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#Post#: 2602--------------------------------------------------
Look Heart, No Hands
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: February 26, 2013, 8:44 am
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HTML http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh628/mcohen3/LookHeartNoHandsbanner_zpscfa98d8d.jpg
Author's Note : *Disclaimer* - Please know that this is a work
of pure fiction. I'm but a humble writer and I don't make a cent
from these works, I just write them for my own and the enjoyment
of others. I do not mean in anyway to infringe upon the famous
individuals/characters that are mentioned within the work. I
only own the original characters unless otherwise stated. If you
would like to post my work please contact me and I will gladly
grant permission as long as my name is mentioned and the
disclaimer (above) is posted along with the piece. I don't bite,
I promise. :-)
Summary:
Life has a funny way of coming full circle, especially if you're
Maggie and Hank Braxton. They grew up together, competed
together, and then ended up tying the knot at the tender ages of
20 and 18. Seven years later their marriage is in shambles and
they can't live together or apart. Everyone always said they
were a team and the better half of each other. In the tiny town
of Rock River word travels fast that the only"separated couple"
in a 200 mile radius isn't so "separated" after all. A simple
twist of fate brought them back together but will they stick it
out and cowboy up or will they throw it away again?
Theme:
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbkdDLFEDEM
Look:
HTML http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/collection?id=2327278
Playlist (so sorry I didn't post it earlier)
Just Some Love - The Ranch
Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash/Alan Jackson
Timber I'm Falling In Love - Patty Lovelace
Carried Away - George Strait
Look Heart, No Hands - Randy Travis
Tougher Than The Rest - Bruce Springsteen
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Dwight Yoakam
Cowboy Take Me Away - Dixie Chicks
Carrying Your Love With Me - George Strait
Ride'em High Ride'em Low- Brooks and Dunn
Her Man - Gary Allan
When You Say Nothing At All - Allison Krause
#Post#: 2603--------------------------------------------------
Re: Look Heart, No Hands
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: February 26, 2013, 2:27 pm
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Ooh, I cannot wait for this one to get rolling! the banner is
beautiful and I believe I released quite a high-pitched squeak
when I spotted Mr.Furlong, haha. That definitely brightened up
my day :) the theme song is also lovely and I remember is being
in one of your playlists. I think I downloaded it then as well.
I'm interested in how Maggie and Hank are when together, as well
as when they are apart.
& the ladies outfits! I love them both :D and I love how you
include quotes within the polyvore sets too ^.^
#Post#: 2606--------------------------------------------------
Re: Look Heart, No Hands
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: February 26, 2013, 8:05 pm
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Why thank you! :D I'm glad I brightend your day with Mr.
Furlong, I thought you'd like him in this one. The title song is
indeed in my other playlist, I hope you don't mind. I was
itching to start this one so I did, I'll probably be posting it
tomorrow sometime. I'm so glad you like the ladies outfits as
well as the quotes, I thought they'd add a bit to them as
characters.
#Post#: 2607--------------------------------------------------
Re: Look Heart, No Hands
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: February 28, 2013, 7:17 am
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I've come to the conclusion that polyvore actually helped me map
out a few things I envisioned, I hope they help set the scenes
for you too. :) Although the church bake sale/ chicken dinner is
yet to come. I've also taken your advice and let the muse run
free with this. :D By the way, those tricks that are mentioned I
would never in a million years ever attempt on a horse. Too much
a chicken.
HTML http://www.polyvore.com/look_heart_no_hands_part/collection?id=2331922
Rock River Wyoming (June)
The summer sun blazed down in the corral as I raced around the
barrels Hank set up for my training, I was invested in trying to
beat my current best time and there was no stopping me. There
was a show coming up next week and I wanted to be ready. I could
never understand how Hank could go out there basically taunt a
bull away from it's fallen rider and then make a mad dash back
to the shoots. He couldn't understand why I competed in both
barrel racing as well as preformed in the trick riding segment
of the show. I told him it was for the rush and then asked him
why he went into bull fighting and got the same answer I had
given him. Poor Buttercup whinnied in protest as I slowed down
to a trot and then had her stop as I got down from the saddle
still contemplating my best time around the barrels and if I
should tie in the Cossack Drag into my performance. I ended up
walking her back to her stall and brushing her out until I felt
a hand of arms wrap themselves around my waist.
"Done already? Talk about a quick practice I got up two hours
early just to set them up for you."
I rolled my eyes as I stopped and turned to face a rather sun
burnt Hank who was looking me over with a slight smile playing
at the corners of his mouth.
"Oh how you spoil me, Hank. Well, I had other things on my
mind."
