Be Mine by April Hollingworth

Author:April Hollingworth [Hollingworth, April]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Holiday, Humorous/Romantic Comedy, Small Town
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2015-08-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

The picnic is fun. We find a quite spot to eat under the shade of a large oak tree, yet still in a sunny spot. I watch Mark spread out a large picnic blanket and quickly place the basket in one corner before the breeze can lift it. Gesturing with one hand, he indicates for me to sit before he disappears into the trees. A moment later, he returns with four small rocks, he places each in a corner of the blanket.

“Clever,” I quietly murmur over his efficiency.

He looks up at my words, bestowing on me a smile that melts my insides. “Thank you.” He turns to the picnic basket, bringing it toward me he puts it down before sitting. “Okay, I hope you’re hungry,” he’s already diving into the basket dragging out containers. Opening a corner of each, he informs me what it is before placing it down, until he has emptied the basket. Moving it to one side, he asks what I’d like first, before selecting the container and passing it to me.

Slowly we eat, catching up on the years since we last saw each other. At one stage he’s regaling a story of a mission that has me laughing so hard, I can’t breathe let alone eat.

“That can’t be true,” I finally gasp.

“Oh it is,” he chuckles in amusement, “If you don’t believe me, ask Jonathan.”

“You were in the army with Jonathan?”

“Yep, we met signing up, went through training together, and everything. That has to have been one of my luckiest breaks, meeting him.”

“In what way?”

“Finding a friend from the beginning, we had each other’s backs through the whole experience.”

“I thought you army guys are all, brothers in arms, kind of thing.”

“Most of us are.” A look passes over his face, whatever he’s thinking about isn’t a happy memory.

Changing the subject, I give a lame ass apology of my behavior earlier. A snort of a laugh escapes him.

“Sweetheart, don’t ever apologize for touching me.”

“Okay, I won’t,” I reply giving him a slight smile, before glancing away.

Before long it’s time to pack up, once everything is gathered, he collects the rocks and returns them to the woods. He picks up the basket and offers me his spare hand. My hand slips into his as if it belongs. I feel a slight pressure, as his fingers wrap around mine, giving them the barest of squeezes. Side by side, talking of nothing and everything, we return to his car.

“I was wondering if you fancied doing something soon.”

“Sure,” I reply, smiling up at him, “What do you have in mind?”

“I was thinking of dinner, and a film, unless there’s something in particular you’d prefer?”

“Sounds good, Friday night suit you?”

“Friday’s good, sooner would be better.”

I can’t help laughing at his reply. “Good to know. Friday is the earliest I can make it though.”

Before long we’re back at his house. I climb out and thank him for the lovely day.

“You want to come in, or go somewhere and do something?”

“I can’t. I would if I could,” I admit, surprised at the truth of my words, and the regret I feel.

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