84Mags

My husband probably owes you a gift card at this point! 😂😍 I completely agree that talking, much less writing, about religion is tricky. You balanced it as a gentle background theme. It’s that whole coloring within the lines that you do so well! Best wishes 😊

Since the previous chapter had me tearing up over Coy’s words to Boone, then I guess I should admit to all out crying today when Boone sighed to Coy, “You’re a gift from the Lord, I swear. I don’t know what I did in my life to deserve all I got—to deserve the likes of you—but I make sure to thank him everyday.” And, yes, for anyone reading my comments and keeping score, my husband will have a very good evening! What is especially lovely about this passage, is that it pays homage to each chapter’s bible verse. Boone and Coy’s life together is at its simplest about how two people come together and become one. I know I’ve said it before, but I loved every single minute of their story.

I felt a part of this lovely day of music and discovery. Each member of the group experienced something new, as did I. Although music and instruments were the catalyst, my feeling is that everyone learned more about themselves. P.S. I full on belly laughed when Rick coughed to get the musician’s attention away from Gus!

I’ll leave the cries of frustration over the fate of Sawyer to others, even though I did blow out a deep breath as I realized this chapter took us in a different direction. I want Doris for a next door neighbor. She’s that no nonsense, ‘I am too old for your sh-t’, wise woman we all need in our lives. Fergus is too narcissistic to comprehend what a gold mine he has in her, but I guess if he understood then he never would have killed her husband. She should be his ding ding moment of realization that the precariously balanced life he’s established is crumbling around him; she has figured out all that is going on with the pack, his parenting and the boys nights out. It makes me rather gleeful to think she may be a part of his undoing.

Thank you for your kind words. And yes, we do realize we are very fortunate to have found each other so young. I always tell people that we grew each other up and we are each other’s memories.

I teared up when Coy said, “I’m your family now, and you’re mine...till there’s snow on our roofs and aches in our bones, right?” Then I promptly kissed the hell outta my husband whom I’ve been with since we were both 19. The snow and aches have arrived. But just like with us, Boone and Coy have what it takes to make it a lifetime. I have loved every minute of this story and look forward to the epilogue.

Rick standing up to Heinrich tells me that when it all comes to head Rick will hold his own with his father. Heinrich believes and says horrible things. Rick being gay, frankly, is the least of it for me. Even if Rick wasn’t, Old Heinrich would insert himself in Rick’s marriage and parenting. He’s disrespectful, close minded, and lacks boundaries. Conversely, the car trip was perfect! Rick’s personality is just what was needed to make it all go smoothly. It takes a calm nature to allow open cups of hot chocolate and iced, cream filled donuts in a moving vehicle, much less to navigate a new destination and handle a few minor mishaps along the way.

☝I wrote a comment. Came back later and deleted it, writing a new comment. Came back yet again and deleted/re-wrote a comment. I think you sum it up best. There really are no words. I have spent the better part of my day thinking about this chapter.

Holy shit. Please be ok Sawyer. This is so much worse than I imagined.

Rita scheming for the cheapest contractors for the infrastructure part of her project is worrisome, but much less so than her working with Willy. I don’t like him being connected with Rita; but hold hope there is a way that they will fail together. I’m cautiously optimistic Rick is starting to realize those who truly care about him and consider him a friend, neighbor or regarded businessman, do so with a respect that will not be altered by Rick following his desires. The title of this chapter foretold of absolution and laying the dead to rest. Perhaps this is a turning point for Rick to begin to do so with his if only’s. Maybe if he gets off the porn hook up sites and starts reading about a couple of those old-time farmers @Headstall he will find there can be a way forward. This chapter left me very hopeful for Rick and Gus.

From the very first line, the suspense kept ratcheting up and I found myself reading faster to get to the shift. And then, with Sawyer’s humor firmly back in place (false labor 😂) I realized we have a long 48 hours to go. I want to meet the baby, I mean wolf!

If only everyone’s first experience could be so perfect... I can’t stop smiling.

Kind of like the whole orchestra is coming in 😉! Happy of New Year! Truly enjoying this story and also your exceptional poetry.

Rick’s way of talking around an uncomfortable topic or finding ways to avoid conflict are not going to keep working. Seems like the past and his possible future are plopping right smack dab into his present. This really was a WOW of a chapter!