I said nonchalantly as I set down the brush and kissed Hank's
cheek feeling the stubble and catching a whiff of his
aftershave.
"Penny for your thoughts, Mags."
I smiled as I pulled him closer for a long hug before whispering
in his ear.
"You'll have to catch me to find out."
I took off out of the barn kicking up a trail of dust while Hank
was hot on my heels.
I let out a yelp and tried to stifle a laugh as he caught up
with me and grabbed me around the waist and whirled me around
kissing the side of my neck, one of my weak spots and he knew
it.
"Now are ya gonna tell me or am I going to have use my powers of
persuasion on you? You know how persuasive I can be."
I gave him a playful smack to the chest as I held his face
between my hands and smiled.
"You and that Hank Braxton charm of yours. No, no, I already
walked down the aisle once to you, those powers work."
Hank looked at me for a second as he smoothed out my hair and
sighed putting his forehead against mine. His signal to me that
he wanted to be anywhere but out here, preferably the bedroom. I
honed in on his thoughts and grinned.
"Last one back to the house is a rotten egg."
We took off trying to out run one another and slammed the screen
door as the wind picked up and the first summer storm rolled in.
I can't tell you how many times we'd ended up back in the
bedroom, where most of our squabbles started and ended in a
truce of crumpled sheets and grins.
"I love you, Mags."
Hank murmured as he stroked my hair and pulled me closer to him,
not caring how warm the room had become. I ended up resting my
head on his chest with a smile.
"Love you too, Hank."
November (Five months later)
Five months later Hank and I were on the outs and he'd moved
back in with his Mother at her ranch, leaving me with an overly
quiet farm house and an aching feeling that only he could
soothe. Over the last few months our marriage had become one
endless fight over pointless nit picky things. I had wanted him
to take a break from the rodeo circuit and he retorted by saying
it was in his blood and "Braxton's aren't quitters." yet, that
day he packed his bags and left me crying on the front porch. I
was a wreck as I went to bed each night and cried myself to
sleep. What made everything worse was the fact that I had a
stubborn nature and couldn't bring myself to pick up the phone
and call him to ask him to come home. Although, over the course
of our months apart we hadn't been totally out of touch, we'd
run into each other in the super market or around town and end
up going home together only to have Hank leave before sunrise
the next morning. We were officially the only non separated
separated couple in the state of Wyoming and that made things
even more complicated and heart wrenching.
"I don't see why you two just don't get back together? You two
are like magnets, Mags."
Lottie sighed as she went about mixing up a batch of oatmeal
raisin cookies for the church bake sale. I felt a sigh coming as
I flopped down at Lottie's kitchen table and tried to keep my
tears at bay. I was in no mood to bake let alone talk about my
screwed marriage to the only man I loved.
"It's complicated, Lottie. You and Jimmy have it great. Hank and
I are...just...I don't know. We can't be together and we can't
be apart."
Lottie looked at me as she slid a baking sheet of cookies into
the oven and raised an eyebrow.
"Jimmy and I aren't so perfect and you know it. You and Hank are
perfect together and everyone but the two of you can see it my
dear. Can you honestly think of anyone else you would have
married when you were 18? Seven years is a long time for anyone
but you and Hank are something else. You're one of those couples
that'll stand the test of time. When the world ends there's
going to be Cher, Mick Jagger, ****roaches, and Maggie and Hank
Braxton."
I smiled at Lottie's compliment.
"You forgot that lovely Chalmers couple, Lottie."
Lottie shook her head and sighed.
"I didn't get married an hour before a tornado watch went into
an effect, Mags. You weather storms, Jimmy and I rescheduled."
"It wasn't your fault the Reverend had the flu."
"You had five guests and got married out in the open as the
winds picked up. I swear to God one of the cows was going to
fly."
I was quiet for a second as I remembered our tiny backyard
wedding the week after I'd taken my best time during a run on
the local barrel racing circuit and Hank had taken a $10,000
cash prize. We'd ended up just having our mothers, Hank's
brother, and Lottie and Jimmy as our guests because it was so
spur of the moment. Later on that day a tornado watch was in
effect and we ended up spending our honeymoon in the cellar as
the storm passed through and almost completely settled the house
we would soon be calling home. We pulled ourselves together and
worked our hands to the bone to rebuild and go about making a
home. A home that only I lived in at the moment and felt
completely lost in.
"Your silence says everything, Maggie. I rest my case."
Jimmy came in from the barn and shrugged off his coat before
plopping himself down next to me and attempted to snag a cookie
from one of Lottie's cooling racks. She turned and caught him
and gave his hands a slap with a wooden spoon. Poor Jimmy let
out a yelp as the spoon hit and stuck his tongue out at Lottie
who rolled her eyes.
