Whisper In The Wind

"Grandma packed us a picnic lunch. Would you care to join me?"

"Yes. Do you want to ride or walk?"

"Ride." She looked at him as if to say, did you really need to ask?

Garrett saddled Mystique and Paco and they rode to their favorite spot by the pond. The sun showered warmth amidst the chilly early spring air. Tree buds were opening. Crocuses poked out of the ground. Life was starting anew, even for Caitlin and Garrett. Though they said nothing, this silence offered comfort and peace. These quiet moments showed the deepest form of sincerity between them. Caitlin loved him for it.

"You seem different," Garrett finally said between bites of his sandwich.

"Life's starting again." She ate the last bite of her sandwich and chased it with the last of her soda. "Harry's brother comes next week to break ground, we're dating, and I have a grandmother. While no one can replace Grandma Emmaline, Rachel comes close. It's nice having an older woman to talk to and I love helping her around the house." Caitlin thought about her words and smiled. "I'm meant to be there, for now."

"It's nice not having doubts, isn't it?"

"I'm not saying all doubts are gone, the ranch could still flop. I realize that life isn't anything unless you take chances, open your heart, and follow your dreams. What better way to spend the winter months than helping a dear friend." Caitlin finished her orange soda while reveling in the peace surrounding them.

"It hurts not having my house or Granddaddy around, but those events led me to Rachel. At first I didn't understand, but now I do. If we get all our gifts at once, what do we have to look forward to?"

Garrett sighed as he looked away, slightly turning his back to Caitlin. She moved closer to him and touched his arm. "What's wrong?"

"You have your life planned. Is there room for me?"

Desperation settled in his eyes and her heart cried for him. She laid her hand on his arm and looked up at him. "Yes, I want to spend time with you. My time with grandma is different. Sometimes women need to spend time with women, just like men need to spend time with men. Why wouldn't there be room for you?"

"Sometimes I wonder if I have done too much to drive a wedge between us. It took me awhile to warm up to the idea of dating you and then I fell in love with you. I don't know if it's enough to undo any hurt I caused you."