The Blood Barn (Book #2 in trilogy)

Chapter 18: Shot To The Heart

Marta and I ended up eating dinner on the deck as we enjoyed our last night together that weekend. The weather had been perfect, our time together filled with good memories, and new adventures had. I felt like we were finally getting back on track despite her still having to go back to prison. I kept forgetting she would leave on Sunday, but I couldn't help it. Everything felt so natural this weekend, even with the looming threat of Martin's people coming back for her.

We cleaned the dishes from the weekend, did laundry, then walked out in the field behind the storage building again for another night of stargazing. As we laid in the grass, the last thing on my mind was getting dirty or having bugs crawling all over me. Even though Marta didn't say it, I knew she was thinking the same thing.

As we held hands, the grass rustled gently in the wind that remained from the day. The stars shone bright and even some planes passed overhead as their lights flashed in the sky. Asking for a shooting star to appear was a bit much, so I didn't hold my breath as one didn't materialize before we headed back inside.

Settling in for the night, we watched one of Marta's favorite movies, The Notebook. Each time I watched it with her, I felt as though I was gaining a better appreciation for the movie. It was like the time we watched The Time Traveler's Wife, except I thought the concept behind the movie was rather intriguing.

When we went to bed that night there was no animalistic behaviours in the bedroom before we finally passed out. There was strictly a loving passion between Marta and I, and so I couldn't help but draw out our final session of lovemaking by caressing her more and slowing every single one of my actions.

She lifted her head as I slid my left arm underneath her, then wrapped my right around her waist. Her hair was nearly in my face as I held her close and inhaled her shampoo with every breath I took. I couldn't help but wish the night would last forever, yet I knew the sooner it ended, the sooner she would also be back again.

My dreams were relentless in torturing me that night. Of all the times to have nightmares I couldn't understand why my mind had gone off the deep end as I felt our love growing stronger. It was as if the connection we were nurturing again was somehow causing me more grief, and yet I didn't feel that when awake.

I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night, Marta's body still nestled into mine. It was reassuring to have her there with me, but I still wondered what the future might bring if Martin's old driver were to find out she were visiting again.

Slipping out of bed I went to the closet and carefully opened it as to not make a sound. I felt around on the top shelf for the box that contained the Beretta and pulled it down. Carefully opening the box, I pulled the gun out and then placed the box where I originally had it. I left the closet door open just a crack as I then went down the hallway to use the washroom.

With the gun resting on the bathroom sink, I sat down on the toilet so I was facing the door. I knew I was most likely safe with Marta in the house for backup if I needed help, but there was also more at stake with her there. My paranoia was growing as I finished peeing and then washed my hands.

The house was silent as I stepped quietly downstairs, the Beretta held loosely at my side with the safety on. Using only the moonlight, I peered outside at the driveway, my Lexus the only vehicle present. I couldn't help being nervous after my nightmare of waking up to masked men in the bedroom while Marta slept next to me.

I closed my eyes as I tried to shake the visual from my mind and then headed back upstairs to bed.

Before slipping back under the sheets next to Marta, I placed the Beretta in the nightstand drawer. I could have put it away in the closet, but I figured it could wait. All I wanted to do was get back to sleep and wake up to another morning next to my wife.