| Chapter Sixteen The next few weeks flew by. The ranch was in terrible shape. I hired out several people to help me get things back in order. The house was painted, inside and out. The furniture was replaced. The pool and pool house cleaned. The ranch itself was overgrown and most of the fences needed repairs before I could bring any horses in. Late on the third monday I was on my small tractor plowing under some weeds. I was oblivious to the world, I had my headphones on, singing and bobbing around in the seat. Decked out in my farmer gear, overalls, a baseball cap and boots. I was alive again, my life was good and coming back to the ranch had ended up being just what I needed. I turned off the tractor and started my walk back up to the house for some lunch dancing all the way, suddenly someone grabbed me around the waist from behind. I turned quickly and JC was standing there grinning. "Jayce!! When did you get here??" I yelled hugging him. "A while ago, we've been looking for you. I came out here to ask where you were actually, I didn't realize it was you on the tractor." He laughed putting his arm around my shoulder as we walked. I ran ahead when I saw the others and gave them all hugs. "Tiff, you look great. Happier than I've seen you." Justin said swinging me around as I laughed. "Um...did Joey come?" I asked quietly. "He's sleeping on the bus, he wants to see you though I know that." Lance smiled. "He apologized to me a couple of days after you left." "Why didn't he call me?" "He wanted to see you in person I guess." Chris said pushing me towards the bus. "We'll just go inside, make ourselves at home if you don't mind." He said winking. "Sure, go ahead. I'll be in in a bit." I said walking slowly towards the bus. I climbed on and instantly I could smell Joey's cologne. I made my way to the back of the bus and peered into a few of the beds before finding Joey's. He was sleeping on his side facing me and he looked content and peaceful. I didn't want to wake him but I didn't want to wait to talk to him either. "Joey." I whispered running my hand along his arm. "Joey, wake up." "Hmm....Tiff? We're here already?" He said shaking his head trying to wake up. "Tiff, I'm so sorry. I completely over reacted. Forgive me?" "I forgave you about 3 weeks ago Joe." I smiled. He grabbed my arms and pulled me down into the bed with him settling my head on his chest. "Joe, I love you, I want to be with you." "What? Are you sure?" He asked putting his finger under my chin and forcing me to look at him. I nodded and he smiled. Slowly he lowered his head to mine and kissed me gently. "You don't know how happy you just made me." He sighed, kissing me again, more deeply this time. He pulled me down until he was almost on top of me. I had never felt this way about a kiss before, and I didn't know what it meant. It's cliche I know, but it was like fireworks going off all around me. "Joe, we need to stop." I said pushing on his chest gently. "Yeah, I think you're right." He said breathing heavily. "This could go way to far way to fast." "My thoughts exactly." I said climbing out of the bed. He got up behind me and we left the bus. We went into the house to find all of the guys eating and watching tv. "Well I'm glad you found something to eat guys." "Yeah it's ok right?" JC said through a mouthful of sandwich. "Of course. You guys can pick whatever room you want. They are all ready for you. Two upstairs, three down here, and two in the poolhouse. It's up to you." "Well, I'm not hungry, I'm gonna go pick my room." Joey said heading up the stairs. I headed into the kitchen to fix myself a sandwich when I heard Joey gasp and almost cry out from upstairs. "Oh no." I cried, heading for the stairs, followed closely by the other four guys. |