Salvation
Summary: When an old enemy appears with a warning, everything might not be what it seems. When Vic's family visits, the threat broadens. Set after "Tenebrous."
Ch. 1: Bloodletting
The small townhouse was dark and quiet as the man approached, crossing the parking lot with his hands tucked into the pockets of his dark colored jacket. He skirted around a street light to avoid stepping directly into the light. His dark clothing made it easier for him to stay in the shadows and not be noticed. On the chance that someone did see him, they wouldn't be able to piece together much of a description. The navy-blue ball cap he wore covered up his short cropped hair and shielded much of his face from any real view.
He paused on the sidewalk and rechecked the address. The worst thing that could happen was for him to get the address wrong. Mistaken identity was not a part of this plan. Execution was everything.
Execution. He nearly smiled at his own pun.
Walking around the side of the narrow unit, he was completely invisible to the street than ran across the front parking lot. Not that it was very busy. In the twenty minutes he'd been here, he counted four cars, all of whom were driving fast enough to not notice him.
Of course, if someone did stop him, his badge was a backup. It was one he didn't want to use, but it was there if he needed it. There were two windows along the side of the house. Both were locked. It was an end unit, which made accessing it that much easier. He was relieved to find that it was not one of the homes sandwiched in between neighbors. The fewer people around, the better this would all go. There was no need for it to turn into some long drawn out situation.
Around the back, he gave the back door a look. That would be too obvious. What really drew his attention was the small window above what he assumed was the kitchen sink. That was his real target. He knew people well enough to know they frequently neglected smaller entryways like that one.
Even the best made mistakes.
With the ground even, he was able to reach the window and push up. He smiled again when it opened. Pushing it up as far as he could, he took hold of the still and partially jumped, partially pulled his way up. Once he was braced, his legs dangling a bit, he pushed the window the rest of the way up and hauled himself though it as quietly and carefully as he knew how.
He was right. The window was over the kitchen sink. Taking care not to rattle the myriad of dishes that were in the sink waiting for someone to wash them, he lowered himself to vinyl floor and looking around to get his bearings. He listened to ensure that no one was up, there was no dog or other warning that might tip off his entrance into the home.
Once he was satisfied, he stared through the small house carefully. The furnishings were basic and neutral in color. There wasn't much to tip off an outsider as to who might live here. Could be a single person, could be a family.
He knew who it was and he knew where they were based on two previous visits long before this plan ever formed in his mind. Back then, they were friends playing poker and having drinks on their weekends off, when those coincided.
He pushed those thoughts out of his head. They didn't serve any purpose now except to make this harder than it already was. It wasn't something that he enjoyed, but it was something that needed to be done. If the system wouldn't do its job, that left him no choice but to take matters into his own hands. It wasn't a position he relished. But, he always prided himself on taking care of business.
That was the way he viewed this.
It was the only way to get through it.
To see it as an extension of his job.
As he carefully made his way to the narrow stairway that led to the second floor, he reached behind him and pulled the gun from the holster that was clipped to the back of his pants. He paused long enough to check and ensure that it was ready and then continued.
He placed one foot on the stairs and added just a bit of weight, testing to see if they would creak. The carpet that was laid over them seemed to muffle any noises that they might makes. Step by step, he made his way up the stairs, gun at the ready.
He knew there were two bedrooms at the top of the stairs. The master was to the left, the guest bedroom that was really a messy catch all, was to the right. At the top of the stairs, he went left. Thankfully, the bedroom door wasn't closed all the way. He placed his hand on the knob and eased it open, cringing when it moaned on the hinges.
He stopped and waited.
The figure that was stretched out across the bed didn't budge at the sound. Taking that as his cue, he entered the bedroom with his hand gripping his weapon tightly. He knew that once he fired the gun, he would need to make a hasty retreat. The route was already planned in his mind and he knew approximately how long it would take for him to make the dash quickly and efficiently.
He paused only briefly at the bedside. The figure still hadn't moved. It was a warm night in the city so, the sheets were pushed halfway off revealing that the occupant was sleeping on his stomach with his hands stuffed underneath his pillow. The man's breathing was deep and even.
