Author's Note:
Just a little something for Valentine's Day. Inspired by the late, great John Denver, a man whose passing still makes me sad. Hope you're riding that Rocky Mountain High, John...:) Thanks for all the wonderful songs...
As you can now see, this story has grown and grown at YOUR requests:) Sure do hope you all enjoy how it's evolving...:).Slowly, but surely! LOL:)
Yes, I'm still working on this - July/2016:)
Chapter 1
"Hey, Walt…thanks for all your help. Didn't mean to pull you away from Absaroka this long. Just hope they managed to make do without you."
"I've got good people working for me" I assured Sheriff Tracy McKay as I handed him my report, "They managed just fine without me."
I vaguely wondered how a man made it through life with a name like that but after meeting him for the first time this past week, I'd found out that Tracy was as tough as nails. Maybe having a first name normally associated with women did something to a man; made him more 'manly'. It was something I'd never had any experience with. 'Walter' was about as male as a person could get after all and really, what did I know about Montana and its ways? Well, after spending the last six days with the Sheriff, working undercover to bust a meth ring whose operation affected my county as well, I knew a little bit more and I genuinely liked this man standing before me, even if I did have to look down at him.
Tracy was a lot shorter than I was, maybe five foot eight, built on the slender side, but strong. He had taken a pretty good left hook to his right eye from one of our suspects, but he hadn't gone down and he hadn't given up. He was also a great deal younger than I was which might have helped with him staying upright. I admired his grit and determination. For once, I had been the one to escape injury, and it was strangely nice to be looking at a guy with a black eye and only feeling his pain through remembrance.
He threw my report on his desk and ran his hands through his sandy-blonde hair. We both looked at the wall clock in his office. It was just after 1700hrs and I could feel time weighing heavy upon me.
"How would you like to go get a beer?" Tracy asked hopefully. "It's been a hell of a week and I could use a drink about now."
"Id like to, but I best be getting on home" I declined,
"Really? I mean, it's Saturday night, the Blue Angel will be rockin' with a live band and we could both use a little excitement of the ordinary kind." He sounded pretty eager.
With that statement, it became obvious to me that Tracy was not a married man, or in any kind of serious relationship. I pointed to the date on the desk calendar.
"It's Valentine's Day, Tracy," I reminded him.
"Ya, I know…but, well…" and he was squirming a little under my direct gaze.
"Just spit it out, son" I encouraged him.
" I, uh…I'm pretty well single" he began, "and I heard you were a widower, so I figured maybe you might just want to go out and forget what day it was…have some fun…" and geez, did he look embarrassed.
"You 'heard' I was a widower?" I was curious.
"Well, you're kind of a big deal, even up here in Billings. We've all heard about Walt Longmire, the badass Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. Your reputation is the only reason I was allowed to bring you in on this investigation."
So, my reputation had preceded me. That was fine, I supposed, even though the description was not accurate. Badass? What interested me more was what my marital status had to do with any of it.
"So, that's what they're saying about me, huh? What's that got to do with me being a widower?"
Tracy took a step back, hands slightly raised. I guess I was looking a little too pointedly at him. I should have backed off a bit but it was fun to see him a little nervous around me. Hey, I was a badass of legend; had to make sure I left with that impression intact.
"It's just talk, Sheriff" and suddenly I wasn't just plain old 'Walt' anymore. I raised an eyebrow, indicating for him to go on and explain. He was as smart a man as I had given him credit for; he proceeded.
"It was in all the papers, even up here, how you solved your wife's murder" and he had the grace to look down, contrite. A year ago, I might just have reached across his desk and smacked him for bringing the subject up, but a lot had changed since then. Instead, I put my hands on my hips and laughed softly.
"Tracy, it's okay…That was a while ago and I guess, technically, I'm still a widower, but there's someone waiting at home for me now, so as much as I'd love to have a drink with you, I can't" and he raised his head to look at me apologetically.
