Page 4 of Flowers To Give

Even beyond those childish experiences, though, Jeremy will never forget certain aspects of Clark that made him so lovable. That smile, or how the sunlight would silhouette his golden hair, even his quick-witted smart ass remarks. And then everything had changed their freshman year when he’d joined the lacrosse team and theatre club. Still, Jeremy will admit only to himself how he would catch Clark from across the hall or through the window out on the field and his heart would skip a beat.

All the memories are coated with a layer of shimmer, creating a somber effect in recollection.

And finally, Jeremy’s last lie to Barry was that when Clark did leave Colorado for college, he was devastated. Over the passing years, Jeremy has watched every single movie and television show Clark has been featured in. Although, he has always been resolute that their paths would never cross again. Now that theymost certainly will, Jeremy has an overwhelming urge to hit the highway and chase the storm.

CHAPTER TWO

THE RANCH AWAKES hours before the sun comes up. All the ranch hands are out the door at half past four, but Jeremy is fully dressed and sipping coffee from a thermos by six. He drives a Gator around the ranch as he starts his daily duties of cattle maintenance. The sunrise is gorgeous, sky clear except for the receding storm on the horizon cascading colorful light beams through the air. The morning is too pretty for such an inauspicious day.

Feeling a harsh chill in the late February air, Jeremy shivers and readjusts the wild rag around his neck. There is a distinct bad feeling that lingers around every corner, spiking his nerves and exhausting him. Eager to get off the homestead, he races to the stables. He figures he’ll find Barry on his way out, maybe he can just catch up to Jeremy.

Heading inside the stable, he’s immediately greeted by Marie shoveling manure. She smiles wide, “Munday! Morning.”

He nods to her, “Marie. How are you?”

“Excited,” she giggles, “I can’t believe Clark Radison is coming today! Do you think we’ll get to meet him?”

Jeremy responds with a big heap of hope, “Doubtful.”

Starting to head to the tack room to get his saddle and necessities, Marie stops scooping and asks, “You already headed out? Don’t you want to wait until he gets here?”

“And when’s that supposed to be?” He scoffs, “Is the whole ranch supposed to come to a standstill for King Radison?”

“Well maybe he’ll-”

“And here is the stable with all your horses!” Sheila’s excited voice approaches and has Marie shutting up to rush out of the pin of poop. Jeremy is turning to escape into the tack room when Sheila clearly calls out from behind him, “Oh, hello you two! This is Mr. Radison. Sir, this is your stablehand, Marie Espinoza.”

“Hi,” she responds quietly.

“And that’s your cowboy, Jeremy Munday.”

Painfully, Jeremy turns back to his fate and faces Clark. He’s a dimmed silhouette in the large entry, but goddammit he’s still so plainly handsome. His deep green eyes twinkle as he gives Jeremy an obvious once over from across the stable. Grinning when he meets his eyes once more, Clark greets him casually, “Hey, Jeremy.”

He tips his cowboy hat in silent greeting, teeth grinding.

“You two stay close now, y’hear?” Sheila warns them, “Ranch wide meeting at the riding ring in fifteen. Spread the word.”

Jeremy is kicking himself for not getting to the stable five minutes earlier. Feeling trapped now, he decides to go find Barry. Passing Marie, he mutters to her, “The king has arrived.”

She pouts, “C’mon, don’t yuck my yum.”

Shrugging, he exits the stable after checking that Sheila and King Clark are out of sight. Riding around in the Gator, he spots Barry walking with Jackie towards the riding arena. He brakes, calling out to them, “Need a lift?”

Barry hops in the shotgun, Jackie in the back. She takes off her hat to tousle her short curls, asking, “Did you hear the news?”

“Oh yeah,” Jeremy steps on the gas, glancing over to Barry, “Came face to face with it.”

Jackie leans forward, gripping his shoulder, “No way! You saw him?”

“Sheila introduced him to Marie and me while I was trying to tack up.”

Barry puts his arm on the seat between them, leaning in and asking genuinely, “You okay?”

Jeremy rolls his eyes as an answer. Jackie doesn’t catch their interaction, leaning in more and asking, “What was he like?”

“Oh, y’know, just the absolute best,” Jeremy bites out, “But he wasn’t wearing any clothes.”

She smacks him on the arm and slouches back in her seat as they come around to the riding arena that everyone is filtering into. Jeremy cuts the engine and shakes his head, grumbling, “I can’t believe we gotta do another one of these things two days in a row.”