Lifting the gun, he took careful aim, took a deep breath, and fired.
xxx
"What happened to you?"
Vic came through the door with a young man in front of her. She paused as she crossed the threshold and gave Cady a look like the answer to her question should be obvious. She started to respond, but stopped when her eyes fell on Carson Cooper, who stood off to the side with his fingers hitched in his belt, his stance casual.
Shifting her eyes back to Cady, she gave the young man a light push towards the cell. Once he was in, she closed the door with a clang and turned back to the two Sheriffs of Absaroka and Cumberland counties.
"Fucking cows. And, this jackass took off on me."
She gestured at the cell when she said it. Cady ran her eyes over Vic, taking in the mud that was splattered on her shirt and her jeans.
"Did you tackle him in a mud puddle?"
The amusement on Cady's face was obvious. Vic shook her head.
"No. He ran into a fucking cow pasture."
The picture painted itself when Cady took into account the late spring rains that drenched the area in the days before. Cady dipped her face a little and placed her hand over her mouth, trying to hide the smile that threatened to creep across it. Vic cocked her head.
"Do not laugh."
Vic looked down at herself.
"There's probably cow shit mixed in with all this. I don't even want to know."
Cady gave up and smiled with a shake of her head.
"I'm sorry."
Vic rolled her eyes.
"No, you're not."
Her eyes flicked to Cooper, who was watched the exchange quietly.
"Hey."
He nodded at her.
"Hello."
Vic looked back to Cady, who glanced at the time.
"It's almost four. Why don't you go ahead and go home?"
The answer was clear on Vic's face.
"Oh, I plan to. But…I'm gonna try and clean up a little first. Before I completely trash the truck."
Cady smiled again.
"Go on. I'll book your friend here. What're the charges?"
Vic gave him a sharp look.
"You mean besides being an idiot? I pulled him over for speeding. But, he has a warrant for a no show in court. Guess that's why he ran. Dumbass made it worse."
Cady slid back into work mode as Vic continued her way to the door marked Reading Room. Inside the cramped bathroom, she did her best to clean off some of the excess mud. That turned out to be easier said than done. At least, she was able to wash her face off and her hands. That was something.
When she emerged from the bathroom, Cooper was gone and Cady was in her office. Vic hovered in her doorway.
"So…how is that going?"
Cady gave her a questioning look.
"How's what going?"
Vic gave her a look.
"You and Cooper."
Cady shrugged, trying for nonchalance and failing.
"Okay."
Vic shook her head and walked all the way in the office.
"You know…you're a really bad liar."
Cady sighed.
"We're…taking things slow."
Another 'yeah right' look crossed Vic's face.
"Really? Cady, you have lunch with him once a week. At least. Not to mention dinner and drinks. You're getting pretty serious, huh?"
Cady's eyes shifted down. Vic honed in on her hesitance and took a breath.
"Yeah, it is."
Vic narrowed her eyes.
"Then…what's wrong? Shouldn't you be happy? Excited?"
Cady looked up and shrugged.
"You haven't said anything to dad, have you?"
Vic shook her head.
"No. But…you need to. I keep telling you that. You keep putting it off."
"I know. But…"
Her voice trailed off and she came around her desk.
"I'm afraid he won't approve."
Vic frowned.
"You're afraid that he won't approve of the man who owns his own home and has a job. Yeah, I could see where that would piss off a parent."
Cady halfway smiled.
"It's just that…I mean…Cooper is…you know he's older than me."
Vic's eyes widened.
"That's what you're worried about? Seriously? Walt is fifteen years older than me. What's he gonna say?"
"That I'm his daughter. So, it's different."
Vic huffed out a breath.
"At which point, you remind him that he's being a hypocrite. Look, Cady, I'm don't like to be in between you and Walt. And, that's exactly where I am right now. If this thing is getting serious, you need to tell him. Sooner rather than later."
Cady's expression was skeptical.
"Right. Just like that."
Vic gave her a sympathetic look.
"Don't worry so much. Walt should just be happy that you're happy. If he's not…he'll get there."