"I'm really sorry, Walt, I didn't know. I shouldn't have assumed…"
"Like I said, it's okay" and I smiled a little to show him that it really was. "We don't all stay lonely, even an old guy like me. There's always hope, Tracy", and I reached out to clap a hand on his shoulder instead of hitting him. My, how times had changed me!
"You go out tonight with that black eye and you might just meet the woman of your dreams" I encouraged him with a grin. I felt him relax and he smiled.
"I was hoping to have you as my wing-man," he told me. "You can call yourself old all you want, Walt, but Jeez, you still put us young bucks to shame out there and the women love you!"
Really? I found that hard to believe and I frankly didn't give a damn one way or the other.
"Sorry to leave you solo" I told him with a chuckle, "but there's only one woman I'm interested in and her opinion of me is the only one I care about."
"I don't think I'll spread that story around" he assured me. "I'll just tell the ladies I got to hang out with you and with this shiner that ought to spark some interest!"
"Well, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do" I laughed, "and speaking of which, do you mind if I use your phone?"
"You go right ahead." Tracy seemed more than happy to oblige me. "I'm going to file this paperwork and go check on the prisoners downstairs." He took my report from his desk and made his way to the door.
"You are pretty bad-ass, Walt" he told me with a grin, "and it was great working with you. Honestly, I owe you one."
"Might just have to hold you to that," I warned him, "and hey, that bad-ass part, well, sure, spread that around. Creeps might think twice about coming down to my county!"
"They should! Hey, if I don't see you before you take off, you take care of yourself and if you're ever back up this way, stop by just to say 'hi'. It was my sincere pleasure and an honour working with you."
"Likewise, Sheriff and I will stop in, maybe just to check on the shiner! Be safe out there, Tracy."
"Always try to be" he called back as he opened the door, "same to you," and he left the room.
I moved behind his desk and sat down. Nice chair, but not as nice as mine. Nice office, too, if you liked the 'modern' look, all glass and chrome and a damn laptop sitting on his desk. I was missing my wooden walls, my big old, heavy wooden desk, the wall sconces I'd inherited along with the office, and where the hell were the pronghorn heads gazing down at me? Yup, it was more than time to go home.
I missed my office, my staff; Ruby and her post-its, Ferg and his enthusiasm, Branch and his new-found modesty and eagerness to let me mentor him, but most of all, I missed Vic...
I picked up the telephone receiver and dialed her cell number. I listened to it ring once, twice, three times. On the fourth, she picked up.
"Hello?" I heard her say curiously.
"Hey" I spoke, a smile coming to my lips. The thought of her always made me smile.
"Hey yourself," she answered back and I could hear the surprise and happiness in her voice.
"I'm done here," I informed her.
"Does that mean you're headed home?" There was guarded hope in her voice. I felt myself relax and my smile grew, along with other things. The way the sound of her voice aroused me thrilled me every time.
"I'll be leaving as soon as I hang up," but I needed to know something first.
"Where are you?" I asked.
"At the cabin, just like we planned." My heart skipped a beat.
"Do you mean what I think you mean?" It was my turn to be hopeful.
"Sure do, Cowboy! Henry helped me move my stuff in and Cady and I picked up a few things to make it a little homier. Hope you like what I've done with the place, Walt…"
" I'm sure I will, Vic. I trust you", and I most certainly did. "I feel bad, though, leaving you with all the work. It was supposed to be me helping you. It was supposed to be 'us'…"
"Hey, not your fault! Someone else needed you more than I did, so it's all good. I am just so damn excited that you're coming home tonight! Now it's my turn to need you, Walt and I really, really do!" and she laughed that suggestive, sexy laugh of hers and I caught my breath.
"Is this the part where I ask you what you're wearing?" I teased.
"If you want to nurse a hard-on all the way home, then yeah, go ahead and ask! You're gettin' good at this, Walt!"
"Oh, Vic" I laughed, "you are so bad….but so damn good!"
