The Rookie by Kendall Ryan

Author:Kendall Ryan [Ryan, Kendall]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kendall Ryan
Published: 2021-06-17T16:00:00+00:00

15

* * *

LOGAN

“That’s a nice one. Six points?” Austen asks.

“Eight,” Matt says proudly. He adjusts the bill of his ball cap as Austen and Graham scope out the deer we got this morning.

Well, Matt got the deer. I spotted it first but nudged him in the elbow. He’d drifted off to sleep about two hours into our hunt—how, I’ll never understand. The deer blind was cold, drafty, and uncomfortable.

I pointed to the grassy bluff out in the distance, wanting him to be the one to take the shot since he loves hunting. I don’t really care for it, truth be told. And now, seeing how proud he is with Graham looking on, I know I made the right call in waking him.

“That should stock the freezer nicely. Well done, boys.” Graham doesn’t smile, but he does nod to indicate his approval. It’s probably the most praise we’ll get out of him.

Summer enters the barn, carrying a stack of books Mom loaned her after dinner. There’s a title about the medicinal properties of different herbs, a slow-cooker cookbook, and Lord knows what else. I’m still not sure if Summer was only pretending to be interested or actually wanted to borrow all of these from Mom’s personal library. She’s got such a positive attitude all the time, it’s hard to tell.

The moment Summer realizes what we’re all standing around staring at, she stops suddenly and one hand flies to her mouth. The deer is hanging upside down from the rafters, so it’s kinda hard to miss.

“Hey, sorry.” I raise one hand toward her. “I should have warned you or something.”

She swallows hard and shakes her head. “It’s okay.” Taking a cautious step closer, she gestures toward the animal. “Is this the deer you got?”

I nod. “Matt got him, but yeah.”

“I’m both thoroughly grossed out and impressed.”

Matt chuckles. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“As you should.” She treats him to a wide grin, and I’m struck, not for the first time, how truly gorgeous she is.

When her eyes meet Matt’s, his lips lift into a smirk. “Hope you like venison.”

She scrunches her face. “I’ve never had it, but I’ll try anything once.” Her eyes narrow. “Wait, you cook it first, right?”

This draws a hearty laugh out of Graham. “Of course we cook it. We aren’t Neanderthals.”

“It tastes similar to steak. Maybe more gamey. But it’s not bad,” I say, since Summer’s still wide-eyed.

She nods, but I notice she doesn’t come any closer. Not that I blame her. It’s a lot to see a large dead animal on display. Nothing at all like shopping for your meat at the grocery store.

Austen adjusts his ball cap and announces he’s taking off.

“Where are you going?” Matt asks.

Austen tilts his head toward the house. “Mom made meatloaf. I haven’t eaten yet.”

Matt nods. “Enough said.”

“Enjoy, brother,” Graham calls to Austen’s retreating form.

“I’m going to build a bonfire,” I say, heading toward Summer. “Everyone’s invited.”

Summer turns to follow me. “Will we have marshmallows to roast?” she asks with a smile.

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