Vic reached up and pushed some loose hair behind her ear. There wasn't much more for her to say. Her own observations of Cady and Cooper told her what was going on. She knew what started out as a friendly interest was taking root into something a little deeper. She also knew that Walt knew nothing about it and Cady pleaded with her on a regular basis to keep it that way. While she wasn't in the habit of being his informant on Cady's personal life, she didn't like feeling that she was keeping something important from him.
Talk about a rock and a hard place.
She offered Cady a smile and back up towards the door.
"I'm gonna take your advice and go get a shower. Think about what I said. I'll see you tomorrow."
Cady smiled uneasily, her face never all that great at hiding her feelings. She lifted one hand in a partial wave as Vic reached the doorway and paused, giving her a quick look.
"Okay. See you tomorrow."
Vic smiled once more and turned, leaving Cady alone in her office. Pulling out her keys, she stuffed what she needed into her laptop bag, along with the computer and shouldered it, knowing that it would need to be washed later. So would the seats of her truck. Thankfully, it shouldn't be too hard to wipe them down and get the residual mud off.
She would leave that for later.
xxx
Walt was at the barn when he saw Vic's truck in. Early. That was fairly unusual. Especially this time of the year when the weather was warming up, the snow was gone, and the citizens of the county were venturing out more and more. He was in the middle of feeding the horses when she parked. He finished up, gave Lady a pat on the side and left the barn, heading for the cabin.
He slowed his pace as he reached the steps. Vic was sitting on a chair on the porch, bent over and tugging off one of her boots. The boot was covered in drying mud, as was the one that was still on her foot. Her jeans were also muddy, and what he could see of her uniform shirt. Walt used one finger to push his hat up higher on his head.
"What happened to you?"
Vic looked up, her expression one he could read easily. Annoyance.
"That's the question of the day, isn't it?"
Walt watched her set the boot down and pull of its companion.
"Seems like a good one."
Vic set her second boot alongside the first one and stood up, showing him the full extent of the damage. She pushed out a breath.
"It's a story. And, I'll tell you later. Right now, I just want a shower."
Walt walked up the steps and stopped in front of her.
"Looks like you need one."
Vic gave him a fake smile that faded quickly.
"Thank you for the opinion."
She tilted her head towards him and looked up, meeting his eyes.
"You smell like horse. You could use a shower yourself."
Midsentence, her tone changed. At this point, Walt was accustomed to her mood shifts. There was a time they gave him whiplash. Now, he was able to take them in stride, without losing too much momentum.
"That an invitation?"
A slow smile crept across her face.
"Maybe. If you make it worth my time."
He smiled. It was impossible not to. She knew which buttons of his to push, which challenges he would jump at. She raised getting to him to a true art form and she wasn't even a little bit sorry. On the contrary, she thoroughly enjoyed the task.
"I think I can do that."
Vic stepped back from him and opened the front door.
"C'mon then. Let's see what you got."
He trailed her to the bathroom where Vic started to peel off her clothes. She freed herself of her soiled shirt and was working her belt loose when she realized that he was just leaning on the doorframe, watching her. Vic lifted her head.
"Enjoying the show?"
He shrugged one shoulder.
"I was waiting for you clothes. They'll need to soak."
"Ah."
Vic dropped her belt on the floor, the metal clinking on the tile. Unfastening her jeans, she pushed them down, then kicked them off her leg in his direction.
"Here you go."
As he collected her dirty clothes, Vic turned on the shower, the water sputtering to life. When she turned back and started to slide her bra strap off of her shoulder, she paused to find him still there, clothes in hand.
"These…"
She gestured at her underwear and bra.
"…aren't dirty."
One side of his mouth pulled up.
"Now, I'm just watching the show."
"Smart ass."
Vic rewarded him with an eye roll. Leaving her to finish, Walt deposited her clothes in the washing machine, adjusted the controls, and returned to the bathroom. Vic was in the shower by the time he stripped off his own clothes and joined her. She was rinsing soap off as he lathered up. Stepping out of his way to allow him access to the spray of water, Vic traced a hand low over his back.
