A Time of Seasons

by Kay Edwards

  Chapter Twelve

  It had been two weeks since Dalton had left. Misty sat on the front porch swing nursing Rachel as she thought about those two weeks. She had started her grief counseling and later that day would be her second appointment. Misty looked out toward the barn and watched as Wyatt made his way toward them with Jamie at his side.

  "She has taken a real liking to you," Misty said as her brother joined her on the swing.

  Wyatt grinned. "She is female. How could she not like a handsome cuss like me?"

  Misty pulled Rachel from her chest and handed her to her uncle. As she adjusted her shirt, she teased him. "Females don't find you attractive. They feel sorry for how ugly you are and try to make you feel better."

  Wyatt pinched her leg making her jump. "I may be your little brother, but I'm still bigger than you are Lil', Pea."

  Misty grinned. Her brother was younger but only by eleven months. Her mom said it was the best 'whoops' she and dad had ever made. Of course, he was the only 'whoops.' Growing up her friends had always swooned over her brother. He was tall broad and handsome. She often wondered why he didn't date much.

  Wyatt looked at his sister thinking. He couldn't help but be curious. "What are all of those faces for?"

  Misty smiled up at him. "I was wondering why you don't date much."

  Wyatt looked out across the front yard. He had never told his family why he gave up being a detective in San Antonio. Sadness came over him as he remembered his lost love. "I was in love once. Maybe I still am."

  Misty looked at him surprised. "What?"

  Wyatt thought for a moment. He didn't take his eyes off the distant fields. "Her name is Kelly. We met each other at church. I thought we were in love, but it always seemed like she was holding something back. One day she was just gone. She left a note telling me she would find me again, but she still left. That was eight months ago. I have not heard from her but… I guess it is just complicated."

  Misty felt tears stinging her eyes. Wyatt was hurting. "Did you try to find her?"

  Wyatt looked down at Misty. "I did and that only added to my confusion. I could not find anything on her. It was like she never existed. She simply…vanished. Her and I…. it is like I said we are complicated."

  Misty looked at Wyatt. She knew what it was to be a woman in love. You didn't just walk away unless you didn't have a choice. "She has to be running."

  Wyatt looked at his sister. "What?"

  "If she loves you she is either running from that or something else. Whatever was haunting her must have spooked her." Misty said with real conviction.

  "It doesn't change the fact that she left. She should have trusted me." Wyatt said with a hint of bitterness in his voice.

  Misty knew she needed to get to her appointment. She kissed Rachel's head softly. "I'll be praying about this. You can't let bitterness into your heart, or it will consume you. If she finds you again maybe you can let her back in."

  Wyatt smiled up at his sister. "I won't let bitterness in. I pray about this more often than you think. Now go to your appointment, and I'll keep Lil' Bean Jr."

  Misty leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for watching the baby." Picking up her keys and purse Misty headed to her car.