Page 9 of Kiss Me Kate

I push through the thick underbrush, heart pounding faster in my chest with each passing moment. As I search for any sign of Buddy, a faint whimper reaches my ears. I freeze, holding my breath to listen carefully. The whimpering grows louder and more desperate, leading me deeper into the woods. Finally, I stumble upon a clearing where I find Buddy, his fur muddied and eyes wide with fear. Without hesitation, I rush to his side, cradling him in my arms. "It's alright, boy," I whisper soothingly, relieved to have found him safe, but puzzled by the terror in his eyes. And then I hear it— a low growl coming from the shadows surrounding us.

I raise my rifle and fire a warning shot into the air, the deafening crack echoing through the forest. I hope the noise will scare off whatever bear or cougar has us in its sights, urging it to move on without a fuss. The acrid smell of gunpowder mingles with the earthy scent of pine, and the tension in the air is palpable. Buddy isn't interested in hanging around, but he reluctantly waits by my side, shivering against my leg and using me as a shield to keep our stalker at bay.

I scan the shadows, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever predator is lurking just out of sight. But all I see are the swaying branches and the dancing shadows cast by the full moon. The warning shot has only served to draw it closer, curious and intrigued by this unexpected intrusion into its territory. Reluctantly, I aim and shoot again, this time purposely missing the bear but hitting a tree nearby. The loud bang and shattering wood startle the bear and it quickly runs off, moving farther away from us.

I feel a sense of relief and gratitude as I back away slowly, taking one step at a time while keeping an eye out for any potential dangers. I'm grateful that my cousin Cyrus is on theevening shift at the ranch. Once I reunite Buddy with his mama, I can finally head to bed and put this stressful day behind me.

“Hello?” A faint voice stops me in my tracks. “Please, don’t shoot.”

My finger trembles on the cold metal of the gun as I see movement from a hollowed trunk. Slowly, I turned to see a disheveled young woman, her figure and gait a soul-crushing reminder of the only girl I’ve ever loved. Kate is more than two hundred miles away, enjoying her summer holiday surrounded by city boys who conspire to steal her love away from me. I flatter myself, of course. Whatever affection she held for me died a miserable death three years ago. One would think I’d get over it and move on, but how do you repair a heart that will never be whole again?

“I’m unarmed,” the girl pleads, her voice trembling and raw. She slowly emerges from the thick underbrush, and at first glance is nothing more than a stranger to me. Her face is smudged with fresh mud and her long hair is tangled and wild. With her arms held high in surrender, she takes cautious steps towards me, her eyes wide with fear and her breaths coming in quick gasps.

The familiar sound of her voice makes my heart skip a beat, but my mind refuses to accept the universe would conspire to grant me this gift. When the moon casts a beam of light on her face, I see the unforgettable features of the love of my life. As she moves closer, my thundering heart shifts into overdrive. I rub my eyes, still unconvinced it could be her. But there she stands, like an angel emerging from the darkness, reminding me of all the pain and joy we shared before my world was torn apart.

“Kate?” The name escapes my lips in a breathless whisper, dripping with emotion and impossible to disguise. After years of yearning for this moment—to finally be face-to-face with the girl I love. She tried so hard to avoid this confrontation, and forcedme to watch her from afar, lurking in the shadows and making the journey to Austin whenever possible.

My mind reels with confusion as I try to piece together why she’s here before me, in the middle of the woods. But above all else, concern grips me as I ask, "Are you okay?" The words tumble out of my mouth, mingling with the sound of my racing heartbeat.

The shock on her face is unmistakable, but it does nothing to steal her beauty. Her delicate frame trembles as she steps into the slivers of light peeking through the dense forest canopy. Her long, flowing hair falls like a curtain around her face, framing her features and accentuating her wide green gaze. "Silas?" she whispers, her voice hushed and filled with disbelief. "How did you know I was here? Did my mother send you?"

My instincts take over as I rush towards her, then quickly slow my pace, not wanting to startle her already jumpy nerves. "Is your mom here with you?" I cautiously lower my shotgun and fold the barrel over my forearm. "Sweetheart, why are you out here in the woods by yourself at night? Do you know how dangerous it is?" I step closer to her, mesmerized by her presence and still trying to determine if she's a figment of my imagination.

