Chapter Twenty #2
“He’s built like a tank. Come on. There’s a place I want to show you.”
*****
Hawkeye led Margo down to the edge of the creek where he spent a lot of time.
“This place, it’s beautiful.”
He watched her take in the sun-dappled trees and water, her eyes shining.
“Have a seat.” He pointed out the boulder that had a perfect flat surface for sitting and staying a while.
A comfortable silence drifted between them as if they were absorbing nature’s attraction here by the rushing creek.
An old pine, its bark touched by time and elements, leaned over like its branch tested the temperature of the water. It had character, and if it could talk, it would be an amazing story.
Hawkeye picked up a flat, gray stone and bounced it over the surface of the water. It skipped three times before sinking. He tossed a few more before joining her on the rock.
Her laughter entwined with the creek’s gentle gurgle. “Did you make a wish?”
“A wish?” He lifted a brow.
“I’ve always been told when you skip a rock you should make a wish before it sinks.” The sun caught the silver in her eyes.
“I’ll have to remember that for next time.”
“Do you come here often?” she asked.
“As often as I can.” He looked up into the clear sky, relishing in its beauty. “There’s just something about this place. Keeps me grounded.”
“It’s lovely. I think I could be satisfied with sitting here and writing every day.”
“It definitely connects you to nature.”
She studied the trees.
“What are you thinking?” He was curious.
“It’s like living in a painting. Sitting here and surrounded by so much calm it’s easy to forget all the noise out in the world.”
“This is a slice of heaven untouched by the evils of the world.”
She nodded. “I can see why you love it here.”
“Maybe you’ll forget about San Antonio,” he blurted.
“I could stay here and become lost but unfortunately, I can’t stay forever,” she said grimly.
“I’m sure if you wanted to stay, we could make room for you. I bet in no time at all you’d be mending fences, inoculating livestock, and milking the goats.”
She tucked her hair behind her ear. The diamond earring twinkled in the sunlight.
“I feel like I’d want to do those things.
In the brief time I’ve been here I’ve learned so much.
Nothing major but enough that I can appreciate the hard work.
Writing is therapeutic but it can also be overwhelming.
Complicated.” She leaned closer as if finding solace in the water’s unending music.
“I think if I were in your boots I’d stay here forever too. ”
“How are you doing? Really doing? You’ve been here for over a week.”
“I’ve enjoyed our time together. I’ve enjoyed meeting new people. How many people can say they’ve witnessed a calf being born?” Her face lit. “Coolest thing ever.”
“It’s not always cool though. Sometimes we lose animals.” He scraped his fingers down his jaw. “I got a call from Echo while I was in the office. He had to call the vet in to look at the mama cow. She started bleeding.”
“Is she okay?”
“He’ll let me know when the vet gets here and then we’ll know more.
” He reached down and plucked a blade of grass that was growing in a crack in the rock.
“There are unspoken tragedies on a ranch. Hands get hurt. Animals die. Droughts that take their toll. There’s a balance out here and it’s a fine one. ”
Her beautiful eyes widened. “You’ve experienced a lot of imbalances.” She reached up and touched his shoulder. “What’s your real name? I know it’s not Hawkeye because the entire crew has a nickname. I can’t believe I haven’t asked before.”
“Dean Hawk.” For the first time in a long time, he just wanted to be himself.
“Dean,” she said the name like she was trying a new food. “I like that. Would it be okay if I call you that?”
“Sure. If you want.” What was it about her that made him want to talk about his past?
“After being shot, I went through depression. The therapist said it was situational depression. I’ve seen things most humans should never have to see, and I’ve compartmentalized all of it.
Being shot sent me into an emotional tailspin.
I’m finally feeling back on track, but I still have nightmares sometimes.
When I sleep with you, I’m afraid I’ll have one. I don’t want to scare you.”
She laid her hand on his bent knee. “Thank you for sharing, but you don’t have to worry. You’ve been through a lot. I understand that’s hard to open up about.”
He needed to touch her as much as he needed his next breath. He entwined his fingers in her hair and lowered his face, keeping a mere two inches between them. “There’s something you need to know.”
“Yes?”
“I like you. A lot. I admire your endurance. Your capability of adapting. Being on a ranch isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. In you, I see how I felt the first time I came here. I knew I was home.”
“Honestly, I need to thank you. You’ve made me see the pleasure of nature—the pleasure of being with someone who is selfless.”
“There’s something else I need to tell you.” The vibration of his cell phone paused him. “Sorry, it’s Echo. I should get it.”
“Go ahead.”
He answered the call, and Echo informed him that the vet had arrived. Hawkeye clicked off. “Doc is here. I better go.”
“I think I’ll stay here a bit longer. I can walk back.”
He kissed her on top of the head which seemed natural. “See you later.” He took off toward the truck. He couldn’t believe he was ready to tell her everything, about the recon orders, the photos, and the fact that he wanted her to stay.