by Claire Adams
“Yeah, she looks like you. Except that you’re prettier.” He returned his attention to the book, coloring in the girl’s hair with the yellow.
I stroked Vince’s hair as I watched him enjoy his hobby. Living with the Yonnies was one of the best things in life. It felt like I was a part of a family. Vince was like a son to me.
“Are you hungry, Vince?” I asked him, his eyes still focused on the girl he was coloring.
“Not yet.”
I looked at the clock and stood up from my seat. “Nonetheless, I better get us something to eat before you get hungry. A superhero must not go starving.” I walked to the kitchen to start cooking the meat Hunter left in the fridge from before he left that morning.
“Hey. I’m home. Anyone here?” The sound of Hunter’s voice caused my stomach to tighten as I worked in the kitchen.
“In here. Just getting dinner together,” I called out, trying not to think about how nice it was to play family with Hunter and Vince. Could it turn into something else? Something more? I prayed it would.
“My Aunt Brenda is stopping by to pick up some papers on her way through town.” Hunter moved closer to me and smiled. “You’ll like her.”
“Is she coming in time for dinner?”
“I don’t think so. Speaking of dinner. I’m starving. Let me wash up and I’ll be right there.”
I watched him go before going into the kitchen and finishing things up. I called Hunter and Vince into the kitchen and prepared our plates. Pork barbecue with stewed veggies on the side. The aroma of the food was truly delicious, making my stomach grumble in hunger.
“I told you, you are the better cook between the two of us. Right, Vince?” Hunter smiled as we sat across the table from each other, stealing glances at one another through the whole meal.
“Yep,” Vince mumbled through his mouthful, causing us to chuckle.
As I took a slice of the pork in my mouth, Hunter surprised me with his plan he had in mind for the night.
“After we finish dinner, prepare your gun and get dressed. We are going hog hunting tonight.”
“Really? Wait. Where is Vince going to be?” I asked. The plan had my heart racing in my chest. Before, I was looking forward to trying target shooting over moving targets. Now that it reminded me about using my gun again, I felt overwhelmed. I hadn’t used my gun for quite some time and had honestly started to wonder why I even had the damn thing.
I needed to do it this time. I was pulling the trigger that night. Period.
“Yeah. Where am I going to be, Dad? Am I going too?” Vince asked.
As if on cue, someone knocked on the door. Hunter stood and smiled. “Nope. It’s going to take Aunt Brenda a little while to dig through your grandfather’s old chest of drawers to find what she’s looking for. She’ll be here while you’re off in dreamland.” He winked before walking to the door.
I was nervous meeting someone in his family for some reason, but Vince made me feel much better.
“Oh, Kylie. You’re going to like Aunt Brenda.” He leaned closer and whispered, “She always brings candy!”
“Who’s in here!” An older woman with a great smile walked into the kitchen and Vince yelled and ran toward her. “Come here, munchkin!”
“Aunt B, I want you to meet my friend, Kylie. I’m going to take her out to the barn to show her how to shoot. You know, hanging out for a little bit? Shouldn’t be too long.”
I extended my hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too, dear.” She glanced over at Hunter, still hugging Vince. “I don’t mind at all. Take your time.”
After we spoke for a minute more, I walked to the back to change, worried that I was going to mess things up. I wasn’t a gun type of gal, but I’d done all right so far. I took a deep breath and prepared myself both physically and mentally. I knew I should do my best to focus on this hunting. It was the only chance for me to channel my inner strength and confidence for protecting myself.
I tied my hair up after changing into my comfortable pants and hoodie jacket. Carrying the gun fully loaded with a complete magazine in it, I went down to meet Hunter in the living room.
“You sure that Vince is going to be okay?” I glanced over my shoulder toward the office. I could hear him and Aunt Brenda in there cackling about something.
“Oh, yeah. We’ll lock up, and we’re just going out back. Besides, Brenda loves that kid like he was her grandson. And these bastard pigs aren’t too far. They’ve been tearing up the yard, remember?”