"Hey hey! Hands off, those are for the church."
Jimmy put his hands up and gave her a pitiful look.
"But I'm in need! I haven't eaten since breakfast and those damn
cookies look good...can't I just have one?"
Lottie shook her head as she turned back to the oven to set the
timer and then sat herself down at the head of the table. Jimmy,
who had just walked into the conversation looked at me and
smiled.
"I ran into Hank at Miller's Feed and he told to tell you that
dinner's still on for tonight."
My face colored deeply as Lottie turned back toward me and gave
me an all but shocked look.
"You two are having dinner? I thought it was complicated,
Maggie. Why don't you just let him move back in? Dollars to
doughnuts you're still doing his laundry for him."
I scowled as I examined the lace table cloth and sighed.
"Well, I thought that we could maybe, just maybe patch things
up."
"Oh good grief, Maggie. People are going to start talking pretty
soon. One week you're together the next your not. "
I rolled my eyes as I looked back up at Lottie who had her arms
crossed and at Jimmy who looked horrified that he'd let
something slip.
"Let them talk, that's all the people in this town do anyway.
That's how it's always been, Lottie. You just stood there not
two seconds ago and tried to convince me to let him come home
again."
I grabbed my coat and bag from the back of my chair and excused
myself telling them that I had some errands to run before
tonight. I'd just made it past the chicken coop when I heard
Lottie come running after me.
"Maggie wait! Maggie! You know I didn't mean to sound like it
came out, I'm just watching out for you two. I just want you two
to be happy, like you used to be. Hank comes around here
sometimes and he's not himself. You come around and you're not
like yourself, you two need one another to function. People in
this town are so narrow minded that they'd never understand it.
Hell, half the time Jimmy and I don't either but that's what
makes you two so damn special. Tell Hank I send my love will
you?"
I turned just as I got into my car and looked at Lottie, a
worried look etched into her face.
"I will, Lottie. Don't worry about us, we'll be just fine.
You'll give yourself wrinkles if you keep looking at me like
that, Lottie. I'll call you tomorrow before church, ok?"
Lottie nodded before letting me go on my way but not before
pulling me in for a hug like she always did. As I drove home the
only thing I could think of was how to stop the spread of rumors
that were sure to be cropping up around town all thanks to the
grapevine that was led by Hank's mother, Rose had her oldest
son's whereabouts timed and charted to a tee. Truth be told I
adored the woman and she adored me but there were lines that
were never meant to be crossed by mother-in-laws and the woman,
no matter how good her intentions were, managed to cross every
one of them.
Later On That Evening
"Wow, pot roast, potatoes, the fine china, candles and wine?
Trying to seduce me much?"
Hank called from the dining room as I busied myself trying to
get the peach cobbler into the oven for tomorrow's church bake
sale. I sighed as I took off my apron and met him in the
adjoining living room wine glasses and bottle opener in hand. I
paused only to kiss his cheek and was taken off guard when he
handed me a bouquet of flowers.
"No, why? I just thought that since it's a Friday you were
entitled to a home cooked meal on actual plates. These are
beautiful, I'll go put them in some water."
Hank sat back for a second and studied me.
"You kissed my cheek and you've broken out the perfume.
Something's up, Maggie."
I scowled as I concentrated all my effort in getting the bottle
of wine open and groaned as I struggled.
"Why would you think that? So what, I kissed your cheek, you're
still my husband and I know you like it when I wear perfume.
Problem?"
Hank shook his head and offered to take the bottle, which I
relented and handed to him. As I watched him pop the cork with
ease I rolled my eyes.
"Ahh, see wine with a cork. Normally if it's just Friday dinner
and you serve wine it's a twist cap or from a box. What did you
do? You're buttering me up, Maggie."
I gladly accepted the bottle of wine that was passed to me and
poured myself a generous amount and ended up setting my glass
down and reaching for my water instead.
"I am not! I thought it would be nice if we just had a quiet
dinner together without the third degree. Is that too much to
ask?"
I regretted my tone immediately as I set my glass down and
pushed it away, I certainly didn't need the liquid courage
tonight, Hank had me riled up enough as it was. He put his hands
up as he leaned back and surrendered.
"Alright, alright. It's just the last time you pulled out all
the stops you ended up telling me you dented my truck."
I snorted as the timer in the kitchen went off and I excused
myself to get the cobbler out of the oven before it burned.
"Oh, again with that damn dent. Are you ever going to let me
live that one down?"
