Chapter Text
Grace came out into her parent’s yard in her summer dress - eyes gleaming as she took a second to watch the scene in front of her
There was Judd, down on his knees and hard at work building some decking. He was so lost in the country music he had blasting through the radio he’d dragged outside, that he missed her approach - startling when her gentle hand fell to rest on his shoulder
He fell from his knees and plopped onto his bottom - smiling up at her as he wiped sweat off his brow with the back of his hand
He used his hand as a visor from the sun as he spoke - voice tired but happy:
“Howdy, Girl”
Grace couldn’t resist leaning down to give him a quick peck - cautious of the eyes just inside the house
It had to be chaste for Grace didn’t need them getting sprayed by the hose sitting near the back door - something she knew her father was tempted to do
G: “How’s the deck coming along?”
J: “It’s coming. It’s hot out today and it’s slowing me down”
G: “It is scorching - especially directly in the sun like you are. Come sit in the shade for a beat”
J: “Nah I want to get this finished. At least get the base done today and I can work on the rest at the weekend”
G: “Well I thought you might say that - so I have some requirements”
Grace pulled a baseball cap from behind her back and secured it on her man’s head - straightening it so that his eyes were more shielded from the sun
J: “That all?”
Judd was smirking - his eyes showing that he knew Grace had more ‘requests’
G: “Not quite...Up”
Judd got up and brushed his hands off on his shorts as Grace beckoned for him to follow. She dropped down into one of her parents rocking chairs and turned to a pitcher of lemonade set on a small table beside it. She poured two glasses and handed one to the man that dropped to sit at her feet - Judd rolling his eyes as he took a sip
Grace pulled him back to lean against her legs as they enjoyed the shade of their current spot. They fell silent as they sipped on the ice cold drink - the refreshing liquid doing wonders to cool them down
Judd tipped his head back onto his girl’s thighs as she ran an affectionate thumb over his cheek - looking down at him with a soft smile
J: “Thanks for the replenishment”
Grace laughed at his wording as slipped a gentle hand into the front of his shirt - rubbing over his heart
G: “Can’t have my cowboy getting heatstroke”
Judd hummed in response - quieting as he tipped his head forward again
Grace played with the hairs on the back of his neck - the ones poking out of the bottom of his cap - as she let him gather his thoughts.
J: “You think your Daddy is thawing out on me any?”
Grace sighed gently - always saddened by the tense relationship between the two men
She knew her Daddy had been giving her fella an extra hard time as of late (and she had her suspicions as to why - ones she wasn’t going to bring up with Judd just yet) - and she felt the need to give Judd some reassurance
G: “It doesn’t matter what my Daddy thinks, Judd. I’m a big girl and I make my own decisions
...(tilting his head back again so that she could look in his eyes)...
You know I love you, right?”
Judd blinked at her response - his eyes slightly red as he gently moved his head forward to nod
J: “I do. And I love you too...You’re my girl”
Judd pushed up off the ground and set his glass back on the table as he leant in to kiss Grace’s cheek - Grace squeezing his hips as he pulled back
J: “You going back inside?”
G: “No I think I’ll stay right here. Enjoy the view”
Grace winked as Judd turned back to glance at her, before he completed his walk to the deck construction site - blushing slightly as Grace whistled when he squatted down to get back to work
He had a deck to finish after all - and an old man to convince he was worth keeping around
And even if he never got that old man’s blessing - he had Grace’s love; and that was worth so much more