“Filled with intent, this building connection would not be broken or cancelled.” I’ve decided to take this as your pledge Sawyer will be just fine when the full moon change occurs. (...well, I’m crossing my fingers at least! 🤞🏼) Those lovely mating ties will also serve Jimmy and Sawyer well when the inevitable confrontation with Fergus happens. It is as if the threads not only show their bond, the energy strengthens both Sawyer and Jimmy.

This chapter made me sooooooooooo happy!

Sometimes I have to remind myself that I can’t change others, I can only change myself. Seems like Rick did just that. He made the changes that he could and then at the picnic let the adults ‘do what they do’ and be themselves. I think I’m looking forward to the Monday morning check of the books as much as Rick. Your writing is so descriptive that on this chilly Christmas Eve morning, I was transported away to a summer evening. Every time I read a chapter I seem to remind myself that you aren’t a neighbor down the road. You had me hooked at ‘supper’ and hungry by the time macaroni salad was served. But that didn’t deter me from noting a Chicago buyer bought Cedarcrest. YEA! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

I enjoyed this short story very much! I never took it as a tale that dove deeply into the characters, but gave us a good, strong glimpse into their lives. I am thrilled that Tristan and Peter found their way back to each other. Like others, I felt bad for Adrian and am looking forward to his happily ever after. Merry Christmas!

Rick’s premonition and his thoughts of Willy made me wonder about this mystery man heading to Eagle Lake. But then the terrified reaction Gus had to the fireworks lead me to believe perhaps the premonition was related to that. Gus was born in Guatemala and must have lived there during at least part of the 1960-1996 Guatemalan Civil War. While I’m not certain that caused his fear, it certainly wouldn’t help to have a childhood surrounded in gunfire, fear and violence. It speaks volumes to me that Gus would hike with a broken arm and later wish to stay through the noise and lights of fireworks to spend time with Rick.

“Letting out his horrible history left him queasy yet oddly lighter.” Add in an aching sadness and I can’t think of a more accurate way to sum up my current mood after this chapter.

Boone’s impassioned comments about why he wishes to farm really resonated with me. One side of my family is generations of farmers, complete with the crops, livestock, dirt and callouses, plus the now 100+ year old barns Boone mentioned. You eloquently articulated what it means to be a farmer. I had ‘bachelor’ great uncles and ‘old maid’ great aunts that in today’s world could love and live more openly. I ached for Boone as he talked about his solitary life. Farming and the land are meant to be shared.

Just as your end note said, this isn’t my usual cup of tea. And the warnings concerned me. But you wrote it and I love your work, so I read this story. It’s hauntingly wonderful. Imaginative, creative, and heart wrenching. I’m glad I have an unseasonably warm and sunny day outside. Think I need to go take a walk after this one.

Oh my goodness, I want to give a standing ovation to Caroline Lee! Best wingman ever, intended or not. And Rick standing up to Rita right in front of Gus was everthing. If I sound a little gushing, it’s because I was smiling by the time food was ordered at the Lutheran church and kept grinning as the day meandered along. Even the threat of X-pants mystery man looming couldn’t bust my mood. As always, the title beautifully fit the the chapter and mirrored the day. Except, now I unfortunately have the Abba song Andante Andante stuck in my head. And, with all things Abba, that’ll worsen to Mama Mia later in the day. *sigh.

Jimmy’s distress is palatable; it is a living, breathing part of him. Even though I knew the deaths of his family/pack occurred years ago, I was shocked with Jimmy’s internal monologue saying it was fifty to sixty years ago. He was barely an adult at the time, so wouldn’t have the coping skills to process the tragedy, much less find peace in the subsequent decades alone. I hope finally opening up to Sawyer helps. And I’m secretly glad of his military and mercenary experience; both will be useful in a confrontation with Fergus.

I’ve read this chapter twice, and now sit pondering what I would do if I were Tristan. I think I’m going to go with the famous Emily Dickerson quote here, “The heart wants what it wants, or else it does not care.” Tristan has remained in love; while heartbroken, that hasn’t changed. He needs to cautiously hear Peter out. Given the same set of circumstances, I would do the same. So hurry up with the danged coffee because we need answers! ☕️