Heaven's Loss (Hell Yeah!)

by Sable Hunter

  From my perch above the clouds

  I watch the world go by

  Playing tag among the stars

  As above the moon I fly

  Winging upward to the heavens

  Turning somersaults in the air

  Catching moonbeams between my fingers

  I have no worries, no real care

  If I choose I could stroll

  By the crystal sea

  Leaving footprints on the sand

  For all of heaven to see.

  Yet what I do is what I am

  Watcher, caretaker, friend

  My purpose is to bridge the gap

  Where faith and love transcend

  For time has no meaning here

  I neither sleep nor slumber

  My days are spent ever vigil

  As Canyon’s breaths I number

  “There. Maybe he’ll like it.” She closed the tablet, her attention drawn by an approaching vehicle. When it drew nearer, she recognized Canyon’s friend, Bull Redford. His one-ton truck was pulling a gooseneck trailer filled with bellowing cattle. As he parked, she saw Canyon shut off his welding machine and go out to meet him. Having been around Bull so much in the past, she smiled and went to greet him herself.

  “Hey, Bull!”

  At her greeting, both men looked up to see her approaching. “Well, hey, pretty lady. How are you?” Looking at Canyon, he could see the possessive look in his eyes as he watched Seren. “You two seem happier.”

  “We’re fine,” she told him softly. “He let me stay with him for a little while.”

  “I see.” He grinned at Canyon. “I kept your secret, which was difficult. I have a hard time hiding anything from Isabella.”

  “I’d like to get together with your wife soon,” Seren announced as Canyon held up his hands in surrender, smiling as she planned yet another social activity.

  “She’d like that, I’m sure,” Bull admitted, then held up his finger as a thought came to mind. “Before I forget, Canyon, I wanted to tell you about Raymond Poe.”

  “Who?” The name wasn’t registering with Canyon.

  “A truck driver. You’ve met him a few times. He used to work for me, transporting stock.”

  Canyon nodded. “Oh, yea. Goatee? Glasses? A little paunch? Nice guy.”

  “That’s him.” Bull exhaled a long breath. “Anyway, he’s dead. Brain aneurysm.” He shook his head, snapping his fingers. “Gone – just like that.”

  “Dang.” Canyon’s mouth dropped open. “How awful. I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

  Bull shuffled on his feet. “Actually, our paths crossed not too long ago. You might not even remember. By the time we got to Austin that day, we were too concerned with attending our meeting to discuss the near miss you’d had on the road.”

  Canyon wiped his palms on his jeans. “The Ducks Unlimited Banquet?” He thought a minute. “Oh, you mean the eighteen-wheeler that crossed the median into my lane?”

  “Yea, that’s right,” Bull nodded. “The driver was Raymond. Went to sleep at the wheel. I recognized his truck that day, he has this figurehead of a woman in a bikini as a hood ornament. Anyway, you were driving ahead of me and when I saw him hit the ditch and graze the guardrail, I stopped to see about him.”

  “Did he get hurt?” Canyon frowned.

  “Not bad. Hit his head on the steering wheel, bloodied his nose. He swore he was all right, but I called 9-1-1 for him. He insisted I get back on the road and I probably caught up with you before you knew I was gone.” Bull pulled his Stetson down to shade his eyes.

  “You’re right.” Canyon paused in thought. “I had no idea.”

  Bull nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. “And now this…you just never know.”

  Canyon reached into the back pocket of his jeans to retrieve his phone. “When’s the funeral? I want to order some flowers.”

  Seren listened to their exchange with wide eyes and a racing pulse. She felt like she’d been kicked in the stomach. The accident they were talking about was the one the Council had reprimanded her for, the one where she’d endangered someone else’s life to protect her charge.

  And now…the man was dead.

  “Hey, have you seen Jacob?” Bull asked, changing the subject. “He’s not answering his phone and I’ve got some prospects for his new breed bull in my trailer.”

