The Wanted Short Stories(26)
Author: Kelly Elliott

Ari chuckled. “Yeah, she will.”

After getting our luggage out of the taxi we headed into the airport and checked in our luggage before making our way to the gate.

It didn’t take long before we were sitting in our seats, and the plane was taking off for Austin. Ari fell asleep, and she slept during the whole flight while I worked on my computer. Every now and then, I would look over at my sleeping beauty and smile. I silently said a prayer and thanked God for the blessings in my life.

Ari must have been exhausted because she was still asleep when the plane landed.

I gently nudged her shoulder and kissed her cheek. “Baby, we landed.”

She sprang up and quickly took off her seat belt. “It’s about time. What a long flight!”

I looked at her like she was insane. “How would you know? You slept the whole time.”

She rolled her eyes and pushed me out into the aisle. I reached up into the overhead bin, pulled out her carry-on, and handed it to her. I was pretty sure she was about to push the older couple in front of us out of the way if they didn’t speed it up.

After exiting the plane, I laughed as I tried to keep up with her as she practically ran to baggage claim.

She turned and said, “You get the truck. I’ll get the luggage and meet you out front.”

I kissed her on the cheek. “Yes, ma’am. Text the kids and let them know that we will be there in a couple of hours.”

She clapped her hands and did a little hop.

I made my way to the truck and then headed to the pick-up curb in front of the baggage claim doors. Ari was already standing there, talking on the phone to someone. I couldn’t help but smile as I saw the huge grin on her face.

She must be talking to the kids.

I jumped out of the truck and grabbed the suitcases. I put them in the bed of the truck as Ari went on and on about how proud she was of Luke. My heart soared when she told me that Luke had hit two home runs.

I held the door open for my beautiful bride as she hopped up into the truck. I ran around and got into the driver’s seat. Then, we headed off toward Mason. The closer we got, the more excited Ari and I got.

“Next time, I say two days. I think two days is about all I can take being away from the kids.”

“I agree. Gunner told me that he has already made arrangements to take Ellie to a bed-and-breakfast in Fredericksburg. I say we follow their lead next time we want to get away.”

Ari snapped her head toward me and let out a gasp. “Yes! Oh my gosh, what a great idea. We would be away but not really too far away. Brad and Amanda have been doing something like that for a few years now. They go away for a weekend each month. Usually, their parents take the kids for the weekend, and Amanda and Brad lock themselves in the house and fuck like rabbits. Why the rest of us never thought of doing the same thing is beyond me.”

I let out a laugh and nodded my head. “Well, from now on, I’ll make sure we get some us time.”

Ari and I talked about Sweet Dancer most of the way home. Layton Morris had called back, and we made arrangements to have Dancer sent straight to his ranch for his trainer, Lucky, to start working with our new horse. In exchange for the training, Layton wanted to breed a mare with Charmer. It was a win-win situation for both of us.

Ari began jumping around in her seat as I pulled up to the gate. I thought she was going to jump out and push the gate open.

“Oh my God. Has our gate always opened so damn slow?” she asked.

I started down the driveway, and when we pulled around to the barn, our kids were there with my dad and Carol.

Ari’s hands went to her mouth, and she began crying. “They look bigger!”

I laughed and put the truck in park as Ari threw the door open. She jumped out and ran toward the kids.

“Mommy!” Grace yelled. She ran and jumped into Ari’s arms.

Luke stopped just short of Ari, letting her hug and say hello to Grace. I couldn’t be more proud of my son. He was so much like me that it was unreal, but he also had Ari’s caring heart. Ari set Grace down and then held her arms open for Luke. He walked straight into her arms and held on to her as he told her how much he had missed her.

I quickly wiped away the tear from the corner of my eye before the kids turned their attention to me.

Grace’s face lit up when I smiled at her. “Daddy! Daddy!”

I bent down, and she slammed her body so hard into me that I almost fell backward.

“I missed you so much. Please tell me we are getting new horses!” she said.

I laughed and hugged her tightly before letting go. “How does three new horses sound?”

She let out a scream and began jumping up and down. I glanced up and saw my son waiting patiently for his turn.

I kissed Grace on the cheek and whispered, “Your mama bought you some new clothes.”

Grace’s mouth dropped open, and then she did a little fist pump before running back to Ari. “Mama, show me my new clothes!”

Ari laughed as she nodded her head, and then she walked toward the truck. I looked back at Luke as he came up to me and put his hand out for me to shake it.

“Dad, I’m really glad y’all are home.”

I shook his hand and then pulled him into a hug. “Me, too, son. Me, too. While the girls go crazy over clothes, how about I take the suitcases into the house, and you go help Bandpa saddle us up a couple of horses? Then, we can go for a ride.”

He nodded his head quickly. “I’d love that!”

I glanced up and saw my dad smiling as Luke took off running to the barn. I walked up, shook my father’s hand, and kissed Carol on the cheek.

“Thanks y’all for bringing them home for us.”

My father smiled as he watched Luke. “That boy is so much like you it’s unreal. You’re going to have your hands full with him, son.”

I turned and watched as Luke jumped and tried to hit the top of the barn door. He was nowhere near close to it, but I gave him props for trying.

“You’re telling me, Dad.”

I took the suitcases into the house, and Carol, Ari, and Grace all made their way to our bedroom to see the outfits Ari had bought for Grace. I rolled my eyes when Grace began gushing over the clothes. She was, for sure, a mini Ari.

I made my way down to the barn, and as I walked up, I could hear my father and Luke talking. I stopped and stood there for a few seconds, taking it all in. Growing up I had missed these moments with my father, but I was thankful that he was here and able to be such a huge part of my life as well as Ellie’s and our kids’ lives.