Deena's Deception by G S Carr

Author:G S Carr
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Brown Lady Publishing, LLC
Published: 2020-04-29T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

"Look over there," Asa said, pointing to a herd of animals grazing in the distance.

"What are those, Papa?"

Deena squinted at the beasts. "They look like deer."

"Close. They're mule deer. See their big ears and the black fur on the tip of their tail? And watch this." Asa handed Deena the reins for a moment, then cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered as loud as he could.

The deer lifted their heads and turned, focusing on the small buggy and its occupants. SaraGrace mimicked her father and began yodeling through her cupped hands. The deer took off, bounding away with a stiff-legged gait that made them appear to be bouncing up and down.

Asa watched his girls, entranced by the delight and amusement alighting their faces. He took the reins back from Deena. She leaned forward, trying to get a better view of the spectacle nature performed solely for them. They watched until the deer became specks in the distance.

"That was amazing, Papa!" SaraGrace clapped her tiny hands as if she were in the audience of a grand opera giving a standing ovation.

Deena hugged SaraGrace closer to her side, laughing and grinning just as hard. "Yes, that was a moment I will never forget."

"I'm glad you both liked that. Being surrounded by nature is my favorite part of living out here. It makes me marvel at how it all works. How every single plant, animal, and insect has a role to play in the grand design of this wilderness."

"I like living out here too, Papa. Do you like living out here, Mama?"

Deena stroked SaraGrace's cheek, smiling down at the little girl. "I do." She gazed at Asa. "Your father is right. This place is magnificent in so many ways."

His eyes never leaving Deena's, Asa reached in the breast pocket on his vest and withdrew a hunk of wood. He kept it hidden, his fist blocking her view. "I hope you don't mind. I took the liberty of making you something. Just a small token of my appreciation for all that you've been doing."

"Aww, Asa. You didn't have to do that."

"I know. I wanted to. Hold out your hand."

He waited for Deena to do as he said. He touched his fist to her palm, then slowly opened his fingers, releasing the gift. A crackle of exhilaration shot up his arm, making him shudder at the contact. They looked at each other, their attention riveted. Did she feel it too?

Why would she? For a moment, Asa had forgotten himself. Forgotten what he looked like. He snatched back his hand, lest he did something else foolish, like try to hold hers.

Asa focused back on the landscape before them. "Carved it myself. I hope you like it."

Catching him off guard, Deena touched his scarred cheek, guiding his attention back to her and smiled. She glanced between the bear figurine and him. "It's perfect. Like the man who made it."

Roots sprouted from the seed of hope that had planted in his heart the day he’d picked her up from the train depot.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.