“How could I forget.” I walked over to him and put my hand on his chest. “Kiss me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He reached up and cupped my face, pulling me close for a long, probing kiss.
I jerked back as Vince called out to me. “I’ll be back.” I smiled and turned, going to check on the little guy. He was either talking in his sleep or I was hearing things. He was out like a light by the time I opened his door. Weird.
Hunter was sitting in the living room when I returned, checking one of his long-range guns. He looked like a bad ass killer ready for the shooting battle in the woods.
He stood up from his seat, swinging the gun’s attached sling around his body. He walked to the gun cabinet and pulled out a shotgun, surprising me a little.
“Do we need something that big?” I smiled as he gave me a cocky grin.
“Yeah. Those hogs are huge.” His eyes rolled over me as approval filled his expression. “You ready?”
I could feel the nerves returning inside of me. I gulped, nodding afterward as a signal of a thrifty, optimistic answer. “Yeah. I guess.”
“Let’s go then.” He held my hand, pulling me out of the house. All the madness and worries in my head vanished in the wind as we walked out under the moonlight.
It felt like the first night I spent with him. The night that left an imprint on my entire life. How could I forget that moment I shared with him under the light of the stars and the moon?
It made me feel so alive.
While we strolled out in the dark, he led the way toward the back of his yard. The gun practice area he set up was still silent, no signs of anything that rooted up from the green grass. He kept walking, determined to explore the forest and search for the hogs that ruined his properties.
Before we laid foot in the area were plenty of trees shaded the wild hogs, he faced me with a threatening look.
“Remember, those hogs are not the kindest animals you’ll meet in the forest. They are wild and dangerous. If they spot any enemies or threats near them, they won’t hesitate to battle them with all their might.” His green eyes glistened under the moonlight. I nodded, keeping him aware that I was listening to his reminders.
“Also, I’ll let you take the first shot. This time, don’t hesitate. It will not kill the hog, but it will slow him down. Don’t think about it much; I’ll protect you over the course of this practice.” I let out a heavy exhale, but affirmed his words.
He released my hand and positioned his gun, holding it in combat mode. I did the same, handling the gun tight. We turned our flashlights on, which was attached to the harness he had me wear before we left the house.
As we searched for the hogs, I was focusing on two things. The hogs were the primary goal, but protecting myself and Hunter was of higher importance. I kept my senses sharp as we continued our hunt, trying to be the first to spot the enemy.
Just as I was to take another step in the expedition, I spotted one huge hog gazing at me. His eyes were reflecting his madness and need to run me down, eager to kill me before I could do it. My body froze, my fingers glued to the grip on my gun.
I remembered the man’s silhouette. The man who laid foot in my house without any permission. The trespasser who took advantage of my property, locking his target on me. I felt the same dangerous vibe from this hog. His eyes were telling me that I should retreat, that the man and this hog were stronger than me.
I could not force myself to pull the trigger. My head
was all over the place, messed up with all the things that happened in the past few weeks. The days of threat were not over yet. They would not stop until they got me down on the floor, breathless.
Until I heard his voice.
“Come on, Kylie. You’ve got this.” Blood began to flow in my veins, forcing me back to my senses. I shot him a skeptical look, but he kept me focused on the hog.
“I’ll protect you no matter what. Just do it.” Hunter’s voice fueled the aggression inside of me. It infuriated my heart, recalling the trouble that the man had caused in my life. I needed to take all the threats and enemies down. They deserved to feel my wrath.
I raised the gun, pointing it at my target. It felt like my adrenaline had finally kicked in. With all the courage I could muster, I locked on my target and pulled the trigger.
The sound of the fire echoed in my ears, signifying the success of my first official shot. He managed to avert the direct shot, leaving him a minor injury in the shank area. For a moment, I thought my failed attempt had only worsened the scene now that hog was charging in our direction, maddened by the inflicted wound.
“Fuck,” Hunter grumbled. “Shoot it again. Now. Now!”
