Chapter Twenty
“Wow, it’s like we’re not even in New York.” Lucy stood with her hands on her hips as she took in the varied landscape, a mix of trees and hills, the fall foliage displayed in vibrant reds and yellows all around her.
“That’s because we’re not. We’re in New Jersey. Remember?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Spoken like a true New Yorker.”
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” Lucy used two fingers to poke at her muscular back playfully.
“Nothing.” Sam looked over her shoulder to make sure Lucy was doing okay on the rocky trail. “Just, you know, New Yorkers, we think we’re the center of the universe.”
“In our defense, we kind of are.”
“Don’t get me wrong. New York City is amazing. It’s not like I want to live anywhere else. We can just be kind of uppity about it. The rest of the country has a lot to offer too. I mean, look around.” She held her arms out to her sides and did a full three-sixty. “All this, and we only had to drive, what? A half an hour,” she said, answering her own question. “And it’s beautiful and peaceful and quiet. With tons of plants and wildlife, hundreds of different species of birds…” Her voice trailed off as she headed down a steep incline.
“You’re adorable when you get all serious and outdoorsy.”
Reaching level ground Sam turned around. “I thought I was always adorable.” She waited for Lucy to step into her space before she looped her arms around her. “I thought”—she dropped a kiss on her lips—“that was my most endearing quality.”
“You might have a few other selling points.” Lucy grinned.
“Like?” Sam asked, hoping Lucy would expound. But when Lucy did open her mouth to speak, Sam covered it with her hand, shushing her. She turned Lucy around and held her close, leaning in to her ear. “Look right over there,” she said, steering her body to the right. “There’s a doe and her fawn behind that tree.”
They stood together quietly for a good few minutes watching the deer graze less than twenty feet away until they were spotted, and the mother and baby dashed off into the forest of trees.
“That was awesome. They were super close.” Sam released her hold on Lucy’s waist, but Lucy held on to her hand, lacing their fingers as they moved along the trail. “I used to see elk a lot in Oregon when I went hiking. Spectacular animals.” Sam pushed a fallen branch off the path with her foot.
“What did I do to deserve you?”
Lucy’s question was out of left field and Sam stopped and turned around, chuckling heartily as she responded. “What?”
“You’re all business suit one day. Which is”—she bit her bottom lip dramatically—“well, don’t even get me started on what that does to me.” She seemed almost shy as she continued. “And then here you are, rugged trail guide, with your sexy worn-out boots and insane knowledge of the great outdoors.” She leaned in, resting her arms over the top of Sam’s shoulders. “How am I ever supposed to resist you?”
“You’re not.” Sam folded her in her arms and kissed her sweetly. “Ever. Deal?”
“Deal,” Lucy said with a smile.
They walked a few more feet, crunching the acorns beneath them as they worked their way up a formidable hill.
“So,” Lucy started, hesitating a little as she caught her breath. “Are you guys squared away for the singles social or whatever it is you’re calling it?”
“Mix and Match.” Sam sighed. “Not that creative,” she said with a shrug. “Should be a good night, though.” Wow, was that a bald eagle? “We partnered up with Ladies First, you know, the dating app. They’ve been promoting it pretty heavily and we’ve been doing our part, so I’m expecting a good turnout.” She continued to walk as she talked. “We sort of broke it down like this: We’ll use the Commons as a meeting point for anyone who has been scoping each other on the site and wants to meet in a public place. That will start at around seven.” She held back a bit of shrub that jutted out onto the path. “Then we’ll open the doors to the social at nine, like regular, but the place will already be stacked with people who are single and looking.” She checked a look at Lucy to gauge her reaction. “Honestly, for a single lesbian, it’s a fantastic opportunity to meet someone who’s in the same boat.” She watched a chipmunk scurry off in the low brush. “Obviously, we’re hoping to capitalize on that too. Financially, I mean.”
“Sounds like you have it all worked out.”
“Sorry, I’m going on and on. Did you have a question about it?”
“Not really. I was just curious what else you have coming up. Weekend-wise. At Bay West.” Sam stopped walking and turned around, intrigued. Lucy answered her unspoken question immediately. “Columbus Day weekend my parents are celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary.”
