Ch. 7: Accelerant
Walt swung the ax in a downward arc and felt the satisfying thud of the metal blade hitting the wood and the wood splitting cleanly down the middle. They didn't have an immediate need for firewood, but he was a proponent of staying ahead on such matters. The meteorologists were predicting several more inches of snow getting dumped on them over the next few days and he wanted to be prepared. The air around him was cold, but the physical work was making him warm. His discarded coat was draped over the porch railing and he wore a denim shirt with a t-shirt layered underneath.
Walt paused in his work and buried the ax blade into the chopping block, leaving it handle up. Gathering up the wood that was scattered around him, he carried it up onto the porch and stacked it up. There was a more than healthy woodpile. But, he didn't mind this task. It was one he had been doing his entire life and there was something satisfying about seeing the results of his work and knowing he was providing for his home.
Walt removed his hat and swiped his hand over his hair. He squinted out across the yard. The sun was bright and high overhead. He was about to resume his wood chopping when he heard the chirping of his cell phone. Walt pulled off the gloves he wore and lifted the phone from its perch on the railing near his coat.
"Hello."
"Walt?"
The voice sounded a bit hesitant. It was a familiar voice, but not one he could place right away.
"Yep."
"It's Tom…at the Red Pony."
Walt paced a small path across the porch.
"Hey, Tom."
"You wanted me to call you when that guy came back in. He's here. Just walked in and he's ordering lunch."
Walt dipped his face away from the sun.
"Thanks, Tom."
"Sure."
With that, the call disconnected. Walt shoved the phone into his pocket and pulled on his coat. The wood would have to wait.
With his foot pressing heavily on the gas pedal, the ride to the Red Pony was short. Walt pulled in and parked, sliding from the Bronco and taking long, purposeful strides towards the door. He paused at the saloon style doors and scanned the room. It took him a minute to find Cain, sitting alone at the far end of the bar. Walt pushed through the doors and made his way down the bar. Without a word, he took a seat beside Will. The other man noticed him immediately, his head turning slightly in Walt's direction.
"Walt."
"Will."
Cain lowered the hamburger he was eating and took a long swallow from his beer bottle.
"This doesn't seem like a coincidence."
Walt rested his arms on the bar.
"It's not."
"This the part where you tell me the town's not big enough for the two of us and to be out by sundown, Sheriff?"
Walt shook his head.
"I'm not the Sheriff anymore."
Cain snapped his fingers with a smile.
"That's right. You're just an ordinary citizen. Like me. So…to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Walt glanced around the bar, keeping his voice low.
"Stay away from her."
"Stay from who? Oh…wait…you mean you're lady friend. Girlfriend. Not sure what the correct term is these days."
Walt felt tense. He willed himself to stay calm. Cain continued to talk.
"She's something, Walt. How in the name of God did you land a woman like that? You are one helluva lucky man to possess something like that."
Walt's felt his jaw tighten. He recognized that Cain was baiting him. But, it was difficult not to respond when it came to Vic.
"She's not a thing. And I don't possess her."
He heard a huff of laughter escape the man beside him.
"That's right. You're Walt Longmire, always the gentleman. Always the savior. You don't understand the way things are. The way they were meant to be. These women…they don't need to be saved. They need to be shown their place. And the strong willed ones are the most fun to break. Like a horse. I can only imagine what she would be like. For now."
Walt's right hand was clenched into a fist involuntarily. He turned his face towards Cain.
"Stay away from her."
Cain smiled.
"Or what?"
"Or you'll deal with me. And, you won't like it."
"That right? You know…I've read up on you. You shot a man once over her. But, you didn't kill him. She killed him later was my understanding. So…there's no proof that's anything more than an empty threat."
Walt stood up and pushed away from the bar.
"Stay away from her."
With that, he left the bar.
xxx
Cady came from her office and crossed the floor to Vic's desk. Vic looked up at the sound of her boots. Cady smiled.
"Hey, how was your weekend?"
"It was good. I did not want to come back."
Cady laughed.
"Do you have the file on the break-in last night at the hardware store?"
Vic nodded and began shuffling through a pile of papers on her desk.
