“This is how I’m carrying my wounded buddy out of harm’s way. Any chance I get a Silver Star?”
They had never spoken about Bart’s military awards. Molly had read about them online.
“You can have them all.”
“Where are they now?”
“Mom wanted them. She has them posted in the family room with clippings from family sports and rodeo events.”
Molly let him do his business in the outhouse and resumed helping him when he came out.
“Blitz brought us a pheasant for dinner.”
“She’s very thoughtful that way.”
“I was going to dress it this afternoon. How do you like your pheasant?”
“On a spit over the fire pit.”
“Yum.”
They brought the outdoor chair from the fire pit inside and set it next to Bart’s comfortable chair. They decided to save the pheasant and eat tuna noodles for dinner in front of the stove. Bart wasn’t moving much, but he settled into his chair for an hour, and ate some noodles.
“I haven’t said thank you. But I really mean it. Thank you for dropping everything you had and risking that trip in. It could have had a very unhappy ending.”
“Please don’t remind me. I was happy to do it. You should be thanking Bear.”
A silence set in. The stove fire was warm, and their feet were cozy on the bear skin rug.
“I was making a bed for us.”
“I saw it. Thank you. Maybe we can set your bedding on the floor and sleep together tonight.”
“I’d like that.”
“You made me a chair for the fire pit and the kitchen table, too.”
“Yes, after the bed, I was going to make a matching chair for right here.”
“Thank you. I like it that you’re making your place welcoming for me.”
“How long can you stay?”
“How long would you like for me to stay?”
He didn’t hesitate or think. He just said it, “Forever.”
Molly felt that like a bolt of lightning. She was too nervous to look at him. She hadn’t pushed him on this, hoping he’d say something first. Now this.
“By my count, we’ve spent about a dozen days together, and you’re ready for forever?”
“Yup.”
Molly didn’t know what to say next. But she wanted to have this conversation. It was the conversation she’d wanted since his second visit. And she’d wanted him to raise the subject.
“Seems pretty early to know something like that.”
“Know everything I need to know.” Bart, the man of few words.
