Hunters' Love

Chapter 7

A couple hours of tracking and listening we came back to the truck with two nicely sized toms. "You sure do know your tracking," Garret said as we sat the turkeys on the tailgate.
"Thanks, my dad taught me all that I know." I replied glancing at him. "I can teach you some if you want. Wanna start now?"
His face lit up. "Yes, of course! Let's go!"
I laughed at his enthusiasm as we walked back into the woods. "Okay you go and hide. I'll track you, then when i find you we'll come back and go over your tracks."
He snorted. "If you find me."
I smirked, "I'm better than you think, sweetheart. Now go, I'll give you 10 minutes." He took off into the trees, after about 3 minutes I could no longer hear him. I hummed softly to myself, leaning against the truck, as the 10 minutes passed. When the time was up, I stood up straight and walked in the direction he went. I kneeled down and examined the ground.
He tried covering his tracks by moving leaves over the footprints but failed. Twigs were broke, creating a path going straight towards the big oak trees and, the soft dirt was dented slightly. The more-packed dirt created a slick surface that was visible in the light. You'd only find the track if you knew what you were looking for.
I started following them silently. I walked with my heels landing in the dirt first. Based on his footprints, he tried to walk silently too due to the heel being deeper into the ground, which was smart except for the fact that it makes his track more visible.
Within 4 minutes, I caught sight of his shoe from behind a huge oak tree. I slowly walked up to it and snuck beside him. "You failed." I said, inches from his ear.
He gasped and whipped around, swinging his arm. I ducked quickly, laughing. "Try not to kill me!" I cried out. He let's out a breath, recovering.
"You about scared me to death!" He almost yelled but, a smile played on his lips. "You found me so fast, I even tried covering my tracks with leaves."
"I could tell." I replied, grinning. "Come on, let's go show you how to track." I said with a smirk. He gave me a playful glare, then followed me out of the woods where he first took off. We spent an hour of teaching him tips and showing him different animal tracks. He watched me, listening intently.
Gosh! Garret was so good looking. I've thought about us being together. I was never able to hold a relationship because hunting was more important, but that seemed to be his case too. Maybe I should give him a chance, so-what I didn't really know the man, I could change that.
After we made it back to the truck, we sat on the tailgate to take a break. I looked at him and the words just tumbled out of my mouth. "Hey Garret, do you want to go to my house and watch a movie and have dinner?" I realized how nervous I felt, my stomach was aching, my hands felt cold, and my heart was beating incredibly fast.
"I would love that, but hey come to my house. I'll pick you up at 6" He replied, his smile lit up my world. I exhaled, I didn't realize I had held my breath. I looked into his eyes as he looked into mine. I leaned in close and he filled the gap. Our lips met and I felt as if fireworks were going off. This time I kissed back gently, my hand ran through his blonde hair then, we both let up. "I'll see you tonight," I murmured as I scooted up off the tailgate.
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2 hours later
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I found myself standing in my room with clothes laying all around me. I usually didn't care what I looked like, but this was a special occasion. Then I found what I was looking for, a beautiful blue and pink flower dress that came up a little passed my knees. I quickly slipped it on, put on the belt, then went into the bathroom to do my hair. I curled it then applied my makeup. I glanced at the clock, right on time, I thought as I slipped on my boots. About a minute later I heard a knock at my door. I smiled as I walked to it and opened it up.
Garret stood there, his eyes landed on me. He looked me up and down, his eyes wide. "Wow," he murmured in appall. I blushed and looked down at my feet. He stepped closer and slid his fingers under my chin and tilted my head up to look me in the eye. "You're so beautiful." He said, then he kissed me softly. He pulled back slowly.
I couldn't help thinking how romantic this was. This was what I wanted in my life. I didn't want to loose this feeling of being wanted and loved. Garret was beyond perfect, I couldn't be happier at that moment.
"Are you ready?" He asked. I nod, smiling. He took my hand gently and we walked to his truck. He opened the door for me and I hopped in. He got into the drivers side and he drove to his house. "I have some movies at the house that you can choose from."
"Okay," I replied, looking out the window. We reached his house and he got out of the truck. He walked to my side and opened the door for me. "Thank you." I said with a smile as I got out of the truck. We walked to his door and he held it open. I stepped inside, running my hand through my hair.
He walked passed me, grabbing my hand in the process. He led me to the kitchen table and pulled my chair out. I sat down, looking up at him, as he pushed my chair in for me. "You're very kind," I said softly.
Garret grined, "Only to you, darling." He winked. I chuckled looking into his eyes. He walked into the kitchen and brings in a roast with baked carrots, potatoes, onions, and squash in the pan with it.
"Wow that looks amazing Garret. You can cook?" My eyes got wide as my mouth watered.
