I so enjoyed my time with Wam. Naked time had quickly become a favorite of mine, and I planned to make up for lost time. I also realized that relationships that stood the test of time were not merely physical. Successful relationships were as much or more, about emotional intimacy and commitment to one another.
I always admired the way my parents had been so committed to each other, even though times weren't always easy.
"Hey, where'd you go Lee?" Wam asked after his clothes we on.
"I'm here. I'm just floating," I laughed.
"What are you thinking about? You seemed preoccupied," he observed. Wam laid down next to me, pushed my stray hair behind my ear, and placed a kiss on my forehead. Such a sweet gesture.
"Honestly, I was thinking about my parents and what a great relationship they had. Times weren't always easy, but they were in it together. That's what I want Wam. I want love, commitment, some steamy hot sex," I laughed, "but most of all, I want love," I explained as I stroked his jaw.
"That's beautiful. I can see why anyone would want that. Hey, did you need help digging out clothes for Kedron?"
"No, I can handle it. You don't have to entertain me every second if you have things to do."
"Unfortunately I have follow-up and orders to write. I just wanted to make sure we are good. Would you like to fix lunch or go out?" Wam asked.
"How about I find K's clothes and then come in and fix a late lunch?" I offered.
"Thank you my dear Lee. Then maybe we can do something fun this afternoon," he offered as he popped up off the bed.
I nodded, watched Wam leave the bedroom, and threw my clothes back on. Kedron's clothes weren't going to find themselves.
Once in the shed, I started combing through the boxes I was pretty sure came from his bedroom. I was unsure who had packed the clothes, but I was hoping they were clean and not in need of washing. Of course that remained to be seen.
After about an hour, I'd found four pairs of athletic pants, two pairs of shorts, and six tee shirts. Kedron had always been an athlete, and his wardrobe showed that fact. I figured jeans were not a good option and they were mostly stained from his construction work anyway. I threw a hooded sweatshirt in the pile for good measure. Finally, I dug in his dresser drawer for socks and underwear. I was unsure what was clean and what was not, so decided to wash them before I delivered them.
Once the washer was running, I went into the kitchen and washed up to start lunch. After sifting through the fridge and pantry, I found a package of hamburger that I made patties from, added some seasoning, and placed them in a frying pan. While the burgers sizzled, I threw together a fruit salad for dessert, and a side salad for each of us.
After I flipped the burgers, I set the table, and went in search of Wam. It struck me as odd that he shut his laptop computer when I walked in, but I shrugged it off and informed him, "lunch will be ready shortly."
Wam smiled stiffly as he replied, "okay, thank you beautiful."
I turned to leave but then turned back and asked, "everything okay?"
"Of course. Just deep in thought. Why?" He tilted his head when he asked.
"You just seem tense, that's all," I explained. I scratched Sammy's head as she slept on the end of the bed where Wam was working. This earned me a loud purr and she slowly blinked her eyes at me.
"Everything is perfectly fine beautiful. I'll be out shortly okay?" His smile widened as I glanced at him, as if to reassure me.
"Okay. I'll go finish up," I answered and returned to the kitchen. I rewashed my hands and dished up two fruit salads and took the salads to the table on a tray. Once the salads were on the table with several bottles of dressing to choose from, I added lettuce and tomato to the top buns and placed the slightly browned patties on the bottom buns.
As I grabbed the ketchup from the refrigerator, I felt rubbing on my leg and looked down to find Sammy rubbing on my legs as she walked back and forth. "Sorry I woke you Sammy. I know a girl needs her beauty sleep," I laughed.
Sammy replied with a loud "puurrt," and purred so loud I could hear her even standing up. To keep her occupied while we ate, I shook a couple cat treats out on the floor and finished serving up the food.
Just as I placed the plates on the table, Wam came out and placed a kiss to my temple with a "thank you for making lunch. It smells delicious!"
"Flattery will get you everywhere," I said with a smile.