Hank followed me into the kitchen and leaned against the
doorjamb before chuckling to himself.
"Not on your life."
I set down the cobbler on the back of the stove to cool and
turned to face him, that same little smirk that made me weak in
the knees still got to me and that glimmer in his eyes screamed
to me that he knew it.
"Penny for your thoughts, Mags."
I raised an eyebrow and shook my head.
"After dinner, I've got a feeling that since you brought me
flowers you've got some news that you're dying to share with
me."
Hank followed me back out to the dining room as I made him up a
plate and sat down across from him listening intently as he
finally broke down and told me what was going on.
"I've got a prime bull that could put Braxton Bulls on the map,
Maggie. Big old Brahma, never been ridden. I've got a plan to
break him in and then get him out onto circuit by January. What?
What's wrong?"
I set down my fork and decided my original news of the evening
could wait.
"Please tell me you weren't planning on actually breaking that
thing yourself, Hank."
Hank nodded and then caught my gaze and shook his head.
"No, wouldn't dream of it. What were going to tell me?"
I smiled in spite of myself as I picked at my pot roast and
mashed potatoes before looking Hank in the eye. I was attempting
to gauge how his response would go but he must have sensed it
because the big jerk put on his poker face.
"I was going to ask you to come back home. It's not home without
you here."
Hank finished off his second helping and sat back looking at me
for a second before answering me.
"You missed me, I knew it! Consider me back home then."
"This calls for a toast then."
I picked up my water glass and raised it up.
"To fresh starts."
"To fresh starts and coming home."
I set down my water glass and sighed.
"If you even as so much as just sit on that bull when you get
him in the shoot I swear to God I'll kill you, Hank."
Hank looked at me wide eyed as he finished his wine.
"Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal, Mags."
"Good, welcome home then, Hank. By the way, you and Jimmy are in
charge of the grill station tomorrow at the church dinner."
I picked up the plates and heard Hank groan as he followed me
into the kitchen with the left overs.
"Why is it always us? Can't we just say you're sick or
something?"
I shook my head as I went about washing the dishes and chuckled
to myself.
"Nope, we got out of it last time because I said we were
visiting my aunt over in Henderson. So, break out the apron my
dear. If Lottie and I have to keep an eye on the damn baked
goods table then you and Jimmy can sacrifice an afternoon
sitting by the grills."
Hank wrapped an arm around my waist and chuckled as he brushed
the hair away from my face and kissed my neck.
"I can't believe you pulled the visiting aunt gag on the
church."
I tried to shake him off but there was no use, I was putty in
his hands.
"Hey, it wasn't my fault you told Billy Griggs that you'd bull
fight for free three counties over. I saved your hide that day."
Hank chuckled at the memory and nuzzled my neck again.
"That was night we ended up sleeping in the truck by the side of
the road, ahh fond memories. I don't think I ever thanked you
properly for that, did I?"
I knew what he was implying as I rinsed off my hands and turned
to face him.
"Yes, it was and don't you ever let that happen again. My back
was in knots for weeks and No, I don't think you ever did. Last
one to the bedroom's a rotten egg."
I kissed Hank's jawline and took off out of the kitchen with him
close behind me until he picked up like he always did and threw
me over his shoulder.
Home was finally starting to feel like home again and I said a
silent prayer that it would stay that way.
#Post#: 2608--------------------------------------------------
Re: Look Heart, No Hands
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: February 28, 2013, 11:26 am
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Danke for sharing the Polyvore selection you've created for this
:D I really liked the outfits; very much actually. I'm seriously
in love with this story already and feel sorry for both Hank and
Jimmy, haha. Their ladies seem to be a bit harsh on them, but
it's all good fun! xD also wonderful to see that Mags and Hank
are back on the mend once again! I hope it stays that way and
they can learn to live with one another :]
#Post#: 2663--------------------------------------------------
Re: Look Heart, No Hands
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: May 18, 2013, 12:45 am
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The Following Morning (7AM)
"You know, there should be a law against newly reconciled
spouses having to get out of bed on a Sunday."
Hank grumbled as he pulled me closer as I tried to untangle
myself from the blankets.
"I know, I know but by the time we take showers and get changed
and get something to eat..you're not listening to a word I'm
saying are you?"
Hank had that moon-eyed expression on his face as he propped
himself up in bed and brushed his thumb over my knuckles.
"Nope, Well, I heard shower, eat, changed but that's about it."
Hank muttered in between kissing the nape of my neck and
chuckling at my attempts to fend him off.
"We're never going to make it there in time if you keep it up.
Now, I'm off to take a shower if you don't mind."
