"Laurie, hi!" Renne peeled herself off of Swayde to greet her friend. She hugged Laurie before pulling back to introduce Swayde to Laurie. "Swayde, this is my good friend, Laurie. Laurie this is my..." Renne struggled for the right word. Does she call him 'friend,' 'childhood friend,' 'ex-boyfriend,' 'man that I still love'... "Good friend, Swayde." Renne settled for.
     "Hi, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you." Swayde's drawl greeted as he extended a hand out to Laurie.
     "Right back at you, Swayde." Laurie replied, returning the smile that Swayde flashed. Renne wasn't positive, but she thought that she saw Laurie's cheeks heat up just a little at the sight of Swayde's attractive smile.
     Any redness in Laurie's cheeks quickly dissipated, however, when Jerry, Laurie's husband, walked over to the group. Before he could reach the group, the little girl tightly clenching her daddy's hand quickly let go and came running over to Renne. Renne smiled and bent down to pick up little Grace. "Gracie Mae. How is my sweet little girl?" Renne asked, setting the little girl on her hip as she stood up straight. She placed a soft kiss on Grace's chubby cheeks.
     Between Swyade and Renne, Jerry slipped an arm around his wife's waist, placing a soft kiss on her lips. Laurie's cheeks turned that rosy red again at her husband's affection. Renne had always admired their relationship. They had been married for six years and have already gone through many struggles in their marriage. Some of those hardships including loss of close family members, Laurie unable to get pregnant, having a miscarriage, and amidst these and everything else, the couple has now had to add financial struggles to their list. Somehow, Laurie and Jerry have stayed madly in love through it all; they still act like that 'honeymoon' couple. Whenever you looked at them, you saw what true love looked like.
     At the thought, Renne's eyes drifted over to Swayde. He must have been thinking the same thing, because he was looking right at Renne. That used to be them...that still could be them. Renne just had to make her move, and break up with Matt, the man that she has been dating for almost five years..."No biggie." Renne said sarcastically to herself.
     Renne exhaled at the thought of Matt. He would never have driven over three hours just to allow Renne to say goodbye to a little girl who stole her heart. All Matt would have done would give her a hug, telling her it would be okay, consoling her in his own way, but never would he have even thought about driving to another state just for Renne. 
     Laurie, Jerry, Renne, and Swayde all stood outside of the barn talking until it was time for Grace's lesson. Grace refused to let go of Renne as they walked into the barn, down to her horse's stall, and even while getting her horse ready for the lesson.
     "They do things a little differently here than they do at your barn, but it's the presence of the horses that seems to help Grace the most." Laurie said, grabbing the saddle, placing it on top of the saddle pad. Walking a little closer to Renne, Laurie looked around her to make sure no one else was listening, then whispered, "We love Healing Hearts so much. I wish we were able to still live in Montana." Straightening back up, Laurie turned to finish tacking Buster, Grace's lesson horse. "It was difficult finding a barn that was both Christian and non-profit. This one has the Christian, just not the 'no cost for our clients' like your ranch has." Laurie's voice was filled with despair and sadness. Renne could tell that Laurie genuinely wanted the best for her daughter, and they had found that at Healing Hearts.
     Renne wished that there was something she could do to help this family, and Grace, but unsure of what that could be at this current moment, Renne helped Laurie tighten the cinch on Buster's saddle. Once Buster was fully tacked up, Renne glanced over to Laurie. She said a prayer for the hurting mama; that is the best kind of help anyone can receive.

     "Mommy, mommy, look at me!" Grace shouted over to where Laurie and Renne stood against the fence that was lining the arena.
     Laurie chuckled a heartfelt chuckle as she smiled at her daughter who had just been hoisted onto Buster's back. "Yes, I see you, sweetheart."
     "Love you, mommy." Grace held out her hand, blowing her mommy a kiss.