He handed me the shotgun, which I had no fucking clue how to use. I did what came naturally. I lifted the gun and forced myself into a calm. Another shot and the kickback almost knocked me on my ass.
“I’m sorry.” I reached out and touched his back.
“It’s okay, baby. No worries. I’m pretty sure you got it, but let’s double check.” He moved closer, and my stomach tightened.
I turned my attention on the hog. It was immobile, no signs of life seen from it. The red, abhorrent fluid trickled down the hole in his skull, drenching its face with its own blood. I walked forward to scrutinize the dead hog, searching for the bullet I bore in his torso.
“That was spectacular.” Hunter came out of the dark, his face lit up by the moonlight’s brightness. I caught the deep shot on the hog’s torso just where I envisioned it to be. It was a perfect shot.
I stared back at him, my heart still racing in excitement. It was the most unforgettable adventure I had ever experienced. An unbeatable hunt under the night sky with the strong, enigmatic, and attractive Hunter Yonnie.
“That was incredible.” I almost screamed out the extreme emotions I felt, but things seemed to change focus. I looked at his face. The face of the man who rescued me from my fucked up life.
The clouds unblocked the moon, giving us more light to see each other. My heart was racing with a million emotions. It was restless, but I didn’t care. I wanted something just like this. Especially with him.
He stepped closer to me, smiling beautifully as he met my eyes. Those green eyes were dazzling me, causing me to fall into a deep hypnosis under his spell. If he wished to catch me and entrap me, then he won. I surrender myself to him.
“You never fail to impress me.” He ran his fingers down my face. I blushed upon his touch, captivated by his charming ways. My heart began to race again. It was a different type of feeling. Something I had been thinking about for a long time, but now I knew the answer.
Everything before me was reduced to a blur. All that I could ever picture was Hunter’s beautiful eyes, his expression burying meaning down into my soul.
“No, it’s the other way around,” I whispered roughly, losing my breath as he stroked my cheek. He smiled the sweetest smile I had ever seen in my entire life.
He had no clue how much I loved him, and I was too fucking scared to tell him.
Chapter Twenty-One
One Week Later
Hunter
“Man, this carbonara you brought sure is the best I’ve tasted!” Garren took another mouthful of the pasta Kylie packed before I left for work that morning. She had been cooking delicious meals for us, even packing mine and Vince’s lunch, which was going over the top, but fuck if I didn’t love her for it.
“I know. I’ve told her thanks a million times.” I rolled my fork around a thick pile of fettuccini. I checked on Vince, who seemed to like the same, scooping from the Tupperware more carbonara for his second plate.
“She seems like the perfect housewife material,” Garren claimed, putting his fork down. “I’m glad she’s around to help you out.”
Vince looked at Garren with a bright smile, joining the conversation. “Do you like Kylie’s pasta, Garren? It’s just one of the many yummy things she can cook!”
“Yes, little pal. You look better and healthier. Perhaps the good beats helped you a lot to recover.” Garren patted Vince’s shoulder and turned to look me in the eyes. “You like her a lot too, don’t you?”
Vince answered the question without any hesitation. “Of course! She’s the best lady I have ever met! Kylie’s definitely the superhero in the house!” His tiny arms leaned on the table as his eyes sparkled with delight. He turned his gaze on me, waiting for a supporting statement. “Right, Daddy?”
I looked down, timid about the whole conversation. I stared at Vince, his eyes waiting for an answer. Slowly nodding to approve his words, I affirmed his praise for Kylie with a smile. “He’s right. She is truly the best woman and the superhero in the house.”
Garren gave me a skeptical look, questioning my attitude about Kylie. He knew me too well. A tough man who played with guns, I was the most domineering bad boy in the town. It felt like the man he knew before was now a stranger and before him sat a man with a soft heart for someone he barely knew for weeks long.
I avoided his eyes. Thankfully, Vince interrupted the silence, keeping the conversation going. “She also helped me to get to feeling so much better. Kylie never lets me forget when it’s time to take my medicine, and she’s pretty good at giving shots. It’s not painful, Garren! It felt like an ant bite.”
