Walker stayed with me that night and then planned on staying with me from Friday through Monday. When I placed my grocery order, I included milk and eggs for him since I figured he would want more than biscuits and bacon, or the grapefruit I ate. The creepy breathing phone calls I had received the same night he started calling me also resumed. I didn’t want to tell him since I knew it would bring out the raging protector in him. So, I told Josie, she took the info, and then showed me how to block the number. They stopped after that.
The activities at the theater went back to normal. Most patrons never noticed anything happened and nothing else happened all week. It was Saturday. I was nervous from the moment I woke up that something bad was going to happen. But nothing did. We had a great time on Saturday night. He took me to the Chimpongs’ for dinner. I teased him he was using one of his dates from when he brought the popcorn to save the day. We laughed. We were excited for Sunday. We were going out to Dean and Eve’s for family day.
Sunday dawned bright and calling for warm weather. It looked like we were going to have a beautiful day. He had pulled me into his chest. I loved how he would cocoon himself around me. It was how we fell asleep now; it made me feel so loved. After we got back from dinner, we had fooled around again, but he had yet to make love to me. I knew I had fallen in love with him. As much as I tried to tell myself that I didn’t need him, I knew that he was exactly what I needed. He took care of me without smothering me. He helped just enough so I could keep my independence. It was a great feeling to find someone who was a partner. I was watching him as he woke up.
His eyes fluttered open; he was looking at me. Studying me, “Good morning.” He brushed my hair back from my face.
“Morning,” I said as he stretched. I heard Tabby-Girl jump to the floor; she must have been lying on him and got annoyed when he moved. He went back to staring at me. I giggled. “What?”
“Just adoring you.” He smiled. That’s all he would say when I would try to figure out why he would stare at me.
“Is that why you stare and study me? Because you are adoring me?” I giggled again.
“Something like that. We need to get up and get going. We have to be there by 10:30, and it takes an hour and a half to get there.” He kissed me as he started getting up. “Do you need help, or you got it?” He knew when he pulled me to the middle of the bed it was a bit harder for me to get back to my chair. I just liked it because then he would touch me.
“Help would be nice, if you don’t mind.” He scooped me up and set me in my chair. We set about getting ready; Walker had suggested I wear black and earthy colors. I had found a pair of black leggings and an olive-green hoodie. I took a tan shirt from him.
“Stealing my clothes again?” he said when we met up in the kitchen. I knew I was not going to have time to make biscuits today, so I had a grapefruit. He made himself eggs. He really appreciated that I had gotten something for him with my shopping.
“Yup, I like having you with me.” I smiled while smelling his shirt.
He chuckled. “I like seeing you in them. You about ready?”
“Yeah, I fed Tabby-Girl and gave her fresh water. She will be good.” She was currently sound asleep on the bed.
On the drive to Dean and Eve’s we saw that spring was settling in and turning everything green. It was a nice sight after the slushy gray that winter ended with. Their property was heavily wooded. I could see that trails had been cut through; I was excited to see how today would go. We were the last ones to pull up, though Domino and his girls were still getting out of the van.
Dean and Eve had built a steel pole building on the property; it was where we were meeting. It had accessible bathrooms, which I thought were done very nicely. We came up to where Dean and Ammo had a table of equipment set up. They handed out vests, which had more pockets full of paintballs for back up, helmets with masks, and the paintball guns. Everyone got a packet that had a map.
“All right. We decided to play a hide and seek style game. If you have an H on your packet, you will go to the left; S’s to the right,” Ammo said.
“The basic rules are no head shots, no groin shots. The hiders will be along the trail waiting to ambush the seekers. Ammo did devise a way for BB and Charlotte to play. You will only hit their targets, not them. Any questions?” Dean paused. “Good! The most important rule of today is have fun!”
I looked at Walker’s packet; he was a Seeker. I was sad I was not going to be with him, but I knew we would still have fun. He leaned down and kissed me. “I’ll see you out there,” and then he took off with his team. I noticed he had a backpack and a few of the others did too.
The Hiders were Dean, Eve, Ammo, Mary, me, Domino, and Charlotte. The Seekers were Ally, Maddie, Nessa, Binary, Hack, Gena, and Walker. I caught up to Domino and listened as they all talked. They took a well-cleared path; it was easy to roll over.
“On the map, you ladies are at the far end. If you follow your red lines, it will bring you each to your spot. Mary and Charlotte, I’ve built you blinds out of straw. There is a target attached that will buzz when you are hit. Just stay in the blinds and paint the Seekers, okay?” Dean asked.
“Sure.” They laughed and went off on a trail together, following their map.
“Eve, you’re next. Have fun, baby, I love you,” Dean said and kissed her as she took her path.
“Valerie, have you ever shot a gun before?” Domino asked.
“No.” I was guessing. “Point, aim, shoot?” I had no idea.