    Laurie returned the cute gesture. Renne smiled, turning to tell Laurie how well it seemed Grace is doing here at this barn, but Laurie stopped the thought. "She's reverted back in a lot of ways. After we left your ranch, Grace didn't talk for two whole days. Then, we got here, and it's slowly getting better. Today, ever since you got here, is the most she has talked since we moved." Sniffling, Laurie continued. "I wish you had a ranch here in Colorado."
    Renne looked at Laurie and sadness quickly filled her heart; a tear began bubbling up in the corner of Laurie's eye, and her bottom lip quivered slightly. Placing a comforting hand on Laurie's shoulder, Renne said, "I understand. I wish I lived closer to y'all." Pulling her dear, hurting friend into a hug, Renne comforted, "I'll be prayin' for y'all. I love you, Laurie."
     Laurie pulled back and chuckled slightly as she wiped her damp eyes. "Look at me. I'm a mess." Laurie chuckled again, awkwardly.
     Renne placed a hand in her jeans pocket, and another on Laurie's shoulder. "It's okay. At least you're a hot mess." Renne winked.
     The two giggling friends turned back to watch Grace ride in circles around the arena. It pained Renne some, too, to see Grace digress in her progress. Renne remembered that Grace was almost able to steer the horse by herself, at a walk of course, at Healing Hearts; here, she was being led by a side-walker and a lead rope attached to Buster's halter. There was another side-walker on the right side of Buster, holding onto Grace to make sure she didn't slide out of the saddle. 
     Swayde and Jerry walked up beside where Renne and Laurie were standing. Jerry wrapped a loving arm around Laurie's waist, placing a kiss on her cheek. Renne looked back to the arena, trying hard to not want Swayde to do the same.
     After thirty minutes of watching Grace be led around in a circle, the lesson was over. Renne couldn't help but ask the side walker if she could lead Buster back to his stall herself. It was all she could do to not jump into the arena and teach the lesson herself. Granted, at this ranch, they do a fantastic job with the kids, but it was just different than how she teaches.
     With Grace holding onto her left hand, Renne walked Buster down to his stall with her right. After Buster was untacked, the group walked to the front of the barn. As the approached the door, Jerry held back from the group. Attempting to keep his voice low, Jerry told Laurie, "I am going to go pay for this lesson."
     Swayde must have read Renne's mind, because he turned and walked with Jerry to the barn office. On the way there, Renne saw Swayde pull out his wallet; Swayde was going to pay for Grace's lesson today. Thankfully, Renne didn't think that Laurie saw that Swayde was going to pay; Laurie is worse than Renne in accepting help, especially when it is financial help. Renne had told her multiple times to allow her to help while she can, but Laurie always refuses the help. She always counters with, "God has provided for us all of this time, and He is not going to stop now."
     Since Jerry had the keys to the truck, the ladies waited on the tailgate of Renne's truck for the guys to come back out from the barn. When they did, Laurie said, "Since y'all drove all of this way, why don't y'all come over and see the new house? And we will provide supper for y'all, too."
     "Absolutely, we would love to!" Renne replied for Swayde. "How do we get there from here?" Renne asked, hopping down from the bed of the truck. Reaching up to the tailgate, Renne held out her arms, lifting Grace up to set her on her hip.
     Jerry gave Swayde and Renne directions. Once they had been relayed, Renne set Grace down on the ground, but Grace clung to Renne. "I wanna ride with you, Miss Renne." Grabbing onto Renne's hand, Grace added, "I know how to get home from here."
     Looking to Laurie, Renne silently asked permission. "Go ride with Miss Renne and Mister Swayde." Laurie allowed. "But first off, come give your mama a hug."
     Grace ran over to her parents, hugging her mama and giving her dad a sweet kiss on the cheek. They were such a cute family. Renne prayed that she could have that with someone some day. A hand on the small of her back made Renne snap back into reality. Looking up to Swayde, Renne asked with raised eyebrows what he wanted. "Time to head out." Swayde replied to Renne's silent question.