  As they continued to talk, Seren beat a quick retreat. She needed some time alone to think. After taking a few steps away from the shop, her footsteps quickened as she headed toward the pasture fence. After climbing over, she began to run. If she still possessed wings, she’d have taken flight. The urge to escape was overwhelming. Guilt was cutting through her middle like a hot knife through butter. Was Mr. Poe’s death her fault? In her zeal to protect Canyon, did she kill an innocent man? Or was his passing something that would’ve happened anyway, ordained before the foundations of the world were laid?

  She didn’t know.

  Doubt and fear brought Seren to her knees. Was this tragedy why Gregori was here? What would happen to her? As she fell to the ground, remorse brought tears to her eyes. “Gregori!” she shouted, raising her face to the sky. “Gregori! In the name of Adonai, hear me! What do you want with me, Gregori?”

  But cry as she might, there was no answer to be found.

  Rising to her feet, Seren tried to tell herself all would be well. To borrow an earthly idea, no news had to be good news. Still…something deep within her forecasted a brewing storm. A storm that would shake the very cornerstone of her existence. With a heavy heart, Seren headed back to Canyon’s shop, a sense of impending trouble weighing heavily on her heart.

  As she drew nearer, Seren could hear Canyon’s voice as he continued to visit with Bull. “Hey, we need to talk about our next hunting trip soon.”

  Hearing him mention a hunting trip brought back the memory of the moment she entered the realm of his world. Now, more than ever, she questioned the reason for this amazing series of events. A panicky feeling grew in the pit of her stomach as she imagined none of it happening. Missing this time with Canyon. Never knowing what it felt like to be one with him. Never falling asleep in his arms. Never having the opportunity to tell him how she felt about him.

  The idea of experiencing eternity without having known the wonder of loving Canyon filled her with a sense of urgency. What if their miracle was coming to an end? With a foreboding cloud of uncertainty hanging over her head, Seren vowed to make the most of whatever time they had left together.

  Coming to the pasture fence, she started over it, placing one foot on the bottom plank.

  “Seren?”

  The sudden sound of another voice made Seren’s foot slip and she conked her head against the top of the fence. “Ow!”

  “Oh, sorry. I’m sorry I scared you.” Cady came closer. “I saw you coming and I wanted to speak to you. I should’ve spoken up sooner.”

  “Hello, Cady,” Seren muttered with a smile as she rubbed the fast-rising knot on her forehead. “How are you today?”

  “Good.” She held up a bucket. “I’ve been picking persimmons. I had to share them with Jacob’s pet bull. He’s ate so many that fermented on the ground, I think he’s drunk.” She pointed farther down in the pasture.

  Sure enough, Seren laughed when she saw the big bull wavering on his feet. “I hope he’ll be okay.”

  Cady waved. “He’ll be fine. I’m just glad he left enough for me to make some of Joseph’s favorite homemade brandy. Are we still on for lunch the day after tomorrow?”

  “Sure.” Seren nodded. “I’m looking forward to it.” Together, they climbed over the fence and strolled toward the blacksmith shop. “Oh!” Seren snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot. I brought the clothes you loaned me. All fresh and laundered. Let me go get them!” She whirled around, taking off for Canyon’s truck.

  Cady laughed. “I told you that wasn’t necessary.” She set down the basket of fruit as Canyon and Bull joined her. “Hello, boys. P
retty day, isn’t it?”

  Bull tipped his hat at Cady. “That it is. Perfect Hill Country fall weather. How’s Joseph?”

  Cady beamed a huge smile. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

  “Try me.” Canyon encouraged Cady as he kept one eye on Seren returning from his truck with the plastic sack in hand.

  “He’s recording a duet with Willie Nelson for a charity event.” Clasping her hands together in front of her, Cady sighed happily. “I’m so proud of him. He has a wonderful voice.”

  Bull was duly impressed. “Hot damn. Are they playing together anywhere to promote it?”

  “At Hardbodies in a couple of weeks.” Cady glanced at Canyon. “I think it will be the same night as the ranch power lifting competition. The event has attracted some attention and they’re selling tickets to benefit Wounded Warriors.”

  “Good cause.” Canyon nodded, remembering Jonah’s concern about prize money. Apparently, there wouldn’t be any. He wondered if the mechanic was having serious financial problems. He hoped not. “I look forward to hearing them.”

