Heart of the Forest

Chapter 11 Millie's POV

No doubt this was a tough hike. You'd think after my 9 millionth forced hike with Connor I'd be in better shape.

We had been walking for about 10 more minutes before I became utterly exhausted.

All of a sudden Sam bent down on the ground.

"What the hell are you doing weirdo?" I asked

"Getting down low so it will be easier for you to get on my back." He said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"I didn't ask to be carried like a child." I retorted annoyed.

"I know, but I want to carry you. We don't have that much further."

"Well, how are you supposed to carry me up a mountain anyway? You're gonna be out of breath and sweaty and I don't want to be on a date with a sweaty person."

He chuckled at my response. Asshole.

"I've walked up this mountain a million times, so I'm fully confident I can carry you. Besides I just want to. Please." He looked up at me with pleading eyes and I couldn't resist.

Curse it. He definitely has puppy dog eyes. I hate caving, but my legs were starting to hurt so....

I climbed on his back and the warmth from him radiated throughout my whole body sending shockwaves through me. I think he felt it too because he took in a deep breath before carrying on.

Sam was strong to say the least. He wasn't even phased by the extra weight. He seemed to be walking faster. No doubt he was only walking as slow as he was before for my benefit.

"Almost there." He said and I could hear the smile in his voice.

We arrived upon a clearing that I could only imagine as being perfectly green in the spring.

The grass was brown from the cold, but beautiful nonetheless.

On the ground lay a red and white blanket topped with wine glasses and a brown picnic basket. There were twinkle lights on all of the surrounding trees, and there were small trees on every side.

"Did you do all this by yourself?" I asked, disbelief evident in my voice.

"Yes," he replied, lowering me down. I looked around taking in the beautiful scenery.

"How did you bring all of this up here? And hang all these lights? That must have taken forever."

"I did it in multiple trips," he said shrugging his shoulders.

"Wow, you must really like me," I teased.

He looked me straight in the eyes and with all seriousness said, "I do."

It was so sincere that it took my breath away.

"Now turn around and look at the view." He urged in a husky voice.

I spun around and immediately smiled. I could see the whole forest.

Trees of every color and absolute beauty flooded my eyes. By late October some of the trees were almost bare, but most of them still had some leaves.

They were red, yellow, and orange. It looked like a scene from a movie.

"Wow," I whispered in amazement. "This is unreal."

"You should see it in late September. It is even more colorful and magnificent. This forest is filled with so much beauty. Down that way, there is a small swimming hole with a picturesque waterfall. It is so refreshing. I'll take you and Connor there over the summer and we can swim." He said pointing his finger to the left.

"Pretty cocky thinking I'll still be dating you by then," I spoke in a teasing tone.

"I can only hope." He said again with the utmost certainty.
Who is this guy?

Ordinarily, someone being this cheesy and forward this soon in the dating phase would completely turn me off, but this felt right. It felt as though this was our thousandth date, not our second (technically first).

How was he having this kind of effect on me already?

"Come, let's go eat. The sun is about to start setting and I want you to see every color."

We spent the next hour talking and laughing and learning more about each other. As we conversed the sky changed to orange, pink, purple, and multiple shades of blue.

The leaves on the trees down below changed according to color.

It was night now and he was speaking of his parents. I learned that his parents were absolutely amazing, but they moved away years ago.

He said they came back to visit often. The way he talked about his mom made me smile.

I hope Connor talks about me like that one day.

"He no doubtedly will." Sam said pulling me from my thoughts.

"Oh, I didn't realize I said that out loud," I said quietly as a blush formed on my cheeks.

"In the short time I've known you I can tell you are an amazing mom Millie. One of the things I find so attractive about you."He said causing my blush to deepen.

"Now what about your parents?" He asked

"What about my parents?" I retorted

"What are they like?" Sam asked.

"Well. We've um never really been close. We moved around a lot when I was younger. They live in North Carolina now. I talk to them maybe once a year? They didn't even come to David's funeral," am angry scowl was present on my face as I said the last part.

"I'm sorry to hear that." He said sympathetically and it didn't feel fake or awkward.

"Honestly Aunt Jules has been more of a mom to me than my own mom. She was like that for David after his mom passed away as well. He used to tell me stories of her taking him to get ice-cream."

"Aunt Jules is an amazing woman. What about David's father?" He asked curiously.

"Don't know. Never met the guy, but I'm pretty sure he's an ass. He kicked David out when he was only 18."

A look of astonishment crossed his face. As if it were impossible to think a parent would do that. As if there weren't lots of parents that have done the same thing.

Then, it was the strangest thing, he sat there deep in thought for a moment. He then shook his head with confusion.

In a nonchalant way he picked up the conversation as if there was never a pause, "Well I'm glad you both had Jules. She truly is amazing. She's the reason I knew chicken parmesan was your favorite." Wow, he knows how to make a girl smile.

"I was wondering. Sneaky." I said pushing his arm and grinning.

The sun had completely set now and the moon was shining bright. Stars and twinkle lights shone on Sam's face. Gosh, he's handsome.

He noticed me looking and looked back at me. His brown eyes met my green and suddenly everything else faded away. Both of us were holding our breaths.

It seemed that we stared at each other for forever, my heart beating fast before he finally leaned in and touched his lips to mine.