     After a short fifteen minute drive, Renne, Swayde, and Grace arrived at Jerry and Laurie's house. It was a small ranch style house, but Renne knew how expensive land was here in Colorado. More so, Renne also knew how little Jerry and Laurie could afford. She remembered those days. In fact, a lot of her current income comes from Matt and him being successful, and coming from a very wealthy family. When Renne first moved to Montana, she was a nineteen year old girl who had a little over $500 in cash, and enough money in the bank that her grandparents had provided for her to use for college and such. However, when Renne left Alpine Ridge, she also left her job behind. With no income, the college fund in the bank was quickly used up to pay for cheap motel rooms, and the necessities. Working as a waitress and getting paid minimum wage wasn't cutting it. Being stubborn and wanting to prove her independence, Renne refused to call home, -er- Alpine Ridge; instead, Renne found solace when she met Matt. His family welcomed Renne into their home; they had a small apartment above their garage that was just being used for storage, so they offered it to Renne rent free and she gladly accepted. In addition, Matt's family gave Renne a job, working at their feed store. Despite all of these kind gestures, the biggest, and sweetest thing that Matt's family did was provide a down payment, and the start up costs for Renne's ranch. Once her ranch got up and going, Renne paid the Ramon family back in full, plus a little extra. Thinking about it now, Renne thinks that she fell in love with Matt not so much because of who he is, but because of his family, and for everything that they have done for her. But Swayde, Swayde hurt her more than anyone had ever hurt her before, but yet she was still in love with him. So with which man was it true love, and with whom was it just admiration?
     "Well, come on in, y'all." Laurie's voice brought Renne out of her trance. Renne and Swayde followed Laurie in to the little ranch house. "Don't mind the boxes and the mess. Clearly we are still moving in. We have been much more focused on little Grace and Jerry's job. But let me give y'all the tour." Laurie was practically jumping with excitement as she gave the tour. As the group was about to enter the last room, Grace pushed her way through.
     "This is my room. It's pink because I love pink." Grace said, running to her bed before plopping down on it. "Miss Renne, do you like my room?"
     Grace's parents chuckled at their adorable daughter. Smiling, Renne knelt down beside Grace. "I love your room, Gracie Mae. I had one just like it when I was your age." Before the death of her parents, that is. "Only my walls were blue, but I also had a bunch of horsie things all over the walls." Renne smiled.
     "Really? Can I see your room?" Grace smiled a huge smile.
     Renne smiled right back, placing a hand on Grace's lap. "Well, that was years ago, honey. I don't live in that house anymore." Renne tried to hold back the sadness that came with remembering her childhood home. She had a great childhood; even after her parents passed, her grandparents still took great care of her. They provided for all of her schooling, and for all of her sister's schooling as well. Mamaw and Papaw were like a second mom and dad to Renne and Mallory. "Besides, you have seen my room at Healing Hearts Ranch. It's just like yours here." Just blue, and more simplified, but the theme was the same.
     "Okay. I miss your ranch, Miss Renne." Grace said, leaning forward to hug Renne.
     "I miss it, too, Gracie." Renne tapped Grace's nose. "But not as much as I have missed seeing you." 
     "When are you going back? Matt said that he misses you." Grace asked.
     Renne glanced up at Swayde. For the first time since she was nineteen, Renne admitted to herself that maybe she wanted to stay in Alpine Ridge for forever, but she knew that she had to go back to Montana. "Hopefully soon." Renne replied. Renne tried not to think about the situation with Mallory; she wasn't sure how much longer Mallory would be alive with her cancer, but Renne fully intended to stay until her time was up, however long that was.
     "Renne, would you like to see where we would love to put the barn?" Laurie asked Renne, sensing the tension.
     "Sure, that would be great." Renne said to Laurie. Standing up, she placed a kiss on Grace's head. "You rode great today, honey. I'm so proud of you." Instead of replying, Grace picked up a little stuffed horse and began playing with it, pretending she was riding it.
     "We will be right back, sweetie." Laurie smiled at her daughter. Turning serious, Laurie pointed to Jerry and Swayde, as she added, "Men, y'all behave while we are gone."
