Page 69 of Severed Heart

I look over to him. “That’s what it is called?”

“Yeah,” he whispers, just as taken briefly by our view.

“It’s the perfect name for this land. There is so much peace here.”

A mischievous glint flashes in his eyes. “Peaceful, huh?”

“Very peaceful.” I narrow my eyes. “Why?”

“Just hold that thought.”

* * *

“Mon Dieu!” I roar, a hysterical laugh leaving me because of Tyler’s erratic driving. “Imbecile! You’re going to kill us!” I shout over the engine as he speeds down a very steep slope, never letting off the gas.

“You soundreallyterrified,” he muses sarcastically as the vehicle takes every bit of his abuse. My eyes bulge as I notice a deep gap between some hills feet ahead and screech his name in warning. When Tyler does not deter, I brace myself for impact, shrieking with fear as he laughs at my reaction. Peeking through my fingers, I’m shocked as he steers right for a fallen tree limb before turning back to see we glided right over it.

“Wow, fuck!” I exclaim, thoroughly impressed with the vehicle’s capabilities.

“Right?” Tyler chuckles.

“It performs very, very well.”

“I know.”

I glance over to where he steers, the breeze in the open cabin lifting his sunlit brown hair. “You’re still an imbecile!”

My poke does not faze him, his smile telling. “I consider it a term of endearment coming from you.” He eyes me. “Don’t forget I heard you unleash on the mailman last week.”

I frown. “Because he knocked over my plant with his carelessness.Connard.”Jerk.

“And that’s why I’m sure he’s reconsidering his career choice,” he jokes as we glide effortlessly over another gaping hole. I whip my head back in disbelief. “It’s all-terrain,” he calls over the whirring between us. “That means—”

“I know what that means,” I scold in irritation while still smiling. “What is this vehicle called?”

“A Polaris Ranger.”

“If ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” I shout.

“Notexactlyhow it’s used, but you’ll get there.” He shoots me a confident wink, and I burst into more laughter as he rounds a hillside, the two of us riding vertically while holding onto the frame of the Ranger. Nervous, excited laughter continues to pour out of me with the knowledge that if my door weren’t firmly shut, I’d be rolling down the side of a hilltop.

My enthusiasm only grows when the pond comes into view. Tall mixed grasses surround it, encompassing all sides of the water. Moss covers part of the surface next to the outstretched dock, which stops halfway into the length of the pond. The only sign of life is small ringlets of tiny waves breaking over the surface of the otherwise calm water. A peace washes over me as we unpack the car and sit next to one another on the dock, feet dangling. We spend a few quiet minutes baiting and casting our lines before he speaks up.

“What were you like in school?”

His question catches me off guard, but I answer honestly. “Bored”—I shrug—“and mostly annoyed.”

“Sounds about right,” he chuckles.

“I started in school very late because of my father and was behind in their curriculum, and in learning English. This caused me many conflicts with the girls. I did not like them because they were boring, and theydid notlike me because I kissed all the boys,” I tell him. “I was a salope—” I search for the English word. “... tramp.”

Tossing his head back, he howls with laughter at my admission.

“Akissingtramp,” I correct. “I did notfuckthe boys.” His eyes widen as he chokes slightly on his receding laugh, and I shrug. “It’s the truth.”

“Well, thanks for the honesty,” he says with a humorous shake of his head.

“What?”I counter. “I never understand why so many people polite dance around the truth so much. It annoys me.”