A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

Chapter Nineteen

Leo's agitation was growing stronger and stronger by the minute. His jaw was sore from gritting his teeth for the past three hours. He couldn't even walk back to the house since they were out in the middle of nowhere and he had no idea how to get there.

He tried twice to get back but only got lost. The trees surrounding him made him lose track of direction. At one point, he even slipped in some mud.

He managed to stumble his way back to the two men who looked very content to stay there forever, if necessary. Every time he asked Howard Davidson to go back to the house, he promised he would in another five minutes.

What's your hurry? We're here to enjoy ourselves, he added. It didn't help that Harrison was encouraging the older man to stay out as late as he wanted to.

This is fun, he agreed. We need to wait for the right deer. Exactly, the man agreed. Sit down and relax. You're too tense. Leo sat in the grass, swatting at the many mosquitoes that buzzed around him, and prayed that Howard would finally spot the perfect deer.

It was insane that he should spend twelve hours in the forest in hopes of finding the one deer that would catch his fancy.

What about that one? Leo asked as he spotted a buck. Howard seemed to consider it. The antlers aren't symmetrical enough. The head will look too crooked on my wall. He stifled an aggravated scream. So far he found an excuse as to why none of the deer were right. One was too thin so it wouldn't make good steaks.

Another was too young and wouldn't look impressive to his colleagues. Then there was the deer that wasn't the right shade of brown. Howard couldn't shoot a deer that was too large since it would be hard to drag back to the house. There was the deer that moved too slowly. Its reflexes are way off, he commented.

It won't be a challenge. The excuses kept rolling off his tongue. Leo wondered if the man intentionally found something wrong with every deer they found just so he could stay out of the house and far away from his wife who obsessed over her animals. Poor Jessica.

What she must be going through with that boring woman. He desperately wanted to get back to her and not just so he could consummate their marriage.

He missed her. She was already a part of him. He couldn't wait to see her again. Do you hunt with your father? Howard asked Harrison. On occasion, Harrison replied. What about you, Leo? Howard wondered. My father passed away when I was two.

My uncle raised me, but we didn't hunt. That's too bad. A man can build character in the hunt. He learns patience, precision, and peace. He can also learn boredom, Leo thought. Lots and lots of boredom. I remember a time when I went hunting with my father. I was only five, Howard began.

I'll be back, Leo said, not wishing to hear any more of Howard's ‗I remember when' stories about hunting. He set down the rifle and walked far enough from them so he could go to the bathroom. As soon as he was done, he buttoned his pants and turned around to see Harrison.

Do you make it a point to watch other men do their business? Harrison ignored the question. Do you think it's wise to stay silent all afternoon? Mr. Davidson might not pick you if you insist on moping. Leo growled at him.

Oh, come on. Aren't you blowing things out of proportion? It's not like you and Jessica haven't done it yet. The fact that Harrison knew exactly what he had interrupted made Leo's frown deepens. Harrison's eyes grew wide. Oh, you're kidding. He laughed.

You've been married for two weeks now and you are still a v.i.r.g.i.n? What is taking you so long to make your move? Leo shook his head and walked past him.

Maybe I should have done you a favor and broken her in for you. Maybe then she wouldn't be too timid to have you bed her. One minute Leo was several yards away from Harrison and the next minute he was punching his nemesis in the nose. Harrison didn't miss a beat.