Walt made quick work of washing, knowing that now she was the one watching him. She stood just behind him with her shampoo bottle in her hand. Walt wiped water out of his face and took it from her.
"Let me."
Flipping up the cap, he poured some into his hand and set the bottle aside. Vic turned her back to him and he started massaging the shampoo through her hair, his fingers pressing into her scalp as he went. She must've liked it. She leaned her head into his fingers and let out an appreciative moan.
"God, that feels good."
Walt smiled and dropped his hands away. Turning, Vic rinsed her hair while he watched and held the eye contact that she established. Once she was finished, he stepped up directly in front of her and ran his hands over her hips, pulling her into him and kissing her. Vic pushed up on her toes, deepening the kiss. Walt pressed his forehead into hers and reached around behind her to turn off the water.
"I think we're done here."
xxx
"I should leave work early more often."
Walt smiled and pressed his mouth into her bare shoulder.
"You should. Definitely."
She laughed and rolled onto her back so that she could see his face. Walt released his grip on her and propped his head up on his hand.
"So…you never told me what happened?"
For a minute, her mind drew a blank. Then, she remembered and shifted on the pillow to get more comfortable.
"Oh…yeah. I pulled a kid…young guy…over for speeding. Ran his plates and realized there was a warrant. When he realized that he was about to get arrested, he took off through cow pasture. At least, I'm not the one who wound up face down in it."
Walt grimaced.
"I'm guessing you gave him an earful."
She smiled.
"All the way back to the office."
Walt gave her a knowing look.
"Bet he didn't realize he would've been in less trouble by just being arrested. Now, he'll be facing extra charges."
"Yes, he will. Thankfully, Cady offered to book him and sent me home."
Walt reached down and traced his finger along one collarbone.
"I am thankful for that. Trust me."
She nearly snorted at him and rolled her eyes.
"You strike me as a man who is trying to get laid twice."
Walt attempted to look innocent, but gave up.
"Can't blame a guy for trying."
Vic reached up and ran her hand over his jaw.
"No, I can't. You know…"
She paused her hand over his skin.
"…you're taking this cowboy look to the extreme lately."
Her hand left his face and threaded through his hair that was overdue for a cut. Walt pressed his head into her palm.
"Like it?"
Vic made a face.
"Not really. I mean…some stubble is kind of sexy. But…there's a fine line between scruffy and homeless."
Her hand slid back around to his cheek, where he pressed his mouth into her palm.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Her hand dropped onto her abdomen and she twisted so that she could see the clock. Walt watched her curiously.
"Do you have plans?"
Her eyes returned to his.
"No, but I'm hungry."
On cue, her stomach rumbled underneath her hand. She took a breath and sat up, the sheet falling down her torso and bunching up. Walt watched her.
"What do you want?"
She cast him a look, her cheek on her shoulder.
"What do we have?"
He frowned.
"Not much."
Vic sighed and pushed the sheet all the way off. Turning, she slid one leg over him so that she straddled his hips.
"Weren't you going to the store today?"
Walt lay flat on his back, his hands running over her legs.
"Yes."
"But, you didn't."
"No."
Vic pressed her palms over his chest and leaned into his face.
"Keep that up and I'll be forced to replace you with a man who feeds me."
Walt's hands stopped their motion.
"Is that so?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"Then…I suppose I should feed you, huh?"
Vic pushed up and off of him, planting her feet on the door and standing up.
"It would be a good idea. Let's go out."
Walt sat up and rose slowly.
"Yes, ma'am."
Vic cut her eyes at him as he pulled out clean clothes and started to dress. She watched him for a moment before she took her own wad of clothes into the bathroom to clean herself up. From where she was in the bathroom, she could hear Walt moving around the bedroom. Even through the partially closed door, she could visualize his motions and movements.
It was predictable. But, she liked it. Life with Walt came with a certain amount of steadiness that she appreciated considering their lives frequently took sharp, unexpected turns. Not that Walt was free of trouble himself. But, he was a man of habit and routine when things were ticking along like normal.
They seemed to strike a good balance between routine and insane in her mind.
