good thing.
     After their delicious breakfast, Slade helped Lacey upstairs so that she could change clothes. Three outfit changes later, Lacey finally settled on a light blue and white paisley pearl snap with a pair of her favorite Booty Up Wrangler jeans and a pair of her square toed boots. Deciding to leave her hair down, and not put any makeup on, Lacey took a deep breath before opening her door and making her way to the stair lift. Once Lacey got downstairs, she rolled into the living room where Slade sat on the couch. He had changed clothes.
     Looking up from his channel surfing, Slade smiled at Lacey. His eyes seemed to sparkle. "Well well well, you clean up nice." Slade said, standing up from the couch. He awkwardly tucked his red plaid pearl snap into his jeans, even though it was already tucked in. The two just stayed there, staring between the ground and each other before Lacey broke the silence.
     Clearing her throat, Lacey asked, "You, uh, ready to go?" Smiling, she pointed backwards toward the door.
     Slade nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm ready." Slade responded, grabbing his cowboy hat from the coffee table. Plopping it on his head, Slade walked over to Lacey's wheelchair to wheel her outside.
     As Slade settled Lacey in his truck, he explained to her, "So your dad had some 'conditions' for me taking you out today..." Slade set Lacey's wheelchair in the truck bed and climbed into the cab, buckling his seat belt before continuing his explaining to Lacey. "First, we have to make a run to the feed store to pick up a shipment, then bring it back here and drop it off. By the time that's done, I figured it would be close to lunch time. And that's when the fun really begins. I have a lot of fun thangs planned for us today." Slade smiled over at a nervous looking Lacey. "Is that okay with you?"
     "Yeah, that sounds great." Lacey smiled back, dropping her hand from where it was nervously twirling her hair. "I'm excited." And nervous out of her mind, but Lacey didn't allow Slade to know that.
     Throughout the drive into town to the feed store, Lacey noticed Slade occasionally glance over at her. Finally, as if reading Lacey's mind, Slade said, "You're wearing your hair down. I really like it like that. It looks good."
     "Thank you. I very rarely ever wear it down. I used to for rodeos, but now it's gotten so long and it's just easier to pull it back in a ponytail." Lacey rested her hands in her lap so she wouldn't start twirling the ends of her hair like she always did whenever she was nervous.
     Slade opened his mouth as if to comment on why she quit rodeo, but instead he just nodded his head in understanding. After another short conversation, Slade pulled up to the front of Steve's feed store. As always, he walked over to Lacey's side of the truck. Opening the door, Slade offered his arms out to help Lacey down, but Lacey refused them. In a small voice she said, "I think it's better if I stay in the truck..." It wasn't because she didn't want to spend time with Slade; she just didn't want to be seen in public in her wheelchair.
     Slade gave her a look. "Why?"
     "Because I can't lift any bags. I wouldn't be able to help." Lacey said, defeated.
     "Okay. Then you can keep me company." Slade smiled. "I like your company." Before Lacey could protest, Slade slipped his strong arms around her, carefully lowering her into her wheelchair.
     Lacey just smiled as Slade wheeled her into the feed store. Ever since he started working at Lacey's family ranch, her attitude had changed, for the better. Now, she was much more likely to go outside when Slade offered, or just leave the house in general. She genuinely liked spending time with him. Heck, right now she was on a date with him...sure, it was to a feed store, but nonetheless, the old Lacey never would have agreed to this. There was something about the handsome blue-eyed cowboy who was pushing her wheelchair that made it impossible for Lacey to say, "No."