Gunner silently fell into step next to Bree, walking to the house and
to the little makeshift bedroom, aka JT's office with a futon. It was
either that or the living room though, and Gunner would just as well
tuck himself away where he didn't have to see anybody. Not that being
here would make it all that easy.
Had Bree just said
something? He looked down at her, trying to get his brain back on track,
but it seemed stuck in a thick fog that just wouldn't go away.
"Um...sure...whatever you want to do. It's not like I have anywhere to
go."
He set down his bag before looking out the window
to the backyard, getting lost in thought once more. He should have
brought his telescope with him. Or perhaps stargazing was just a foolish
way to pass the time, holding no meaning other than to stare at
worthless space. On the other hand, it kept his mind occupied, which was
worth something in itself.
His eyes focused on the
backyard again. He realized he'd been silent for several moments, so he
turned around and tried the best smile he could for Bree. "You decide
about food or whatever." He shrugged. "I'm on a roll with letting people
tell me what to do."
Garret drew Victoria
into another hug...perhaps only to hide his face. "You wouldn't be
lost," he responded quietly. "You're too strong. Too smart. Without me,
you just wouldn't have quite as much practice looking over your
shoulder."
He nuzzled his face into her until his lips
found her neck to kiss. A clap of thunder didn't even make him flinch.
"We're too strong to fall apart," he whispered. "And too weak to let
go." Another trail of kisses led him back to her lips to conclude his
passionate affection before he let her go and set his hands on her
shoulders.
Looking at her through the rain and amidst
erratic flashes of lightning, he wanted to smile, but it just wouldn't
surface. Being with Victoria grew in torture every time they saw each
other. He loathed it, yet wouldn't trade it for the world. She had his
heart in the palm of her hand, whether it was dangerous or not, and he
simply had no say in the matter.
His hands gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "I love you."
"...totally busted, so I ain't got any idea if anybody's called or texted me."
Mick
managed to swallow a laugh, imagining Eric's story of driving right
over his cell phone with his big rig. "Well that stinks."
"No kidding. I'm on a payphone now. Just wanted to let y'all know I'm still alive."
"Good to know. Other than your phone, how's the run?"
"Alright.
Few hitches, but nothing I can't handle. Hey, do me a favor? Get Stacy
on the line? Without my cell, I couldn't remember her number."
"Sure
thing." Mick was already on his feet in the ranch office. "Drive safe,
brother." He set the phone aside without hanging up, and went to go find
Stacy. He was glad to hear from Eric - it had been almost two weeks
since he'd left, and things weren't the same around here without him.
Mick had wanted to ask Eric what he'd really called about. He could tell
there was more than just smalltalk that Eric wanted, but he also knew
he was short on time, and Mick wouldn't begrudge him talking to Stacy.