He laughed, "Yes I can cook, did the vegetable soup not prove that? This is deer roast. Oh what do you want to drink?"
"Umm water."
"Coming right up." He came by me and kissed me on the forehead before walking into the kitchen and bringing our drinks. He sat down and we started dipping our food onto our plates and eating. My mind slipped to life with Garret. He can cook! Isn't that every girls dream in a man? He can hunt which is really amazing. We are considered boyfriend girlfriend now, right?. Man, I'm the luckiest girl alive!
"What are you smiling about?" Garret's voice brings me out of my trance. I look up at him.
"Ohhh nothing." I said, my eyes glowing.
"Suurreeee." He said, grinning. We finished eating and he led me to the living room. I slipped off my boots and sat down. In front of me was a flat screen TV. How did he have so many nice things? I thought. "Alright, I have 4 movies you can choose from, The Hunter, Black hawk Down, Appaloosa, and Titanic." He looked down at me with the movies in his hand.
"Hmmmm well The Hunter involves the word hunter so let's watch that." I swore I saw a smirk as he walked to the TV and slipped the disk into the VCR. Little did I know what I got myself into.
He walked back to the couch and sat down beside me. He was smiling as he grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. The movie menu came up and he pressed play. He intertwined his fingers with mine. I glance at them then at him. Our eyes met and we both smiled happily. I lean my head on his shoulder and a yawn escaped.
"Are you tired, darling?" He asked, his thumb grazing across my fingers lightly.
"A little." I admitted.
"This movie might wake you up." He replied.
Wait what? I thought. His comment hung in the air as we watched the movie. As the hunters were in the tree stand, a scream pierced the quiet night air. I jumped, my heart rate spiking. Garret chuckled and I turned to him with a glare. "This is a horror movie? Thanks for the info." I start muttering to myself, then something popped out at the screen. I gasped and buried my head into Garret's chest. He rubbed my arms with his big rough hands. "I'll just listen to the rest." I said into his chest. He laughed softly. I slowly turned my head back to the screen, getting ready to return to my safe haven on his chest. The hunters found out about the evil spirit in the woods. The story stayed in my head, great now I'm afraid of the woods, I thought bitterly.
Close to the end of the movie the spirit started to attack them, I watch wide-eyed. One starts to get drowned by the ghost but you can't see anything. "No he was the good guy!" I yell. Then the other hunter saw the drowned one and went in to help. "No, stupid! Bad idea!" I cried out. Too late the other hunter was dragged under the water and he never came back up. "Told you." I muttered. The movie then ended.
Garret was watching me, grinning from ear to ear. "You're so cute." He said. I felt heat go to my cheeks as I start to stand up, but I lost my balance. Before my face said hello to the floor, Garret grabbed my arm and kept me steady. "Thanks but, I was just testing the gravity." I said smiling.
"Oh well I think were in good shape. Looks like it works." He replied making a face.
I laugh, my hands grabbed his. "Hey um how bout I stay the night. I don't think I'm going to go out in the woods to go home anytime soon, thanks to that wonderful movie." He chuckled.
"Of course, you can sleep in the guest bed you slept in before."
"Thanks, sounds perfect." I take a look at the clock. "Wow its already 10:30. Time flies when you're having fun." I looked into his eyes.
"Let's get you some bed clothes." He said, but he didn't move. He grabbed my hands and lifted them to his chest, then he wrapped his arms around my waist. My smile brightened as he pulled me closer to him. He kissed me tenderly and passionately. "I... Love you Skye."
Whoa, I haven't said those words since the 9th grade. I was hesitate to reply. Did I really love him? He was.... Amazing, yes but, did I know him enough? I know I said so-what but...Am I even ready for a serious relationship? I've never said those words and meant it, will I now?
I couldn't say it, "I.... I'm not.... Ready to say that.. Yet." My eyes started watering, I sensed his disappointment as he lowered his eyes from mine. "But I really like you Garret." I quickly added. " I want us to go far, but I have to know you more," I was embarrassed and suddenly afraid of love.
"I'm sorry, I rushed us. Let's get your night clothes." He let loose of my waist and walked away to his room.
Tears stung my eyes and one rolled down my cheek. "No I'm sorry," I murmured. He came back with sweat pants and a T-shirt. He handed them to me, "Goodnight, Skye." He said then he wiped away a tear with his thumb then kissed my cheek.
I changed and headed to the guest bedroom. I pulled back the covers, looking around the room. Our first days together shot through my mind. I smiled as his face appeared in my mind. I turned off the light and laid down. I pulled the covers up to my chin and shut my eyes. Garret I need to make sure I love you before I say it, I thought, his disappointed face played over in my mind as darkness closed in and I drifted off to sleep.