“Wow. Forty years. Impressive.”
“I know. They didn’t want a big to-do. Just a small dinner party at their house on Saturday night. My sisters and their families will be there of course, and a few aunts and uncles and cousins who live nearby.” She reached for Sam’s shirt. “Emily is going out there the night before. And I talked to Kate the other day. She and Luke are flying in from Chicago on Friday too. I’m sure Beth will stop by for a little bit.” She worried one side of her lower lip with her teeth, appearing almost nervous. “Would you be willing to come with me for the weekend? I know it’s a lot of family time.” She winced a little but looked hopeful. “It would mean a lot to me.”
“Come here,” Sam said pulling her in for a hug as she kissed the top of Lucy’s head. “Why do you look nervous about asking me?” She leaned back and looked into Lucy’s gray eyes. “Of course I’ll go.” She pulled Lucy along next to her until they reached a narrow wooden bridge and were forced to proceed single file. “So what will you do with the store?” Sam called over her shoulder. “That weekend, I mean?” She checked the sturdiness of a rock with one foot before putting her body weight on it. “I’m actually surprised that you’re willing to leave for that long.”
“I know. But my amazing girlfriend has been convincing me to leave for little bursts of time. And it’s been working out okay.”
“Your girlfriend sounds like a genius.”
“In all seriousness, these little outings, like this one today, they have really helped, Sam.” She held her hands out to the side for balance as she climbed. “Even before, when Raven called, she asks the right questions. She doesn’t call for silly stuff. Her level of responsibility astounds me. And relaxes me.”
“Look at that. A breakthrough.” She held a wayward branch aside so Lucy could pass by, openly gazing at her ass as she passed.
“I think that was gratuitous,” Lucy said.
“Gratuitous, chivalrous. Tomato, tomahto, as they say.”
Lucy rolled her eyes but smiled. She obviously loved Sam’s attention. “To answer your question, I know it’s still weeks away, but I figured I’d close the store early that Friday. Let Raven go home since she’ll be running the show Saturday and Sunday. Would you be able to head out around four-ish? This way we don’t get completely destroyed in the traffic heading out east.”
“Easy. I will make sure I don’t have to go into Manhattan that day. Unlikely anyway, it being the start of a three-day weekend.”
They walked in comfortable silence for almost a full minute. “So assuming everything goes well at the store Columbus Day weekend,” Lucy said, breaking the silence, “which I’m sure it will, I could theoretically get away for a real vacation one of these days.”
Sam turned all the way around, the confusion at Lucy’s vague statement surely apparent in her expression. “What are you getting at?”
“I was thinking. In the spring I could take a long weekend. Get the girls to cover the store or even close up shop for a few days depending on the timing.” She picked a leaf off the ground and examined its colors. “Have you ever been to Yellowstone?”
Sam smiled ear to ear. “Never.”
“Look, I can’t get down with the camping. That’s still beyond my comfort zone at this point. But there’s tons of quaint and reasonably priced cabins, hotels, lodges. All sorts of options really, depending on how rustic you want to get.”
“Are you serious? You’ve actually researched this?”
“Yep.” Lucy wore an impish smirk that she didn’t even try to hide. “The only hitch is there don’t seem to be any direct flights.” She scrunched her nose. “I could get past that, if you can.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“I didn’t book anything, because, well, I didn’t know your work schedule or if you’d even want to go there.”
“You weren’t sure I’d want to go to freaking Yellowstone National Park? With you?”
“Well, I thought you’d be into it.” She smiled. “I didn’t want to be presumptuous.” She pulled at the strap of her light backpack. “If there’s somewhere else you’d rather go…”
Sam stepped toward her. “Lucy, I want to go everywhere with you.” She brushed Lucy’s face with the pad of her thumb as she brought their lips together. “Let’s start at Yellowstone. It’s perfect.” She kissed her again. “Come on, let me get you back to the store. I just scored not one, but two weekends with you. I will push my luck no further,” she said with a huge smile as she led the way to the trailhead.