Taking the Back Roads

Prologue

She’d known them all her life, Cole and Maxine McAllister, the twins who lived down the road. She couldn’t remember a time that they hadn’t been in her life. Always there, always a supporting presence throughout her childhood. When they were children, the three of them could always be found together. The twins were only a year older than her, and they were thick as thieves running wild in the fields outside of town.

They'd been the ones to stay up late with her talking in the darkness when she'd snuck out of her house because her parents were drunk and fighting. Again. Her parents both drank too much and fought constantly, using her as a pawn in their bitter drama. Until the night when she was 7 that her dad had stormed out of the house after a fight and gotten into a car accident that had killed her 4-year-old brother. After that her mom just kind of gave up; she dove head-first into a bottle and seemed intent on killing herself slowly with booze. She just didn’t have time for Marcie anymore, her grief was all-consuming. The McAllister’s stepped in always offering support and solace. They never asked questions, never judged her, and always had an open seat at the table for her. She truly felt like she was a cherished part of the family.

Maxine loved to cook and would make them cookies and picnics for their adventures, she dreamed of making the wedding cakes for everyone she knew. Cole was your typical small-town cowboy with dreams of becoming a Rodeo champion. While Marcie was a tomboy, she loved old cars and hoped to open her own specialty garage one day. The three of them would lay out in the field and stare at the clouds telling each other everything. Dreaming about what it would be like when they were older.

They did everything together. Mr McAllister taught them all how to throw a ball, ride a horse, and change a tire. While Mrs McAllister showed them how to cook, sew, and bake. They joined the 4H club all pursing their different interests. Their dad fostered her interest in cars and helped her get a job at the local oil and lube place. They could always be found together for baking competitions, rodeos, and car shows. She went to every one of his Junior Rodeo competitions and could be heard cheering the loudest whenever he ranked top 3. He was there when she picked up her first junker to fix up and call her own. They both were game to try any new creation Maxine came up with within the kitchen.

He was there for all her firsts from her first day at school to her first kiss; just as much as Maxine and their parents. Maybe more. He had bandaged her knee and wiped her tears. He'd celebrated her milestones and cheered her on in her achievements. He had always been her number one fan just like she was his. He was never just her best-friend’s brother, he had always been HERS.

They both dreamed of moving across the country to pursue their dreams. He planned to join the rodeo circuit when he turned 18 and she would follow him anywhere. She wanted to work on cars and in her mind, she could do that anywhere. She’d been in love with him for as long as she could remember, dreaming about growing old and having a family together. She thought they would be together forever.

That all ended nine years ago.

The last time she had seen him was the night before her 16th birthday; he had come to her house with a piece of cake to celebrate her Sweet Sixteen. She smiled up at him and saw the look in his eyes and concern immediately flared to life. “Marcie, I have to go. I’ve been offered a job on a ranch for the summer. It’s a great opportunity and could be the stepping stone I need to break into the circuit. I have to jump on this now.” He hugged her fiercely and stepped away. “My stuff is already loaded in the truck; I just wanted to say good-bye and give you your birthday present before I go.” She looked up at him and he was holding out a small box wrapped in plain brown paper. She opened the box and inside was a small locket that contained miniature pictures of their smiling faces. He told her that she was incredible and that he thought she was made for great things, and she swore his fingers lingered a little too long as he did the necklace up for her.

He didn’t make any promises, he never said he would come back for her. He just bent forward and gently laid his lips on hers. And then, without a backward glance, got in the truck and drove away.

In that moment, her heart broke into a million pieces as she watched the cloud of dust fade in the stillness left behind his departure. She swore she would never forgive him for leaving.

But time has a funny way of changing things.