Run...

Part 7

Our remaining days fly by and they are great. We have spent everyday together between work and his duties around the ranch.

"I'll come back to you, I swear." He whispers to me as we lay in bed together the last night. I can't say anything in response because I'm fighting tears.

"I've....I'm in love with you, Audrey. I know it's soon but I want you to know how much you mean to me and know I will be back as soon as I can."

I'm so shocked and happy that he is repeating the words straight from my heart.

"I love you too, Dylan. You make me so happy. I'll be here waiting for you."

"We will make it work. When I get back we will figure everything out but for now let's celebrate our love and our future."

One week turned into two, then turned into a month...no call, no letter. He told me it would be this way but it didn't stop my foolish heart from hoping. I missed him so much. I frequently cried myself to sleep. Julius could tell something was different. He was more protective and followed me closely everywhere.

I was surprised that a couple of his ranch hands made it over to her place to check on her. Apparently, Dylan gave them instructions to do so. It made me smile actually.

His head hand Frank, I actually really liked. Mid 50's With 4 children and 2 grandchildren. Often he would visit in the evenings and they would sit on her porch drinking iced tea and talking. I was invited to their family functions and really made to feel included.

It was nice. Frank knew I worried although I tried to hide it. He would tell me stories of Dylan. Of how smart and thoughtful the 'boy' was.

Frank had actually started back when Dylan's parents owned the place and had actually watched Dylan grow into a man. I couldnt help but think that Frank was telling me things that normal couples told each other in the beginning. I enjoyed it anyways.

Frank was a nice man who seemed to really care for me. Frank's wife came by every now and again to bring her homemade pies and cookies. I wondered if Dylan and I would get to experience growing old together. Would he come back and they realize that they weren't suited after all? That it was best to leave things as just a fling?

Deep down, I didn't think so. What did the future hold? Would he come back, sweep her off her feet again and beg her to be his wife?

Could I be married to a Seal, knowing he could be away from me like this time and time again? I was a big girl and I knew what I was getting into...kind of. The whispered promises help carry me through the lonely nights.

Month two didn't get any easier. I kept remembering him saying 'it could be a couple days or a couple years' and it was the latter that I was afraid of.

One thing was certain. I was pregnant.

Yep. Preg-nant.

I had my suspicions early on. It was only after he left that I realized they were so caught up in the moment a few times that they forgot protection. Several times. I was smarter than that! So how had this happened? Either way, I was happy. I couldn't not be happy that she had a piece of Dylan with me no matter what. I already loved her baby more than anything.

Then the worry of the future would hit me again. How would he react? Would he come back in a couple months, freak and leave or would he come back in two years to a toddler with his eyes? I told myself to stay strong and I would deal with whatever the future held.

I was a lot more careful when the rank cattle came in for treatment or when I got called out on a large animal call. I wouldn't do anything to hurt myself or their baby. If my technicians noticed the change they didn't say anything.