"Speak for yourself," she sassed back, "but hey, it doesn't hurt that you have the sexiest voice I've ever heard! You can't really expect me to hear it and not get hot, can you?"
"Funny, I was thinking the same thing about yours and as for 'nursing' something all the way back home, forget it; it's too late! All I can say is it's a good thing I'm alone right now!"
"Jesus, Walt!" she breathed. "Isn't it like two and a half hours from there to here? I'm not sure if I can wait that long." I was sure I couldn't wait either but the anticipation would be sweet.
"I'll make it in under two, I promise," I vowed, almost as breathless as she sounded.
"I'll make you something nice to eat. Already got the fire going. All we need now is the celebration." I pictured it all in my mind; it was perfect.
"Oh, we'll celebrate all right. I wouldn't miss Valentine's Day with you, Vic." My hand crept in to my jacket pocket to feel the gift I had gotten her. Still there. I knew she was going to love it, just as I loved her.
"It's just like you said it would be, Walt" and all the playfulness was gone from her voice now. "We made it, so far…"
"…and we'll keep on making it, Vic. No doubt in my mind about that." I was serious now, too. "I love you. I'll always love you and things can only get better now"
"I love you, too….and for the first time in my life, I know exactly what those words mean. Hurry home, Walt. I'll be waiting for you."
She brought tears to my eyes. Only I knew the struggle she'd gone through to come to this moment in her life, this moment in our life. The first time she'd said those words to me had cost her everything; her pride, her dignity, her humility and I would never forget that day or the way I'd felt when I had seen just how vulnerable she had made herself to me. Neither one of us had been eager to open ourselves up for the possible hurt, but in the end, we'd both done it. It had been so difficult, but necessary to get over that one big obstacle in our relationship. She'd been the first to give in although my intentions had been the same; she'd just beaten me to the moment. When I thought about that time, I loved her even more for making that first move.
We'd come a long way in a month and a half, both of us having to swallow our damnable pride and let the other in, but the tears and the cursing and the arguments had all been worth it. There was nothing hidden between us anymore and in forcing each other to speak the truth, we had set each other free. We were what we were to each other; open, honest, vulnerable and helpless to the love between us. What had started out tearing us apart had ended up bringing us even closer together. Nothing on earth was going to keep me from Vic ever again and I knew she felt the same way about me. I KNEW it and what a wonderful feeling it was.
"Now that you're there, Vic, home really is where my heart is. I'll be there before you know it because I can't stand to be away and I can't live without my heart."
"And I can't live without mine, either, Walt. Be safe. Be fast. Be here so I can show you just how much I miss you."
"Wild horses or wandering buffalo won't keep me away," I laughed because if I didn't I would end up crying silly tears of joy. I got the feeling Vic was feeling the same way.
"Um, just so y'know and to make the trip a little more interesting, I should tell you I just put on an apron ….over absolutely nothing" and yup, my feeling had been right on.
"I swear the Devil lives inside of you, girl," and we both laughed. "See you so very soon, baby…and Walt junior sends his love. Says he's pretty eager to see you, too" and we made our goodbyes with good humour.
I hung up the phone, awash in the good feelings Vic always brought up in me. Awash in something a little baser, too…but what the hell? She got to me and I prayed she always would. I'd accepted all of myself when it came to her, as she'd accepted all of herself and my heart was light and beating strongly when Tracy came in and surprised me.
"Wow, Walt, you look mighty happy," he grinned.
I grabbed my hat and placed it on my head.
"I am that," I told him matter-of-factly. I held out my hand. He took it.
"A pleasure, Tracy….but I'm outta here. Y'know, there is nothing like going home when you have someone waiting for you who loves you, warts and all. You should work on that, son."
"I might just, seeing what it does to you. Take care, Walt. Hope to see you again….and your woman."
"Be careful what you wish for," I told him with a smile and a wink. I laughed at the puzzlement on his face and then I was heading out of the office to my truck.
