Page 32 of How We Fooled

We drive to the lake with the windows down and the music on. As I rest my head against the seat, all I can think about is how peaceful everything is right now. My life back in Stockton was chaotic. I was constantly on the go, whether it be at school or work as a waitress, where I had to pick up any shift I could get to help pay for my school.

I felt like I was a chicken with its head cut off, racing around. I never knew where it’d all lead me or if it all was even worth it, and like said chicken, many times, I felt like I was running myself straight into the grave.

The stress I felt on a daily basis was so strong that I would give myself panic attacks. I knew something had to change, or I was going to drive myself crazy.

The vast difference I feel while living here tells me this is exactly where I’m destined to be.

I keep my head leaning back, but turn to face Eli, take a deep breath, and smile, thanking God for leading me on a path to him.

He returns my expression of gratitude and reaches for my hand, bringing it to his leg and keeping it there, wrapped in his.

We arrive at the lake, and he pulls off on a side road that leads us down to the water where he says he likes to camp. It’s all open land out here, so without structured campsites, there’s no one else around us.

He puts the truck in park and squeezes my hand. “Welcome to your home for the next two nights.”

I look out to see nothing but wilderness, lake, and God’s beauty surrounding us.

Excitement doesn’t begin to explain the emotions running through me when I think of getting to spend two days alone with this man. He’s only home for three days before he has to fly out again, and when he suggested camping so we could spend every second together, I was over the moon. Now, seeing just how secluded it is, with just the two of us, I know it truly is heaven on earth to be here with him.

He hops out of the truck, and I follow his lead, helping him remove everything from the truck bed.

It takes us a little over an hour to get everything set up, including our tent, a cooking station with a table and small camp stove, chairs, and even a hammock that he tied between two trees. When we’re all done, he wraps his arms around me, holding me tight to him.

“I’m so happy to be here with you,” he says with a pleased sigh.

I hug him tighter. “Me too.”

“Let’s get in the water,” he says playfully. “I’ll race you.”

He takes off running toward the lake, kicking his shoes off and removing his shirt, throwing it all to the side.

“No fair. You already have your swim trunks on. I have to remove my shorts,” I yell as I’m hopping on one foot, trying to get my leg out of the hole.

He stops abruptly, then turns to face me, making me run straight into him like a brick wall. “I can help you remove those.”

Heat races through me as I look up at him. All that comes out of my mouth is, “Please,” barely above a whisper, meaning so much more than just physically removing my shorts so I can get in the water.

He squats down, sliding his fingers down my legs until he gets to my shorts that are around my knees. Shivers race down my spine as he moves them down to my feet and motions for me to lift my foot.

I place my hands on his bare shoulders and lift one foot, then the other. Once I’m completely out of them, he drops them to the ground, then runs his hands up my legs until he gets to my waist, then my stomach and my back. When his lips meet mine, I lose all movement in my body, and I melt into his arms.

When he pulls away, I lose my balance, and he responds by holding me tighter.

“I swear I could lay you down right here, but sand and bodies don’t mix that well,” he whispers into my ear.

I can’t help the loud laugh that escapes my lips, grateful that it took me out of my lust-filled haze.

“Do you know from personal experience?” I ask.

He gives me a quick peck on my lips. “No, but I know what it does to the area between my toes. That is not something I want to feel there.”

I slap his arm as he gives me a sexy grin and begins to run back to the water.

“I’m going to beat you!”

“No fair again! Now, my legs are Jell-O after that kiss!”

He laughs as his feet meet the lake, and he turns around to kick up water back at me.

---