“Nothing,” I said, turning to leave.
“I’m sorry, Morgan,” he called after me. “I know I’m really blunt. I’m a hunter. That and playing around all my life has been my thing. I’ve never really thought about anything else and I guess it’s just natural for me to assume to kill things.”
His admission was surprising. “It’s ok, Lars,” I smiled at my Aunt and her man. They did make a lovely couple. I just didn’t know how Aletheia was going to put up with him.
It was only two days after my return from Vero Beach, but already Thayde was feeling much better. After a light breakfast, he asked me to take a walk with him. Only after a few minutes of convincing did I give in.
I took him to my spot in the forest. It wasn’t too far from the cabin for him. Despite his promise that he felt much better, I wasn’t chancing it. The two of us lay on our backs, our hands entwined and listened to the sounds of the forest. The tamarack trees creaked loudly as the wind swept around them.
“I think we should get married again,” Thayde said, breaking the silence.
I turned on my side, holding myself up on an elbow.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah! Your parents didn’t get to be a part of the wedding – maybe we should do it again. We didn’t get to go on our honeymoon. We need to do that.”
“You’ve been talking to Tammer,” I said, playfully swatting at him.
“He says we need a break and I have to agree with him.”
“I don’t think you’re strong enough yet, do you? I mean, the last thing I want is for you to travel when you’re not up to it.”
“I know,” he trailed off, putting his arms behind his head. “I like it here. It’s peaceful.”
I watched Thayde as he took in the gorgeous scenery around us. His pretty eyes were slowly turning from grey to a light blue and seemed to darken with each hour that passed. That was a good sign, according to Mom. She said we could judge his health by his eye color. When they were back to normal, he would be, too.
“You know we’re going to have a little girl, don’t you?” I asked and watched his eyes dart back to mine in surprise.
“We are?”
I nodded. “We’re going to call her Leigh.”
“That’s a beautiful name,” he said, taking my hand in his and kissing it.
“Aren’t you surprised by that?”
“Yes,” he admitted, “but I think it’s cool.”
I shook my head. It was impossible to ruffle his fins. I leaned forward until I was a few inches from his face.
“Maybe we should plan for a fall wedding and reception. Then a honeymoon – perhaps Tahiti?”
“Tahiti?”
“It’s far enough away from everything, don’t you think?”
“It’s pretty far,” he agreed.
“Well? Do you want to do it?” I pressed. He rolled onto his side, grabbing me as he rolled, pulling me around him.
“I think that sounds wonderful.”
I had to admit, it really did. Getting away from everything with just Thayde would be heaven. I was sure it would take at least another two weeks before Thayde was up to it. If we planned the re-wedding to take place in three weeks and be on our honeymoon for two, that’d be about perfect.
“Sounds great,” Thayde said.
“Huh?”
I heard what you thought. Thayde’s voice was clear as a bell in my mind.
“Is that supposed to happen?” My face must have mirrored my feelings because he began to laugh.
“When you’ve finished cording it is. Why do you look so shocked?”
“I’m just not used to anyone but Tammer doing it.” I snuggled my face into Thayde’s neck, wrapping my arms around him, breathing him in. “It could prove to be very useful,” I admitted.
You’re the love of my life, he thought.
I answered him with a deep, passionate kiss.
Oh man! You keep this up and I’m not going to be able to stop at just the kiss!
Stop thinking and just kiss me.