“Let me say that this was much harder than I thought it would be,” Leah started. She placed several leaves, a branch, and her cell phone on the table. “First, I chose leaves to represent Caleb’s perseverance. Even though the leaves go through different stages, turning brown and eventually falling, they always come back strong. The leaves can weather just about anything.” She looked over at him. “Just like Caleb.”
A heavy weight clutched his chest in a vise grip. Caleb couldn’t find the words to describe it. He wouldn’t even try.
“The branch reminds me of his ruggedness and strength.” She bent the spindly branch back and forth. “It may not look like much, but it can endure a lot and still won’t break.”
Finally, she picked up her cell phone. “I don’t know if this really counts, but I had to take a picture of a tree trunk because it, above everything else, is the best example of Caleb. Tree trunks are solid and steady, and carry a lot on their shoulders. I don’t know anyone else in the world who carries more on their shoulders, yet is able to withstand it and continue to thrive.”
The other couples applauded. All Caleb could think to do was connect his lips with hers. He had to swallow past the lump in his throat before he was able to speak. “Thank you,” he said.
“Okay, Caleb, it’s your turn,” Katherine Mumford said. “Good luck topping what your fiancée just did.”
“Impossible,” Caleb said. He took a deep breath and pulled out a bright yellow Canada Lily and the limestone. “The reason for the flower should be obvious,” he started. “I looked for the most beautiful one I could find because, for me, there isn’t anyone more beautiful in the world than my fiancée.” Several of the men groaned, while the women sighed.
“He stole my line,” Joel said, to which Abigail responded by pinching his arm.
“I picked up this piece of limestone for the same reason,” Caleb continued. “It caught my eye when the sun reflected in the little crystal flecks. But there’s more than just beauty to be found in this rock. There’s a toughness here. A strength that can’t be crushed, no matter how hard you try.” His gaze locked with Leah’s. “I thought about how much this rock has endured in the centuries it’s been on this earth, and just look at it. It’s still here. It’s still beautiful.”
Tenderness shimmered in Leah’s eyes as she walked over to him and linked her hands behind his neck. She pulled his head down and crushed her lips to his.
“Katherine and Geoff should use you two in their advertisements,” someone called out.
Leah laughed against Caleb’s lips. “That doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” she said.
They moved off to the side as the two remaining couples described their scavenger hunt finds. Leah stood in front of him, and Caleb wrapped his arms around her waist. To anyone looking, they probably appeared to be the most content couple in the world, but Leah’s hesitancy last night still gave him pause.
He didn’t want to rush her, but Caleb wanted to take that next step so badly he could hardly stand it. This went far beyond just sex. He wanted her to trust him enough to give herself fully over to him. He wanted her to feel safe enough to share every part of herself—mind, body, and everything in between.
He wanted her to love him.
Caleb knew it was ridiculous to expect love to come any time soon. This thing they had going was too new. But that didn’t stop him from craving it all the same.
Once the scavenger hunt had concluded, Caleb and Leah headed for a quick lunch at the Grub Shack. Leah insisted on sharing one of the camp’s pastry chef, Allison Nelson’s, amazing desserts. Even as someone who wasn’t a huge dessert fan, Caleb had to admit that it was worth the drive up to the Berkshires just to sample Allison’s confections.
Leah stuck the spoon loaded with salted caramel mousse into her mouth and slowly pulled it out. Her pleasure-filled moan caused the front of his pants to grow tight. Caleb couldn’t have contained his groan if he’d tried. He didn’t try.
“What was that?” Leah asked.
“Nothing to see here,” Caleb said. “Just me on the verge of dying of lust while you lick that damn spoon.”
“Oops. Sorry,” she said. But the sexy, mischievous grin she sported belied her words. “You have to admit this dessert is amazing.”
“Not as amazing as watching you enjoy it.”
She rested her elbow on the table and held her chin in her upturned palm. “You do realize you’re too sweet for words, don’t you?”
“I try,” Caleb said.
“You succeed.” But then her expression sobered, and in a soft voice, she said, “It scares me.”
Caleb’s head reared back. “Why?”
Leah shook her head. “Forget I said that.” She attempted to stand, but Caleb caught her arm. “Don’t walk away. Talk to me, Leah.”
Just then, Denise Rollins, along with her husband—whose name escaped him—walked up to their table. The two had participated in this morning’s scavenger hunt.
“I just have to say that you two are so inspiring,” Denise said. “Phillip and I were just talking about how much we see of our old selves in you. It’s only been six years since we’ve been married, but we’d already started to lose some of that magic. Seeing the way you two get along has been a great reminder.”
“Thank you,” Leah said, her smile strained.
