Ten Ways to Annoy a Cowboy

Written by: SomaFan

AN: Woot! Finally up to the last one! This one does not contain much humor. It is supposed to be completely romantic. I had toyed with the idea of keeping this one out of the group and trying to run in into a full story, but that would mean I would have to come up with a brand new idea for a final chapter and…honestly I don't think my muse wants to cooperate at the moment. More like it is trying to hold a gun to my head to get my back into my main chapter fic that is in sore need of an update…as well as trying to get me to write something for the old Save the Homeland game…ahem…yeah anyway…FINAL CHAPTER HEE HOO!

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"Hey, Chelsea!" Vaughn shouted to his brown haired angel. She turned away from one of he cows and beamed him a beautiful smile as he ran up to her. She gave him a hug and a chaste kiss in greeting, which he returned with enthusiasm. The sun shone down on them and there was a warm breeze blowing flower petals around the farm.

"Hey, Cowboy! What brings ya here?"

"I'm not bothering you, am I?"

"Of course not! I'm happy to see ya. It's just unusual to see ya before three."

He pondered this and nodded. "Suppose it is...but I wanted to ask you to have lunch with me."

"Really? As in a date?" He nodded again with a small flush across his cheeks.

She clapped her hands excitedly. "Of course I would! Just need to finish brushin' the cows."

"I'll help."

Once the chore was accomplished, they both headed down towards the café. The small little store was known more for its drinks, but had a nice light menu for breakfast and lunch. Chelsea often would stop in for a meal, but the place felt different today. She had never come in with someone before, much less on a date with her beloved Vaughn, so she was a little more self-conscious then usual. She wondered if she should have washed up or changed into something less work like, but Vaughn didn't seem to mind, and he was dressed in his normal clothes as well.

They ordered their meals, and sat down at a table in the far corner of the room. The silence that stretched between them was awkward as neither really knew what to say and both were nervous since this was their first "official" date as a couple.

"So um…I noticed you didn't order that much…"

"Are ya implyin' somethin'?" she asked while raising an eyebrow.

"N-No…it was just…"

"Just what?"

"I just didn't want you to hold back on my account…or anything."

She giggled nervously and nodded. "Well I wasn't expectin' ya so I already ate a bit before ya came."

"Ah…sorry." He mentally kicked himself. Of course she would have eaten. Any farmer worth their salt knew working on an empty stomach was a fast way to pass out.

"Oh don't get me wrong! I am thrilled to have been invited." She smiled happily, trying to ease the tension between them. "So…how are things in the city? I've never actually lived in one."

"Busy… I don't really like it. People are loud, there is traffic, and the air smells like gasoline and chemicals."

"Well…there must be some good parts to it."

He shrugged. "I guess it is convenient, and the food is more diverse."

"Oh?" She perked up and tilted her head. "How so?"

"You can get almost anything there if you know where to look. The city I come from is a hub of trading, so we get foods from all over."

"Hmm…what is the weirdest thing ya have ever eaten?"

He thought for a moment. "That would probably be a durian."

"What's that?"

"It's a type of fruit. I'm not sure where it comes from, but I have to admit I didn't even want to try it when the seller at the store tried to give me one."

"Why not?"

"Its odor is...indescribable. Think of all the most rotten foods you can imagine, thrown in a dumpster and left to bake in the summer sun."

She scrunched her nose. "Eww…why would anyone eat that?"

He gave a small laugh. "It actually isn't that bad, if you could ignore the smell. It had a sort of slightly slimy, soft texture, and it tasted like a pudding or custard with toasted almonds."

"Wow…that…actually sounds good. If I ever see one I might just have to try it!"

They fell into a comfortable silence as their food was delivered and they began eating. The rest of the meal passed relatively quickly. As nice as it was to be in each other's company they both still had work to do. With a sigh Vaughn stood from the table and walked with Chelsea out of the building hand in hand.

"Thanks for this, Vaughn. It was really nice."

He tipped his hat to her and smiled. "Anytime, Beautiful."

"Well in that case…how about ya join me for breakfast at my house tomorrow?"

He gave her a questioning look, and she smiled back. "I'll make porridge! What do you say?"

"Tempting…" He admitted. She could see hesitation in his eyes, but she knew how to fix that.

"Of course the offer includes ya staying over tonight so ya don't have to get up super early."

He blushed at that, but nodded. "Sounds good."

"Great!" She pulled him into a deep kiss, before walking away with a wave. "See ya tonight!"

He stood there watching her go for a few minutes before going back to his own job. Mirabelle would later admit she had never seen the man work with more enthusiasm or finish up so quickly.