“I’m a little claustrophobic, and I worry that if I’m in the enclosed maze...”
“I’ll be your hero and protect you.” He stroked her hand. “Besides, it’s not enclosed. All you need to do is look up and see the stars. Not only that, but the place is lit up like a birthday cake.”
“True.” She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Then let’s go.”
He kept his fingers linked with hers as he led them toward the maze. When he’d started dating many years ago, he always thought this would be a great place to bring a girl, for privacy, of course. Funny, how he’d never brought a girl out here. So why was he taking Tyger? And if they shared a wonderful moment, would she still end up breaking his heart?
As they started into the maze, he could see the excitement on her face. The manicured shrubbery was a head taller than Brad, giving them the enclosed feeling. She did remarkably well for being claustrophobic. Her eyes danced as she took in everything around them. He’d do anything to make her look this way all the time.
“You do know your way out, right?” she asked.
He laughed. “Well, I used to, but I haven’t been inside for a few years, so I might have forgotten.”
She cocked her head and pierced him with a teasing glare. “You’d better not forget.”
“We’ll see.” He pulled her further into the maze. From what he could remember, it took about twenty minutes to wander in and come out... provided that nobody got lost. He’d definitely get lost, or at least pretend to. Teasing her was just too much enjoyment. And of course, he didn’t want this night to end. Not until she fell in love with him.
The air was still this evening. He would have liked a light wind, or even a chilly temperature—anything to get her to cuddle closer to him. Although, in the back of his mind, he worried that he’d fall deeper in love with her and she’d crush his heart all over again. He hated these mixed emotions. But for some reason, he knew this particular woman was worth it. He needed to show her what a great guy he was, and then just maybe, she’d fall in love with him, too.
“It’s a lovely night,” she said softly. “Look at how full the moon is, and how bright the stars are against the velvety sky.”
“The moon and stars do not compare to your beauty, my love.”
She turned her head and met his gaze. Her smile melted his heart.
“Sometimes I don’t know when to take you seriously, Brad.”
He stopped them, knowing they were near the center of the maze. “I’m very serious when it comes to you, Tyger. It’s like I told you in my room, I don’t know what you’ve done to me, but I’m mesmerized. I can’t stop thinking about you. I can’t stop wanting to be with you. I can’t stop—”
“Brad, please don’t.” Her voice cracked. “Give me time to figure out my own heart first. All right?”
“I will,” he promised.
When they reached the center of the maze, a wishing well stood in the middle of the square – another item his mother justhadto get. He reached in his pocket and withdrew a penny. “What do you say? Do you want to make a wish?”
“Sure.” She snatched the coin. She pulled away from him to step to the wishing well. Closing her eyes, she was silent for a few moments. She sighed, turned her back to the well, and threw the coin over her shoulder.
He didn’t watch the coin sail into the well. Instead, he kept his eyes on her. Just like a little girl, she spun around and leaned over the brick wall to look inside.
“I think your wish will come true now,” he said.
“I sure hope so.”
“What did you wish? Was it something about me?” He wagged his eyebrows as he leaned toward her.
“Brad, I can’t tell you.”
“Oh, so you’re superstitious.”
“Maybe a little.” She motioned her hand to him. “Are you going to make a wish?”
He shrugged. “No. My wishes have never come true.”
“When was the last time you made a wish at a wishing well?”
“I don’t know.” He scratched his trimmed goatee. “Maybe when I was eighteen.”
She laughed and sat on the edge of the well, tapping her shoe against the stone. “Oh, come on. Do it anyway. It’ll be fun.”
