I had already talked to Grammy and filled her in on our pot roast lunch, what he had said to me, and how I had responded to. And what Kevin had said. She was touched that Kevin was still looking out for me.
“I had a good feeling about Wyatt from the start,” she said.
“I did too, but that doesn't mean anything from my experience.”
“I am much older and wiser though, sweet girl.”
“Yes, you are, and you had one of the greatest loves of all time, so I would think you would know it when you saw it.”
“Well of course, dear. Listen, I was thinking, what do you think about having him and his aunt Rhonda over for dinner one night? Or we could do Sunday afternoon after church for a lunch? Would you feel comfortable with that?”
“I would love that. I will mention it to him when I talk with him next.”
“Breigh, when God gives you someone to love, don't take one minute for granted. I have spoken that to you many of times, but I will always remind you.”
“Yes, ma’am. It’s hard after….”
“Enough of that.”
And she was right.
Me: I hope I didn't wake you. I’m up late working, but I couldn't go to bed without telling you I love you.
I love you.
Dang that feels good.
Wyatt: I love you, my Breigh.
I’ll text you tomorrow when I get up.
Sweet dreams.
I love you.
Me: xoxox
WYATT
Me: Good morning, beautiful.
You free tonight?
Breigh: I am.
Me: I’ll pick you up at 6:00. Dress for outside.
Breigh: ? I’ll be ready.
Me: Hey?
Breigh: Yes…
Me: I love you.
Breigh: I love you.
At 5:55, I was pulling up to Breigh’s house in my camo shirt, old well-worn jeans, and my broken in boots. I had everything loaded and ready to go for tonight. I was taking her hunting with me, and hoped she enjoyed it since it was an important part of my life. My uncle had actually taught me when I was young. He wanted me to appreciate nature, but also eat what I kill. To appreciate that sacrifice.
I met her at her door and smiled. “Dang, I’ve never seen someone look so good in camo!” She smiled and winked. “Let me guess, we’re going hunting?”
“Is that okay?”
“As long as you kiss me in the dark I’m good.” She closed her door and led the way to my truck.
Flirt.
And I loved every second of it.
“I can definitely do that.” I winked. “Have you ever been hunting?”
“No.”
“Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“I am up for anything with you.”
“Have you ever shot a gun?”
“Yes, but not because I wanted to. I had to kill a snake. It was disgusting!”
Her face made me laugh along with her.
“Well, this will be fun. I’m going to take you to my deer lease and we can sit out there for a while. Once it gets dark, we’ll have to stop hunting but I figured if you are up for it, we could sit for a while and talk. I brought some snacks. Then maybe take you for dessert afterward. Texas Cobblestone has a great peach cobbler. It will taste great, nice and warm after us sitting out in the cold.”
“Sounds like a well-thought-out plan.”
Twenty minutes later, we were sitting in my deer stand watching for deer. It was a cloudless night and colder than I had anticipated. Her cheeks were pink from the coldness already, and I had hoped she would be able to stay warm.
My friend, Cole, said he had missed on two different bucks this last weekend, and I was hoping to get a chance to shoot. Man, bragging about shooting one of them would be fantastic at work. Plus the deer meat.
She sat beside me and watched out the window just as I did, observing our surroundings. Breigh was quiet and in awe of where we were.
I appreciated her for being her.
I didn't have to explain to her we had to be quiet. She just knew. Sitting in silence was natural for us, as if we didn't need a conversation to fill the air around us.
I saw two does and a fawn and pointed them out to Breigh. She smiled and cooed quietly watching them, not wanting to disturb them. I watched the tenderness in her eyes as she observed their natural state.
“Don’t worry, I don't shoot does, especially with babies. We want them to grow up and shoot them…” I stopped talking and let her figure out the rest. I probably should have stopped at the letting the babies grow up.
“I know what you meant. It is hard to think about them being big though when they are so cute, little Bambis.”
I propped up my gun and turned to talk to her. I was pretty sure we had already missed the window for the buck to appear, so talking a little louder wouldn't hurt anything.
“I had a real issue when I was young, thinking that too. Damn Disney. But Uncle Kurt took me hunting as young kid. He taught me a lot and the way to think of things. It changed a lot. God put them here for us to shoot, but also I make sure and thank them for their sacrifice. And I eat their meat. If I can’t eat it, or it doesn't hurt me, I don't shoot it.”
“I can respect that.” She paused and smiled. “There isn't anything I don't like about you yet, you know that?”
“Ditto.” I winked at her.
“So, I probably should have told you before but your brother called me.” Breigh said it nonchalant. “He actually called me a while ago, but I fought internally about telling you.” Her eyes looked worried trying to predict my response.
“WHAT?” I screamed it louder than I had expected. I in no way
