A loud whistle sounded from behind us, breaking our kiss and taking us out of the moment. The little sparks were still tingling all over my body when Calvin looked down and smiled at me, the biggest and brightest smile I had seen from him yet, and I felt lucky he shared it with me.
“Now that’s a dinner and a show I’ll take any night of the week,” Garrett hollered while laughing, holding two guitars.
The look Calvin gave him could have killed, and I couldn’t help the big belly laugh that rolled out of me. It must have shocked Calvin because he whipped his head to look at me, curiosity lining his features.
“I’ve never heard you laugh like that,” he said to me genuinely.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever beenthishappy,” I answered honestly, and he seemed to like that answer as his hand found mine and held it tight.
“Me too.”
“Come on, let’s go sit with your family,” I said, and we made our way to the circle of lawn chairs that had been set up around the bonfire.
A few people sitting around the fire had some sort of musical instrument. There were guitars and a banjo. Those who didn’t have an instrument, like Melody, just wore a bright and contagious smile on their face.
“What’s going on?” I asked as Calvin led us to two seats in the circle of friends. I had an idea of what the plan was—they were all extremely talented musicians and obviously some campfire songs would be a great way to end the night. But I loved to hear about these traditions from Calvin. I craved to see the way his face lit up when he talked about his family. An ego I was used to, but this genuine humble pride was new to me, and I wanted to eat it all up.
Melody was sitting next to Patrick while he cradled his sleeping toddler in his arms. It looked like Garrett and Olivia were giggling about something, but honestly, I wasn’t sure when either of those two weren’tlaughing. Even Trixie and Vicky were close by, holding their cups of hot chocolate and smiling with each other. Most of the other families from town had left and now it was just Calvin’s family.
“Someone has to stay out here until the fire burns out completely, and sometimes that takes a while.” He looked at the dwindling pile of burning logs and then around the circle at his family. “None of us want to leave anyone alone out here waiting for it to burn out, so that first year we all offered to stay. Mygrandpa thought that one by one we would all trickle away and find our beds, but none of us did. Garrett and I brought out our guitars and Melody started singing our made-up songs, putting on a show for my parents and grandparents. They loved it and cheered for us and eventually just brought out their own instruments, making itourfinal event of the night.”
I melted at the story. The way this family showed up for each other was like nothing I was ever used to, and I felt like I’d won the lottery to be included in this special tradition of theirs.
Calvin leaned over and picked up the extra guitar Garrett had brought out and settled it on his lap. I figured he would have put some space between us to make some room for his guitar, but he did the opposite and moved in closer to me. Our arms brushed while the neck of his guitar was right in front of me.
“Do you play anything?”
I shook my head. “But I’m a very good listener,” I said while biting my lip.
A soft pink colour covered his cheeks, and he adjusted himself slightly in his seat before he looked at his brother. A couple nods shared between each other and the first strums on their guitars started in sync. Shortly after, Olivia picked up her banjo and started playing along, and Vicky, Trixie, and Melody started singing in perfect harmony.
It brought tears to my eyes listening to them all play together. I was raptured by the ease at which Calvin’s hands trailed the neck of the guitar in front of me, and the thought crossed my mind of what those fingers would feel likeon me.They were precise and gentle, yet firm and knowing, and I knew he could play with my body at the same level of confidence.
Calvin set his guitar down, singing a few notes of his own with the ladies while he fished something out of his pocket. Pulling out a harmonica, I watched his chest rise as he took a deep breath before he played those first notes.
And I was done for.
A yawn escaped me while I nuzzled into Calvin’s side. At some point the music quieted, his jacket found its way around my arms, and we all silently watched the last of the flames while we enjoyed each other’s presence. It was perfection.
Once the fire finally died down enough for people to start trickling inside, the sky was already beginning to change colours along the horizon as the sun rose up. I was exhausted but felt more alive than I ever had before.
“Come on, sleepyhead. Let’s get you into bed,” Calvin said, planting a quick kiss on top of my head.
“Just leave me here, I’ll sleep by the fire.”
Calvin chuckled. “I’m not leaving you out here, you’ll get eaten alive by mosquitos.”
“It would be worth it.”
And then I felt his strong arms scoop me up and lift me to his chest.
I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped out of me. “I was just kidding, Calvin. I can walk.” I tried to wiggle out of his arms. but he only pulled me closer to him.
“I know you can,but you’re not going to.” Calvin was determined, and I was too tired to argue with him.
The scent of him was all pine and campfire smoke, and I melted into the comfort of it. Nuzzling my face into his neck, I took in some deep breaths as I closed my eyes.
I didn’t even feel him go up the stairs of the bed and breakfast or lay me down in the bed and cover me with a blanket. ButI did feel the kiss he gently placed on my cheek and the heartbreakingly soft way he said, “Sweet dreams, Wildflower.”
