Page 88 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

Jamie cuts off a chunk of French toast, scooping up excess syrup and holds the fork out. “Try this.”

Nathan accepts the bite. “Ohh.” He hums from the edge of full cheeks.

Jamie nods. “It’s in-house made bread.” Sipping his tea.

They finish their meal. Nathan tops off the last two bites of French toast and second egg Jamie leaves on the plate.

The waitress returns, noticing they’re finished. “Anything else I can get you today?” She balances the dirty dishes on her forearm.

“Can we get four blueberry muffins to go, and the check please?” Jamie pulls his coat on.

“Absolutely.” She dips away again.

“What’s next on our agenda today?” Nathan slips arms into black peacoat sleeves.

“I thought we might go out to the Sanctuary, so I can work off all this syrup.” Jamie grabs the bill as the waitress sets it on top of the box containing muffins, tied with cross crossed white string.

Nathan’s brows lift.

“Just to walk.” Jamie laughs. He leaves cash for the bill and tip.

Nathan drives out to the reserve. Parking close to the path entrance. Jamie reaches between the Seats, stretching arm arm to the back.

Nathan leans in and kisses the side of his face. Provoking a sweet grin.

He hands Nathan the gray beanie and a pair of black gloves. Then slips his own hands into brown suede gloves and positions a set of earmuffs over his head.

“Don’t you want a hat?”

“What?’’ Jamie lifts one muff.

“No hat?”

“I’m not messing this hair up.” Jamie sneers at the absurdity.

Nathan laughs.

The old Jeep’s doors squawk open, echoing through the winter barren forest ahead. The sanctuary is quieter with most of the birds going south. Just a few chickadees hanging about. The squirrels shuffle about a carpet of dried leaves collecting the last bits of bounty before settling in ahead of the snow. You can smell it coming in the air. The first significant storm is supposed to hit tonight. Three to six inches is what the handsome weatherman announced on the morning news clip Nathan played from his phone while they dressed for the day out.

The pair button up their coats against the frigid air. Cheeks turned rosy before reaching the marsh. The salty cold air-dried wood plank walks snap and crackle beneath their footsteps. Streams that break from the river have formed glassy layers over the bubbling water below. Early morning frost has turned to dewy droplets clinging to yellowed grass under the mid-morning sun.

Nathan reaches a gloved hand out for Jamie’s when they climb the first set of split log staircases.

They reach the little arched footbridge where they first set eyes on each other. Leaning elbow to elbow in the rail.

“Here’s where you first corrupt me.” Jamie stairs at the waterfall, now just trickling water over a rocky wall of jacked stone poking from the earth.

“I couldn't help myself.” Nathan leans into a gentle shoulder bump. “There was just something about you.”

“Hmm.” Jamie pinches his lips. “I’m glad you did.” He peers from the side of his eye. “Best day to choose to be a whore.”

They laugh.

“Like you could ever resist me.”

“There IS something about you Nathan Campbell.”

“It’s my ass.” He winks.

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