"Yeah…"
Whatever she was going to say was cut short by the office door opening. Vic and Cady looked up at the same time and Vic felt the pace of her heart increase almost immediately. Will Cain paused just inside the door and looked at the two of them. His eyes met Vic's before he turned his attention to Cady, addressing his words to her.
"I'm looking for the Sheriff."
Cady frowned a little, recognizing him.
"I'm the Sheriff. Cady Longmire."
He considered her for a long, quiet moment.
"Longmire. Like Walt Longmire?"
Cady took a step in his direction.
"He's my father. Is there something I can help you with Mr…?"
He blinked twice before he responded.
"Cain…Will Cain. I knew your dad once. Still do I guess."
Cady took another step towards him.
"Mr. Cain, what can I do for you?"
His chest rose and fell with a sigh.
"I don't know. Are you impartial?"
Cady was full on frowning now.
"Impartial?"
His eyes flicked to Vic and back to Cady.
"If someone threatened me, is there anything I can do about it?"
Cady gave him a long look.
"That depends on the threat. Who threatened you?"
A beat of silence hung over the room.
"Your father."
Cady's mouth opened slightly and she turned to Vic, who shrugged. Turning her attention back to Cain, her hands landed on her hips.
"My father threatened you?"
He nodded, his eyes again moving to Vic.
"Is there somewhere private we can talk? I'm not comfortable talking about this in front of her."
He gestured at Vic, who moved to stand, but was stopped by Cady holding out her hand.
"We can talk in my office."
He nodded and removed his cap. Cady gave Vic one last look as she led Cain into her office and closed the door. Turning, she motioned.
"Would you like to sit?"
He offered her a smile.
"Sure."
Cady leaned on her desk and folded her arms across her chest.
"So…can you tell me what this is about?"
Cain cleared his throat.
"I hate to put you in an odd predicament, but…I don't know where else to go."
Cady nodded slowly.
"Mr. Cain, you're going to need to tell me what happened."
He twisted his cap in his hand.
"Your dad came to me in the Red Pony…the bar, you know…and he told me…"
He paused and looked over his shoulder at the closed door, before meeting Cady's curious eyes again.
"He told me he was gonna kill me."
Cady's face tensed.
"He threatened to kill you."
Cain nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
He was twisting his hat again.
"Because I ran into his girlfriend in a parking lot."
Cady's eyes narrowed.
"You're talking about Vic?"
He nodded again.
"Yeah, Vic. Your deputy. That's why I asked if you could be impartial. I know he's your father. And she works for you."
Cady sighed.
"Mr. Cain, our primary goal is to keep our people safe. Are you here to press charges?"
Cain shook his head.
"I would rather not. I was hoping you could talk to him. Both of them, really. I think…I think your deputy is a little paranoid and might be feeding things that aren't true to Walt. I don't want to cause trouble. I just want to be left alone."
Cady studied him.
"Vic arrested you the other night, didn't she?"
"Yes, I was drunk. And that was…deserved. Like I said…if you could just talk to them. Otherwise, if there's another incident, I'll press charges."
Cady stood up straight and dropped her arms.
"I'll talk to them."
He stood up and offered her a smile.
"Thank you, Sheriff."
He tugged his cap back on and left her office, casting one final look to Vic before he left. Cady appeared in her office door. Vic turned in her chair.
"What was that?"
Cady waved her in.
"Come in here."
Vic stood up and walked into the office, Cady closing the door behind her.
"What's the deal with you and that guy?"
Vic's jaw set tight.
"He's an asshole."
Cady walked around and again leaned on her desk.
"Is he bothering you?"
Vic bit her lip.
"Define bother."
Cady gave her a sharp look.
"I want to know the truth because he just told me that dad threatened to kill him. There's only a few reasons that dad would react like that to someone. And you're one of them."
Vic's eyes widened slightly.
"I…don't know anything about that. But…"
Cady shook her head.
"No, buts. I need to know the whole story. All of it."
Vic sighed.
"He's been…running into me…not really accidentally if you know what I mean."
"Is he stalking you?"
Vic shook her head.
"I don't…not really. He's just…it's hard to explain."
"Try me."
Vic pushed out a frustrated breath.
"What exactly did he say?"
"Just that dad threatened to kill him. And that you're telling dad things that aren't true."
Vic gave Cady a dubious look.
"You don't actually believe him, do you?"
