“Well, now, I think I feel insulted that you’d rather look at your feet instead of my tits.”
Tom took a minute to compose his thoughts. She asked, “Cat got your tongue?”
He continued to gaze in her eyes and then exclaimed, “You’re just too darned beautiful. You take my breath away, and I tingle all over when I look into your eyes. Oh! Crap! I can’t believe I said that. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for not looking at my tits or telling me I’m beautiful. I might feel insulted depending on the answer.”
Tom was flustered by now and couldn’t get his thoughts worked out. Then he felt his heart race. “Granny B taught me to look into a woman’s eyes and not at her boobs. I can’t look into your eyes without melting inside.”
“So, you won’t look at my tits or my eyes. Are you sneaking looks at my backside? I think that’s what you were doing when you stood there so long.”
She had Tom twisting in the wind, afraid to say anything. He finally said, “I wasn’t looking at your butt. I was amazed at your accuracy with the bow.”
“So my butt and tits aren’t worth looking at? Now, I’m insulted. I think I’ll leave the group.”
“No! Please don’t go! Oh! Crap! I’m not good at this relationship stuff. I like you and want to see more of you.” Tom exclaimed as he reached out and grabbed her shoulders.
Kate had the boy totally unhinged. “So, you won’t look at my tits or butt, but want to see me naked? Was that what you meant by – ‘see more of me’?”
Tom had a moment of clarity. “Stop playing with me like a cat playing with a catnip mouse. I like you, and just want to get to know you better.”
Kate knew she’d almost pushed the wrong buttons. “I was just yanking your chain. I’ve liked you since we first met. I was wondering when you’d make a pass at me since day one. Your Granny B raised a fine man who maybe respects women a bit too much. We’re not to be abused, but we’re not china dolls on a pedestal. You can take me off my pedestal and play with me every now and then.”
Tom pulled her close, and they kissed. He whispered. “There are cameras everywhere out here.”
Tom helped gather the bolts from the targets and helped Kate carry them and the bow. They walked past the barn and saw Rick and Greta building something. Tom said, “That looks like a rabbit cage.”
Rick looked up and hit his thumb with his hammer. “Darn it to hell. That hurt.” He sucked on his thumb. “Ith is a brabbit cuge.”
Kate snickered. “Stop talking with your mouth full. My dad and I raised rabbits for one of our preps. Rabbits are a great source of protein and fur for gloves and coats. Plus, they multiply like …”
Tom replied. “Rabbits. Rabbits multiply like rabbits. I don’t see any rabbits. You do know it takes a buck and a doe to start the manufacturing process.”
Greta wisecracked. “No kidding, Sherlock. I remember something about that back in high school. Mom even talked about how to use protection during the trial runs of the manufacturing process.”
Rick’s thumb popped out of his mouth. “I guess that was one of those – out of the mouths of babes comments.”
Greta laughed so hard she snorted. “Tom, I have six rabbits and should have a hundred soon. I’d like you and Rick to build one of those moveable cages so they can graze in different plots of grass.”
Tom thought for a minute. “We can do that. We’ll also cordon off an area in the barn for the rabbits. That will give them some relief from the wind. Add some hay bales, and they’ll be as happy as a pig in poop.”
Greta hugged Tom. “Thanks, I appreciate the help.”
Kate said, “I thought you had thousands of cows. Isn’t this a cattle ranch?”
Tom saw a weird look on Kate’s face. “We only had a few hundred cattle, and they’re spread all over the area. This is a cattle ranch, but rabbits multiply much faster than cattle. Both sources of meat will come in handy.”
Jackie looked across the supper table at Tom and Kate sitting side by side. “How did the archery practice go?”
Tom grinned. “I’m not as good as Kate, but I’ll do. I can hit a pie plate at thirty-five yards pretty consistently. The static bags protected the electronics, so they all work, but the motorized cocking device is dead. The thing practically shoots itself.”
Kate snickered. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s a natural with the crossbow and has an amazing touch with the bow.”
Jackie was close to Kate and whispered. “I’ll just bet he has an amazing touch.”
Kate’s face turned a bit red, but she kept bragging about Tom’s ability with the weapon.
Tom made the timeout sign. “Now, we need to translate my training and Kate’s teaching ability into making more of you proficient in shooting crossbows. I want everyone except Jack, who is on guard duty, to meet Kate and me at the archery range in an hour.”
Jackie huffed. “Hey, Adolf. Could you make it in two hours? We ladies have to plan my wedding, and Kate is part of my wedding planning team.”
Kate looked at Tom and slightly shrugged her shoulders. Tom rubbed the back of his neck. “Granny B and I have been trying to get rid of you for years, so who am I to stand in your way? Ladies, please join us at the range in two hours. Men come with me now.”
Bill asked, “Is it okay if I
