Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [131]
CHAPTER 38
Where are you taking me?” Katy asked.
The black-fringed scarf that Jake had tied over her eyes kept her from seeing where he was driving. Even without the blindfold, she would have known he was up to something because their date was scheduled later than usual. He’d mumbled something over the phone about picking her up after dark to take advantage of a full moon.
His voice broke into her thoughts. “We’re almost there, and I don’t want to spoil the surprise.”
Katy gripped the passenger-seat armrest, deliriously happy ever since Jake had accepted her apology. In the past two weeks, they’d been making up for wasted years. Emotionally, Katy had opened up to him without reservation. The vulnerability of placing her heart in a man’s hands left her a tad breathless. Not frightened, exactly. More like exhilarated, climbing a mountain, anxious to see the view from the top, and unsure what was on the other side.
They had both grown so much since their high school dates. They hadn’t talked much yet about what was on the other side of the mountain, except that he had turned down the Texas job and planned to stay in Plain City.
Getting to know him was surprising in many ways. She had discovered that he preferred dawn over sunset, because it symbolized new beginnings. He wore his pants tight because otherwise his leather tool belt pulled them too low, making it uncomfortable when he worked. She was glad to know that wouldn’t change.
Although he couldn’t always express himself eloquently, he was a good listener, a tease who knew how to bring a smile to everyone’s lips, whether it was Minnie in one of her moods or his hired help after a day of hard manual labor. It took a lot to anger Jake, but she’d discovered that when he was frustrated, he always stuck his hands in his pockets and his eyes saddened around the outer fringes. Best of all, he’d admitted that he prayed for her every night before he fell asleep. How had she ever doubted him?
Through an open window, a gentle breeze brushed her cheeks. With the distinct scent of wet fields and the absence of traffic sounds, she knew that they were still driving on rural roads. The truck slowed and gently bounced onto a rougher surface that crackled like gravel. He killed the engine.
“Are we there?”
“Yes. I’ll come around to your side and help you down.”
She waited, eager to find out what he had planned. Had he gotten a job and taken her to a construction site? Would it be a prelude to talking about building or buying a house of their own one day? No, a construction site would be too dangerous after dark.
As she waited for him to open her door, her thoughts continued along that vein, sharing a house with Jake. Of late she dreamed more about marrying him than fulfilling the vow of living in the doddy house with all three of her friends.
The door opened, interrupting her musings and quickening her pulse. He reached in and caught her by the waist, then swung her down and set her on her feet. Tottering a bit, she gripped his firm arm until she had her balance. Then he led her across gravel onto softer ground. Something tickled her face, and she swatted it away.
He stopped. “Ready?”
“Yes,” she replied.
Gently he untied the scarf. She blinked, looked around. “Our tree?” The weeping willow made a romantic canopy around them beneath the moon’s soft glow. In wonder, she added, “Where we first kissed.”
“I remember.”
He grinned and drew her close. His lips claimed hers. It wasn’t a tentative kiss like that first one so long ago, or even like the one a few weeks ago when they had finally gotten back together. It was a confident kiss but urgent. When she opened her eyes, the silvery moonlight shone across his face. His expression held a need that delighted her.
He buried his hand in her long tresses and said in a low rumbling voice, “I love your hair. When I was a kid, it was such a temptation.”
“I remember.”
“I like it down like this, too.”
“You’re getting romantic on me,