Cady's narrow shoulders rose and fell in a shrug.
"Right now, I don't know what to believe because you aren't being very helpful. What did this guy say to you? Did he threaten you?"
Vic shook her head.
"It's not what he says, it's the way he says it. The way he just shows up. He's…creepy."
"Being creepy isn't illegal."
"I know. But…"
Cady shook her head, cutting Vic off.
"Why don't you…take the rest of the day? Go home. Talk to dad about this. Tell him that I need to talk to him. Both of you, really."
Vic gave her an incredulous look.
"You're sending me home?"
Cady nodded slowly.
"I think we all need to have a talk. A calm talk here. So…yes. Go home. Get your head straight and come back around…three. Bring dad. Let's get this straight before I wind up having to arrest him and send you home for more than a day."
xxx
The door opened with force. Walt looked up from the book he was reading to see Vic come through the door, already shedding her jacket. Reaching behind her, she slammed it with the same force she opened it with. Walt set his book down and stood up.
"Vic?"
She tossed her jacket over the back of the couch and placed her hands on her hips.
"What did you do?"
Walt frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Walt couldn't remember the last time he had seen Vic as angry as she was in that moment. She let out a breath.
"Will Cain came to see Cady today. He said you threatened him."
Walt's mouth opened and then closed. Vic tilted her head, taking in his expression and his demeanor.
"So, you did."
Walt inhaled.
"Maybe."
Vic huffed out a humorless laugh and looked off to the side. Dropping her hands, she advanced on him.
"Why?"
"He's stalking you, Vic. He…"
She held up her hands.
"Stop. I want you to tell me exactly what you said."
Walt wiped his palms over the legs of his jeans.
"Tom called me and told me he was at the Red Pony. So…I went and told him to leave you alone."
"Or you'll kill him?"
Walt shook his head.
"That's…not what I said."
She didn't seem to hear him.
"And why is Tom reporting to you on who's in the Red Pony?"
"I asked him to."
"You asked him to?"
She parroted the words back at him. Walt motioned at the couch.
"You want to sit?"
Vic looked at the couch, but made no move to sit down.
"Walt, tell me what the hell happened. All of it."
Walt sighed.
"After you told me about the parking lot…thing…I asked Tom to call me the next time Cain came in. He called me around lunch time today and I went and spoke to him. To Cain. He…"
Walt's voice faltered.
"…he's dangerous, Vic. And he…he said things…insinuated things…about you that…"
His voice failed him again.
"I won't stand for it. If he touches you…"
Her stance softened slightly as did her expression.
"He hasn't, Walt. Did he make a direct threat?"
"No."
She swallowed.
"Well, now he's threatening to press charges. And legally, he could. It puts Cady in a shitty position. And me. Why…why didn't you tell me you asked Tom to call you?"
Walt's eyes dropped from hers and he stayed quiet.
"I asked you not to do anything stupid…or illegal. And you promised me. You promised. Jesus, Walt, you are not the Sheriff anymore. You can't…threaten people and not expect there to be some kind of…consequences."
"He really came to Cady?"
"Yes, he did. And she's not happy. With either of us. She…"
Vic stopped and her jaw flexed.
"She what?"
"She wants to see you at three. Both of us. You should probably think about what you're gonna tell her."
"The truth."
Vic reached up with both hands and scrubbed at her eyes.
"The truth. Yeah, seems like a good idea."
Walt could hear the sarcasm in her tone.
"You want me to lie?"
Vic sighed heavily.
"No. I want you to…I don't even know. What did he say to you? About me."
Walt shifted on his feet. Vic closed the small amount of distance that was left between them. Standing directly in front of him, she looked up into his face.
"What did he say?"
Her eyes held Walt's.
"That I was lucky to possess you. That women…should be broken…like horses…and he could only imagine what that would be like with you. For now."
His eyes fell from hers. Vic licked her lips.
"For now?"
Walt nodded and lifted his eyes back to hers.
"I couldn't not respond to that."
Vic bit her bottom lip and breathed in deeply.
"I know, Walt. But, you shouldn't have…I mean…"
She sighed in frustration.
"You can't let him get to you."
"He didn't get to me."
Vic rolled her eyes.
"Yes, he did. You did exactly what he wanted you to do. And Walt, you're smarter than this."