I was finally able to untangle myself from Hank's arms and reach
for my robe before I heard sigh from his side of the bed. I
looked over my shoulder at a very pitiful looking Hank, his arms
crossed over his chest and a pouting expression etched into his
face.
"Oh stop it! You look like a child, Hank. I'm sure you'll be
fine while I'm gone, it's not like I'm running away. I'm only a
room away."
Hank stuck his tongue out at me before giving me a grin.
"I know but it just still seems so far away."
I rolled my eyes and headed down the hallway as I heard him call
after me.
"You know perfectly well that I won't be responsible for my
actions when you get back into this bedroom, don't you?"
"I know! Trust me, I know!"
Thirty minutes later Hank was true to his word and we ended up
being a half an hour late for the church services which we
blamed on car trouble. No one batted an eye as we took our seats
in our usual pew but for some reason I felt like Rose's eyes
were boring a hole in the back of my head through out the rest
of the service.
"So, where were you two?"
Lottie asked as we set up the baked goods table and tried our
damnedest to entice half the congregation into buying something.
It was the same thing every year, the church goers were all
bundled up and making the best of the sunny autumn weather
before the first storms came. So here Lottie and I stood, each
bundled up in our barn coats and sweaters each clad in a pair of
"dress jeans". Our mothers had taught us well, always bring a
spare change of clothes for these food based church things. I
had busied myself with cutting lemon bars and brownies and tried
not to look her in the eye. Before long it dawned on her and I
was smacked within and inch of my life.
"It's Sunday, Maggie! The day of rest! Oh my good lord!"
I raised an eyebrow and looked at her intently before thinking
of a retort.
"Oh cool it, Lottie. Trust me, we're very well aware of what day
is it and don't tell me you and Jimmy don't squeeze in time for
marital appreciation on Sundays. I can remember calling you last
year around this time and all I got was a busy signal. Besides,
Hank's moved back in.."
Lottie's jaw dropped as she took the plastic wrap off of one of
the many dishes of cobbler and let out an excited squeal.
"Well, hell this is a celebration if there ever was one. If I
were you I could have stayed home and taken the phone off the
hook."
Lottie's words caught me off guard and I nearly dropped the
platter of chocolate chip cookies I was holding and my own jaw
dropped. Standing right in front of us was Reverend Flannery,
who thankfully was off in his own little world for a moment and
looking at the various desserts.
"Charlotte Chalmers! You did not...just...give me an idea on how
to spend my weekend. Hello, Reverend. Lovely weather we're
having isn't it?"
Lottie blushed as she served the good Reverend Flannery and sent
him off toward the Ladies Auxiliary table where they all fawned
over him like he was some sort of wounded bird. At that moment I
looked over to see Jimmy and Hank pouring a few more bottles of
starting fluid onto the charcoal grills and shook my head.
"How many are they up to by now, Lottie?"
Lottie looked at the daring duo and shrugged.
"By the mischievous looks on their faces I'd say probably about
six or eight by now."
It was then that I noticed Hank attempting to light his
cigarette and let out a shriek as visions of a fire ball
shooting up from the grill came to my mind's eye.
"Henry Bartholomew Braxton don't you even think about it!"
I yelped loud enough to catch Hank's attention and elicit a
bout of laughter from Jimmy who was mere seconds away from being
scolded by Lottie for even thinking of bringing a flask to a
church event.
"Bartholomew?! Your middle name's Bartholomew?!"
Jimmy crowed as he let out a sound snort and attempted to keep
his laughter in check. Hank just shot him a look that could have
knocked him dead.
"James Francis Chalmers you stop that right now! Put that flask
away this instant or so help me I'm coming over there."
Jimmy's laughter stopped almost on a dime as he looked at
Lottie, almost totally horrified and then over at Hank who was
trying to contain his own laughter.
"Oh come on, Jimmy. Even you have to admit that Bartholomew is
ten times better than Francis."
Jimmy looked at Hank and then nodded glumly before striking a
match and throwing it at the grill. A flame shot up making both
men back away and oogle the scene before them.
"Well, prepare for another burnt chicken dinner courtesy of
those two. I can see why neither of them have children yet,
they're too busy being childish themselves. Oh, I forgot, one of
them is barren."
Maryellen Pearce said just loud enough for the entire
congregation to hear, Jimmy and Hank included before giving
Lottie and I the snarkiest smirk she could muster. Now, truth
be told Lottie and Jimmy weren't trying but Hank and I had been
since we were first married, hell, even before but it seemed
nothing would take. We'd been to nearly every specialist in a
four hundred mile radius and even they didn't have an answer for
us. I felt tears prickle and well up into my eyes as Lottie
looked over at me and tried to give my hand a gentle squeeze.
