Moments that define us

Chapter Five

Emily

The feel of the warm sun on my face felt amazing as I walked to Jameson's truck. Who would have known a summer could change your whole life. The way he looked at me holding my hand with smiles neither of us could contain, made my heart beat just a little bit faster. The way he looked in a simple pair of wranglers, a button-up shirt, a rodeo belt buckle, that I later would learn all about, and a simple navy blue cap. Looking back, I think he stole my heart in that moment.

He opened the truck door for me and I realized I may be too short to climb into the cab. But before I could state my worry's, Jameson picked me up bridal style, and set me in the passenger seat. I let out a small yelp, and my face was flaming red. He just smiled a crooked smile at me that made me giddy and told me to buckle up.

He came around the truck and got in. Once he started it we were taking off down my driveway towards the road. Here was the part that had me sweating. As I had said, I only dated one boy for a solid month and that was four years ago. I didn't even know what to say. I just didn't wanna seem awkward. Lucky for me. He started the conversation.

"Is this where you grew up?" He asked.

"Umm, yes. I grew up in Sharpsburg, but went to school in Montgomery County. My mom worked at a bank there. It made it easier picking me up and dropping me off." I was rambling, and he wasn't stopping me.

He glanced at me out of the corner of his eyes and a small grin played at his perfect lips. I hurried and looked back out the window, because I didn't wanna get caught looking at his lips.

"You're home is beautiful." That rough voice played with my ears, and I smiled. "You can also tell your parents love you very much."

I covered my face with my hands. Embarrassed. "Please tell me they were nice to you?"

That chuckle played at my heart strings. "They were exactly how I would hope to be if I ever had a daughter, and she was going out on a date."

I never told him, but that sentence made me feel all fuzzy. Him being a dad. I bet he would be a good one. "Well you're really the first guy that has ever met them." I regretted those words as soon as they left my mouth. I knew he was a little bit older than me, but that probably solidified where we were in life.

We were pulling into the drive-in, and he just looked at me for a minute. I hated not knowing what he was thinking. Finally he smiled. "That flatters me, and just means I will have to work hard to be the last as well."

My hair fell in front of my face as my blush crept up my neck. He paid for our tickets, and drove to a spot near the back. Once we were parked, he went around to the bed and opened the tailgate. I was opening my door and fixing to jump down when he appeared at my side.

"Woah." He went to grab me around the waist. I guess I forgot how high up his truck was. I tumbled into him. He went to set me down and slowly moved a curl that was stuck to my lips behind my ear. He was looking at me like I was heaven sent. He went from looking at my mouth then back to my eyes. "I think you're the most beautiful girl I have ever seen." He whispered so low that I barely heard it. Those words from his lips made goosebumps rise on my arms.

Before I could reply he took a step back, and walked around to the bed again. "Do you need any help.." I started to ask, but then looked into the bed. He had stacks of pillows, and blankets galore. I didn't have anything to really compare this date with, but so far he was in a completely different lineup than Jeremy.

He picked me up and told me to get comfortable while he went and got drinks and snacks. He came back with popcorn, cheese fries, and drinks. Once he got settled beside me, we started chomping down on the food.

"Well you know I grew up here. What about you? Where does Jameson... I don't know your last name, call home?"

He took a drink of his coke before he replied. "Grew up in a small town called Magnolia Springs, in Alabama. Although I have been a traveling lineman or journeyman for about 7 years. My best friend Mac, who you saw with me the other day joined me after he got back from a tour in the army. My full name is Jameson Cole Bradshaw. What about you miss Emmalynn. What is your full name?"

That was a lot to take in. He lived two states away. Would he even want a relationship? I tried not to let it get to me and focus on him knowing my whole first name. "Well I'm gonna guess my parents said my name. Emmalynn Rose Conley, if you want the full effect of it." I smiled at him. "Alabama. I have only been to Orange Beach when I was younger. Do you miss it?"

He smiled and looked away before he met my eyes again. His gray was so beautiful, and the sunset was hitting them just right to make them shine. "A beautiful name, for a beautiful woman." I don't think I had ever been called a woman before. "I miss my maw. Her and pap mostly raised me. He died when I was 17 of a heart attack. My parents weren't around much. They were mixed up in some bad things. So I haven't spoken to them since I was probably 19."

It didn't go unnoticed how he didn't exactly tell me if he missed it there, but we were just getting to know each other. So I let it go. We talked about the places he has been with his job, and how I am starting at a local doctors office. When the movie started playing and the snacks were gone, I laid back to watch the first showing of the night.

He eventually put his arm around me, and I looked over at him to smile. But he was already looking at me. It was like he was trying to study and get an idea of exactly who I was. I didn't feel like I was anything special, but momma always said God made no mistakes. So I looked back at him and studied his face too. I wondered why, at 28 some beautiful woman hadn't already snatched up this handsome man. I wondered why he didn't exactly answer my question about missing his home. I wondered who he really was.

Two hours later the first movie was off, and we were packing up to head home. I had to get up early for church the next morning. Momma was part of the women's committee and they served donuts and coffee before church on Sunday mornings. He helped me out of the bed, and back into the cab before he circled the front and got in himself.

The 15 minute drive home was quiet, but it was a serene feeling. Gave me time to think about my life, and if we would be going in the same direction.

I must've been lost in thought, because before I knew it we were pulling up my drive. He put the truck in park, and once again came around to help me out. He picked me up then slowly set me down. I looked up into his eyes once again tonight. This time I wondered if he would kiss me.

"I had a great time tonight." It seemed like there was a but coming. I didn't want that. I wanted this ruggedly handsome country boy to want to get to know me like I wanted to get to know him. So in my panic filled state, I threw my arms around his neck, pulled his face down to mine, and pushed my lips against his.

So there we were, our lips touching, but not moving. Here I was starting to regret kissing him, when he wasn't officially mine yet. When I started to pull away, ready to cry in defeat, Jameson cupped my cheek with one big hand while the other went to the back of my hair. Then he kissed me like I had never been kissed. Well truth be told, I never had really been kissed. Unless you count the quick pecks from Jeremy. Those didn't hold a candle to the way Jameson was kissing me though.

When he finally pulled away, my lips felt swollen, and my heart happy. "I had a great time too."

He cupped my cheek again and gently pecked my lips once more. "I would like to see you again. What are you doing tomorrow?"

"There's this water hole not far from here. My friend Amy and I spend our Sunday's after church there. Would you wanna come? You can bring your friend?"

"I would love that. Just give me a time, and we will pick y'all up."

"How about 3? Gives us enough time once we get outta church."

"Sounds perfect beautiful." With one last peck, he walked me to my door. Told me goodnight, then left.

Momma and daddy were already in bed or they would be asking all kinds of questions. I was thankful for the quiet. I got in bed and replayed our whole day. I came to one final conclusion. I couldn't wait to see where this moment lead us.