I got in, glancing at the mixed bouquet of red and white roses I'd bought on the way back to the station. Red was traditional but the combination of both colours was supposed to symbolize more than love; the two together meant unity and that's how I felt about Vic. We loved each other, our acting upon that love united us, and that's how we faced the world – together. That's the message I wanted to convey to her.
I started the truck and pulled away, leaving the city behind me. Once I hit the open road, I kicked in all the horses and let them run. The sun was setting over the land, turning the sky to fire before me. Deep reds waltzed hand in hand with subtler pinks and the sight made me exhale a sigh of gratitude. A week in the city had certainly been more than enough for me. Out here on the open road, I felt a belonging that was hard to describe.
I turned on the radio, catching the tail end of the news. Heard about the bust we'd made with indifference and then the music cut in. I wasn't really listening all that well at first. My attention was on the sunset, my thoughts on going home…
…and then the words of the song cut through my thoughts.
"Hey, it's good to be back home again.
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend.
Yes, and hey, it's good to be back home again."
John Denver. I'd listened to him a great deal back in my youth. One of the greatest songwriters this country had ever known. A simple man, simply but eloquently speaking about the things that meant the most to him. Gone way too soon and would there ever be another like him? I somehow doubted it.
"Oh, the time that I can lay this tired old body down,
and feel your fingers feather soft upon me.
The kisses that I live for, the love that lights my way,
the happiness that living with you brings me."
That verse made me ache for Vic. I felt exactly that way sometimes and I couldn't wait to feel her touch, light and gentle upon me. When I was feeling old, she made me feel new again. Just words to a song, but they got to me. For the first time in forever, I did something I hadn't done in a long while. I settled myself in, turned up the music and began to sing….
"It's the sweetest thing I know of, just spending time with you.
It's the little things that make a house a home.
Like a fire softly burning and supper on the stove,
the light in your eyes that makes me warm."
Just me and John, cruising down the highway. I was the lucky one, though; I was heading for the home he'd written about, a home he must've known at some point in his short life but never had the chance to hang on to. Things were going to be different for me. For Vic and me. I checked on the present in my pocket again. Still there. This was going to be a Valentine's Day to remember….and just one of so many more to come.
The song ended and I let my eyes roam the skies, wondering if Vic had taken a moment to step outside and watch the sun's goodbye. Behind the sunset lurked dark clouds, promising snow. I hoped she'd been quick enough to catch the beauty before the storm. Just picturing these hues of red reflected in her eyes made me smile. Let the weather do what it wanted to; she was waiting for me and knowing that would get me through anything Mother Nature decided to throw at me.
"I'll be home before you know it, Vic," I whispered and the word had never sounded so good or so right… I turned off the radio and started the song from the beginning, a cappella, actually pleased with the sound of my deep voice. Maybe I'd play this on the piano and sing it for Vic after supper. She just might like my singing. Then again, maybe the song would have to wait for later. I was pretty confident that Vic had other plans for 'dessert'. I concentrated on the words to the song in an effort to curb my appetite for that particular course. Seemed like the less distracted thing to do.
"There's a storm across the valley, clouds are rolling in,
the afternoon is heavy on your shoulders.
There's a truck out on the four lane, a mile or more away,
the whining of his wheels just makes it colder.
He's an hour away from riding on your prayers up in the sky
and ten days on the road are barely gone.
There's a fire softly burning, supper's on the stove,
but it's the light in your eyes that makes him warm."
Yup, that about said it all. Home truly was where my heart was waiting for me…
I looked to the skies ahead of me and thanked John Denver for the song. I wished him well, wherever he may be; home at last, I hoped… and may his home be as sweet, wonderful and complete as mine was now. Deep and abiding love was all a man could ever hope for and sometimes, more than he deserved. I wasn't about to look that particular gift-horse in the mouth. I was a lucky man; I knew it. I was going to ride that horse instead, all the way, and I was taking Vic along for the ride with me. I could just hear her say 'giddy up, cowboy' and I smiled…