     "Have fun." Swayde smiled at Renne. Renne flashed a smile back before telling him to have fun as well. She also reiterated what Laurie had said to them just a few seconds ago.
     Renne followed Laurie outside to a beautiful spread of land. "So, I have to ask." Laurie started as the two walked around the land.  "What's goin' on between you and Swayde?"
     "What do you mean? Swayde and I are just friends." Renne tried to hide how she really felt.
     "Come on, girl. It's obvious. I have seen how Swayde looks at you. Girl, he is totally enamored with you. So, I am goin' to ask again..." Laurie stopped walking and turned to look at Renne. "What is going on between you and Swayde?"
     Letting out a chuckle, Renne replied, "Well, how much time do you got?"
     "However long you need. Tell me everything." Laurie replied.
     "Well..." Renne dove into the story about Swayde and Renne. She told nearly every single detail, including the times since she got back where they have almost kissed; Renne also told Laurie about the conversation between the two about how Swayde wants Renne to make the move when she is ready. Resuming walking, Renne closed, not looking at Laurie, "I still love him. Swayde, that is. I mean, it's undeniable." Multiple feelings swarmed Renne as she just said aloud something that had stayed a thought since nearly the first day back in Alpine Ridge.
     Laurie nodded her head in understanding, but it was out of Renne's peripheral vision. "Does Matt know about-" Laurie started to ask the question that Renne had been dreading.
     "No." Renne cut Laurie off. She didn't want to hear any else say out loud that she still loved Swayde. Hearing it come out of her own mouth was bad enough. Looking at Laurie, Renne answered Laurie's unasked question, "No, Matt has no clue. He only knows that I grew up with a guy named Swayde; he knows nothing else, though."
     Laurie put a hand on Renne's shoulder. "Oh, honey. What are you goin' to do?"
     Renne let out a chuckle. "That's funny, because I was going to ask you that same thing."
     Exhaling, Laurie seemed to hesitate for a second before replying. "Well, I see your conundrum...I definitely think that you should tell Matt about Swayde, but I also think that you and Swayde make an adorable couple. I see how Swayde looks at you, and I know that he feels the same way about you that you feel about him. I mean, after all, he drove you almost four hours to meet up with us here today. To me, that says a lot more than 'I like you as a friend.'"
     "I know, but what about Matt? I love him, too." Renne said. That fact was quickly becoming a lie.
     "Do you? Renne, I'm going to tell you this only because you're my friend, and I love you." Laurie stopped walking again. Turning to Renne, Laurie exhaled, "Matt misses you...and the way that he shows that is different than how most guys show it."
     "What do you mean?" Renne asked.
     "I'm just sayin' that...you remember how you told me that when you and Matt first started dating in college that he had another girlfriend?"
     "Yeah, I remember that. They had an off and on again dating relationship at the time, but yeah, it was still hard for me. Why do you bring that up now?" Renne felt her eyebrows furrow at the memory.
     "Well, I'm just sayin'...I don't know how to put this, Renne...If Matt was willing to have two relationships at one time, even if that was years ago, what makes you think that he won't try to have two relationships now? Especially when you're not there?"
     "Wait, are you saying that Matt is cheating on me?" Renne instantly felt hurt, but part of her didn't feel surprised.
     "Well, no, not necessarily...I'm just sayin' that he can be...kind of a flirt when you're not around."
     "I trust Matt. He's just naturally a sweet talker. I'm sure he doesn't mean it affectionately." Renne tried to convince herself. She plastered a smile on her face to really seal the lie.
     "Okay. I just want you to hear it from me, before you find out for yourself. I just don't want you to get hurt. I love ya too much for that." Laurie smiled at her friend.
     "Thank you. Thank you for telling me. And, I'm sorry that I got kind of defensive. I should expect this. This is Matt Ramon we are talking about. I just don't know what to do anymore. It's so difficult."
     "Have you prayed about it?"