She could see that he wasn't convinced.
"What was I supposed to do?"
Vic shook her head.
"Not go looking for him for one. Walt, I can take care of myself. I don't need you going around behind my back defending my honor. Or whatever. This…this is exactly how you got pulled into that shit with Ed Gorski. Then he got beat up. What if something like that happens to Cain now? He's already gotten into one fight. You'll be the number one suspect."
Her voice had escalated noticeably.
"I haven't touched him."
"No, you just said you would kill him."
"That's not what I said."
Vic closed her eyes and opened them again.
"What did you say?"
"That if he didn't stay away from you, he would deal with me."
Vic swallowed.
"That's not what he told Cady. So, it's your word against his."
"I would. Kill him."
The words came out quietly and calmly in a way that left Vic feeling entirely unsettled. She looked at the floor.
"Don't say that. Hasn't….this vengeful streak in you caused enough problems?"
She regretted the comment the minute it left her mouth and an odd look crossed his face. The tables had turned and she saw the anger that flashed across his face. Walt leaned in, his voice coming out gritty.
"Aren't you the one who accused me of not loving you as much as…enough? Do you really think that I would do any less for you? Even when you were married, Vic, I…"
He stopped and she could see him trying to regain his composure. He stepped back and lowered his face.
"Do you want an apology? Is that it? I'm not sorry. For any of it. I would do it again."
Vic knew he was talking about more than just Cain.
"Walt, that kind of mindset can send you to jail. To prison."
"It would be worth it."
She stared at him.
"And where does that leave me?"
Walt shrugged.
"Well, you don't need me anyway so…you would be fine."
Vic narrowed her eyes.
"I don't need you?"
"That's what you keep saying. Every time you say that you can take care of yourself. That's what you're saying."
Vic shook her head.
"No…it's not. I do need you. I need you here and not locked up. Or worse. I don't need you getting in trouble over me. If you love me as much as you say you do, then you'll stay here with me."
She pushed the words out through her teeth.
"So, now you get to decide if I love you the right way or enough? You told me once that my devotion was one of the things you loved about me. But, I don't know if that's really true."
Walt moved away from her. He crossed the floor and grabbed his hat and coat. Vic trailed behind him.
"Where are you going?"
Walt shrugged.
"Out. I'll be there at three."
He left, slamming the door behind him.
xxx
True to his word, Walt showed up. Vic changed before going back in. She saw the Bronco as soon as she pulled in. Walking up the stairs, she pushed open the door and walked in. Ferg looked up from his desk.
"Hey."
Vic looked around.
"Walt here?"
Ferg pointed.
"In Cady's office."
Vic nodded and opened the door, going in, and closing it behind her. Walt was sitting in a chair opposite the desk he once occupied, his hat on his lap. He looked up at Vic. Cady offered Vic a tight smile.
"You want to sit?"
Vic shrugged.
"I don't think want is the word I would use."
Lowering herself into the chair, she crossed on leg over the other.
"So… you started without me."
Cady glanced between the two of them.
"Dad was telling me what happened between him and Mr. Cain."
Vic gave Cady a long look.
"You should stop calling him Mr. like he's someone important."
Cady stared at her.
"Did you intend to come in here with such an attitude?"
Vic uncrossed her legs and looked at her feet.
"Walt protects the people he loves, Cady. You know that. He would do the same for you."
"That's not the point."
"Isn't it, though? This man is dangerous. He knows what he's doing. This is what he wants. For all of us to be at each other. To turn us against each other. And, it's working. You've called us in here like it's the principal's office. What do you want, Cady? The truth? Here it is. This asshole keeps showing up places. He's already made some comments that could be construed as threats, but that aren't. Because he understands the law. So, Walt responded the way most people would. And we're all pissed about it. But, you know what? I don't really blame him. So, here's another threat, if the asshole comes near me in any way that I perceive as a threat to me or anyone else I care about…I'll deal with it myself. So…are we done?"
Cady stared at her. Walt was looking her way, clear surprise on his face.
"Vic…"
Vic stood up and turned.
"Should I come to work tomorrow? Or…no?"
Cady nodded, unsure of what else to day.
"Yeah, come to work."
Vic smiled.
"Okay, I'll see you then."