Most of the time.
At least, they weren't dull.
Most of the time.
When she came out of the bathroom, he was fully dressed and sitting on the bed. Vic pulled on a button down shirt over her tank top and buttoned it.
"What do you want to eat?"
Vic shrugged as she finished up the buttons and grabbed a pair of non-work boots from the floor, taking a seat beside him on the bed.
"Don't know. Any ideas?"
"We could go to the Red Pony."
Vic shook her head, a smile crossing her face.
"You're too easy. You know…trying something new can be good for you."
He leaned back a little.
"So can the familiar."
Vic pulled on her boots and stood up. She gestured for him.
"C'mon. Use that brain of yours."
He stood up and she stepped in close, his smell filling up her senses.
"Surprise me."
She nearly whispered the word in a way that suggested she might not be talking about food. Walt swallowed and dipped his chin a little.
"Alright."
He took her hand and pulled her towards the door.
xxx
"How did I do?"
Vic smiled at him from across the table, taking a sip from her glass. She set the glass down with a light thump and a look of approval.
"Not bad."
He leaned forward in his chair with a satisfied smile. The small Mexican restaurant was still fairly new, but they hadn't been in yet. Between Vic's work schedule and the winter months droning on and on, getting out and about wasn't a top priority. The warmer weather of spring, pushing into summer, was a welcome change. Or, this part of spring. In these parts, the beginning of spring wasn't all that different from winter. But, as the season inched on, the temperatures went up, and most of the snow went away. The atmosphere in the restaurant was casual and comfortable. Good smells wafted from the kitchen, mariachi sounding music played over a speaker somewhere.
It certainly improved Vic's mood.
It was hard not to feel the promise of renewal when the days were a little longer, and a lot more comfortable. It reduced some of the difficulty that came with her job during the longer winter months, and added an element of safety with the threat of snow storms decreasing.
Walt lifted the cold glass in front of him, taking a drink of his beer. Setting it down, he swiped a hand over his mouth.
"Thought you would like it. Cady tells me it's good."
"Cady, huh?"
Walt nodded.
"Yeah, said she's been here a couple of times with friends."
Something pulled at Vic, but she ignored it. Walt tipped his head forward.
"Something wrong?"
She shook her head.
"Nope. I guess Cady gets out more than I do. Benefits of being a single lady, I guess."
Walt studied her.
"Being married has other benefits."
"It does. Different, but good."
She noticed their waiter coming their way with food and leaned back, giving him room to distribute their plates. When he was gone, Vic looked down at hers.
"Smells good."
Walt's attention was on his own food.
"Yep."
Vic started to unroll her silverware, freeing her fork. Using it, she mixed up the salad that was sitting in front of her in a tortilla shaped into a bowl. She was sitting across from Walt, his back to the door and giving her a clear view.
Two bites in, the door opened, drawing her attention and she glanced up. Seeing Cady come through the door, she perked up further.
"What?"
Walt took note of her attention diverting to the door and he glanced over his shoulder. He and Cady saw each other at the same time and she lifted her hand in a slight wave when she saw his eyes were settled on her. Cady looked around, then crossed the short distance to their table, her eyes landing on Vic before they shifted to Walt.
"Hey, Punk."
She smiled tightly.
"Dad. Vic."
She looked to Vic again, who was in the middle of chewing. Walt looked between the two of them.
"Something wrong?"
The question was directed at Cady, who shook her head.
"No. Vic's just…cleaner than when I last saw her."
Vic swallowed.
"Ha. Ha. A shower can do wonders for…"
Her words trailed off when the door opened again and Carson Cooper came through it. He saw Cady, started her way, but stopped when he saw her standing near the table. Walt looked back to Cady.
"A friend of yours?"
She cleared her throat.
"Yeah, that's Sheriff Cooper from Cumberland County."
Walt nodded.
"Yeah, I've seen his picture."
Cady waved him over and he came slowly.
"Carson Cooper. This is my dad. Walt Longmire."
Walt stood up when the man offered up his hand. Cady cast another look at Vic, who was watching the scene unfold with something approaching apprehension on her face. She recognized Walt's move for what it was. He shook Cooper's hand and released it.