“Don’t call me sweetheart, Silas.” Kate’s eyes glisten with tears, but I doubt it has anything to do with seeing me again. She just had a near-death experience and the last thing she needs in an obsessed ex using this opportunity to win her back. But I can’t deny that’s precisely what I’m going to do.

“My mom dragged me to my Aunt Jane's cabin on the east side of Spring Lake. I went for a walk hours ago and now I can't seem to find my way back. My phone lost reception shortly after I started walking, so I couldn't call for help. How did you know where to find me?" Kate asks in a hushed voice, wiping herforehead and wincing as she notices blood coming from a small injury.

My heart races like a wild stallion as I approach her. "Are you hurt?" I crouch beside her and gently brush away the mud to reveal a small, bleeding cut above her eyebrow. My stomach twists with guilt as I realize it was from my reckless actions. The blood trickles down her cheek like tears, staining her pale skin. I quickly scan for any more injuries, silently thanking God that I haven't caused any serious harm.

“I’m okay. It’s just a scratch. What are you doing here? Were you following me?” Kate whispers, exhaling slowly, like she’s trying to keep her anger in check.

“I promise this is a coincidence. I was searching for this calf when I heard the bear.” My voice shakes with worry as I remove a handkerchief from my back pocket and pour water onto it. I shouldn’t be so familiar with her, taking liberties when we haven’t spoken in three years, but it feels like no time has passed between us. I’ve thought about her every single day, envisioned what this moment would feel like, and now that’s it’s here, the sweetest memories I’ve ever known come rushing back.

“Please, forgive me.” I gently dab her brow, hoping she doesn’t run away in anger. The last time we spoke, that was the only emotion she had left for me. “I was only trying to scare off the bear. I didn’t know anyone was hiding in there.” The weight of responsibility settles heavily on my shoulders as I apologize for my mistake. “If it’s the same cabin your Aunt Jane has always had, you’ve walked quite a stretch. Our ranch is a short walk from here. Let me take care of that wound and you can use my phone to call your mom and let her know that I’ll drive you back.”

“Thank you for scaring off the bear, but I don't need any help.” Kate glances back into the dark forest with a heavy sigh.“If you could just point me in the direction of the cabins, I'll be fine on my own.”

I’m not surprised she’d make things harder on herself. She’s always been a stubborn little thing.

“I admire your courage, but it’s not a safe decision. Most predators are active at night, and I can’t in good conscience leave you alone here. Your mother would never forgive me.” I plead with her, my words falling on deaf ears as she stands firm in her decision. But as I watch her, I notice the slight tremble in her hands and the way she fidgets with her hair. She puts on a brave front, but I can see the uncertainty in her eyes.

“Thank you for your concern, but…” My headstrong girl tries to continue her argument, but I quickly interject before she can get any further.

I step forward and extend my hand, offering to help her over the scattered debris. She looks up at me with curious eyes, and I can't help but feel a flutter of excitement in my stomach. "I’ve missed you, Kate" I say, flashing a goofy smile. She might still be mad at me, but I’m thrilled to be here, breathing the same air as her.

“Silas…” Kate hesitates before taking my hand and I can tell she's not quite sure what to think. But I'm determined to change that as soon as possible. “I’ve missed you, too. I mean your friendship.”

I give a small nod and reach into my pocket, pulling out a flask. "It's just a ride, Kate. And your friendship is enough for now." I offer her the canister and continue, "Have some water and let’s get started. The scent of rain is in the air and the local weatherman forecasted storms for tonight.”

Kate reaches for the flask, her fingers grazing the cool metal. She gives it a quick shake, then sniffs the contents before taking a sip. As she brushes away the muddy strands of hair that clingto her face, she says, "I don’t remember your grandpa’s ranch being close to here."

"My cousin Cyrus bought an additional four hundred acres with the settlement he won from the state. False imprisonment can be costly." I pivot towards my ranch and give her enough room to walk comfortably nearby.

“Thank you for rescuing me, Silas.” Kate smiles for the first time as she follows Buddy’s lead, placing my troublemaking calf between us.

“Glad I could be of service. That smile makes it worth it.”

Chapter 11

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