“That will be just fine for today. You might find you like your brakes on or want to get something behind you to keep from rolling backward. These don’t pack much of punch, so you may not notice it,” he said. “When you get to your spot, take a few shots for practice.”
“All right, Valerie, your turn is here. There is a clump of evergreen brushes just over there; you will find cover there, and you will completely blend in,” Ammo said, pointing to where I supposed to go.
I saw that the trail was set up so I could easily get in and out myself. What a special group of people to make sure everyone could participate. I was so glad to not be excluded. Once I got in place, I looked in my packet. I saw the map. The trail was basically a circle. I saw my place on the trail and it marked the rest of my team. The second page was much more interesting.
“Stay where you are. You should be able to see some Seekers in about seven minutes. A snack and drink will be brought to you at noon. After the half-hour break, we will continue to play until 2 p.m. Please meet at the welcome center at that time. We will have our early dinner. Remember, have fun!”
I couldn’t wait to see what my snack was going to be. I put away my packet and set about to take the practice shots Domino suggested. Walker said that the paint inside would not stain anything as long as we washed it off before we went to bed. I knew if I was hit and it got on my chair, I could get it out. I took my shots and I could see what Domino was talking about with rolling backward. I pushed myself back against the trees and tried again. Perfect.
I started to hear twigs snapping and figured someone was getting close. I saw Josie, then Hack, getting closer. I waited until they were just in view then squeezed the trigger. I got Josie, then Hack. They were trying to figure out where I was. Then I saw Walker. He blew me a kiss, then hit me in the arm. I smiled; he was moving. I was waiting for him to stop, then I would nail him. He turned his back to me for just a moment. I took it. He was now sporting lavender paint on an ass cheek.
They moved off and soon Gena, the girls, and Nessa moved into sight. I got each of them; only Nessa got me with her bright orange. I could hear them laughing as they ran to the next hider. It was only 11:30. I figured Josie, Hack, and Walker would be back around. Soon Josie and Hack came. This time Josie spotted me first. I got a couple of hot pink splats to go with my orange one and my lime-green one from Walker.
I was waiting for Walker to come with them, but I didn’t see him. I was trying to twist around to see behind me
as quietly as I could, but I saw nothing. I settled back. Then I felt the air change. I knew he was there. I looked over to my right; there he was, with a bright smile. He was so hot in his tight shirt showing off every muscle and his camo pants that I knew showed off his tight ass. He was really happy. His blue eyes were sparkling; I was glad he was enjoying himself. He had paint splattered here and there, mostly teal. I thought he was doing well, since Hack was almost covered.
“Hi, having fun?” he asked.
“Yeah, I can tell you are.” I smiled up at him.
“Yup, you ready for your snack?”
“Sure.” That’s when I realized his backpack was gone. I wondered where it was.
“Arms around my neck, babe.” He reached for me. Once he had me in his arms, he took off at a fast clip. I curled into him to try to make myself smaller and not get hit with little branches from the trees. I could see a clearing up ahead. I figured he was taking me there. When we got to the clearing he walked to where he had laid out a blanket, a container, and some water bottles.
He sat with me in his lap. “Did you want to stay here or lie back?”
“Here for a few moments, then lie back,” I said as he reached for the container. He then grabbed the water. He cracked open one of the waters, then the other. I drank as he opened the container. It had fresh melon and pineapple, my favorites.
“Thank you, Walker. This is perfect,” I said, grabbing a piece of pineapple. “This was a great idea, this little picnic.”
“Sadly, I can’t take all the credit. Hunt and Ammo said we should take a break. Domino said he would like to spend time with his girls. I said a picnic would be nice. We planned it so no one would be ruining each other’s fun.” He ate a piece of melon.
“Well, however it was planned, I like it. You have been having fun today?” I ate some more of the fruit.
“So much. BB is brutal though. I see why Ammo wanted to get her out here; she has a real vicious streak in her. Except for my purple ass, I mostly have her teal on me.” He took one more piece of pineapple and closed the fruit container.
“It is a really nice purple ass.” I was trying hard to not laugh. I failed.
He started to tickle me, then he was kissing me. He laid me on my back and cradled my head in his hand so there was some cushion. He was leaning over me; his eyes had changed to stormy gray. I reached up and stroked his cheek; his short, scruffy beard was soft and supple. I loved the feel of it against my fingers.
He brushed my hair away from my face. “Val, I have fallen for you.” He looked down at me, watching for me to answer.
I looked at him watching me. “I love you, Walker.”
Chapter 19
Walker
I looked at Val’s blue eyes. The flecks of gold shone brightly in the sun. Her hair was spread out behind her on the blanket. She was so beautiful, and she loved me. How did I ever get so lucky? I memorized how she looked, then I kissed her. This kiss was different; I was claiming her.
