Page 122 of A Moment In Time

Cabe opened his pack and took out a plastic container. “We just happen to have three beautiful ham and cheese sandwiches.”

Gage shook his head. “Fine. You can stay.”

Cabe handed both Gage and Cooper a sandwich.

Gage unwrapped his sandwich. “How’d you find me?”

Cooper laughed. “We just followed the creek. You always camp by the creek.”

They ate for a few moments in silence. “Did Sydney call one of you guys?”

Cabe shook his head. “No. Why? Did you bite her head off this morning?”

“A little bit, yeah.”

“I’m sure she’ll understand.”

“I haven’t told her about all this.”

Cooper nudged Gage’s leg with the toe of his boot. “Why the hell not? I thought you two were pretty cozy these days.”

“We are. But I haven’t told her everything there is to tell her.”

“Right. It’s time, dude.”

Gage sighed. “I know. Assuming she’s still talking to me.”

Cabe looked at him. “If she likes you as much as it seems she likes you. She’ll understand.”

“I don’t deserve her.”

Cooper laughed. “None of us deserve the women we got. Except for Jovie. She’s the one who lucked out.”

Cabe scowled. “Hey.”

“Seriously, man. I don’t know of any other man in the valley who would’ve attempted to tame her.”

Cabe’s scowl turned into a grin. “She is a bit like a wild mustang.”

Gage nodded. “That’s probably how Lyric feels about Cooper.”

Cooper nudged him again. “I’m fine with that. She can tame me all she wants.”

Cabe and Cooper kept the conversation going, which stopped Gage from going into the depression he usually fell into. Maybe Cooper was right. Maybe he’d spent enough April fifteenths by himself.

It wasn’t until they’d all settled down in their sleeping bags for the night that Gage’s mind went to that day thirteen years ago. He wasn’t sure if the excessive amount of bourbon he’d drank before they went to bed made it better or worse. The vision of his brother in the water seemed far away and blurry, like he himself was under water. Perhaps he was seeing himself through his brother’s eyes.

Gage rubbed his face. You’re drunk, man. He tried to turn his thoughts to the time spent with Seth before that day. They loved hanging out in the goat shed while the goats were out roaming around. They liked the chicken coop, too. Before the outhouse incident, Gage didn’t mind small spaces. But maybe that was because his brother was with him.

Gage finally drifted off to sleep and slept soundly until he heard Cooper building up the fire. The sun was up and Cooper was quietly cursing the early morning chill. Cabe was still tucked away in his sleeping bag.

Cooper glanced at Gage when he turned to watch him. “Damn cold this morning.”

“As soon as the sun hits us, it’ll warm up.”

Cooper looked at the tree line. “The sun isn’t going to hit this spot until noon. Are we still going to be here at noon?”

Gage stretched. “I did bring a fishing pole. But I’m kind of anxious to get back and talk to Sydney.”

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