"Sheriff."
Cooper offered him an uneasy smile.
"It's an honor. I've heard a lot about you."
Walt retook his seat and gestured at the table.
"Want to join us?"
Cady shook her head quickly.
"No. You two already have your food. Eat and have some peace. Vic doesn't want to hear about work stuff."
With that, she took a step back.
"I'll uh…see you later."
With that, she steered Cooper off and they took a table at the far side of the room. Walt watched them, his expression thoughtful. Vic nearly groaned. It was never good when his mind got going like that.
"Walt."
He turned his head slightly in her direction, but his eyes stayed on Cady and Cooper. Vic reached out and rapped her knuckles on the table.
"Walt."
She injected more volume into his name and he looked her way.
"Hmm?"
She picked up her fork and pointed it at his food.
"Eat."
He looked down at his food like he forgot it was there. Hesitating, he raised his eyes to Vic.
"Why are they eating together."
She was eating again and shrugged.
"I don't know. She's a Sheriff. He's a Sheriff."
Her eyes dropped to her food, but Walt's gaze remained steadily fixed on her.
"Are they seeing each other?"
She nearly choked when he asked the question, shaking her head and clearing her throat. She looked up sharply.
"Walt…"
His name came out on a sigh.
"…eat. Okay? I'm not doing this here. Just…eat your dinner."
For a second, he looked like he might argue. Finally, he started to eat again.
xxx
She knew it was coming before he ever said anything. He was quiet for the rest of dinner, even for Walt. His posture turned tense and she could see it in the set of his shoulders. Once they were back in the Bronco, he slid the key into the ignition and then sat with his hands on the wheel. Taking a breath, he loosened his grip and looked out the windshield.
"You never answered my question."
Vic sat in the passenger seat, her eyes directed out the window.
"Walt…"
He cut in.
"I just want to know if they're dating."
Vic pushed out a sigh.
"What makes you think I even know?"
Her question prompted him to turn his head and look her way.
"Because you normally know what is going on with her."
Vic looked away, shaking her head.
"Is that a no? Or, a you're not telling me what's going on with my daughter?"
Vic gave him a look.
"Don't do that. Don't make me into the bad guy here. Your daughter…"
She paused for emphasis.
"…is a grown woman. And, you know I don't like being pulled into the middle of you and Cady. Someone always winds up pissed at me. Like you are right now."
He held her eyes.
"I'm not…pissed at you. I just want to know."
He continued to look at her for another moment as silence stretched out between them. Looking away, he started the Bronco.
"Guess that answers my question."
Pulling out, he started down the road.
"How long have you known about it?"
Vic was looking out the window again, her patience running thin with his questions. It wasn't the first time she found herself feeling like a referee between Walt and Cady. She didn't like being in the situation and they both knew it. Still, it seemed like they wound up in this spot far too often to suit her.
"I'm not doing this, Walt. How many times are we gonna have this conversation? It's not my job to report back to you about Cady's personal life."
He didn't seem convinced by her insistence. Walt tapped on finger restlessly on the steering wheel as he drove them home. His silence drove her crazy and he knew it. She would like to say that was why he did it. But, that was just how Walt was. She didn't handle it well. She never did.
"She didn't tell me. I guessed."
Walt flexed his fingers.
"You guessed."
"Yes, with my astute powers of observation. And, the fact that he's at our office a lot."
Walt gave her a quick look.
"Is it serious?"
Vic shrugged.
"I don't know."
"Vic."
She shook her head at the continued prodding.
"I don't know, Walt. She doesn't tell me everything about her love life. Which is fine with me. Because, I don't want to know."
He inhaled, his jaw set firmly. She fidgeted in her seat.
"And, now you're mad."
"I'm not mad. Just curious as to why my wife and daughter are lying to me."
Vic huffed.
"Jesus, Walt. No one is lying to you. Do you wanna know why Cady doesn't tell you these things? Because this is how you act."
She waved her head when she said it.
"How exactly am I acting?"
"Like…like it's your life. It's not. It's Cady's. And she's an adult."
