Hot Cocoa for One

...AUSTIN POV...

When I saw Billy on the porch standing at me looking that way, my heart dropped into my boots. The first thing that ran through my mind was Molly. I hope that there is nothing wrong with her and the baby. If there is, then why is he standing on the porch and not at home with her. He is about to hear seven ways of cursing coming his way.

"Billy, what is wrong? What has got you so spooked?"

"Spooked? Why would I be spooked?"

"Is something wrong with Molly and the baby?"

"Do you think I would be standing here if there was something wrong?"

"What is wrong then?"

"I don't understand, why would something be wrong?"

This is like drawing water out of a rock. Can the man not just say what is wrong? I have to play twenty questions to get a decent answer from him.

"Why are you looking so worried then?"

"I am not worried."

"Dammit just get out with it"

"Oh, Morning Star has gone into labor."

"Is something wrong with her?"

This is so frustrating. I am about to slap this damn man. So rather than playing interrogation, I make my way to the stables. My heart will not be able to take it if something has happened to her. Why did he not call me to tell me that something is wrong?

As I step into the stables, I can hear Luke, another one of my ranch hands, softly whispering. I am stricken by fear as I get ready to face what lies around the corner for me. Morning Star is my favorite horse, she is the very first one that I bought when I came to the ranch.

When I get to the stall, there is immense confusion on my face. Morning Star is standing there on all fours as she is patiently waiting for the filly to stand.

This is the most nerve-wracking part of a suckling's birth. The next few seconds are probably one of the worst experiences of my life.

I nervously grind into my death as I count the seconds off. This filly better stand up, I am just about to storm in there and help her, but I know that it shall not help her much if she can not remain on her feet.

The seconds are ticking off, faster than I can breathe, and believe me my breaths are very short and rapidly. Then I watch as she slowly starts to rise off the floor on her little legs until she is kind of swaying from side to the side. But she is standing her ground and she is standing it firmly.

The joy of watching her taking her first big steps in her life knocks me with so much emotion that a few tears trickle down my face. Morning Star did good, and I can almost see the joy of being a mother now flicker in her eyes.

But now there is Billy...

"Why on earth were you so nervous, there is nothing wrong with her and the filly?"

"Who says I was nervous, I am happy."

"Is that your happy face?"

"Yes, I am happy."

"You could have fooled me. I am scared to know what your worried face looks like then."

With that, I make my way into the house. What a weird and exciting day it has been. The best part I would say was meeting Summer.

Wait...did I just say that? Why is this girl stuck in my head? I can not remember the last time a woman actually grabbed my attention as she did. I must say there is this very big part of me that cannot wait to see her tomorrow. And tomorrow can not come soon enough.

So I find reasons to keep myself busy so that the day pass faster. They say that your mind is your worst enemy. I am keeping mine busy for I am trying to find a million reasons why she would not want to be with me.

By late evening I find myself dropping down into the softness of my bedsheets. Very soon thereafter, I am fast asleep.

Early morning comes and I am getting ready to go have that very cup of cocoa that will bring Summer to me. That is if I can stop changing my shirt, the one after the next one is just not looking good on me.

Just as the sun is about to show its rays over the horizon, I find myself walking into the shop where the friendly face of Mr. Sinclair awaits me.

"Morning Austin."

"Morning Mr. Sinclair."

"I see you are here bright and early."

"Ya I could kind of not sleep."

"Does the restlessness perhaps got to do with a certain lady?"

Now I am not a man that will admit that a girl has got me hooked on her. I don't know her well enough to know what she is like, all I know is that spark she makes me feel.

"I am not going to lie, but she is kind of the only reason why I am here."

"I feel hurt, I thought you are here for my cup of cocoa."

"There is that too."

"Listen here son, I know where you come from and your tragic history, just make sure you want this for the right reasons."

"I worry about that too, but I am getting tired of being lonely. Itis time I start taking the risk."

"Well let me grab a warm cup, she should be here in the next few minutes."

And then it starts, the nervousness that comes with a first date, it grabs a hold of my heart and starts to softly squeeze into it. I think there is a high possibility that I might faint.

So I start counting the ticking minutes, keeping my eyes glued on the door. About five minutes pass and I start to pace up and down in my head.

Then it becomes ten minutes, there is still no sign of Summer.

"Son, she will come. She probably just a few minutes delayed."

I swallow hard on Mr. Sinclair's word, I really hope that he is right. But as twenty minutes come, there is no sign of her gorgeous face coming through that door.

As the clock strikes half an hour later, my hope starts to fade. But I firmly believe if she said that she shall come, then she will.

When an hour approaches, I officially give up and my excitement completely dies. Even though we did not set a date, I am still crushed that she did not show up for her cup of hot cocoa for the day.

But then the doorbell chimes, my head immediately flicks to the door, but I am disappointed to see that it is not her. I drop my head down and decide that I am defeated, it is time to go start my day.

Then the two men that entered, come, and sit close to me. I know the one very well, he is nothing but a money-grabbing asshole that has a questionable reputation in town.

What he says next knocks me completely off my feet.

"That little Summer Knightley is mine."