Garren smiled. “That’s good news, Vince. Keep it up and follow the doctor’s orders, little pal.”
Garren turned to look at me again, his eyes expressing his genuine thoughts.
I stared at my plate instead, keeping myself busy with the food still on my plate. I glanced up quickly. “Take a picture. It’ll last longer.”
Garren snorted and left me in peace for a few minutes.
As soon as we finished our meal, Vince got up and walked to the back office where his books were. Garren and I got to work, cleaning up lunch from the table.
I kept my attention on the paper plates and gathered the trash before heading out to the dumpster. As I returned to the shop, Garren stood at the display case, waiting for me.
I guessed there was no escaping his questions.
“Can we talk?” Garren’s arms were crossed over his chest, his eyes a clear depiction of worry and confusion.
I nodded, pretending to hide the anxiousness inside of me. “Yeah, sure, man. What’s on your mind?”
“Your son seems to like Kylie a lot.”
I went back to my desk, sitting at my spot by the counter with a bunch of paperwork piled up next to me. “He does. The kid loves her and thinks of her as family.” I tried not to get defensive. There wasn’t any reason to just yet.
My time with Kylie had been precious and memorable, and something I wouldn’t trade for anything. It was almost like having a new life with her in it, the type of life I had dreamt of.
“And I think what the son likes, the father likes too.” He kept his tone inquisitive. He was right. I was beyond liking at that point, but I held my truths inside. Garren had been too good of an observer, and he wanted nothing else but the best for me and Vince.
I kept my mouth shut. Perhaps silence was equivalent to the yes he was trying to get out of me.
“Man, look at you. You look like you might barf. Love is too much of a pain in the ass. You know this.” He threw his hands in the air, his tone shifting from concern to aggravation.
I looked down, defeated for the first time in a long time. Was it wrong to fall again for another person? Did I not deserve to be happy?
“Man, what if shit
knocks you out again? What if she leaves, just like what Linda did? That bitch didn’t even look back, Hunter.” He eyes darted toward mine. The sincerity of his words hit me like a thunderbolt straight through my chest. He had a point. But what if she didn’t? She was worth taking the risk for.
“No, Kylie wouldn’t do that. Shut up about it, all right? I don’t meddle in your shit. Don’t meddle in mine. Besides, I’m not sure what I feel or what I’m going to do about it when I figure that shit out.” I closed my hands into fists, indifferent to his angst. I knew Kylie better than he did. She wouldn’t do that to Vince, if nothing else.
Where she might be falling for me, she was totally sold out for Vince.
“Vince is growing up. If she leaves, he will know how it feels to lose someone. Before when Linda left, he was still a baby and had no damn clue what was going on, Hunter. He had no clue that his mother would never return again.” He began to gather himself, returning to his calm, reluctant nature.
I stood up, my fists at my sides. “Thanks for your concern, Garren. I really appreciate how you’ve been supporting me and my son for all these years. But, man, I won’t give up on Kylie. She is too good for Vince and I. I won’t let her go. Period.”
*
It was closing time in the gun shop. Things had been quite awkward between Garren and I, but we kept things professional. After I had locked up, I bid farewell to my best friend and left.
Vince and I drove home hungry. The day was long and tiring, and the inflow of customers had been a bit ridiculous. The little guy had a blast finishing two books and proceeded to tell me the stories that he read as we went home.
“What did Kylie cook for dinner, Dad? I’m so hungry!” He was imitating Cookie Monster’s voice, far too cute for his own good.
I laughed at him, finding it amusing to see my son in such a good mood.
“Let’s not guess, but go see instead. Last one to the door is a rotten egg.”
I got out of the car, pausing as he bolted from his side and ran as hard as he could to the front door.
Jogging after him, I caught sight of Kylie coming out of the front door to meet us. The smile on her pretty face had my heart fluttering. No other woman I’d met before had me feeling so tender, so in love. It was a little concerning.
