I bit my lower lip. “So it’s in Portland, we can grab something to eat there, but you didn’t want me to have too much to drink in case I—oh my gosh! No!”
Jacob threw his head back and laughed. “Figured it out, did you?”
“You’re taking me to Twin Oaks Park?”
“I am. I haven’t been there in over ten years.” He furrowed his brow. “I think the last time I went I was on leave right after boot camp. Me and a couple guys took some girls there to show off.”
I smiled at that image. “I haven’t been there since Brody was a boy.”
Jacob reached over and squeezed my hand. “I hope you think it’s fun and you enjoy yourself. It may seem cheesy, but I wanted us to do something that would make us laugh and scream and really enjoy each other but still have time to talk.”
“I don’t think it’s cheesy at all. But is now a good time to tell you I’m not much of a daredevil?”
“Stick with me. Next date maybe we’ll go skydiving!”
My pulse jumped. I wasn’t sure if it was because he wanted me to jump out of a plane, or because he said there wouldbe a next date.
It was right at an hour by the time we fought the Friday night traffic and found a place to park. Twin Oaks Park was a cross between a small amusement park and a carnival. There were a handful of rides, games, miniature golf, and even a roller-skating rink that was still popular after all this time.
We waited patiently while the guy attached our bracelets and then stood at the entrance, taking it all in. The smells, sights, sounds…it was just like I remembered when I was here last with Brody and Travis.
“Do you want something to eat first?” Jacob asked.
“Yes,” I said. “But not too much! I don’t want to get sick.”
We decided on corn dogs and ate them standing in line for our first ride.
“Do you like these types of rides?” I heard the trepidation in my voice but couldn’t help it.
He grinned down at me. “Don’t you? The rush of adrenaline, heart racing, praying you make it out alive.”
“Painful throat from screaming, blood pounding so hard I get a headache, and my heart dropping to my stomach? Oh, yeah. Love them.”
He wrapped one arm around me and pulled me to him. “I’ll protect you, Monica.”
Who’s going to protect my heart?
We flashed our bracelets to the guy and a few seconds later we were strapped in. A few seconds after that, my throat hurt, my heart was pounding, and I felt like I could throw up. Exactly what I was afraid of.
When it was over, Jacob held out his hand to help me out and to steady me. When I went to let go, he tightened his hold on my hand and threaded his fingers through mine. Once again I experienced the same thrill as the ride had just given me. I tried not to make a big deal of it as we headed toward the carousel.
The line wasn’t too long, and after a few minutes we both stepped up onto the carousel and wove in between the horses before finding the perfect pair. I shoved my foot into the stirrup and hoisted myself up.
“Did you know,” I said, “that the carousel is the oldest ride in the park?”
Jacob shifted in his saddle so he faced me. “Nope, sure didn’t.”
I wanted to kick myself. Why had I brought up how old the carousel was? It was like I couldn’t shake how important numbers were to me…whether it was a ride in a park or the age difference between the two of us. I focused all my attention on how old something was.
The sudden jolt of the carousel made me squeal, and I grabbed tight to the pole. Jacob laughed and slid his left hand out to the side. I looked down stupidly before I realized he was offering to hold my hand. I waited a heartbeat until my horse rose back up in the air and latched on to his hand. We rode in silence, riding in opposite up and down motions, not saying a word. Just holding hands. I relished in how his calloused hand felt in mine.
The music and the carousel slowed, and Jacob let go of my hand. He jumped down off his horse and stood next to mine as the ride ended. For a second, I thought he was going to lean over and kiss me, but my horse stopped with me low the ground. He’d have had to practically kneel to reach my lips.
The moment ended, and we laughingly hurried to our next ride. And the next ride. And the next ride. I hadn’t laughed so much in a long time. I wasn’t thinking about Travis or Brody, or even pondering on what people might think when they see Jacob and me together. I was just laughing and enjoying his company.
“Cotton candy and then the Ferris Wheel?” Jacob asked.
“Yes,” I said. “But then I think I’m done. I’m not sure my body can take much more excitement.”