Everything seemed to stop on a dime as a collective gasp was
heard.
"What did you say, Pearce?"
Maryellen turned toward me and stuck her chin out before
repeating her cut throat words. I could have sworn I saw a
malicious glimmer in that devil woman's eyes.
"You heard me, Braxton. I called you barren, hell half town
knows. It's a wonder Hank's even still with you. If that man had
any sense at all he'd leave you for someone that could give him
progeny but I suppose ignorance is bliss. No strike that, that
husband of yours is dumber than a sack of rocks."
That was all it took for me to see red and I belted her right in
the mouth and knocked her senseless right there in front of half
the town. She went down like a ton of bricks and an eerie
silence came over us. I was shaking in silent rage and Maryellen
was out cold on the side lawn of the Rock River Baptist Church.
Maryellen's husband, Bob, who was also the town sheriff was the
first to break the ice by telling me that he'd wanted to do that
for damn near close to twenty-five years.
"If you ask me she was asking for it and she antagonized you,
Maggie. I'll tell her my hands are tied about this one."
I quietly thanked Bob and apologized to the rest of the
congregation who were more than accepting and offered me their
sympathy and begged me to stay. Bob carried a staggering
Maryellen out to their car and took her on home.
Jimmy and Hank ventured over each dazed at what they'd just
seen. Hank held out his flask to me which I gladly took a swig
from and passed it over to Hank who drained it and tossed it
back to Jimmy who was still standing there along with Lottie,
each in their own state of shock.
"Well, I've said it before and I'll say it again. These church
functions are never dull, last year it was Mrs. Wilson's spiked
punch and this year it was Maryellen's big old mouth. If this
gets written about in the paper I'm clipping it and framing it."
Lottie said as the first storm clouds of Autumn rolled in making
the chicken dinner a bust, more or less. We were herded in like
cattle before we all broke off and made our way toward home,
each of us sent off with a surplus of badly burnt chicken
courtesy of Jimmy and Hank. By the time we got home my hand had
swelled to half it's size and I was battling the tears of a
wounded self and perhaps a badly broken hand.
"I still can't believe you did it, Maggie."
Hank said as he got the first aid kit from the top of the hutch
in the kitchen and handed me an ice pack from the freezer. I let
out a groan as I put onto my hand and gave him a look of certain
doom.
"Well, for one thing she called me barren but what really got my
dander up was that she called you stupid."
Hank sat down across from me and gently took my hand into his
and took a look at it.
"You know, there was a time when I was defending your honor. I
think we've reversed roles or something here, babe."
I winced as he poked and prodded me.
"If this is what you went through for me than please, by all
means give it up."
Hank's eyes softened as he wrapped a bandage around my hand and
sighed.
"On one condition."
"Name it."
"When we expand the Braxton brood promise me that you'll be the
one to teach them how to throw a punch and that I won't be the
punching bag. Maryellen went down hard."
"Consider it done."
#Post#: 2667--------------------------------------------------
Re: Look Heart, No Hands
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: May 20, 2013, 11:57 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Oh my! first things first.. the boys middle names are pretty
funny! xD and their reactions were even better. I laughed at
both of them, unfortunately, aha. I also thought the burnt
chicken was amusing, whilst it was also quite a disaster. Best
bit by far though was that punch Maggie tossed :3 I wish I could
do that to some people and I just love that Maryellen's husband
actually didn't care!
#Post#: 2672--------------------------------------------------
Re: Look Heart, No Hands
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: May 24, 2013, 4:04 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Aww why thank you! :D I've got to confess, I wish I was a bit
more like Maggie (I can think of a few people I'd love to hit,
haha) I felt so bad about the guys' middle names but I thought
it would add, although I think I added insult to injury to them
by giving them such horrid middle names and horrible cooking
skills, haha.
Two Weeks Later November 20 ( Maggie VS. Zapata / Braxton VS.
Braxton)
"So, what is this whole Stockyard Champions show thing anyway?"
Lottie asked as she and I finished packing a few overnight bags
that Hank I needed.
"Well, it's something like a Stockyard auction and a rodeo all
in one. Hank's taking that new bull of his in to get him broken
in, Rose told me the other night that Ely had his head set on
putting his name in the draw but she won't let him. After the
Stock show we're off criss crossing the map. The next show's in
Amarillo and then we're off to Lubbock, Houston, and all the
stops in between. It's all there on the note pad if you want to
take a look "
Lottie's jaw dropped as she helped me fold a few shirts and
pairs of pants and glanced down at the note pad with itinerary
and various roadblock notes.
