Truths and Roses Chapter 21
The Second Date
I felt more than a bit uncomfortable that our long awaited, much anticipated, and indiscriminately broadcast second date started at Omar's home. Omar was letting Vic and I use his all terrain vehicles for our adventure. When I called Omar to ask, I reminded him that he owed me a favor. He did not agree. I took that as proof that trick only works for Ruby, and probably only on me.
At my insistence, Vic and I practiced riding around on Omar's land before loading the ATVs on the trailer. For my own peace of mind, I wanted to be sure we both knew how to safely operate the vehicles. Helmets were also part of my peace of mind. Vic didn't argue with me, but I still felt the need to explain. I didn't wish to take any chances of Vic enduring a head injury following her recent grade 2 concussion.
As it turned out she was more pissed with me for borrowing ATVs from Omar. I reminded her that as the Silverback, it's my right to demand resources of the lesser gorillas like Omar, and it only reinforces to Omar that Vic is mine. She stifled her smart ass response and just gave me the eye roll.
From Omar's place we headed to Bighorn National Forest. I decided to keep it simple and stay close to Durant. We would sample the trails in the Powder River Ranger District portion of the forest. There would be plenty of other options should we decide to do this again in the future. The Bighorn National Forest boasts 1,500 miles of trails.
At the start of our ride Vic faced a hard choice. She would need to choose between the more advanced mixed terrain trail or stick to the decidedly less invigorating beginners trail. It came down to how important it was for her to be able to freely curse and scream. After maybe 15 minutes of riding and spitting out an impressive amount of mud, Vic came to a full stop. Turning to me she began to more than suggest it was my fault she swallowed so much "fucking nature."
"I never told you this was a conversational activity, Vic."
"Conversational? What the hell?"
"I assume you were trying to have a conversation. Why else would you be screaming fuck yeah, this is awesome, what's the matter Walt you can't keep up, and what was it you said just a minute ago? Oh yeah, you screamed what the hell, what's with this freaking flying mud. I believe that's how you put it."
"I noticed you didn't answer."
"Yep. Didn't seem an answer was needed. I assumed you knew there'd be some flying mud when one is off-roading." I was sure to accentuate the last term, since I knew it was her new favorite.
"Obviously. I just didn't think it'd get into every crook and granny."
My barking laughter didn't lessen Vic's agitation. "Nook and cranny." Feeling perhaps too relaxed, I added fuel to her fire. "And, the phrase is used to indicate a small or obscure space. I would never describe your luscious mouth as small or obscure."
Vic immediately went full throttle, turning her vehicle at just the right angle to catapult a shower of mud on me. It appeared Vic the Terror had decided the fun of playing in the mud was worth a temporary vow of silence.
After an hour or so of riding, hunger and fatigue led us to a river to wash the grime off best we could. The combination of our sunglasses and the helmets created an odd pattern of mud upon our bodies. From the neck down to the boots, we're well insulated with a covering of mud. If not for the mud caked on our noses, our heads appear to have not come with us on the trail.
"Walt, this is absolutely stunning. Beautiful. It's like we're in one of those souvenir postcards. I've got to say Wyoming has some good points."
"Some? As in more than one? Wow. That's a glowing review coming from the person who used to announce daily how much she hated this place." I'm as proficient in sarcasm as Vic, and Henry, and Cady, well everyone in my life.
She faces me and places her hands on my shoulders then raises herself on her toes to kiss me.
"I'm sure The Cowboy State has many great attractions, but I'm focused on my favorite right now."
She punctuates her compliment with a longer, more impassioned kiss. As we part lips, I lament, "That's something I could say of you, had you not stolen my romantic thunder."
Vic helps we spread the blanket and we sit down.
"I'm sure my cowboy has plenty more romantic thunder to offer."
Just as I am about to suggest we pause any further physical activity till after we eat, I hear a loud rumble Turns out it's Vic's stomach suggesting the same idea. One thing about Vic, she isn't shy about her eating. She never apologizes when her stomach growls or when she burbs after a heavy meal, not that I think she should. Vic's not one to be embarrassed by such things. I find that appealing. I see it as Vic being who she is and who she is, is pretty wonderful.
Hey that's pretty damn good, Longmire! This is exactly the kind of internal thought you could be sharing.
"You know Vic; you aren't one of those women who think they have to pretend they never get hungry. I've never seen you apologize for a growling tummy or burping after a big meal."
"Ok? I guess I'll take that as a compliment?"
"Hold on, I wasn't done."
"There's more?" Vic places her palm to her cheek. "I do declare Mr. Longmire. I believe you are becoming poetic with wicked intentions. Are you trying to get under my skirts, Mr. Longmire? I'm sure I've never been more scandalized!"
I can't contain my grin. She always makes me laugh. Oh, I should add that too!
"What I'm trying to say is I notice the small things about you. In the time we've know each other I've learned about your likes and dislikes, your goals and desires. It's all part of what makes you who you are. And, I happen to think that who you are is pretty wonderful."
"Okay, wow."
"Oh and I like that you make me laugh." Maybe I should become a poet. Or I could be one of those folks who write the syrupy verses in greeting cards. It's something to consider for my retirement.
Feeling comfortable and confidant in my role as romantic leading man, I reach out and take Vic's hand kissing the back, then turning it over to kiss the palm. She's not reacting. She's not speaking. She's stunned? Appalled?
"Vic, you okay?"
Looking down at her lap, Vic begins to bite on her bottom lip. I figure what's coming isn't going to be my favorite thing she ever said.
"I am. I'm good. What you said, wow. It was breathtaking, this…" She waves her arm indicating our picture perfect view. "It's all breathtaking."
Her words don't match her body language. She is allowing me to continue holding her hand, so that's good.
"And? I'm guessing there's more?" I can hear the apprehension in my voice.
"And, I kinda get it now. I see why you were a little worried about a second date. That whole thing about things being so perfect is what if the rest can't match up. I mean nothing can really be perfect. What if the rest turns out to be a let down?"
That's a blow.
"Walt, wait. I can see you're retreating into your head. Don't." Vic scoots closer to me on the blanket taking my empty hand in hers. Her eyes plead for me to stay present. "This day with you is every bit as great as our first date. It's my some stupid brain worrying that the newness will wear off, the way you feel about us about me, that I'll wear off. I mean I'm not the easiest person to live with."
The sincerity, with which she exposes her vulnerability, only makes me love her more.
"First, I know you can't think I'd be easy to live with, Vic. Second, no one's talking about moving."
She sighs. "I didn't mean literally."
"I know, Vic. But aren't you the one who is always reminding me to focus on what's in front of me. We don't have to know how to manage every potential issue coming our way. I happen to think the two of us together would make it through. Or even prevent an issue from existing"
I exhale. It's starting to feel too much like a Lifetime movie, and I need her to know this is real, not some words created just to avoid an unpleasant topic. "Vic, I just want to be right here in this moment right now with you, the right person for me."
She kisses my cheek, then my lips, and then rests her forehead on mine. "You are so fantastically eloquent today. And that is not a complaint."
She kisses my cheek than my neck. "You're also so tempting."
"Tempting, uh?"
"Yes." Vic punctuates each phase with another kiss to some other part of me. "Sexy physique. Magnetic personality. And all this amorous talk. This hungry girl just got a craving for some cowboy."
Boy Howdy!