Sunshine Valley

Instead of answering the daily prompt with personal stuff; I’m gonna work the prompt into my story. Hope you enjoy.

Valentines Day

     Evie and Dillon got their marriage license. They did it together. They’re present to each other. “What would you like to do tonight?” Dillon asked as he held the door open for her. The cold air smacked them both in the face. 

     “How about dinner at my house? Then you can play for me.”

     “Will you sing?”

     “If it’s a song I know.” 

     Dillon kissed her. “Don’t do everything, I want to help.” 

     “I will save you some work, my future husband.” He went to work and she went home.

     Evie had lit candles to give the living room and kitchen a more romantic feel. She had salsa baked chicken and baked potatoes. When Dillon came in, he helped set the table and made a salad. They ate and talked about the day.

     “This feels weird that I didn’t get you a gift.” He cleared his throat, “a traditional gift.”

     “You will learn lawman that I’m not big on fluff,” she said with caution. “Gifts are nice. If you are going to buy flowers, I’d much rather you buy something that can be planted outside or that we can eat later.”

     He pecked at the piano. “This spring can I dig up the honeysuckle vine or do you want me to buy you a new one?”

     “What are you thinking?”

     “I want to plant it at the bottom of the fence where we first come up the driveway. That way, it’s the first thing you see. When it’s in full bloom, of course.”

     “Dillon,” she kissed him on top of the head. “You are a sweetie.”

     “Only for you,” he winked. 

     She sat in the floor leaning up against one of the overstuffed chairs as he played. “I’ve been thinking, you know how the community came together to fix up this house.” He nodded. “Who organized that?”

     “Jack.”

     “I was thinking, with their permission of course, we could do that for the Ledbetter’s. They can still live in their house. Which is amazing. But you know they are gonna need help. Insurance isn’t gonna be enough.”

     Dillon was stunned. He couldn’t believe his ears. “Evelyn, are you drunk?”

     She gave him a confused look, “no – why?”

     “If that woman has had one good word to say about you, I’ve never heard it.”

     “Simon seems to be a sweet person. Somehow I feel sorry for him. I can’t put my finger on why.” She shrugged, “we can at least ask if they would like that.”

     Dillon got up looking out the window, “let’s go.”

     They walked arm and arm up the Ledbetter’s drive. 

     Dillon spoke, “this mornin’ on the radio Sunshine Sue asked ‘what would you do if you won the lottery?’ “What would you do?”

     “I don’t know, you?”

     “Build some kind of housing infrastructure for the homeless.”

     “If I won, I could help you with that.”

     He smiled, “that would be lovely.”

     “Y’all give Sunshine Sue a lot of your time. Guess I need to buy a radio.”

     “It’s hard not too. She’s everywhere. Honestly, I usually only listen to the radio in the truck. She has a special place in hell for the sheriff’s department.”

     Simon and Rebecca met them on the front porch. Dillon and Evie remained in the yard. 

     Simon smiled, “we saw you walkin’ up. Everything okay?”

     “Yes,” Dillon answered. “We were wondering,”

     Evie finished, “would you 2 be open to allowing us to organize a house fixin’ weekend? It might take a couple. I know, you will want to discuss it.”

      Dillon continued, “it’s never easy havin’ people trample through your home.”

     Simon felt Rebecca squeeze his arm. “Thank you. We will let you know.” He answered. 

     “Happy Valentine’s Day.” Evie smiled as she and Dillon left.

     “Happy Valentine’s Day,” Simon responded. Rebecca elbowed him in the ribs. He stifled a groan.

Sunshine Valley