I gave her a few more kisses on her lips. “I have never let my emotions get involved the way they are with you. I love you, Val.” I kissed her again.
I knew our time was almost up, but I didn’t want to let her go. I was thinking about it. “Val, do you want to go back to your spot, or do you want to run with me?”
She looked at me, confused. “Walker, what are you talking about? You can’t carry me around in your arms all day. I am too heavy.”
I rolled my eyes at her. “You are no heavier than a rucksack, and my rucksack is heavier than most since I carry the medical supplies. So, do you want to come with me or go back to your spot?”
“With you, but I have no idea how you plan on doing this,” she said.
I got out the backpack and found the rope I had taken with me. I had also brought some of my medical kit with me; it was just habit. I packed up the empty water bottles and the fruit. “Okay, you have seen baby slings, right?”
“Yeah.” She looked at the blanket. “Okay, so use the blanket like a sling?”
“Yup, and the rope to keep you tight. Wanna do it?” I was excited to try this. I thought we would have fun sneaking up on the others.
“Let’s do it.” She was smiling.
“I am going to take you to that tree stump so you can sit up higher, then I will get you strapped to me.” She reached up for me and I picked her up, taking her to the stump. After setting her down I went to the blanket and started to tie the corners. She put her hair up in a messy bun like she had it before our snack.
“Alright, let’s see if this works. This area should be under your butt and back. And these will go around my shoulders.” I placed it around her and turned around. She helped slide the straps on my shoulders. I stood up with her. “How do you feel?”
“Comfortable, but I don’t think I can shoot, and I don’t feel as secure as I would like. I feel like I will slide down as you move.” I thought about what she said. I put her back down, looking over the rope and the blanket.
“Have you heard of Shibari?” I asked her.
“No.” She sounded very unsure.
I looked her in the eyes. “Do you trust me?” She stared back at me.
“With my life and my heart.” She didn’t blink or hesitate.
I smiled and kissed her. “This is what we are going to do.” I started working with rope and showed her how I could bind her so she could be more comfortable and secure.
It took us about twenty minutes, but we figured it out. We fashioned a carrier that would hold her up on my back, allowing her to shoot and feel secure. I could still easily move and get us around. “You ready?”
“This was a great idea, Walker. Thank you so much.” I had given her the backpack to carry. We had our paintball guns, and I moved her extra ammo to my vest and pockets. We had consulted our maps and found some places that we might catch the others. I set out for the closest one.
“What is—what did you call it, Shibari?” she asked.
“It’s Japanese bondage.”
“Have you ever tried it?” she asked.
“No, I saw an exhibit on it once. Doesn’t do anything for me. I don’t really like the idea of my partner being tied up. But I did see some how some techniques of it could be used if a person was injured and needed to be carried. I think it’s working well for both of us.”
“That it is. I have to say if it was not you doing this to me, I would have freaked out. I am glad to know this will not be happening in our bedroom.” She kissed my cheek.
We came to the trail and both started looking to see if we could spot anyone. We were in what I could tell was Ammo’s territory. I knew he was a sneak when he wanted to be. I kept my ears open. Waiting to see if I could hear anyone moving.
Val leaned down next to my ear. “To our left.” She was so quiet, I would have missed it if she were not strapped to me. I turned us to the left. I felt her take aim. I was still looking. I felt her shift again, like she was aiming higher. I looked up in the trees and spotted him. She waited as he made his way closer. I took aim, and we both let the paintballs fly at the same time. Ammo’s legs now had a purple and lime-green splatter pattern to them.
“Hey! That’s not staying in your spot,” he said as he climbed down.
“Nope, I found a better vantage point. You did say to have fun, you know.” She smiled from her perch on my back.
“That we did, that we did. Well, I am going to double back and see if I can spot Gena and Binary,” Ammo said, then disappeared into the trees again.
“Enjoying yourself?” I asked her as I made my way towards BB’s position on the path.
“This is wild; it’s almost overwhelming.” I could hear the emotions in her voice. I realized that this must almost feel like walking again. I was glad I could give her this.
“All right, BB’s blind is just around this bend. How do you want to approach it?”
“No idea, this is your expertise. I am just along for the ride and to shoot.”
; “Okay, watch your head, I’m going to leave the path.” I walked through the trees. I was trying to come up on the side of her blind so she could not see us until we hit her target. So far, she had been defending well; almost no paint was on it. I saw the straw mound ahead. I was creeping closer, so we get the target. I felt Val squeeze my shoulder with her hand. I stopped. I felt her take aim again, and she let a few fly. They hit the target and it buzzed.
“Who the hell hit my target! Show yourself!” I heard BB yelling from the straw. I put my hand up and Val gave me a high five. I took my shot and hit her target as well.
“I am coming out; I want to see who’s there!” she yelled. We both dropped our guns and waited for Mary to poke her blonde head out of the straw mound.
Walker and Valerie Page 11