Page 71 of All of Us

JACOB

I like that you are dirty.

I miss you.

DUSTY

Miss you too. I’m afraid we can’t get together until you and Joe are home.

JACOB

That makes me sad.

DUSTY

Work to do. Talk more tonight. Missing you.

I was glad I could ride and text at the same time because Dusty, the horse, was perfect. Right as Dusty’s last text came through, my phone had another notification.

JOE

That is very sexy. I guess you need a date with my lens.

GENTRY

I love that idea. I miss you.

JOE

I’m free in the evenings after around 6:00 p.m., any night you want.

If it’s easier, you can plan to spend the night.

I had too much to do the next couple of days, but I also wanted to try to see Dusty before our trip. When we text tonight, I’ll ask Dusty about his schedule.

GENTRY

I want to see you every night, but I think Wednesday is the first opportunity.

Dinner?

Sleepover?

JOE

Yes to all of it.

GENTRY

Can’t wait to see you.

I was glad to have something planned with Joe. It wasn’t enough, I wanted to be with him all the time, but it felt good to know when I would see him.

At 8:30 p.m., I entered my room at the bunkhouse and fell into my bed. Exhaustion crept up on me, and I knew it wasn’t long before I was out for the night. Pulling my phone out, I was excited to see new messages.

DUSTY

Thinking about you.