CHAPTER SIX

Sunday rolled around faster than she had anticipated. She had woken early, ready for a day of relaxation, catching up on her reading and quite possibly do a little bit of gardening on her window sill. However, she could not get into any of that. She just wanted to text Blake and let him know she was ready for that second date.

She had fun on their date, actually she hadn’t had fun in a long time. She chewed over her bottom lip slowly as she wondered what this could possibly mean for her future. Would he be like him, her ex? Would he be sweet and kind in the beginning only to turn around and be an evil man with evil intentions? She shuddered at the thought. Tears began falling down her face as she had completely talked herself out of talking to him for that morning.

As lunch time rolled around, she took a deep breath. She could not compare ever man to him. She just could not let herself do that. It wasn't fair to Blake or anyone else really. She pursed her lips, took a deep breath and sent Blake a text.

When do you want to see me again?

It took a few minutes, giving her time to clean out her hair brush and clean her bathroom.

This afternoon?

It’s almost afternoon now…

Then get ready? And tell me where to come get you.

Josie sighed heavily and texted him her address. Might as well do this, right? She wasn't so sure. The slight panic attack rolled through her again as she sat down on the front step waiting for him and chewed over her bottom lip. There had to be something she could do to calm down about this.

Brushing a strand of hair back from her face she looked up just in time to see his truck pulling up. She smiled faintly, oddly enough feeling calm all of a sudden. Although she wasn't expecting that feeling, she was glad. He got out of the truck to come and greet her.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine," she whispered quietly.

"We have a big day planned; are you ready?" he asked.

She knew he was looking her over, taking in her comfortable jeans, the soft t-shirt. She had no idea what they were going to do today but she did not bother asking either as he opened the passenger door to his truck.

“Sure," she murmured.

"You look beautiful as always,” he said softly.

"Thank you, you don't look too bad either,” she teased a little.

"Glad to hear that,” he chuckled and let her shut the door herself as he went around to get the truck started.

"How was your morning?"

"Uneventful, but I am glad you texted."

"Good," she blurted, feeling slightly awkward.

"Yep, because there's something we can do around this time of day without being stuck with a bunch of other people,” he smiled.

She furrowed her brow and tilted her head to the side with a curious hum.

"You'll see when we get there,” he said.

The drive wasn't as long as most people would have made it out to be. Not with them singing together to the radio and joking that the music playing was considered oldies hits. Josie was having such a good time on the ride, that when they made it to the gates of the country club her jaw dropped into the seat.

"We're at the country club?"

"Yep. That's not all though..." he murmured as they drove through the gates that opened automatically.

She did not hear what he was saying, she looked around the vast expanse of land in pure awe. There was so much to take in: luscious green grass that stretched for what looked like miles, large tennis courts, elegant buildings, the fenced in pool could just barely be seen not far away. She was unable to really focus on just one thing.

Certain she had missed some things, she looked back at Blake who was still talking in his comfortingly low voice. She swallowed hard as he parked and helped her out of the truck.

"You seem a little surprised."

"I was really not expecting this.”

"I'm sure you'll enjoy it anyway, right? I'm here,” he flashed a playful smile and she giggled awkwardly.

"I don't feel like I'm dressed..."

"Don't worry about that. What we're doing doesn't require fancy clothes. Come on." He lightly took her hand and lead her around the back of the large main building. She could not help but stare at the dark red brick and the white window frames that belonged to windows that reached up so high and wide she was looking into the building for such a long time before another brick wall between the windows blocked her view. She could see the hardwood tables that lined the main room, the elegant chairs, and the few people that mulled about in uniform showing they worked there.

"You seem very fascinated with this place," he pointed out.

"I've always been curious as to what this place looked like, never having the chance to come here myself until now." She chewed over her bottom lip slightly, not sure if he would leave her alone now, knowing she wasn't from some wealthy family.

“Nah, it's alright, don't get that look. This is fine and you get to experience something new, and I get to live it through you in a way. It's nice to see someone unaccustomed to all this,” he said. "Especially since I'm so used to seeing it all the time. None of this is exciting any more."

"Maybe I can fix that?" She teased a little as she shrugged.

"Maybe you can,” he agreed with a chuckle.

"So what are we here to do? I got a little distracted..." she admitted, feeling childish.

"Well, we are going to check out the archery pitch. It's completely empty today and we'll have all the time to mess around there,” he said, she wrinkled her nose at the way he had said that last part, but that did not matter to her just then.

"Okay..." she murmured and arched her brow. "You remember that I don't... I have never done anything with archery before, right?"

"Yep, I remember. I'll teach you."

"Oh, am I going back to school now?" She purred with a faint chuckle.

"You get sassy with me like that I'll write you up for detention," he smirked.

"Sounds more fun,” she held back her giggle.

"Oh yeah? Never pegged you for the naughty type."

"Guess you didn't peg me right. Take me home and you won't have to fall into misery over it?" They laughed together and he lightly shook his head.

He explained that he had gotten a friend to set this up for him while he went to pick her up. There were two bows neatly laid out; one with a heavier compound, and one that she could easily be drawn without struggling.

He started by going through the technical stuff, letting her get used to drawing the string without an arrow, then with an arrow.

"You are very thorough. I'm kind of not surprised, but I bet your students love you,” she blurted.

“What? Tell them that! I doubt any of them love me when it comes to exams."

"Aww, harsh grader? I wasn't the best behaved in those classes,” she giggled.

"Neither was I, but now I understand why the grading is so harsh for some teachers. Got to be if you want them to succeed, but I'll take it easy on you."

"Oh, really now?" She smiled and lightly hummed, giving him the once over obviously.

"Yeah, now shoot the target for me?"

She drew the bow carefully, the arrow notched, but as the arrow flew she did not hit the target. The next few arrows sort of hit near the target... her frustration started to show on her face. She was furious. She set the bow down and glared.

"This is a stupid sport. How is anyone supposed to hit that target?" She snarled.

"It's alright. Look, let me show you,” he said patiently. He stood behind her as she lifted the bow, adjusted her arm, helped her aim again, but this time she just hit the outside of the target.

"This is ridiculous!" She half yelled and put the bow down again.

"No, it just takes practice,” he said with a smile while she yelled. Remembering how he had acted when he was learning.

"One more time. That's it,” he said as he motioned for her to pick up the bow again. She picked it up and took a deep breath. He lightly rested his hands on her hips after adjusting her arms, fixed her stance with a light kick to her feet.

“Alright," he murmured in her ear, "Deep breath in, deep breath out, deep breath in, release the arrow with your next breath out..."

His words being purred so close to her ear made her legs weak, and she could barely focus on what she was doing. She tried to follow his instructions and let the arrow fly as she exhaled—Only to jump and squeal out happily when she had hit the bullseye.

"I hit it!" She laughed as he watched her bounce but stayed put where he was, laughing and lightly shaking his head.

"See, I told you. It's not that hard…you just have to relax,” Blake said.

"I... I shouldn't have gotten so... I have to…” she said and left quickly. What was she running from? She did not have the slightest clue. She had not felt that happy over something in so long... and he had seen her making a fool of herself! How could she ever let that slide again?

She did not wait for him to get the truck, she did not even wait for him, period. She just went straight home. Quickly walking, even though it was a long walk that she had not expected herself to ever be able to make. Yet she did, pure adrenaline from what had happened pushed her all the way there.