{{ @indiemorgan }}
Where: Indie’s Place Closed Starter
For once Arlo had abstained from drinking himself to sleep. All that remained were the Edison bulb string of lights that dimly lit his tiny cabin, and the sound of the outdoors. That, and a snore or a kick from Shep every few minutes. Another night without sleep. It was a recurring thing since returning from the Army. However, it was a step up at least he wasn’t sleeping on the floor anymore. Part of the reason he liked working at the barn in the mornings was all the animals needed tending to before sun up. He could get work done easier that way around the ranch before riding lessons, before the day to day activities, just him, the wood, the tools, and the animals - and sometimes Indie. After an evening of drinks the two found something. Maybe it had been there before, or maybe he was reading too much into the flirtatious twenty something. Either way they’d been texting more frequently. Regardless, Arlo needed friends, and she seemed to be the only one up rounding 2am. “Shep,” he sat up on his elbows, “Bud, how’s bout a car ride?” He asked the old dog who was clearly comfortable but the simple phrase car ride had a slow approving tail wag. “C’mon lets go see Auntie Indie, she needs your cuddles, apparently.” Surveying the tiny cottage Arlo grabbed a white t-shirt and some thin grey pajama pants tying them on over his boxer briefs. Slipping on a pair of Birkenstocks he took a moment to look at himself in a small mirror. He needed a shave. With a shrug the ex Army Ranger splashed some water on his face and drag his fingers through his hair. Snatching his wallet and keys he nodded to Shep and tossed the leash over his shoulder (not that the dog ever left his side). Opening the door to his red pick up Shep got in first then he did. His car the only sound on the quiet gravel as he headed towards her place. Parking along the street less than ten minutes later he had that nagging thought again...he was almost ten years older. What was he doing? What did she want? Hell what did HE want? Knocking lightly at the pristine door he smiled a little her place was bigger than his but held a very similar aesthetic he could easily see it as home. It felt....comfortable. “Well, here’s the cuddle buddy as promised,” he watched as Shep took no time entering her home as if he owned the place. “Guess I should be leavin’ y’all to it?”