     Renne nodded. "Every day. And part of me feels like I am cheating on Matt with how I feel about Swayde, but at the same time, I am just following my heart."
     "This is a difficult situation for sure. Honestly, I think that if I was in your shoes, I would follow my heart. And I think that that is what you should do. Even though I think that you and Matt make a cute couple, I think you and Swayde make an adorable couple. I mean, have you seen how attractive Swayde is? I mean, I don't know how you could have even left him to begin with." Laurie chuckled. She knew the majority of why Renne left five years ago, so Renne knew that she meant the comment innocently and not meaning to bring up bad memories.
     "Then I guess that following my heart is just what I should do." Renne returned the smile. She really missed having females her age in Alpine Ridge. It felt really good to have a friend to talk to in person. Smiling, Renne knew that she had Swayde to thank for bringing her here today.
     Several minutes later, Laurie and Renne made their way back into the house. Once rejoined with the menfolk, Jerry said, "I would offer to make y'all supper, but as you can see, we haven't gotten any of our appliances up and workin', so how does a steakhouse sound instead?" Jerry slipped an arm around his wife's waist as if to tell her that he missed her while her and Renne went on their walk.
     "Steak sounds amazing." Renne replied, eyeing the couple; she couldn't help but remember when Swayde used to make that same gesture.
     "I can never turn down a steak." Swayde chimed in.
     "Great, well, I'll go and get Gracie, then what do you say we all ride together in Jerry's truck?" Laurie offered.
     Renne and Swayde nodded their approval. While Laurie went to get Grace, Renne made small talk with Jerry in an attempt to not think about her conversation with Laurie just a minute earlier. "So, I know that you just started, but how is work goin' since y'all moved? A promotion is pretty great news! I was so excited for y'all when Laurie called and told me."
     "It is. Unfortunately with my job, we may have to move around a lot, but I was promised that we should be allowed to stay here for at least five years, so that is good. As far as how the job is goin', it's going well. It's certainly an adjustment considering I have never been in Colorado before, so there are a lot of differences, and I was just starting to get used to my old coworkers and such at my old job. Here, the cost of living is more expensive, but God has always provided for us, so I know He will get us through." Jerry smiled a reassuring smile.
     "Well, that is very true. Swayde and I will certainly keep y'all in our prayers."
     "Thank you, Renne, we really appreciate that."  Jerry replied, looking to the kitchen door where Laurie had just walked in with Grace on her hip.
     "Y'all ready to head out? I'm starvin'!" Laurie smiled at the group. She bounced Gracie on her hip as the group walked out to Jerry's truck. Grace insisted on sitting in the back between Swayde and Renne, and there was no way that Renne would deprive her of the opportunity, so little Grace was carefully strapped into her car seat, right beside Renne.
    

     After only a twenty minute drive, Jerry pulled up in front of the steakhouse. The group made their way inside and to the table. Much laughter was shared at the table during the meal. Renne was so glad to catch up with these great people. This type of interaction was something that couldn't happen over the phone.
     Stomach's full, and the leftovers boxed up, the waiter brought the check over to the table. Immediately, Swayde and Jerry both reached for it. "Please, let it be our treat." Jerry quietly said to Swayde.
      "Not a chance. Renne and I were fixin' to take y'all out to supper anyways, so please let me pay. You save that money and take your wife on a date sometime." Swayde whispered back, nodding his head towards Laurie.
     Jerry exhaled a "thank you" before lifting his hand, allowing Swayde to pick up the check. After paying the bill and leaving a cash tip on the table, Swayde slid out of the booth, the rest of the group following suit.
     The laughter and conversations never once ceased as Jerry drove everyone back to his ranch. The sun was quickly falling in the sky as the moon began to show.
     "It was really good to see you today, Renne. And it was nice to meet you, Swayde. Y'all please drop by whenever y'all are in the area." Jerry said after giving Renne and shaking hands with Swayde once they got back to the ranch. Turning back to the truck, Jerry lifted a sleeping Grace out of her car seat and carried her, and the leftover food, into the house.