Her eyes met Walt's for a second before she walked back through Cady's door. She was halfway down the stairs before she heard Walt behind her.
"Vic."
Stopping at the bottom, she turned. Walt came down, hat in hand.
"What was that?"
"What do you mean?"
He looked back up the stairs.
"After earlier, I didn't…expect you to come in here and defend me."
Vic smiled humorlessly.
"When have I not defended you, Walt? I'm starting to think it's a syndrome."
He was standing beside her then. Vic turned to leave when his hand closed over her forearm.
"Where are you going?"
Vic gave him an odd look.
"Home. You coming or…"
He nodded.
"Yeah, I'll be behind you."
xxx
He was in the bathroom shaving when she appeared in the doorway. Things had been quiet between them with little said since coming back from talking to Cady. Vic leaned on the doorframe, her eyes on him.
"I never intended for you to think I didn't need you. But, this is who I am. That hasn't changed."
Walt dipped his razor in the water and continued to shave. Vic stayed where she was watching his careful, methodical movements.
"I thought you liked that about me."
The quiet stretched out between them as Walt finished shaving. Vic stayed where she was. He drained the sink and wiped his face off with the towel that was draped over his shoulder. Tossing the towel aside he faced her.
"I do. And…I shouldn't have said that. It was…insecure of me."
The comment earned him a crooked smile.
"You're not usually insecure. That's more my thing."
Walt sighed as he walked up to her.
"I don't like fighting with you."
Vic nodded.
"I know. I don't like it either. And I do love that you are so devoted to the people you care about."
"Love. The people I love."
She laughed quietly at his correction.
"Love. But, Walt, being loved by you is hard. It's…it's scary because you are so devoted. Because you are so…"
Whatever word she was looking for eluded her. She inhaled deeply.
"No one has ever loved me like you do. So…so…it's like it consumes you."
"I'm…"
She broke in.
"Don't say sorry. It's not something you should apologize for."
His blue eyes held her hazel ones.
"Vic, do you think that I love you more than you love me?"
He could see that she wasn't surprised by the question. Vic swallowed.
"I always thought I loved you more. But…now…I don't know."
Walt reached out and touched her shoulder.
"Vic, your love is fierce. Maybe even more than mine. It's something that you try and hide. You always have. I saw it again today…when you defended me to Cady. It's…not a syndrome. It's who you are. And I do like that about you. I love that. I would never ask you to be someone that you're not."
Vic looked down.
"I know that I'm hard to love."
Walt's hand tightened on her shoulder.
"You're not. But, sometimes it is hard being loved by you. And it's not for the faint of heart."
A smile broke across her face.
"Fair enough. I'm glad that you're not…faint of heart. Maybe that's why this works. I don't think either of us are easy."
He tugged at her shoulder and pulled her to him.
"That's okay."
Vic pushed up on her toes and kissed him hard. Her hands slid up his bare chest and around his neck. Walt started to walk her backwards towards the bed, his hands on her hips guiding her. When Vic felt the bed hit her legs, she sat down and started to scoot up the bed with Walt never breaking the contact between their mouths.
Her hands dropped from his neck to his belt and started to pull at it insistently. Walt's hands covered hers, helping slide it free before shoving his pants down his legs and off, along with his underwear. He pressed himself against her again, kissing a path along her jaw and down her neck until he reached the top of her tank top. Walt tugged it up and over her head before resuming his trail down her torso.
Vic squirmed underneath him, creating a friction that was nearly unbearable. He slid her pants down her hips and shoved them the rest of the way off, discarding them just like he had her shirt. Kissing her again, he pulled his face back for what felt like an eternity, merely staring at her before he kissed her again.
xxx
"I guess I owe Cady an apology."
Vic sat up in bed with her back against the headboard. Walt looked up at her from where he lay flat on his back.
"Well, she did tell you to come to work tomorrow."
Vic glanced down at him.
"Still, she's probably a little pissed. I probably shouldn't have jumped all over her. It's just…when Cain came in earlier in the day…"
She bit her lip and pressed her lips together.
"This is hard for her, Vic."
"I know that."
The words came out sharper than she intended. Vic inhaled deeply.
"Sorry. I just…it's hard for all of us. This balance between what's personal and what's professional. Some days…it's really tiring."
