Page 68 of Severed Heart
“Ah, so she’s a sucker for scenery.”
“I suck for what?” I ask in mild confusion as he chuckles at my expense, and I narrow my eyes.
“Don’t raise your sword just yet, General. It means you love nature’s view.”
“More than you couldeverimagine,” I tell him honestly.
“I think I’m getting a pretty good idea, but I’ll show you what I’m to inherit on our next fishing trip. I want to bait the hooks while the fish are biting.”
I nod as Tyler takes a turn on a long gravel road, slowing the sedan as we pass some stacked crates. I inaudibly sound out the name Jennings & Sons, which is printed on the side of each. My eyes feast on it all as questions start to pour from me. He patiently answers each of my inquiries, a constant smile playing on his lips due to my enthusiasm until he parks next to a large, white, two-story farmhouse. A house that is situated perfectly amongst the land for the best imaginable view.
Stepping out of my car, mixed scents start to fill my nose. Feeling transported, I inhale deeply as I turn to him. “I cannot imagine waking up to such a view! I wouldneverstop smiling! Though I do not think I would stay indoors if I lived here ...What?” I ask, of his return expression. “What is this look?”
He shakes his head, a clearsomethingin his eyes even as he answers, “Nothing.”
“Where will we fish here?” I ask, scouring the florescent green grounds, the rolling hills, and endless rows of apple trees, seeing no pond.
“We’re not. This is my granddad’s house. We’re just here to switch modes of transportation.” He points to a utility vehicle parked just a few feet away, and my smile only grows.
“So much history here,” I gawk, grabbing the poles from the back seat as he goes to gather the cooler. “You must be so very proud!”
“Of the history part and of most of my family, yeah, I am. All military, most serving before quietly retiring here.”
I still, knowing that he can’t possibly know that his privilege is my life’s dream. Instead of the bitterness I thought I would feel at this, I find myself happy for him.
“That is your plan?” I ask. “To soldier and one day live on this land?”
“Absolutely, and not one I have any intention of messing with. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?”
“Oui”—I wrinkle my nose—“no ... fix what?”
He again chuckles at my expense, but it doesn’t irritate me like it does when Dom does the same. Tyler’s intent is never meant to humiliate me.
“It’s an expression that means if it works for someone, there’s no reason to change it.”
“Ah,” I say as we continue to unload the back of my car. “Ain’t,” I laugh, “what a stupid word.”
“It’s not really a proper word,” he relays. “More a Southern thing.”
“Yes, I know what you mean.”
The sun beams down on him as he lifts the cooler and leads me toward the vehicle as I haul the poles and tackle box behind him.
“Did you knowlandhas been a main reason for many wars?”
His dimple appears. “And here I thought I had the day off.”
“It’s just conversation. Your America has participated in over one hundred sixty wars, only just over two hundred years old.”
“So, what you’re saying is we’re nosy bastards,” he declares.
“Oui, but you’ve also been very powerful allies.”
“It’s your America, too, you know,” he points out.
“I’m French. I will die a French immigrant because I don’t align wholly with all American values, but I’m happy to borrow your land. Your reason to fight.” I trail off and feel his stare on my profile. “This is a very good reason to fight, Tyler. To protect this land,I would fight.”
“Agreed, they don’t call it God’s country for no reason.”