     Laurie, Swayde, and Renne stood outside in front of the house talking for a few minutes before saying their goodbyes. It was hard for Renne to say goodbye to Laurie, but she knew that they would keep in touch, and Renne would stop by whenever she was passing through Colorado again.
     Before pulling back from the hug, Laurie whispered, "And you tell me how thangs go with that handsome cowboy tonight. Y'all have a long truck ride ahead of y'all. That's a good time to talk."
     Smiling, Renne said, "Of course. I will talk to you later." Pulling back, Renne added, "Thank you again. Love you bunches, friend."
     "Love you, too. We will keep y'all in our prayers."
     "Same to you." Renne replied before walking to her truck where Swayde opened the passenger side door for her.
     Swayde and Renne waved goodbye as they drove out of the driveway. Once a little ways down the road, Renne said, "Thank you, again, for this, Swayde."
     "It's no problem, darlin'. I know you needed to get away, and I know that you were missin' your ranch in Montana. I know this wasn't Healing Hearts, but I reckoned it was close enough." Swayde looked over momentarily and smiled at Renne.
     "It was perfect." Renne returned the smile. "It seemed like you and Jerry really hit it off."
     "Yeah, we did. He's a pretty cool guy. I'm surprised I haven't met him on the rodeo circuit before; we know a lot of the same guys."
     "He got into a wreck that slowed him down a bit, and then he met Laurie, and she wasn't a fan of him riding bulls because she knows how dangerous it is, especially after hearing about his wreck. He hasn't ridden a bull since a year after they got married." Renne smiled; she remembered hearing the story from both Laurie and Jerry's side.
     "Sounds a lot like a girl I know. Remember my bad wreck almost eight years ago? It was the night that we had our first fight as an official couple. I ended up in the hospital, and you told me that you wanted me to quit riding bulls because you didn't want to 'lose' me. The weekend after, I rode again, broken arm and all." Swayde glanced over to Renne. "Tells you who won that argument."
     Renne turned in her seat. "No, I won the argument, you just went against my good judgment, that's all. Trust me, I remember it very well because the night of our first argument was also the night that you told me that you loved me." The words came out before Renne could fully stop them. Instead of taking it back, and trying to change the subject, Renne let the words hang there.
     "That was also the same night that you won the barrel race. $300 prize money, if I remember correctly." Swayde said, not acting like Renne's comment phased him. "I remember how excited you were about it, but then you ended up leaving your horse at the rodeo grounds, and you forgot to pick up the check. Your grandpa had to drive back out there and pick them up."
     "Yeah, because I had to drive your stubborn, injured butt to the hospital. It was exactly a week after I got my drivers license. I was so nervous." Renne chuckled at the memory.
     "And you were the most careful driver in the world, even with me lying injured in the passenger side seat." Swayde chuckled as he added to the retelling of the story.
     "Yes, because you refused to allow me to call a squad...or your parents." Renne teasingly slugged Swayde's arm.
     Swayde's chuckle faded as he looked over at Renne yet again. "We certainly had some pretty dadgum good times together, didn't we? We have made a lot of good, lasting memories together, Reggie."
     "We have. And tonight will certainly be another one to add to the record books." Renne yawned halfway through the last sentence.
     A chuckle from the driver's side only made Renne's smile grow. "Seems like it certainly wore you out. Why don't you lie back, and close your eyes? I will wake you up when we get back home." Swayde turned on his headlights as the sun continued to disappear. 
     "Okay. Thank you, Swayde. For everything." Renne reached over and grabbed Swayde's free, right hand. Swayde replied by lacing his fingers through hers.
     Renne laid her head back against the head rest, but found it hard to fall asleep. The main reason was because she was watching Swayde as he drove them home. Now it was too dark for Swayde to really tell that Renne was looking at him, so she never took her eyes off of the handsome man in the driver's seat who was holding her hand.
