Page 61 of Sugarplum Dreams
“Is that something you want to do?” she asked, although she knew he did. He’d mentioned several times about how much he missed going.
“I actually really would love to go, and I think you’ll enjoy it too. And I know that going with you will make it better than it’s ever been for me.”
“All right then. It’s settled.” She smiled, satisfied. After all, he’d done so much for her, and every date had been about her. She didn’t want this one to be about anything but him. She’d even picked the steakhouse because she knew he liked thosetypes of places. All in all, she thought it was going to be an awesome day.
And she ended up being right. They had a good meal at the steakhouse when it opened at eleven and then enjoyed the auction, although Wilson lamented to her that he should have brought his stock trailer, because there were several heifers that he would like to have bid on.
She encouraged him to go ahead and do it, saying that they had plenty of time to go back and get the trailer and bring it back to pick them up that evening, but he declined.
They stayed until the auction was completely over and walked out of the building hand in hand.
“You know, I really appreciate you doing that. I… I guess there’s just something about the auction barn that I really love.”
“Even though you didn’t buy anything?” she asked, tilting her head and looking up at him, unable to contain the fact that she was very pleased with herself. She felt like maybe she’d finally done something that he enjoyed.
“Yeah, I don’t have to buy anything. It’s just the atmosphere. Getting together with other farmers, seeing what’s for sale, and thinking about all the things that I could do. I don’t know, I guess it inspires me.”
“Maybe the way looking at recipes online inspires me.” She smiled.
“Exactly.” He paused for a moment, checked the time, and then said, “We have some time, would you like to take a walk in the park that’s across the street?”
“I’d love to,” she said, and they headed in that direction. She hadn’t even realized there was a park there. It was pretty, with benches and a bubbling brook, and it felt peaceful and quiet and serene.
“The kids would love that,” she said, pointing to the jungle gym.
“I was just thinking they would love wading in the creek.”
“Yeah, it’s kind of sad that they went to school. I miss them.”
“I do too. I’m used to having them dogging my steps all day long, and now I turn around, and there’s no one there.”
“The little ones are with you some.”
“Yeah. And I really enjoy it. I like having them, but I do miss turning around and getting Gifford to grab me something or, I don’t know, he’s just a great help.”
“I’m happy to hear it. I hope he has a better year this year than he did last.”
“I hope so too,” he said as they stopped on a bridge, leaning against the railing. “But I think we fall into the trap of every other married couple. Talking about kids when we actually get some time alone.”
“We kind of do need to talk about them, but you’re right. We should talk about something else.”
They stared at each other, and there was a little voice in Charity’s head that whispered that she should tell him that they’d been married long enough that he could kiss her. But then, her old fears took over and she thought maybe he didn’t want to, maybe he didn’t want a relationship like that, or maybe he wasn’t interested in her that way, and she kept her mouth closed.
Then, to her surprise, he lifted a hand up and brushed her hair back, the way he had back when they were first married. She couldn’t remember why he had done it then, but she closed her eyes now, just enjoying the feel of his hand on her skin and hair before it disappeared.
She opened her eyes and turned immediately and leaned on the railing.
She should say something, but she couldn’t think of what to say.
It was easier to talk when she was looking out over the water, so she didn’t turn her head but said the words that she’d been wondering for a while.
“Do you think you’ll ever be attracted to me?”
She held her breath. She told herself that she could take it if he said no, that she would rather have the truth than spend the rest of her life wondering.
There was silence, complete and total silence other than the babbling of the brook and an occasional chirping of a bird. The breeze lifted her hair, calm and serene. She thought about the good date they’d had and wondered why she had chosen to ruin it just now.
“I’m not sure what to say. I guess…what makes you think I’m not attracted to you?”