" Holy moly, talk about mileage on the truck. Pick me up a salt
and pepper shaker set would you? I don't blame Rose, look what
happened to him the last time he tried putting his name in. He
got called, got the nastiest bull in the pen and ended up in the
ICU over in Courtland. It's a wonder he's alive after all that."
The memory only made my stomach turn and tighten. It had been
just another rodeo and we'd all turned up for it. I'd been
drafted as the driver since I wasn't riding and Hank and Ely
decided that it was best if they rode in together to save Rose
the strain of driving at night. The day had gone just fine until
about four thirty that evening, Ely's number was called and he
was pointed toward the chute that held Twister. This bull was
making his grand entrance and Ely was his ticket to the big
time. As soon as the chute opened Ely was in a tug of war for
his life and he ended up getting thrown, something that happens
a million times in your average rodeo, but in this instance he
couldn't move fast enough and Twister's hoof came down and
almost crushed his skull. He ended up spending close to five
months in the hospital and was told time and time again by his
doctors to never ride again. He, along with his family, and the
bare spot in his skull couldn't afford another accident of those
proportions ever again.
"I know...I just...ugh."
I shoved a suitcase out of the way and sat down on the edge of
the bed with my head between my knees. I was on the verge of a
full fledged panic attack of monstrous proportions. Lottie
sensed this and tried to calm me down by telling me that
everything was going to be fine, that Hank wasn't going to go
near Zapata and Ely wasn't going to put his name in the draw.
"Thanks, Lottie but this is just one of those irrational moments
I'm prone to. I'll be fine...I'll be ok...everything'll be
ok...it's just I've got a feeling that something's going to
happen and it's been driving me up the wall. This is ten times
worse than when Hank used to ride. This is worse than when he
told me he was switching to bullfighting. Hell, this is worse
than our wedding day."
Lottie gave me a reassuring pat on the back once more and tried
to calm my rapidly frazzling nerves, the tears that threatened
to fall finally fell and drenched the many tissues Lottie passed
my way.
"You're going to be fine, Mags. It's just pre-rodeo jitters is
all. I was the same way when Jimmy used to ride."
The thought of something happening to Hank made my heart almost
stop and my stomach turn again. I got up and paced around the
room until movement out in the backyard pens caught my
attention. There stood Hank dressed in his "bullfighters
uniform". In all reality it was nothing more then a pair of tear
away over sized overalls with garish suspenders and bandannas
tied to the belt loops. The only thing he was lacking was his
greasepaint and bowler hat and he'd be set. Like a hound on a
scent I was down the stairs out of the house and clear across
the pen yard. I reached out and yanked him away from the gate
and slapped him across the face with my still aching right hand.
He let out a yelp and I groaned in agony both of us giving each
other the dirtiest of looks.
"Don't touch that damn bull, Braxton."
Hank's face fell as Jimmy laughed his ass off over by the barn
door.
"Ok, ok, you know I never break a promise. I was going in to get
the lead on him to get him loaded into the trailer."
I was left standing there looking like a complete and utter fool
as Hank looked at me still shocked that I'd slapped him.
"Give me the lead and I'll load him in."
I muttered as I took the lead from Hank's hands and opened the
pen before he could even grab it back from me. I called Zapata
over to me and inched toward him, I swear at that moment that
damn bull looked right into the depth of my soul and I stared
right back at him.
"Hup Bull, hup."
I called as he inched toward me and then bowed his head and
scuffed one giant hoof along the frozen earth of the pen, his
breath was pluming up like steam from some enormous kettle.
Zapata pawed a bit more earth and huffed a bit more before
letting out a bellow as I made a wild grab for his nose ring as
he bucked his head up toward me.
"Don't you even think about it you two ton son of a..."
I muttered as I looped the lead around his head and buckled it
into place and lead him out of the pen and up the ramp into the
trailer. Zapata let out a bellow as he turned around in the
trailer and faced me, his fiery brown eyes settling in on me as
I stared right back at him. Now, I've heard tell that animals
don't like their dominance challenged. If you were to stare into
any animals eyes be it canine, feline, or equine and hold their
gaze long enough you're bound to win because they'll look away
first. Zapata's eyes darted away from mine.
That's right, you go on and look away.
I thought as I slammed the final gate shut and locked it when I
felt Hank yank me back by my shirt collar. I let out a startled
yelp as he lit into me with the riot act.
"What the hell were you thinking, Maggie?! He could have charged
you!"
