Page 14 of Pax

“Trust us,” said Gabi. “Learn to trust him. But trust us as well. You’ll understand when this is done. Go!”

Pax didn’t bother to argue with her. He lifted her, taking her out the back to the ATV. As they bounced along the path, he noticed that she was wincing in pain, and it bothered him more than he cared to admit. She’d been hurting for weeks and ignoring it, too afraid to come back and ask for help.

He stopped the vehicle and walked around to the other side, helping her toward the dock. Deanna noticed a large white cabinet with towels inside and benches lining the dock area.

“You have to strip, Dee.”

“Very funny, Pax. I’m not taking my clothes off in front of you.”

“Babe, you either strip and jump in, or I take your clothes off and jump in with you.”

“Naked?” she squealed.

“Yes, naked,” he laughed. “Would that be so bad?”

“N-no. I mean, it’s just that, well, I think you’re probably beautiful naked. I’m maybe less so.”

“Oh, no. We’re not playing that game,” he said, kicking off his shoes. He stripped off the shirt, then his jeans and boxers, standing naked in front of her. Then he started pointing at the injuries on his body.

“Knife, knife, and knife. All somewhere in South America, you’d have to ask Brax the exact location. I don’t remember. Bullet, another bullet, beer bottle,” he said, pointing at the other three. “Broken, broken, broken.”

“Three broken bones?” she asked.

“I’m not perfect. My job was, is, extremely physical and dangerous. I’m fucked up, Dee. Now, take your clothes off, honey. It’s getting cold out here.” He jumped into the water and turned his back, giving her privacy.

He heard moving around, then the sounds of clothing hitting the benches. A few moments later, she sat on the dock and pushed her body into the warm water.

“It’s so warm! It’s wonderful,” she exclaimed. He turned, laughing at her.

“I told you it was. Go beneath the water. Duck your head, honey.” She nodded, diving beneath the water and swimming around the pond. He watched her come up for air, then go beneath one more time. She looked so fucking beautiful with her chestnut hair slicked back by the water cascading around her shoulders. Her huge doe eyes glistened with joy.

Pax paddled toward her slowly so as not to frighten her. When he reached her body, she grabbed his upper arms, holding on. But he put one arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

“How’s the jaw?” he asked in a husky voice. She moved it open and shut, then side to side, and stared at him. Then, without asking, she breathed in through her nose, then out again.

“There’s no pain. I have no pain. How is this possible?” she asked.

“I’ve been trying to tell you, it’s miraculous. It’s saved a lot of people on this property, and now it’s saved you.”

“How?”

“Babe, I don’t know,” he said, holding her tightly. She wrapped one leg around his, forcing their bodies to intertwine. “Dee.”

“You’re so beautifully perfect, Pax. Everything about you. Your body, your mind, your heart, your soul. Did we waste too many years?” she whispered.

“Mama Irene would say we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be when we’re supposed to be here. I agree. You are fucking perfect, Dee. All of you. I love you so much, babe.”

“I love you, too, Pax.”

“Why won’t you talk to me?” yelled a woman walking along the trail. Pax smiled at Deanna and then waited to see if it was who he suspected.

“I have been talking to you,” said Brax. “Stop yelling at me.”

Pax and Deanna giggled quietly as they kept walking, yelling at one another.

“Can I assume that your brother is having woman troubles?” smiled Deanna.

“Yep. But for once in my life, I don’t give a shit about my brother’s woman problems. I’ve found the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.”

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