  “What is this a party or an uprising?”

  Everyone turned to greet Jacob who’d come from the barn to see the animals Bull Redford had brought for his inspection. “Ladies.” He tipped his hat at his sister-in-law and Seren who had rejoined them.

  “Step over here, McCoy.” Bull motioned him to the trailer and Canyon followed out of curiosity, leaving Seren and Cady alone.

  “Here you go and thank you so much.” Seren stepped close to Cady to offer her a hug.

  As Cady embraced her, she stiffened, looking over Seren’s shoulder.

  “What’s wrong, Cady?” she asked, sensing something was amiss with the woman.

  Cady backed up a bit, holding onto Seren’s arm. She was still looking into the distance, staring. After a few moments, she blinked and shook her head. “I just thought I saw something.”

  “Like what?” Seren peered in the same direction as her friend had been looking.

  “I don’t know. Something bright.”

  Stepping forward, Seren trembled, her eyes searching for any sign of Gregori. “I don’t see anything.”

  “Probably just the sun glinting off a piece of quartz or something,” Cady mused, her voice still sounding a bit odd and perplexed.

  “Yea, maybe.” Seren had no idea what Cady had spotted, but there was no way she’d seen the angel.

  “Oh, well. Who knows?” Cady picked up the bucket of persimmons and the sack of clothing. “Friday, let’s plan on meeting at the main house around noon.”

  “What can I bring?” Seren offered, proud of herself for not making a social faux pas.

  “Not a thing. We’ll have everything ready,” Cady assured her as she started off toward the Tebow main house. “Until then, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She looked over her shoulder and winked at Seren, casting a teasing glance toward Canyon.

  “Okay.” She wasn’t sure what Cady would do or not do, but it made her think. When Canyon returned, she went to greet him. “Hey. How’s the cattle panels coming?”

  “I was about halfway through when Bull came.” He glanced at his watch. “Why don’t we go get some lunch, then I’ll come back and finish.”

  “Okay. I wrote one of my poems down for you.” She wheeled around to grab the tablet. As she was reaching for it, she felt Canyon’s body heat as he came close enough to wrap his arms around her.

  “Are you going to give me a private reading?” He leaned in to kiss her neck.

  “I’d like to give you something else in private.” She bent forward in his embrace and pressed her bottom back into his groin – and wiggled it.

  Canyon groaned, “Fuck, I never know what you’ll do.” He felt his cock filling in absolute agreement with her action.

  She giggled, determined to live fully in the moment. “I think we should make hay while the sun shines. Isn’t that something you cowboys say?”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “If this is your version of making hay, I hope the sun never sets.” Sitting in the passenger seat of his pickup, which was now parked at the end of a grassy lane near the river, Canyon held Seren in his lap. Astraddle his thighs, facing him, her head pressed to his shoulder, they were still connected in the most intimate way possible. “We fogged the windows plum up, darling.”

  Kissing his neck, Seren let her lips linger on his skin. “Was this a quickie or a nooner?”

  “Both, I guess.” He framed her face and drank from her lips. “As delicious as you are, I’m still a bit hungry. We’d better go get something to eat.”

  “Do you have time?” She was loathed to move. Being in his arms was her favorite thing in the universe.

  “Oh, yea. We’ll just zip through a drive-thru.” He helped her up and took the time to rebutton her top. “God, it’s a sin and a shame to cover these tits of yours.” After kissing the sexy swell of her breasts, he put Seren aside to start his truck. “I can’t believe I just took a girl parking, as old as I am.” He gave her a wink as he backed up and turned the vehicle around to head into town. “What are you hungry for?”

  Seren shrugged. “I don’t care. I’m happy with anything you choose.” She picked up her hair to lift it from her neck, still warm from their erotic exertions. “I just need something cool to drink mostly.”

  “Sure thing, babe. We’re just a mile from town. How about chicken and fries?” Canyon clicked up the A/C, then returned the straw Stetson he’d placed on the dash to his head.