I brushed his hands off of my shoulders and gave him a look that
would even have Zapata shaking in his boots and let out a sound
snort as my stomach flopped again.
"I was doing you a favor, Hank! I've got a bad feeling about him
and I have since you told me you got him, I'd much rather be the
one to be hurt than see you go through it. You have no idea what
it's like to not know if the person you love is going to be okay
after a run with an animal like Zapata. I say after this circuit
run we sell him at the highest bidder and call it even. We can
start over with better stock. Just promise me that you won't
think of going anywhere near him today or any other day when
we're out there. I think he's got your number."
My stomach rolled yet again as I tried to calm myself and Hank
wrapped his arms around me.
"Is that why you've been a nervous wreck lately?"
"What the hell do you think? Yes!"
"I can see you've lost sleep over this too, why didn't you say
something sooner?"
I rolled my eyes as Lottie came out to see what had happened and
crossed her arms as she and Jimmy stood side by side taking in
our display over an ornery bull in like it was some sort of
tennis match.
"Because you're a Braxton and you're not a quitter. You've said
that thousands of times."
Hank kissed my cheek and murmured.
"Well, now it's a thousand and one. If it means you getting a
decent night's sleep and not being a bundle of nerves I won't go
near him. Consider him sold."
I looked him in the eyes again and saw a smile spread across his
face. I raised an eyebrow and stared a little harder at him
making him straighten up. I smiled in spite of myself and stood
on my tip toes to kiss his cheek but ended up getting him in the
lower jaw, something that made him blush to no end.
"I'm holding you to it, because if you thought that slap hurt I
can do a whole lot worse than that, hon."
Jimmy and Lottie exchanged looks as they shook their heads.
"And then where would your niece or nephew be without their
Uncle Hank in the world to welcome them?"
Jimmy said as he wrapped an around Lottie as Hank and I looked
at them our faces wearing the same expression of shock and
excitement.
"Congratulations!"
We exclaimed in unison before pulling them both in for what was
known between the four of us as a "Braxton Family Bear Hug".
The winds of change were picking up and we were in for some very
very big changes around these parts and each of us were just as
excited as a kid at Christmas.
"So, what are you thinking name wise?"
Hank asked as we grabbed our bags and heaved them into the back
of the pickup, each of making sure Lottie didn't lift or strain
herself in the process of helping us.
"Well, I like James Henry Chalmers myself, Lottie's got a
laundry list of names she's still mulling over."
Jimmy said as he threw in the last of Hank's bags into the back
next to mine. Lottie blushed as she nodded.
"I'm sorry, Mags. I just can't make up my mind."
I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a grin.
"Don't worry about it! Besides, it sucks to grow up with a name
bigger than you are when you're a kid. Why do you think I go by
Maggie instead of Margaret? I was named after my Mother's
favorite Aunt and it drove me nuts. Whatever you decide is just
fine by me and it'll suit your baby better than my name ever
could."
As we said our goodbyes and gave our final hugs to Lottie and
Jimmy that nagging knot in my stomach finally loosened itself a
bit and I could actually feel the tension in my shoulders lift.
"Hey, do us a favor, instead of salt and pepper shakers why not
bring back a romper for the newest Chalmers?"
Lottie said as she hugged me one final time.
"How about both, when are you due? Hopefully we'll be back
before the truck kicks it."
I said as Hank shot me a wounded look as I had insulted his beat
up beauty of an ancient Ford.
"Sometime in June, you know how due dates go, it's all guess
work but Doctor Miller says my cut off date is the 15th. So keep
your fingers crossed. Call us when you get there and be safe!."
I nodded and gave Jimmy and Lottie one final hug before climbing
into the passenger side and got settled in. One final wave and a
honk and we were off for parts unknown, or rather well known to
the two of us.
"You remembered to call ahead for a motel room right?"
Hank's eyes widened a bit as he shot me an apologetic grin.
"Oops."
I nearly ripped our worn road map in two as we pulled onto the
highway.
"Oh you're kidding...please tell me you're kidding."
Hank shook his head as we went south down the 287 highway and I
all but shot daggers at him.
"Well, it looks like we're going to have to sleep roadside
again. This is what...our...eighth year starting off this way?"
Hank nodded as he fiddled with the radio a bit, tuning in to his
favorite radio station and then wrapped his free arm around me
and pulled me close.
"What can I say? Each time we've started off our adventures like
that it's brought us nothing but luck. You're my lucky charm."
I gave him a playful smack as I rested my head on his shoulder
and sighed. The bugger had won this battle and he knew it as he
smiled to himself and did a mental tally. To be honest, that
fine with me, as long as I was with him everything was just
fine.
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