We were finally together again. Huddled in a tree stand, waiting for the big one.
Our first date had been one for the books and I thought of Miranda constantly since the moment it ended. I mentally cursed the weird hours I worked that kept us from seeing each other again. But, at last, we found a time that coincided with our busy schedules. Granted, I should’ve been sleeping. But it was an easy sacrifice to make.
Since it was the start of open season, Miranda wanted to go hunting on a friend’s property. Her cousin took her hunting lots of times and she called herself a “pro.” Made all the legal arrangements, got supplies, and everything.
I lied and told her I’d never gone before.
We sat in a deer stand, whispering in the crisp early morning. She had all the garb. Looked like a tree trunk with a smearof orange spray paint. Cute as can be. I, on the other hand, wore something dark green and a brown jacket. She said it was fine.
For the first two hours, nothing happened. We just sat, whispered, and sipped coffee.
I leaned back on our bag. “This is kind of nice.”
She frowned. “You’re supposed to be watching.”
Trust me. I’m watching.
“I am.”
She squinted at me, reading my expression. A smile warred against her fake frown. “Not watching me. Watching for deer.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
She giggled into her hand. “You have to stop making me laugh. I am not a quiet laugher.”
“I’ve gathered.”
She set her thermos down and blew into her hands.
“Cold?”
“A little.”
I reached out, heart thumping, and grabbed her hand. First time I’d openly touched her, minus the hug she gave me that morning. Her hand was receptive, curling around mine. I tugged her a little closer to me. “I can keep you warm.”
She laughed. “Jack, you are worthless when it comes to hunting.”
“I’ll be your personal heater then.”
She pressed her lips together, her big dimples shining in all their glory. “Okay, fine.”
I put an arm around her. She scooted in. Her tiny body pressed against my side was perfection. Complete perfection. Her hair smelled so sweet. Yep. I was useless—that was the honest truth. There was far too much to pay attention to right here in the tree stand.
We fell silent as we watched through the trees.
As the sun was lighting up the field, a few deer stepped into the clearing.
“Jack! Look!”
We both sat up and grabbed our rifles.
She shook my arm and hissed, “A buck! There’s a buck!”
I looked through the scope, counting. “Ten point.”
She elbowed me. “You take the shot.”
I looked through the scope again and swallowed. My aim was good. I would take him down if I pulled the trigger. My finger rested, held back by some invisible force. My pulse kicked into overdrive. My view through the scope wavered. I tightened my grip to steady my aim.