Wam smiled back and held out my chair for me to sit. I wasn't used to such formalities, but it was a sweet gesture. He seemed fine now, and completely attentive, so I was pretty sure I'd imagined the strange behavior when I went to alert him about lunch. "Thank you," I said as he pushed my chair in and took his own seat.
When Wam was seated, he replied, "you are most welcome Lee." We both prepared our burgers and salads before he asked, "is there anything particular you'd like to do this afternoon?"
I shook my head in answer, took a drink, then elaborated, "I'm not really sure what's available in this area."
"Well, since we are in fall, there are several fun things going on. We may be able to go to the apple orchard, or there are corn mazes, tours to see the beautiful fall colors, and a community not too far from here has a gathering called Septoberfest. They celebrate everything fall has to offer. They have pumpkin races for the kids, a German parade, and they decorate pretty much the whole town. It's quite a sight, Wam finishes before taking a bite of his burger.
"Wow, I had no idea. It sounds like quite the event."
Wam nods in response. After taking a drink of his water, he says, "they also have a huge toy store with an indoor carousel, mini golf, and are home to The National Eagle Center."
I swallowed my food before asking, "have you been to this..Eagle Center?"
"I was to the original one when I was just a child, but I heard they built a new building right along the Mississippi River. Supposedly they have more live eagles and other raptors. They are big on education and conservation." Wam took another bite.
"That sounds like fun if you don't mind. I like animals," I say before taking a drink. "Eagles are just so magnificent, so big and powerful."
Wam nods as he chews his food. "Have you ever seen one up close? Now granted, I was a kid back then, but I saw a couple at the pow wows on the reservation too. They really are a sight to behold."
I started laughing and Wam looked up with his fork part way to his face and smirked. "Is there something on my face?" He asked as he wiped his mouth with his napkin.
I shake my head and try to calm what has now become full blown giggles. "Oh…who uses the word 'behold'? I'm not sure I've ever heard the word other than the Christmas program at church every year. Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy…" I didn't finish the verse but took a couple breaths to stop laughing and wiped the loan tear from my eye.
Wam had the strangest expression on his face and was just watching me collect myself. Finally I looked at him and asked, "what?"
"Do you know how beautiful you are when you smile? When you're….happy?" He asked with a look of awe on his face.
I felt my cheeks heat up. I simply wasn't used to compliments, but especially compliments from handsome men I'd been intimate with. It mattered when Wam said things like this to me. "Thank you," I said in a quiet voice and went back to eating my food.
"Why are you embarrassed? I call you beautiful often," Wam offered with a smile, "and I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."
I had to answer him, but what do I say without embarrassing myself further? "I think….it's because I care what you think." Wam's smile widens and he reaches over to grab my hand. "I'm not used to compliments anymore. Kedron loves me, but he has never been complimentary or affectionate. So I guess I've been missing it since my parents died."
What had been a happy meal suddenly felt sullen and sad. I found myself staring down at my food but had lost my appetite.
Wam released my hand, came around the table, kneeled down next to me, and wrapped his arms around me. I turned to face him, put my head on his shoulder and hugged him back. He began to stroke my hair with one hand before he pulled back slightly, lifted my chin and vowed, "I will do my best to make you happy every day we are together Lee. I'd do almost anything to see that smile everyday." He wiped the tears from my cheeks and kissed my forehead in a comforting manner as his palm caressed my cheek. I gave him the best smile I could muster but he met my gaze and ensured, "you okay beautiful?"
I nodded in response and gave him a brief kiss on the lips. "Thank you Wam for everything you've done for me. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I feel lucky."
"I feel the same baby. I'm lucky you've come into my life at a time I didn't even realize I was lonely," he finished before taking a deep breath. Wam sat up straight on his knees and exclaimed, "now enough of this melancholy. If we are going to The National Eagle Center, we need to get a move on."
I smiled a genuine smile this time, excited for the afternoon to come. I placed my dishes in the dishwasher and went up to my room to freshen up.