Finding Home

Chapter Seven

For the next week, we spent the time getting to know more about each other, he helped me with the animals and even in the garden barn. It was nice having someone with me that seemed genuine about all the workings of this place and of me.

I learned that he was a detective in California but took a six-month sabbatical after his fiancé left him. Between the job and his ex, Devon felt the need to just take some time off to regroup.

He even offered to check out my generator, I had to laugh when he came in dirty and not too happy with it. "That thing is a piece of junk Athena" he said as he stood there.

"I told you it was, but you wanted to check it out" I said smiling as I got us some more hot coco. Our evenings were nice, sitting by the fire after dinner that we would cook together and have our hot coco and tell stories of our childhood.

When it was time for bed, we would end up sleeping together after a night of love making. Waking up in his arms felt exactly right. I knew time was drawing shorter and he would be going back to his own life in California but until then I would soak up as much as I could.

The snow had stopped falling for a few days and I got word over my CB that the airports were about cleared, and they would be ready in a few days, since they knew I had a generator coming here.

Lying in bed on my side tracing his face into my mind, watching him sleep he was so peaceful. I knew he needed this time to heal, and he was. At first, he would toss and turn a lot in his sleep.

Now he would only pull me closer and fall back to sleep, with a content look on his face. He was an amazing man; I wish he were not leaving me, the not knowing what was going to happen had made a home inside of me.

We laid there till the sun was shining through the trees, I looked at the clock. It was only seven in the morning, which was unusual but when the sun shone early, I would always take full advantage of it.

I quietly climbed out of bed and made sure to add more logs to the fire, getting dressed and then going into the family room to add more wood to the fire there before starting up the stove for some coffee.

After my cup of coffee, I got dressed and left Devon a note that I was out with the animals. I knew he would make us breakfast which was always delicious.

That man knew how to make the most tasteful omelets I have ever had. I started up the tractor and made my way to the barn, once inside I took care of everything that needed to be done.

I spent a few extra minutes with them, letting the animals know that I loved them and soon I would be able to open the door to the pasture for them to go out if they wished.

I shut the door and locked it, getting on the tractor I made my way to the garden barn and checked on everything there, all was perfect. Making sure the paths were clear to the other sheds and that the house was in good condition before heading inside.

I parked the tractor and shut the garage door, going inside quietly not knowing if Devon was still sleeping, I hung up my stuff and went to the fireplace for a moment to warm up.

I turned around and did not see anything different. The kitchen was empty except for my one cup of coffee by the stove. I went into my bedroom and the bed had been made, no sign of him in there either.

I went into his bedroom and all his gear was gone. I started to get worried, "I know I didn't imagine any of this" I said to myself. Going into the kitchen I noticed a note by the coffee container.

Picking up the note it read,

"Dear Athena,

Thank you for saving my life last week, spending this time with you was what I really needed. My life was a mess, and I was not sure where I was going in my life. I had lost all hope in everything and everyone until I met you. You showed me there are still good people in the world and that you are one special lady. Even in the mist of nowhere I found an angel who saved me more than she will ever know. I care a lot about you Athena, in fact I have fallen quite hard for you. But my real life is waiting for me, and I must return to it. I am never good with goodbyes; therefore, I waited till you were out so I could leave you this note before heading to my home in California. You will always be in my thoughts, and I hope I stay in yours.

Until we met again,

Love Devon"

I held the note and let the tears stroll down my cheeks, I cried and screamed. I had just found someone that I let in, and he left me, I never got to say goodbye just as it was with my husband.

Except this time this man chose to leave me without as much as a kiss or even a hug.

He left me as I knew he would go back to his life, but I thought he would have left me an address or something so as to stay connected. I grabbed my cup and made my coffee.

Sitting in the chair by the fire I let the tears dry up and stayed there for most of the day by the fire trying so hard to warm up my soul that was now empty and cold.

I know it will take some time and all of this will be a fond distant memory, but until then I just needed my time to heal all over again.