"It still feels like we're putting her in the middle of our problems."
"We?"
Her tone turned sharp again
"We didn't put her in the middle of anything. Your old pal did that all on his own when he walked into the office."
"Which he wouldn't have done had I not spoke to him."
His eyes were trained on her.
"I didn't say that."
Walt sat up, running his palm over his unruly hair.
"You didn't have to."
Vic sighed.
"Walt, don't. I don't want to argue."
"I don't either. But, I don't want you holding things in either. Sooner or later, you'll blow and we both know it. If you've got something to say, say it."
Vic looked down.
"I just thought you would've learned by now that reacting like this…"
"Like what?"
Vic swallowed and he could see her choosing her words.
"It's noble, Walt. It is. The way that you defend me. I appreciate it. I always have. But…every time, it gets you into deep shit. It's not something I've ever asked you to do."
"I told you earlier. I won't apologize for trying to keep you safe."
"I'm not asking you to. I just…I need you to stop going behind my back like…like I'm some damsel in distress."
Walt studied her. She was surprised the comment didn't make him angry. He seemed calm, though, thinking over her words.
"I didn't intend to go behind your back."
Vic nodded.
"I know. But…when you go to Tom like you did and don't tell me…that's how it feels. I need for you to be honest with me. About everything."
Walt shifted around on the bed.
"What would you have said?"
"Not to do it."
"That's why I didn't tell you."
He grew quiet for a few moments. She could see his mind working. Processing.
"Vic, when he said…what he said, I…had to respond the way that I did. It's the only language men like him understand. He has to know that if he comes at you, he has to go through me."
She looked at him, their eyes connecting.
"And if he comes for you?"
Walt shrugged.
"That's different."
"No, it's not. Not for me. That's what you don't seem to understand. You gotta stop acting like you're expendable. Because for me, you're not."
Something in him softened. Walt reached his hand out and touched her arm. Vic inhaled a shaky breath and looked at where his palm rested on her forearm.
"Promise me that you won't die."
Walt's hand tightened slightly before he pulled it back.
"That's…the one thing I can't promise."
xxx
Walt's eyes opened slowly. Moving his head, he turned it to the side. Finding himself in bed alone, he rolled over and looked at the time. It was just after seven. Rubbing his hand over his face, he tossed the covers back and stood up, stretching out the muscles in his back. Pulling on jeans and a shirt, he buttoned it up as he walked out of the bedroom. The living room and kitchen were empty.
Walt quickly tossed a couple of longs on the fire. Shoving his feet into his boots, he stepped out on the porch. The frigid morning air assaulted him immediately. Vic's truck was sitting in it's normal spot by the Bronco, so she hadn't gone to work. Turning back into the cabin he looked around again.
Pulling on his coat and planting his hat on his head, he walked back outside, his eyes roaming across the ground in front of the cabin. As predicted, a fresh coating of snow lay on the ground. Embedded in it just off the porch, he could see prints. Snow crunched under his boots as he set out in the direction of the prints to the barn. The door was partially open and he could hear her talking low.
Walt stepped inside and gave his eyes a moment to adjust to the lower light. He carefully walked to the stall where the mare was. Vic was inside with her back to him. He stopped in place and watched her. She was standing alongside the horse with a brush in her hand, making long slow strokes down the mare's side. As she brushed, she talked. Her voice was so low, he couldn't hear everything without moving closer. But, the words he did hear sounded very much like encouragement.
"You like that?"
She paused in her brushing and ran one palm along the horse's backbone.
"Good girl."
The horse swung her big head around and bumped Vic's shoulder with her nose. Vic laughed and rubbed it before resuming her brushing. Walt watched her, feeling everything that was stressed inside of him loosen. A moment in time flashed through his mind like a film reel.
Nice and strong. Go with the grain.
The memory brought a smile to his face. They were on the cusp then. Too far over the line to turn back, but not quite taking the final step towards each other. For so long before then, he kept a strong hold on himself. His emotions. But, that time passed them by and he found himself letting go more and more. Placing his hand over hers seemed like a simple act, a solitary point of contact. But, the gesture sent electricity through him. He pretended not to notice the way she hesitated, pushing on and allowing the contact to linger before placing his hand on her back, her shoulder.
