Mail On A Ranch (Continued)

Read part one here

“Ha!” Fred exclaimed, breathing in the crisp outdoor air. “Just like old times. Remember that camping trip in Virginia when we…”

“Grilled steak in the woods!” Gina interjected. “Then we’d huddle around the fire toasting marshmallows and sleep in sleeping bags all squished together in the tent.”

Fred and his daughters were out in the Florida woods on one final father-daughter camping trip before the girls started school. The smell of sizzling steak and roasted potatoes wafted through the air as the girls handled dinner prep and Fred manned the Kool-Aid stand.

“You girls had it so easy,” Fred continued as he shovelled ice into the cooler. “When I was your age, I’d never experienced real camping before. But your grandpa and uncles spun the spookiest campfire stories that made your hair stand on end!”

Jessica rolled her eyes as she flipped a steak. “Yes, yes, we know — you had to act tough because Mom got freaked out by the stories and it was your chance to play hero,” she recited. “You’ve told us a million times!”

Fred smiled wistfully. His baby girls were all grown up now, soon to be out exploring the world alone. If he could, he’d follow them to college just to keep an eye out.

But the girls were ready for this next adventure! They’d always loved visiting their grandparents in the city and dreamed of living that ritzy life themselves someday. They planned to work part-time during school and intern during breaks to save up money. After college, they’d rent an apartment together until they landed corporate jobs. It was a foolproof plan…or so they assumed.

“Steak’s done!” Gina announced.

They gathered around the picnic table, filling their plates with charred meat, potatoes, and frosty cups of Kool-Aid.

“A toast!” Jessica declared, rising with drink in hand. “To steak dinners and Kool-Aid in the woods with Daddy forever!”

Laughing, they clinked plastic cups and dug in. Over the meal, Fred regaled them with childhood memories and stories from his own youth. The girls clung to every word, savouring this special father-daughter time.

“So why’d you guys move out to the ranch anyway?” Jessica asked between bites. “Weren’t you city folk before?”

Fred launched into the story, transporting them back two decades prior…

He and Olive met at a health and wellness conference in New Orleans where they both lived. Fred had just launched a fitness app and Olive’s tea company was taking off. During a heated breakout session, they first locked eyes — and horns — critiquing everyone’s ideas. But their bickering soon shifted to playful banter.

After ditching the snooze-fest conference, they spent the day getting to know each other. So began their great love story. Two years later, they got married and moved into a cramped apartment. Their family would take turns crashing on their couch as if it were intentional. But they didn’t mind the chaos.

Then Olive’s grandmother passed, leaving Olive her sprawling ranch property. During a vacation visit, Fred and Olive fell in love with the countryside serenity. By next April, they’d packed up and relocated to the ranch to start the next chapter.

Olive came out in a free-flowing red floral print summer dress and a pair of sandals plus a small purse she carried over her shoulder. “Where are we going first Groot? Did I get that right? Groot?”

“Yes ma’am. You did “

“Oh silly! Call me Olive”

“Alright, ma’am… Olive. I’m at your service. Wherever you want to go. Today is all about you and what you want “

It still felt like a dream. “Somebody pinch me”, she thought as she walked into the car.

“I was given three destinations: Danbury Spa & Wellness Center, Ferguson Mall and The Red Gala Restaurant. Where would you want us to start ma’am? Olive, I meant “ Groot said looking at Olive through his rearview mirror.

Olive had had a stressful week. A spa sounded perfect. At this point, she was convinced it was Fred and felt at ease. “He must have planned it. Makes sense why he was so eager to hang out with the girls. Oooh, I love that man! He gets me “, she thought with a smirk on her face.

“The spa sounds heavenly right now,” Olive said. “Let’s start there.”

As the car wound through the countryside to the spa, Olive leaned back and closed her eyes, letting the sun’s warmth spread over her face. She thought affectionately of Fred and how he must have arranged this special day just for her. Even after years of marriage, that man never failed to surprise her with his thoughtfulness.

At the spa, Olive was treated to a massage, facial, and mani-pedi. As the esthetician kneaded the tension from Olive’s shoulders, she let out a blissful sigh. The past week had been nonstop with the product launches at work and getting the girls ready for school. She made a mental note to thank Fred profusely for giving her this chance to recharge.

After the spa, Groot drove Olive to the Ferguson Mall per her request. She leisurely browsed through the various high-end boutiques. She took her time trying on different outfits, chatting with the sales associates, and imagining which items the girls would like best.

In one store, she found a flowy bohemian-style dress that immediately made her think of Jessica’s artsy style. Olive could picture her daughter wearing it to a music festival or date night. She also picked out some dainty gold jewellery that Gina would love mixing and matching for school.

As Olive sat enjoying a latte, she watched the shoppers pass by. She smiled as a group of teenagers gossiped and laughed while carrying shopping bags. It reminded her of being young with her own girlfriends hitting the mall on weekends.

Soft piano music played while Olive was seated at a cozy table beside a window at The Red Gala restaurant that evening. She relished having time to linger over the three-course meal paired perfectly with wine.

Between savoury bites of steak and buttery mashed potatoes, Olive gazed out at the countryside bathed in the warm glow of sunset. She thought back to that first visit with Fred when they fell in love with the ranch’s peaceful beauty. It was on a similar evening over dinner that they decided this would be their new home.

Olive smiled remembering how nervous and excited they felt starting that new chapter together. Now, 20 years later, she felt immense gratitude for the life they had built. She was just finishing up dessert when her phone buzzed.

It was a text from her mom saying she hoped Olive had enjoyed her spa day and that the car should be picking her up any minute. Olive’s eyes went wide in surprise. This whole day had been a gift from her mother! Just then, Olive noticed a familiar car pull up outside. As she slid into the backseat, her mother turned around with a smile.

“Surprise! Did you have a nice day, dear?” she asked.

Olive laughed and pulled her in for a hug, thanking her mom for the incredible gift. “Love you, mum! You know me so well. You’re the best anyone could ask for.”

As the car pulled up the long gravel driveway leading to the ranch, Olive’s heart swelled with love. The house was aglow with warm light and she could see Fred waiting on the porch. After thanking her mom again profusely, Olive headed inside.

“Surprise yourself!” she said, embracing Fred. She told him all about the thoughtful gift from her mom that day. Fred just chuckled, admitting he had known about the surprise spa trip all along.

Later that night as she lay in bed, Olive felt incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such a loving family. She made a promise to herself to plan a weekend getaway for just her and Fred to show her appreciation for the lifelong partner he was. But first, she’d find a special way to repay her mom’s kindness and begin planning the perfect thank-you day. With these happy thoughts, Olive drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face.

First Published on Medium