Moments that define us

Chapter Eighteen

Jameson

The weeks that followed were heaven on earth. We spent our time on double dates with Mac and Amy. I spent every Sunday I could goin' to church with Em, and got closer to her dad. It was a staggering experience getting close with him. Since I didn't know my own dad that well, heck I couldn't tell you where he even was or the last I heard from him . Roger and I were quickly forming a bond. I even loved goin' to church with Emily. The old ladies loved me, and I loved watching the kids and Emily interact. I even loved the sermons Pastor Evan would preach. I felt like I was at a turning point and life couldn't get better. Best of all was the love Emily kept showing me. Everyday she would point out goodness in me. I believe that made her even more a light than she already was.

It had been a month since I had opened up to Emily, and while I still felt haunted by my past, I felt like I was at a point I could learn from it and move on. After all I wanted so much more with Emily.

The downside was I just got the news I was being sent farther south due to some storms that had caused some major damage. I didn't know how to tell Emily. She knew I could get sent anywhere at any time, and these past two months with her had been the best of my entire life. I also wondered if she would be okay with this life once she saw how it affected our relationship. I was lucky in some ways. I got to stay in Kentucky for the past few months, but I didn't know when I would be back.

That night I drove to Emily's house to take her on a picnic. The song 'Kiss Goodbye' by Cody Johnson came on my Spotify, and I wondered if that's what this was goin' to end up being. I wanted to do somethin' romantic. Oh, but Emily was a simple kind of girl, who would be happy as long as there was an effort involved. When I pulled into her driveway the same as I had the past two months, I sat there a minute taken in her house. She loved that house, but I knew she wanted her own. Her daddy often talked about havin' one built on their land. I also wondered when I would be in this driveway again.

She was swingin' on the front porch swing when I stepped out of my truck. Man there was nothin' in this whole world like seeing her in long summer dresses, that were usually a bright color. The one tonight though, it took my breath away. It was long like the others, but it was a deep emerald just like her eyes. Her hair was in curls cascading down her back. She was a sight that stopped me in my tracks. I swallowed hard, and continued my walk up her porch. I went and sat down beside her, then leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"You look stunnin' baby" I whispered in her ear. She shivered against me, which caused a huge grin to spread on my face.

Emily turned to look at me, and ran her fingers through my beard. "You don't look so bad yourself cowboy."

I chuckled under my breath, then grabbed her hand. "Come on darlin', this cowboy has a night planned for you, that you won't ever forget."

We both stood, and once we made it to my truck, I took my time to memorize everything about her as I slowly lifted her up, and placed her in the seat. Emily turned toward me, and studied me for a moment.

"Why do you look so down honey?" She whispered against my lips.

I briefly placed my lips against hers, then pulled back. "Nothin' heavy right now baby. Let's enjoy our night."

She looked like she wanted to protest, but after a minute she nodded her head. "Alright then, let's get this date started." She smiled up at me, but I could see the tension lingering there. I hated how this was gonna end up breaking her heart.