Cringing a little, thinking of my past, I say, “I worked briefly in the nine to five suit and tie world…” I glance over her way “…wasn’t my thing.”
“Gotcha,” she smiles.
We talk more, trying our best to dig into each other’s nooks and crannies without prying too much.
I find out her favorite color is blue, her favorite holiday is Christmas, she never watches scary movies, and just the smell of green beans makes her want to vomit. I admit to having a guilty pleasure now and again in a good romantic comedy. I divulge the truth that I love to read until I’m falling asleep in bed, my favorite holiday is St. Patrick’s Day, and I’ve never gone swimming in the ocean.
I slow my truck as I reach the top of the hill. Looking at Eva, her eyes grow wide in amazement. Backing up, I turn the truck around so we can sit on the tailgate and take in the breathtaking sight.
The night sky is mostly clear. The stars are endless as they dance above. In the distance, clouds roll over far away hilltops and lightning can be seen as a thunderstorm approaches. Below is a valley with just the slightest twinkling of lights from a few houses.
I put the truck in park and kill the engine.
“Want to sit on the tailgate?” I ask.
She nods, unable to speak as she looks out the back window of the truck.
I jump from the truck and run over to her door. Opening it, I help her down and grab a backpack and a few blankets from the backseat. Setting the items down, I lift her up onto the tailgate of my truck and wrap a blanket around her shoulders to keep her warm.
“This sure goes down as one unforgettable surprise,” she says as I hop up on the tailgate to join her.
Shrugging, I let a few moments pass before I say, “I’m trying to make it hard for anyone to follow in my footsteps, is it working?”
“Oh, so you don’t want someone else to come and sweep me off my feet, is that it?” she nervously asks, looking out in the distance.
“Not if I can help it,” I confess.
With no idea where to go from there, I open the backpack I brought with me.
“Seeing as I had no idea your favorite food was my home state’s staple, I did the best I could when I packed us dinner.”
“You packed dinner,” she asks, shocked.
“I made a promise to feed you, didn’t I?” I smile. “Now pickings are slim when it comes to what will keep and pack away easily, so I did the best I could.”
Pulling out some containers of food the lady at the store suggested, I nervously watch her open them.
“Here we have ham and cheese roll-up sandwiches,” I say, opening the first container. After setting it aside, I open the second. “And here is some fresh fruit, pineapple, strawberries, grapes … that kind of stuff.” Opening the third container, I add, “And here, I did my best attempt at what you might like for dessert. I hope you like fudge or English toffee?”
Grabbing some toffee and taking a bite, she smiles up at me as she says, “It's perfect.”
Pulling a bottle of wine and a cup from the backpack, I say, “I did my best to pick you out a nice red. That was what you were drinking the other night, right?”
“Very good. I’m impressed,” she says, taking the cup. “None for you?” she asks as I don’t pour myself a drink.
I pull out a flask. “Kentucky bourbon.” I wink at her. “Sure to warm you right up.”
“Got enough to share,” she asks.
Surprised, I hand her the flask. She stares at it for a moment before tilting it back and taking a swig. Her face tightens momentarily before she opens her eyes and looks back at me.
“That’s good,” she coughs, then licks her lips as the burn subsides.
I smile, “I’m glad you like it.”
She tilts it back again before handing it back.
“I could get hooked on that stuff,” she chokes out. The second swig is clearly a little bigger and stronger than the first.