"She's my daughter."
"Your adult daughter."
He pulled up in front of the cabin and parked. Vic released her seatbelt and turned in her seat.
"You know…this is why I don't tell my dad things either. Maybe you should think about that."
He gave her a long look before he pulled his door handle and slid from his seat. Vic got out and walked around the front of the Bronco. Walt stopped and looked off in the distance. Vic watched him, dragging one foot over the grass.
"Walt?"
He turned her way.
"I'm gonna take a walk."
Vic pushed out a breath.
"Walt, don't be this way."
But, he was already walking off. Vic walked towards the cabin, shaking her head.
"Shit."
xxx
Walt didn't make it very far, stopping at the barn and pulling the door open. Walking inside, he took in the familiar sounds. He liked barns. They were comforting. The smells and the sounds reminded of him of his father, of following his father around when he was out of school on jobs at local ranches.
Walt approached Lady's stall. The mare seemed to be dozing, but when his boots scraped over the barn floor, she lifted her head and nickered at him. Walt held out his palm flat and she nosed it, air blowing over his hand and her nose bumping it.
"Sorry, girl. No snacks tonight."
He reached up and patted her head.
She was an amiable horse. An old mare that he and Vic essentially rescued from being put down due to a problem with her leg. It took a great deal of money and time, but he didn't mind either. She wasn't much more than a large pet, but that didn't mean her life wasn't worth saving. It was his idea to buy her and have her treated. But, it was the expression on Vic's face when he explained why the widow who owned the ranch would have her put down as opposed to paying for veterinary care.
It was a harsh reality of ranch life. He knew that. But, Vic saw it differently.
"Just because she's a little beat up doesn't mean her life is worthless."
It was a hard point to argue with. Especially since they were both a little beat up themselves. He could identify with the horse. He knew that Vic could as well. And, she did.
When all was said and done, she was more Vic's horse than anything. They shared a kinship that warmed him from inside. Vic could ride. He taught her, and she was getting progressively better. But, he knew that horses still made her nervous. But, Lady wasn't a horse they rode. She was simply a companion for Horse and Vic put a lot of time into brushing and caring for her. It highlighted her softer side, the one she didn't make available for everyone.
Walt sighed and pushed his hat up. He shouldn't have walked off. He knew better. He wasn't really mad at her. He just felt left out. Cady was his daughter. Yet, it was Vic who almost always knew what was happening in her life well before him. They worked together and they were friends. That kind of access gave Vic an advantage over him. It was unfair to hold that against her and he knew it.
Walt patted the mare again and watched her ears flick this way and that. She was a beautiful horse once she was cared for, on a better diet, and received the medical care that she needed. Vic would stay in the barn for long stretches of time brushing the horse and talking to her. She would deny it, but he insisted it was that kind of attention that brought the horse to where she was now, happily retired and enjoying life. It wasn't all that different from what he felt Vic did for him.
She would deny that, too.
She would say the opposite was true. That he was the one who saved her when she needed it the most and pulled her back from the brink. He would tell her that all of the help in the world wouldn't have saved her if she hadn't wanted to be saved.
That determination was hers alone.
Most of the time, they just called it even and accepted that neither would be where they were without the other. That seemed like a fair assessment. Walt gave the horse one final run over with his palm and stepped back from her stall. He needed to go inside and clear the air.
He didn't like unfinished business.
xxx
Vic milled around the cabin for a while biding her time. She saw the direction Walt was headed. He more than likely only went as far as the barn. She knew him well enough to know when he needed some time to himself. This was one of those moments. They were alike that way. There were moments when they both just needed a cooling off period.
He didn't seem angry as much as he seemed frustrated. The object of his irritation was nothing new. It was hard for Walt to respect boundaries when it came to Cady. It was easy enough to write it off as a typical overprotective father. But, Vic knew it went deeper than that. She considered herself somewhat of an expert on overbearing fathers, since hers fell squarely into that category. She knew what really frightened Walt. The idea of losing his only child, his daughter, like he lost his wife.
