“In here. Just getting dinner together,” I called out, trying not to think about how nice it was to play family with Hunter and Vince. Could it turn into something else? Something more? I prayed it would.
“My Aunt Brenda is stopping by to pick up some papers on her way through town.” Hunter moved closer to me and smiled. “You’ll like her.”
“Is she coming in time for dinner?”
“I don’t think so. Speaking of dinner. I’m starving. Let me wash up and I’ll be right there.”
I watched him go before going into the kitchen and finishing things up. I called Hunter and Vince into the kitchen and prepared our plates. Pork barbecue with stewed veggies on the side. The aroma of the food was truly delicious, making my stomach grumble in hunger.
“I told you, you are the better cook between the two of us. Right, Vince?” Hunter smiled as we sat across the table from each other, stealing glances at one another through the whole meal.
“Yep,” Vince mumbled through his mouthful, causing us to chuckle.
As I took a slice of the pork in my mouth, Hunter surprised me with his plan he had in mind for the night.
“After we finish dinner, prepare your gun and get dressed. We are going hog hunting tonight.”
“Really? Wait. Where is Vince going to be?” I asked. The plan had my heart racing in my chest. Before, I was looking forward to trying target shooting over moving targets. Now that it reminded me about using my gun again, I felt overwhelmed. I hadn’t used my gun for quite some time and had honestly started to wonder why I even had the damn thing.
I needed to do it this time. I was pulling the trigger that night. Period.
“Yeah. Where am I going to be, Dad? Am I going too?” Vince asked.
As if on cue, someone knocked on the door. Hunter stood and smiled. “Nope. It’s going to take Aunt Brenda a little while to dig through your grandfather’s old chest of drawers to find what she’s looking for. She’ll be here while you’re off in dreamland.” He winked before walking to the door.
I was nervous meeting someone in his family for some reason, but Vince made me feel much better.
“Oh, Kylie. You’re going to like Aunt Brenda.” He leaned closer and whispered, “She always brings candy!”
“Who’s in here!” An older woman with a great smile walked into the kitchen and Vince yelled and ran toward her. “Come here, munchkin!”
“Aunt B, I want you to meet my friend, Kylie. I’m going to take her out to the barn to show her how to shoot. You know, hanging out for a little bit? Shouldn’t be too long.”
I extended my hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too, dear.” She glanced over at Hunter, still hugging Vince. “I don’t mind at all. Take your time.”
After we spoke for a minute more, I walked to the back to change, worried that I was going to mess things up. I wasn’t a gun type of gal, but I’d done all right so far. I took a deep breath and prepared myself both physically and mentally. I knew I should do my best to focus on this hunting. It was the only chance for me to channel my inner strength and confidence for protecting myself.
I tied my hair up after changing into my comfortable pants and hoodie jacket. Carrying the gun fully loaded with a complete magazine in it, I went down to meet Hunter in the living room.
“You sure that Vince is going to be okay?” I glanced over my shoulder toward the office. I could hear him and Aunt Brenda in there cackling about something.
“Oh, yeah. We’ll lock up, and we’re just going out back. Besides, Brenda loves that kid like he was her grandson. And these bastard pigs aren’t too far. They’ve been tearing up the yard, remember?”
“How could I forget.” I walked over to him and put my hand on his chest. “Kiss me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He reached up and cupped my face, pulling me close for a long, probing kiss.
I jerked back as Vince called out to me. “I’ll be back.” I smiled and turned, going to check on the little guy. He was either talking in his sleep or I was hearing things. He was out like a light by the time I opened his door. Weird.
Hunter was sitting in the living room when I returned, checking one of his long-range guns. He looked like a bad ass killer ready for the shooting battle in the woods.
He stood up from his seat, swinging the gun’s attached sling around his body. He walked to the gun cabinet and pulled out a shotgun, surprising me a little.
“Do we need something that big?” I smiled as he gave me a cocky grin.
“Yeah. Those hogs are huge.” His eyes rolled over me as approval filled his expression. “You ready?”