“News flash, Sheriff, but I’ve seen the forest before.”
“Come.”
I grab the food, and he takes my hand, leading me to theback of the truck.The running water I heard actually came from a stream.Amini waterfall cascades over some rocks a few yards away, the moon’s reflectionrippling in the water.Nowthiswould be an ideal moon-watching spot.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
He’s parked the truck with the bed facing the stream, andnow he lowers the tailgate, lifting me up onto it.Sitting next to me, he wrapsthe blanket around our shoulders.
“I knew you’d like it.”
“It’s so… serene.”
“I come here when I need to think, to just get away fromeverything.”
I sip on my soda and watch him as he eats.It’s his special spot,and he brought me here.That’s sweet… and personal.Despite what we just did,we still don’t know each other that well.
“When’s your birthday?”I ask.
“January eighteenth.”
“Favorite color?”
He turns to me and slowly runs his fingers through my hair.“Rightnow, I can’t decide between red….”His hand leaves my hair, and he swipes atthe corner of my eye with his thumb.“Or green.”
I drop my head to hide my blush.Damn.He sure knows how tomake a girl feel good.When he finishes his sandwich, I snuggle up to him andwatch the water as it makes its way downstream.This is perfect; being in hisarms fills me with a calm and sense of security I haven’t felt in years.Idon’t want to move, but after a while, I check my watch and see that it’salmost one.“Do you need to go?”he asks.
“I should.The Johnsons will be wondering where I am.”
“Okay.”
On the drive home, I sit next to him, and he curls his armaround my shoulder.I just want to be close to him.What’s wrong with me?I’venever been this attached to a guy in my life.But… I think I like it.Maybethis dating thing isn’t so bad.
In my driveway, I gaze up at him, waiting for him to kissme.He walks me to my door and pulls me into his arms.I take a deep breath,inhaling his scent before he breaks away.Placing his finger beneath my chin,he tips my face up toward his.As his head descends, I slide my arms around hiswaist.He kisses me gently, our lips barely touching.
“Good night, Casey.”
“Good night, Sheriff.”
***Ethan****
“What are you grinning about?”
I turn to Charlie with a blank stare.“Huh?”
“You’ve had a silly grin on your face all morning.”
“Can’t a man just be happy, Charlie?”
We’ve known each other since we were pups, so I know he’snot buying it.
“Mm-hmm.”He gives me a skeptical stare.“What happened lastnight?”
“Thatis none of your business, sir.”
His eyes widen, and a grin spreads across his lips.
“I knew it!How was it?You know, I’ve never been with ahuman.”