He slowly came back to the present. She still hadn't noticed him standing there.
"Vic."
He said her name quietly, but she still jumped and pivoted, causing the horse to snort and stomp one foot.
"Shit."
The word came out breathlessly, her eyes wide. Walt held up his hands.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."
Vic's chest heaved slightly.
"How long you been standing there?"
"Just a couple of minutes."
He took a couple of steps towards her.
"I woke up and couldn't find you."
Vic turned back to the horse.
"Sorry. I didn't want to wake you."
He stepped into the stall and came up behind her.
"What're you doing?"
Vic started to brush the horse again.
"Brushing her. She needs it."
Walt watched her long, slow strokes with the brush. The horse certainly seemed to appreciate it.
"Is…everything alright?"
Their conversation from the night before was fresh in his mind. He knew it was the same for her. Vic didn't look his way and kept brushing the horse.
"Yeah. It's just been a couple of days since I've been out here."
Vic stopped again and considered the horse.
"I think we should call her Lady. She seems like a dignified old girl."
Walt nodded slowly.
"Suits her."
She ran her palm along the horse's ribcage.
"Lady."
She murmured the name like she was talking to herself. Walt continued to stand there and watch her. She seemed okay, but he couldn't quite shake the feeling that all was not right. The brush made a few more passes over the horse before Vic stopped and let her arm fall away. Reaching over and setting the brush on the ground, she turned to him. Her eyes found his and she wiped her hands over her jeans.
"What?"
The word didn't come out sounding testy or impatient. Rather, it sounded genuinely curious, like she couldn't figure out why he was there.
"Nothing. I was just watching."
The connection between their eyes held for a few more seconds before she flicked her eyes away, severing the contact.
"How long have you been out here?"
Vic shrugged.
"I don't know. Half an hour maybe."
Vic turned and gave the horse one last pat before she tucked her hands into her coat pockets and ambled towards the door. With little else to do, Walt fell into step beside her. They trudged silently back towards the cabin through the snow. Once inside, Vic shed her coat and headed for the kitchen. Walt could hear her washing her hands and the familiar sounds of her making coffee while he hung up his coat and hat and tended to the fire.
By the time he walked into the kitchen, Vic was standing at the counter watching the coffee. Her stillness struck him. That's what it was. That's what felt off. Vic was a creature of movement, of restlessness. She rarely sat and waited for anything. She would normally start coffee and then do something else while it brewed. Even in the barn, her movements were slow and thought out in a way that wasn't her nature. Now, he watched her leaning on the counter, her eyes on the coffee pot. Sensing him staring again, she looked his way.
"Is something wrong?"
Now there was an edge of irritation to her voice. But, it didn't bother him. That, at least, was normal. He walked up to her slowly.
"I was going to ask you the same thing."
Vic's brow furrowed.
"You're watching me. You were doing it in the barn, too. What gives?"
Walt shook his head.
"Nothing."
Her eyes lingered over his for a moment before she turned back to the coffee. There were already two mugs sitting in front of her on the counter. She carefully poured the fresh coffee into them and slid one a few inches in his direction.
"Coffee?"
Walt offered her a tight smile.
"Thanks."
He lifted the cup to his mouth while Vic started to add milk and sugar to her own. The spoon tapped lightly on the inside of the ceramic mug as she stirred. Satisfied that the coffee was the way she wanted it, she dropped the spoon into the sink and then picked up her mug. Carrying it to the table, she sat down and took a sip. Walt lingered in place, cup in hand.
"Do you want some breakfast?"
Vic looked up at him almost like she had forgotten he was in the room and shook her head.
"No thanks. Not hungry."
Dropping her gaze from his, she returned her attention to drinking her coffee. Her cell phone lay on the table. Reaching out with her free hand, she slid it into her lap and started to scroll over something he couldn't see from where he stood. Deciding not to push his luck by continuing to watch her, he busied himself with making a bowl of oatmeal. Periodically, he looked her way. But, Vic seemed absorbed in whatever it was she was looking at on her phone and didn't pay him any attention. By the time he finished, she stood up and set her empty mug in the sink. Before she left the kitchen, she stopped once and looked his way like she might say something. But, the moment passed and she wordlessly went to the bedroom to get ready for work.