     Renne noticed that Swayde was resting his elbow on the window sill as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the quiet country song that was playing on the radio. His lips seemed to move as he silently sang the words to each song that played. A couple of times, Renne saw Swayde look down to the speedometer, where Renne had a picture of her and Matt. She had almost forgotten about the picture. Truth be told, she had been meaning to take it down for quite some time now.
     With every minute that passed of Renne's analyzing Swayde, she found herself feeling like she was falling more and more into love with him, if that was even possible. Every mile that passed made Renne more nervous as she prepared the speech that she wanted to give him the second they got back to Alpine Ridge. After several minutes, Renne had planned what she was going to say. It was simple, yet truthful, and said everything that she needed to say. Once Swayde pulls into the driveway, Renne would turn to him and unleash her speech. "I love you." Is all she would need to say; it's all she could say because she knew that nothing else needed to be said.
     Content with her plan, Renne finally obeyed Swayde's caring wishes, and closed her eyes. Less than a few minutes later, Renne fell asleep in anticipation for when they would get back to Wyoming so that she could tell Swayde how she really felt.

     Renne woke up when they were about thirty minutes from the ranch. Looking over, Swayde smiled. "You're awake. Did you sleep well?"
     "I did." Renne smiled back; she realized that Swayde was still holding her hand, which only made her smile grow.
     "Good. I'm glad." Swayde replied as he turned right down another bumpy dirt road.
    "Wait, if you are dropping me off at Mamaw and Papaw's ranch, how are you gettin' back home?" Renne asked when she realized they were heading in the opposite direction of Swayde's ranch.
    "Doug is pickin' me up." Swayde looked over at Renne. "I called him about an hour ago when we stopped and got gas, but I take it you don't remember that, do you?
     "I don't. You know I sleep like a baby on long car rides." Renne smiled. "Are you sure you don't just want to stay at Mamaw's tonight so Doug doesn't have to drive all the way from his ranch to pick you up?"
     "No, it's okay. He was at my ranch anyways because he offered to feed the livestock for me while we were gone, so he will only be about ten or fifteen minutes from your grandparents'. I will call him once I drop you off." Swayde explained. 
     "Okay, cowboy." Renne replied with a smile. She turned her head to look out the window at the dark sky.

     A little while later, Swayde pulled up in front of Renne's grandparents house. Turning off Renne's truck, Swayde said, "I'll walk you up." 
     Neither Swayde nor Renne reached for the screen door handle. Instead, Renne turned to face Swayde and said, "Thank you for what you did today. It was so sweet and it meant so much to me." She took a step closer to Swayde on the dimly lit porch. "Nobody has ever done anything like that for me before. I know that Matt never would have." Renne scoffed out. Turning serious again, Renne stepped slightly closer to Swayde, resting her hands on his shoulder. "Thank you, Swayde." 
     They were so close to each other. At some point, Swayde had slipped his arms around Renne's waist in a hug, and now both of Renne's hands were around Swayde's neck. Swayde was close enough that Renne could feel his heart pounding hard in his chest; it made her wonder if he, too, could feel her heart about to burst from her chest as well. 
     All other thoughts left Renne's head as she stretched out her neck, standing on her tip toes, inviting Swayde to kiss her. Swayde removed a hand from Renne's waist to take off his cowboy hat, letting it rest at his side. He slowly lowered his head to meet Renne's red lips. 
     Dropping his hat, Swayde drew both hands up to hold Renne's face in his hands as he kissed her back. Renne's hands slid down from Swayde's neck, stopping at his chest before wrapping around his waist, pulling him closer to her as she kissed him yet again. When was the last time Matt had kissed her like this; taken her breath away? Honestly, Renne couldn't remember a single time that he ever had. It had been way too long since she had felt this way. The last time she had truly felt in love was the last time Swayde kissed her, more than five years ago. The thought of admitting to love Swayde made Renne smile as she kissed him yet again. 
     It had been so long since she had felt his lips against hers. She definitely missed them...maybe a little too much.