Cory's Romance Problems (POV from Couraegous Love)

by Caitlyn Elisabeth

            Cory Blake glanced around the crowded room in the Fresno House, looking for Andi.  Ah-hah! There she is! He thought. But who’s she dancing with? Oliver Jansen? He watched as Oliver said something to Andi. Her jaw stiffened. She replied and started to walk away. Oliver’s mouth fell open. He quickly said something and reached out and grasped Andi’s wrist. 

             Uh-oh. I’d better get over there before Andi kicks him! thought Cory in alarm. He hurried over just as he saw her lifting her foot. “Hey, Andi, is this fella bothering you?” he asked.

            Andi put her foot back down. “He was just leaving,” she said. “Weren’t you, Mr. Jansen?” Andi peeled his fingers off her wrist.

            Oliver glared at Cory, who was a whole head taller than he was. Cory glared right back. Finally, Oliver bowed and moved on, muttering.

            Andi let out a deep breath. “Good riddance.” She skipped out of the way of a couple and faced Cory. “You got here just in time. Oliver Jansen is insufferable. He’s even worse than Johnny Wilson. I was about to kick him which would have caused a scene.”

Cory nodded his approval. “Maybe I should have let you kick him. He deserves a good kick.”

        Andi nodded. “Yes, but not at Chad and Ellie’s gala. Thanks for stepping in.” She scooted a little closer to edge of the dance floor, and motioned Cory to follow. “How have you been?”

         Cory shrugged. “Same as always, I reckon.”

       “Have you gone fishing lately?”

       “I’ve been too busy helping Pa at the livery to fish. How ‘bout you? I never see you around anymore.”

       “I work for Chad now, and I haven’t been to town much lately. In my spare time, Riley is teaching me to trick ride. I can stand up on Shasta and lope and even jump. This afternoon, Riley started teaching me the pick-up stunt.”

       Cory’s heart dropped into his toes. Oh no! She’s going to fall in love with Riley if she keeps this up, and I won’t have a chance!  “Is that how you banged up your face?” he asked with a frown.

       Andi touched her nose. “I took a nose-dive off Riley’s horse. It’s nothing.”

       “Sounds dangerous.” Cory peered across the hall, and his expression hardened.

       Andi’s grin faded.

       Cory groaned inwardly. I shouldn’t have said that! Now she probably thinks I’m jealous. I guess I am, though, but I don’t want her to know it.  He cleared his throat and smiled at Andi.   “Miss Carter, would you care to dance?”

       Andi laughed. “No thank you, Mr. Blake. I’m sore enough without you tramping all over my toes.”

       “Sad but true,” laughed Cory. Another couple went by, narrowly missing them both. Let’s get off this dance floor before we’re bowled over.” He grasped Andi’s hand, and led her to a secluded corner, away from the main gathering. Cory’s heart was pounding nervously. Should I speak up tonight? Or should I wait? I-I think I’ll wait. No, I’m going to speak up. He gripped her hand, trying to get up the courage to speak his mind.

       Andi had apparently noticed that he had not let go of her hand. She wiggled her hand out of his tight grasp.

       “What’s the matter, Cory?” she asked. “Has something happened? Tell me.”

       Cory gazed at her without saying anything. She’s so pretty in her new dress. Everything about her is pretty. Even her scratched up face.

       “What in the world is wrong with you, Cory?” Andi looked bewildered.

Now or never. He sighed, long and loud. “I’m sorry, Andi. I tried so hard not to”- he gulped- “not to care. But it’s no use. I-I do care.”

       Andi stood stock still.

       Cory almost wished he hadn’t said anything.

       “Oh, Cory.” Andi gulped. “Even if I did care for you in that way, I could never leave the ranch. You love working with your father at the livery, and you’re good at it. You enjoy the hustle and bustle of town. I love the ranch, and I’m good at ranching. I like the wide-open spaces. I’d shrivel up in town.”

       I knew she’d say that. She’s right. I just love her so much. “I know,” he choked out. “Your brother told me pretty much the same thing. That’s what’s so hard. I reckon I’ve always known, but I’ve held on to the hope that things might change. I…I could be a cowboy.”

       “You’d hate it,” Andi said.

       All at once, Cory began to feel better. “Yeah,” he admitted with a grin. “I would.”

       Andi shook her head. “I’m sorry, Cory. I really am.”

       “So am I,” Cory said.  I’m glad it’s out in the open now, he thought. I thought I’d bust, trying to keep my feelings inside myself.  He let out a long, deep breath. He smiled, and this time it was a genuine smile. “I’m glad it’s out in the open now,” he said. “Thank you for being honest and not sparing my feelings, Andi.” Cory reached out and tweaked Andi’s swollen nose. “You watch yourself around that wrangler and those crazy stunts, you hear? We’re still friends, you know. That won’t change. If you ever need anything, promise me you won’t shy away. You’ll ask me.”

       “I p-promise.” Andi started to cry.

       “Don’t cry, Andi,” said Cory. “God knows what’s best for me, and for you.”

       Cory gave her hands a gentle squeeze, then let go. “I have to go now. Pa’s tending a sick horse, and he needs my help. I only showed up to congratulate Chad. You tell him for me, will you?”

       Andi nodded.

       “Thanks. See you around.” Cory stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled from the Fresno House. Once outside, he turned for one last look at his love. Andi stood hunched over, tears streaming down her face.  Cory gave a loud sniff and marched off through the dark.
**********

       He entered the livery, and asked, “Do you need some help, Pa?” He cleared his throat, and bent his head low, trying to hide the fact that he’d been crying.

Sam Blake looked up sharply.  “Did you talk to Andi, son?” He knew his son’s feelings toward Andrea Carter and had encouraged him to say something to her.

         “Erm, yes Pa, I did.”

       “Well? Will I soon have a daughter-in-law?” asked Mr. Blake eagerly. Cory was his only child, and he was eager to have him marry a nice girl.

       “No, Pa. You won’t. She turned me down,” Cory said so low that Sam almost didn’t hear him.

        There was a long uncomfortable pause. “I’m sorry, son,” said Cory’s father at last.
           Cory sank onto a bale of hay. “I knew she didn’t feel the same way about me that I did about her. I guess I hoped she’d change. But she won’t. Ever. I know that now.”

       “I’m sorry, son,” said Mr. Blake again.

       “It’s okay, Pa. Now, how is the sick mare doing?”

       “Oh, she’s on the mend. She’ll be alright. Now, just what did you say to Andi?”

       Cory related their conversation, and then there was another long uncomfortable silence.

       “You know, son,” said Sam Blake thoughtfully, “As much as I love that Andi Carter, I don’t think she’s quite right for you.”

       “You think so, Pa?”

       “Yes, son.”

       “Well, she may not be right for me, but I love her and I’m never going to marry, if I can’t have Andi.”

       “We’ll see, son.”    

THE END