  “Sounds good.” Seren placed a restraining hand to her abdomen. “Every time you mention food my stomach growls. I didn’t think I could ever eat harvested meat. Yet, along with this corporeal body came an appetite for it. I don’t want to want it, but I do. So, I’ll just apologize to the chicken and chow down.”

  Slowly, a look of horror came over Canyon’s face. “What are you saying? There’s no meat to eat in heaven? I’m not sure I want to go if I can’t have something good to eat!”

  Seren giggled at his obvious consternation. “Oh, there’s meat, it just never became an animal, so it never had to be killed.”

  Canyon frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “Well, if the creator can create an animal, He can just as easily create the meat the animal is made from…without ever giving it a life that has to be taken away. In fact, I think earthly science is about to catch up and laboratory grown meat will soon be available for public consumption.”

  “I’m not sure how I feel about that,” Canyon admitted as he turned on the main drag in Kerrville. “I wonder if it tastes the same?”

  “Close enough.” As they drove into town, Seren couldn’t help but survey the passing landscape, her eyes alert for shafts of blinding light. Once they arrived in town, her attention was more focused on the traffic. The memory of what happened with the eighteen-wheeler was never far from her mind. What would she do now if a traffic accident happened? How would she save Canyon with no powers other than her own two weak hands?

  As Canyon pulled into the drive-thru of the Chick Fil-A restaurant, he asked, “What will it be, cupcake?”

  Seren stared at the large menu board. “Uh, nuggets.” She gave him an apologetic smile. “No bones to remind me it used to be a chicken.”

  Canyon laughed at her, placed their order, then paid for the food. After driving around the building to pick it up, he pulled into a vacant parking spot so they could eat in the shade of an old sycamore tree.

  “Is this okay?”

  “Sure, perfect.” Seren opened the bag to give Canyon the two sandwiches he’d ordered. “Here, you go.” She also made sure he had a napkin and that the packet of special sauce he’d ordered was open and ready to be used. “I like taking care of you.”

  Canyon’s heart dipped a bit in his chest. “You do a mighty fine job, angel.”

  The semi-chastising look Seren gave him was followed by a dazzling smile. “Thank you.” As they ate in companionable silence, a fat br
own squirrel came down onto one of the lower limbs to chatter at them. “Oh, you’re a beggar, aren’t you?” She tossed a waffle fry out the passenger window, then giggled when the little animal came scurrying down to retrieve it. “Oh, look, Canyon. He likes it!” Delighted, she watched the squirrel hold the fry up and munch on it, never breaking eye contact with her. Seren couldn’t resist throwing out a few more waffle fries to her furry dining companion.

  “What’s with you and squirrels, Serengeti? Don’t give him all your food. You need it as much as he does.”

  The odd nickname pleased her. “I won’t.”

  She found herself to be full before Canyon, so she took a big sip of her drink and grabbed her writing pad. “Are you ready to hear my poem?”

  “I sure am.” Canyon wiped his mouth and stuffed one empty sandwich wrapper in the bag. “I can’t wait.”

  With a fast beating heart, Seren began to read. As she uttered the words aloud, they sounded far simpler and more childish than she’d imagined. Once she started, it was hard to finish. When she did, Seren waited a few seconds before lifting her eyes to see Canyon’s face. “You didn’t like it, did you?” She put the pad down quickly, interpreting his expression as one of disappointment.

  “Wait. Stop.” He picked up the tablet to stare at her delicate handwriting. The poem she’d read meant so much more to him than mere words on paper. “I could see you. In my mind. Flying with those beautiful white wings.” Shaking his head, he held her gaze. “I feel like I’ve tarnished something perfect.”

  His comment made Seren frown. “Stop it. I have never been happier than I’ve been here with you.”

  The gravity of what she was saying settled on Canyon. “You were in heaven, the epitome of all that’s good. And being here with me…is better?”

  “Yes.” Her answer was honest, succinct, and straight forward.

  Canyon glanced at his watch. “Dammit. It’s time to go back to work and I’m completely turned on.”

  This made Seren giggle and blush. “Me too.”

  Starting the vehicle and putting it into gear, Canyon gave her a hot look of promise. “Let’s just get through the rest of the day and I promise to make tonight extra special.”