Couples

Jessa Mae and her sister Joyce Margaret were driving up with Sonny to Hoot's ranch. Sonny was telling them about the night he and Hoot went out to the ball field.

"I was sure ol' Hoot wasn't gonna be hittin' anything I threw by him. I smoked him a fast ball to start, 'cause I was kinda mad at him for making me feel like I was a dumb kid when I first told him about my plan to be a minor league pitcher. And you know what? That ol' sonofabitch smacked it clear outta the park. I ain't never been so surprised in my life. Come to find out ol' Hoot could have been a major league player when he was my age, which was nearly twenty-five years ago."

Jessa Mae took Sonny's hand and said, "Never mind ol' Hoot. He likes you now anyway. And it's real nice of him to let us be married here on his ranch." Jessa Mae's happiness was contagious. Both Sonny and Joyce Margaret were smiling just a wide as she was as they arrived at Paint the Sky ranch.

As Sonny walked the girls to the main house he said, "Hoot said he was gonna be out herding cattle today, and I should ride out to meet him. He's teachin' me some about ranchin' Jessa Mae. I'm gonna make you a damn fine husband, no matter what field I'm workin' on," and he gave Jessa Mae a kiss on the cheek. "You two sisters get set up in your rooms and keep makin' those weddin' day plans! I'll be in with Hoot around sundown," and Sonny left for the field.

Hoot was out rounding up cattle when he caught site of the familiar helicopter landing on his property. He thought to himself, for the thousandth time, "Damn, I love that woman."

Phoebe Julia Scott, or Scotty as she preferred to be called, emerged gracefully from the copter and was headed straight for Hoot. She had just completed one of her aerial photography commissions. Scotty had a busy flying schedule and a long list of clients which suited her just fine. Her passion for her work meant that she hadn't settled down yet, even at forty.

Hoot fell in love with Scotty when they met at the Governor's inaugural ball four years ago. Ralph Beval, Hoot's childhood friend who was now The Governor, was one of Scotty's clients. After a week of getting to know each other, Hoot proposed to Scotty. Her answer wasn't what he expected.

Still, their passion for each other was undeniable. Scotty strode up to Hoot, tipped his hat back, kissed him hard on his lips while letting him scoop her up into his arms. She said, "How's my cowboy? You happy to see me?"

Hoot smiled, smoothed a strand of her hair from her eyes and said, "Scotty, there ain't one day goes by that I don't hope you'll drop on down here, to stay. For good." The look in his eyes almost made her cry. After a moment, he charmingly asked, "When are you gonna make an honest man of me, and marry me?" His smile dipped a little as he hoped for her to finally say Yes.

Scotty winked at Hoot saying, "You know, I've been hired to shoot property in all 50 states now. I'm narrowing down my list of things to accomplish. Don't worry, you're on there too, Hoot. One of these days I'll fall to earth for you." They held hands as they walked over to a shady tree to watch the hired men bring in the cattle just as Sonny came riding up.

Hoot said, "Scotty, this here is Sonny Fuller, newly minted Triple A pitcher. He's kin to me by blood, and it seems, by baseball." Hoot patted Sonny on the back and added, "I'm teachin' him about ranchin', just in time too ya' know, he's gonna be an ol' married man by week's end."

Hoot went on to say, "Fool of a boy showed up here thinkin' all there is to do in life is to play baseball and get married." Hoot's eyes were kind, even if his tone wasn't.

Sonny didn't mind, Hoot was right. He said, "Sir, I was a fool boy that day I showed up here, only a month ago. I'm a different person now thanks to you. I'll make you proud." Sonny's look of sincerity lingered on his face while Hoot looked at the fine young man who was turning out to be like a son to him.

"Jessa Mae and I are duly grateful to you, Hoot, for letting us have our wedding here," Sonny said. "She's gonna be the prettiest bride anyone ever saw."

Hoot, taking Scotty's face into his hands and looking directly into her eyes said, "Yup, the prettiest bride anyone ever saw."



Author's note: Looks like Sonny Fuller isn't ready to leave just yet! If you would like to read the first two stories based on the wonderful Magpie Tales picture prompts, follow these links:

The first installment is Magpie Tales prompt #77 and my story: Proposal
continuing with Magpie Tales prompt #78 and my story: Paint the Sky Ranch


Click here to visit other writers and read their stories for this week's picture prompt at Magpie Tales #79