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“See, good as new” She stands, givings

“Maybe, but no way you are riding that thing back”

“No? Okay, well maybe I’ll just have a sleep over with the deer then Is that what you were thinking? I’d stay?” She nips her lip andI’ll walk it back I have to be home for family dinner”

I hate that she ever has to leave again but I try to put away my disappointment as I look up and see the deer lined up at the fence, watching us

“Looks like they are waiting for you”

She looks toward the paddock and giggles “Guess so”

I reach down and take her hand, entwining our fingers as alk toward the deer “Stay here I have soive them”

I rush into the barn, grabbing the full buckets, and stomp back out, ready to set them down next to her when I stall, frozen in place

She’s crawled through the fence and is standing in the center of the paddock, all eighteen of the deer in a circle around her, sniffing and rubbing their snouts on her outstretched hands, her back, her arms

I follow, standing off to the edge, watching

“They never go to anyone but lorious ass

She grins “Guess they like how I smell”

“They aren’t the only ones,” I answer as she gives me a look

“Did you call me baby over there?”

“I did” I clear my throat “You liked it, didn’t you?”

She takes aher ti with it

Finally, she nods “I did”

“Good Get used to it” I carry the buckets and press my body between two of the deer “Back off She’s not yours to eat”

She giveslook but doesn’t reply We spend the next half hour feeding the deer, chatting and laughing I already kneas in deep with her, but I kno I’ ass over teakettle in love with her

She’s sweet, but strong Funny and bright She is stunning and yet pure and honest, without a hint of ego or see she is