Everyone had their own demons, needed to learn how to keep them at bay. Her own pushed into the forefront of her mind more frequently than she liked. Some might be worse, but it was something she now knew plagued everyone. Walt still blamed himself for what happened to Martha. While he was able to make some peace with it, Vic knew that he would always carry some level of regret.
The same way that she would always carry the regret of losing her baby, the choices that led up to the moment. You couldn't go back in time to make things right. You could only attempt to learn from history and try to do better going forward. It was an intensely bitter pill to swallow. But, that was the way of it.
Walt could admit that he made plenty of mistakes where Cady was concerned. He was trying to do better, but he still tripped over his own feet every once in a while. On occasion, he still stumbled into an overreaction or a mistake.
So, Vic gave him time. She tried sitting. But, she was never good at sitting still. Especially not when something felt unfinished. Being idle could threaten to drive her mad. So, that didn't last very long. She stood up and paced around. There wasn't really much to occupy her other than her phone, and the minutes felt like they were creeping by at an incredibly slow pace. A maddening pace.
Vic tapped her hand restlessly against her leg and checked the time for what must have been the hundredth time. Thirty or so minutes finally eked by, not that she was timing this or anything. She was just trying to give him the space he needed to clear his own head. He was so prone to overthink, it could make getting through to him hard at times.
Vic pulled the door open and stepped out on the porch. Peering out into the dark, she could see that she was right. The light down by the barn was on and the door was open. From where she stood on the porch, she could see a shadow move.
Walt.
Vic walked down the length of the porch and took a seat on the bench to wait. More waiting.
Her persistence paid off and he started back towards the cabin. Vic leaned forward and rested her arms on her legs, her hands clasped. The familiar sound of Walt's boots on the ground came to her ears. His pace was slow.
He took the wooden steps one at a time, stopping when he reached the top of the porch. She left the front door open so that only the screen door separated the outside from the inside. He didn't seem to notice her immediately.
"Feel better?"
Vic ventured the question in a serious manner. This wasn't a time for sarcasm. Walt turned, his eyes landing on her. Slowly, he walked down the porch. Even with the yellowish glow of the porch light, his hat shaded his face from her. At time like this, Vic didn't care for that. When they were having serious conversations, she preferred to be able to see his eyes and the expressions that crossed his face.
Walt lowered himself down beside her. Vic waited for a moment before she reached over, took off his hat, and set it in his lap. Walt placed one hand over it, and ran the other hand over his hair.
"I'm sorry."
His voice was quiet, almost hushed.
"Yeah, I know."
He inhaled and exhaled in a manner that suggested he was about to speak again.
"It's not fair to expect you to…"
His voice trailed off and Vic picked up.
"…rat out your daughter."
Her words brought a faint smile to his face.
"Yeah."
Vic's head dipped down as her eyed dropped to her hands. Reaching over, she placed her hand on his leg and tightened her fingers a little.
"You need to talk to Cady. But…don't…freak out on her."
"I don't freak out."
Vic smiled.
"You do freak out where Cady is concerned."
Walt shifted his hand and placed it over hers. His palms were rough and calloused on her skin. The hands of a man who worked with them in a myriad of ways. Her eyes landed on their one on top of the other hands. She turned her own hand underneath his so that their palms were touching. Curling her fingers up, she laced their fingers. Sometimes, it still threatened to take her breath away at how much communication passed between them without words. It was something she never mastered with Sean. The why was something she really didn't want to get into just then.
"I get it, Walt. I know sometimes you don't think that I understand. But…in some ways, I do. Maybe…not as a parent. But…as a daughter. I do."
Walt's head bobbed with her words.
"I know."
Vic tightened her grip on him, squeezing his hand before she released it and stood up. Walt looked up at her from his seat on the porch. Vic gave him a questioning look.
"You comin' in?"
He toyed with the brim of his hat, his eyes on her.
"Yep. In just a few minutes."
Vic looked at him for another moment, before she reached out and ran her hand over his hat flattened hair.
"Don't be too long."
The words were lighter and her hand trailed from his head down his ear and across his jaw. Dropping her arm to her side, she left him on the porch and went inside.