Page 19 of Rock and a Hard Place

The instant the door opened, Peter flew out of the bus, ignoring the steady rain. His footsteps sank into the soggy grass as he ran across the clearing and past the large oak where he had first met Libby. He made his way down the muddy path, which led him closer to the stream. The slick ground slowed his progress.Please let her be here. If she wasn’t, when would he ever see her again?

The rain came down in a constant stream, muffling sounds in the glen. Peter rounded a bend and spotted Libby standing in the center of the large rock that hung over the stream. He paused and smiled. She grinned back. She wore a dark green Windbreaker and jeans. One hand was tucked into her coat pocket, the other held a huge, blue-and-white faded umbrella. Its enormity dwarfed her. She looked like a cute little garden gnome who’d been left out in the rain.

Peter closed the distance in seconds. “You’re here!”

“So are you.” She smiled, her hair damp.

Peter noticed several gaping holes in the umbrella, causing a constant flow of water onto her. “I was so worried you wouldn’t be here, with the rain and all. Have you been waiting long?” He wanted to reach out and hug her, but didn’t quite know how to make it happen.

“No, not long at all.” A shiver racked her body.

“Liar. Your lips are turning blue.” Peter’s eyes settled on her trembling mouth.

“You’re getting soaked. Come stand under the umbrella.” She lifted it enough to clear his height. In the process of tipping the umbrella, a sheet of cold water swooshed off the back and splashed their legs as it hit the rock.

“Oops, sorry,” she said with a giggle.

Peter crowded close under the umbrella. He gazed down at her smiling face. Raindrops clung to her eyelashes.

“What do you say we go somewhere we won’t get pummeled by rain?” He took the umbrella from Libby and wrapped his arm around her small frame. They moved off the rock and climbed to an area near the wall. Trees reached over the glen, blocking some of the rain. The constant downfall now sounded like a pitter-patter.

Peter reached for her hand and held the oversized umbrella with his other. “Jeez, your hand is freezing.”

“I’m not gonna lie, it was really cold out here, but I didn’t want to stand you up.” Her cheeks were chafed red from the cold. “I hope you plan on making it worth my while.” She teased him with a sly look.

“Now that you mention it, I did have something in mind.”

Libby’s eyes widened.

“I have something for you.” He had moved heaven and earth to pull this together.

“You do?” Her eyes glittered in surprise.

“Yup. Close your eyes and hold out your hands.” He couldn’t wait to see what she thought. Libby obeyed. Her dark eyelashes lay against her rosy cheeks. His heart beat in anticipation. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a white plastic bag, then glanced up. Her closed eyes changed to little slits.

“Hey, stop peeking!”

Libby squeezed her eyes closed and laughed. She held out her hands and waited. Peter pulled the slim item out of the bag and placed it in her hands.

“Okay, look.”

She peered at the shiny device and then back at him in disbelief. “You gave me a cell phone?”

She stared at the gift. “You gave me a cell phone!” This time she yelled it.

“It seemed like a good idea. You didn’t have a phone number to give me, and I really missed you. It’s gonna getharder to see you. I thought this way we could stay in touch and actually talk whenever we want.”

She closed her hand around the precious phone and turned pensive.

“Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know if I should accept this.” She gazed up at him. He couldn’t believe this. He needed her to take the phone.

“We barely know each other, and, well . . .” Mischief lit her face, and he wondered what she was up to. “We’ve never even kissed.”

Peter paused and took a good look at her. He’d been wondering how to sneak a kiss.

He tossed the umbrella aside and pulled her close. He let his fingers tangle in her wet hair and lowered his mouth to hers. He kissed her long, taking his sweet time. Cold rain trickled down his neck as he savored each moment. Startled at first, Libby now returned his kiss. He enjoyed the touch of her tender lips.

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