Luke

I drove towards the barn where I was set to meet Candace, still reeling from the past week’s events. She hadn’t said a word about the conversation we’d had on the phone two days before or why she felt the need to hang up on me twice.

As we sat at lunch, the only conversation we had was about work, until I finally asked her what she’d like to do on our date.

I was surprised that she didn’t hesitate, quickly stating she wanted to ride horses. When I asked her if she’d ever been, she said no, which made me laugh, because I’d only been a couple times myself.

Jackson agreed to let me take two out, and Tom moved the two gentlest ones to the back stable, explaining that they knew what do to, even if we didn’t. That was perfect because we didn’t know what to do.

I parked my truck by the barn and grabbed the picnic basket from the back before I headed into the barn.

Candace was talking to her squirrel, who was now getting along quite well with three legs, just dragging the splint along for the ride. I laughed every time she’d call his name, Sully, and he’d come running. She had a way with animals, with kids, and with me.

“Are you ready for this?” I asked, causing Candace to turn towards me.

“I am,” she smiled.

Tom was still in the back, waiting for us to give a few last minute tips. He’d already saddled the horses and worked out a trail that we’d take.

“It’s the easiest on both you and the horse,” he explained.

Easy sounded perfect to me.

“It’s a pretty trail. You end up at a huge oak tree by the river; that’s when you stop, give the horses a rest and a drink, and then head back,” he insisted.

We both agreed, and then Tom helped me load the picnic basket to the back of the saddle so it wouldn’t swing off.

He watched as we took off, probably worried more about the horses than us.

“You think he’ll still be there when we get back?” I chuckled.

Candace smiled, shaking her head as she clung to the reins.

We didn’t talk much along the trail, which was fine with me. I was enjoying the scenery, my company, and was trying to concentrate on not falling off the horse.

The large oak tree was easy to spot, so we stopped like Tom had insisted.

I slid from the horse, not gracefully, but well enough that I didn’t fall and make a fool of myself. I helped Candace down, loading her into my arms and hating to let go once her feet hit the ground. There we were again, tightly pressed together, our lips so close I could feel the warmth from hers soaking onto mine. She leaned in quick, kissing me on the lips, and then pulled away.

“You keep doing that,” I teased, tightening my grip around her as she squirmed.

I noticed a tension that quickened in her body, so I released and apologized quickly.

“Don’t,” she whispered, her cheeks blushing red.

She walked towards the river, her hair golden beneath the slow-setting sun. I worked on untying the basket and setting up our picnic, and then guided the horses to the small stream where they could get a drink before being tied to the post near the large tree.

Candace sat on the blanket, her back against the large tree trunk, and waited while I handed her a plate. I’d picked up chicken from in town, slaw, and fresh biscuits with apple butter and honey. We ate in silence, staring out at the sky as it changed colors. I wondered what she was thinking, and if it was anything remotely close to my own thoughts.

Candace set her plate down and glanced over at me. I pushed my plate away, committed to whatever it was she wanted, even if only my undivided attention.

She leaned in, her eyes so warm, and her lips so pouty. Her finger lifted to my mouth, slowly sliding across my bottom lip.

“You had something,” she smirked, showing me the piece of biscuit she’d retrieved from my facial hair.

I chuckled, feeling foolish that I thought she was about to kiss me.

“Can I,” I stopped myself from finishing my request.

“Yes,” she responded, surprising me with puckered lips, and eyes that quickly closed.

I leaned in, tasting the sweet honey from her lips. The kiss was gentle and without force, similar to the one she’d given me several days before.

I pulled back. She was smiling, and from the pain in my cheeks, I knew I was beaming with excitement.

“No one’s ever asked before, or been kind about it,” she said softly.

“I’ll always ask,” I promised her, reaching for her hand to place in mine.

She leaned towards me, surprisingly eager to gain another kiss. Her lips were soft, this time parted, and her tongue flicked like a feather between my own.

I pulled her into me, giving her the kiss she craved. When we parted, it was with a sigh of satisfaction, and both our faces were red with passion.

“We better go,” Candace said, looking up at the darkening sky.

The sun was almost set, and Tom warned about being out late. He worried we would get lost or lose control of the horses in the dark of night.

I loaded everything up, tied the basket just as he had, and helped Candace to her saddle.

The ride back to the barn was just as silent as the ride away from it. We gave a few glances and a couple giggles, and my thoughts roared wild through my mind.

Surprisingly, Tom wasn’t waiting on us when we returned, but Sully was. His little head peeked out from his box where Candace had left him as we unsaddled the horses and placed them back into their stalls to be brushed.

It was sweet how she reacted to the tiny critter, and he to her. When she was finished with her greetings to Sully, she stepped into a stall with a brush, and I went into the other.

“So, would it be okay if I called you my girlfriend?” I asked, feeling young and foolish as I spoke.

“Is that what I am?” Candace asked.

“I would like you to be. I promise I won’t push you,” I vowed.

Candace giggled, and then nodded, her cheeks turning a bright red.

She leaned over the fence that separated the stalls, reaching for my lips. I eagerly gave them up, letting her gently press against them to leave her sweet flavor for me to enjoy later.

We finished brushing the horses, and Candace gathered up Sully and his makeshift home. I helped her into the truck and drove her towards Lyla’s, wishing the entire time that I was just taking her home to my bed.

We said our goodnights at the door with Sully peeking out towards me to be part of the exchange.

“Can I kiss you goodnight?” I asked.

Candace nodded, her lips curling into a smile.

I leaned in, kissed her gently, and then pulled back before I went too far. I’d leave the passion to her, for now. I promised not to push.