The Chance Encounter

part six

Chapter 6

A few months passed by where both ladies couldn’t get their minds off each other. Regina is still confused and unsure of what decision to make. Should she approach the man with the Lion Tattoo, or take a chance on the gorgeous blonde with beautiful green eyes? She hadn’t dared return to the tavern without knowing who she was going to approach, or if she’d even both. During this time, Tink and Regina began to drift apart from each other. Tink was becoming frustrated with Regina for not taking a chance at love. Regina feels too pressured to move forward so quickly, not even sure if she could even have a future with either one of them.

Emma’s POV

It’s so hard trying to get that gorgeous brunette out of my head. Since that night, I’ve been going to the tavern every night hoping that she would return. Yet, every day I go, is another day I yearn to just even have a glimpse of her.

I got out of bed and decided to get ready for the day, changing into my riding clothes. The fresh cool breeze from the spring air hits my face as soon as I open the door. I walk to the back where Cookie, my white horse with brown spots, resides. “Hey girl” I say as I pet her nose. She neighs’ softly, excited by the contact. “Let’s go for a ride, yeah?” She bobs her head ready to go. I jump up on her, and we trot down our normal trail. We stop and sit out by the lake admiring the beauty of this place. I sit here and talk to Cookie about the girl of my dreams, hoping one day I’ll get to meet her again. I didn’t realize how quickly the time was flying by until it started to get dark.

“How about we go get dinner, girl? I bet you’re hungry too.” We make our way down the road and toward the tavern. We pick up the pace as I try to get the brunette out of my mind, but I still see images of her gorgeous face in my head. As we race down the trail, I see someone a distance away. We begin to slow down as I’m curious to figure out who it might be. As I get closer, my heart starts to beat quicker. Can it be her? But why? She hasn’t been here since the time I laid eyes on her. It’s clear as day, this is the face that’s been haunting me in my dreams, the face I’ve been hoping to see again.

I jump off Cookie and tie her up to a post outside the Tavern. I can feel her eyes on me as I tie up Cookie. I walk towards the entrance and I see her still standing there. “Hi,” I say shyly.

“Hello.”

“I haven’t seen you around here lately, may I ask how come you’re out here so late tonight?”

“Well, that’s none of your business” she says with a very flat but defensive tone. “What are you doing here?”

“If you join me, maybe I’ll tell you. Hopefully, you’ll be inclined to share as well?” I say hopeful.

We walked into the Tavern together. “Is there something I can get you to eat or drink?”

“That’s kind, but I’m okay.”

“Well, I was planning to have dinner, but if you aren’t hungry we could go to the lake and talk.”

“Oh, no. I don’t want to stop you from eating” she says.

“That’s okay, I don’t have much of an appetite now. Let’s go.”

With that we get up and walk out. “Your name is Regina, right?”

“Yes, how’d you know?” she asks curiously.

“I remember you, from a few months ago. You came in with a blonde woman. She had said your name in conversation and I overheard her. Well, she called you ‘Reg’, which I assumed is short for Regina.”

“You’re quite perceptive. And your name is Emma, right?”

“Yeah, how’d you know?”

“My friend, she’s a fairy. She knows these things.”

“I see. So want to tell me how come you’re out here so late?” I ask, while I set down my jacket for us to sit on.

“You first.”

“Well, I did tell you I was out for dinner” I chuckle.

“Yes, yes you did. I couldn’t sleep.”

“I have that problem too. I have this person on my mind and I can’t seem to get them out. When I do finally fall asleep, they appear in my dreams.”

“Want to tell me more?”

“I have a question first, if you don’t mind.”

“Sure.”

“How come you ran out of the Tavern so quickly that night?”

She looks into my eyes, and I can see her deliberating whether or not she should share her story, or just make something up.

“A few months ago, my fiance was killed. It’s been very hard on me. I had given up on love, thinking that was it for me. My friend, as I mentioned, is a fairy. She believes that my true love is still out here. She convinced me of her theories, and so she brought me to the tavern to show me my true love that night.

“Did you find him?” I asked sadly, assuming she was into men.

“Well, something a bit confusing happened. I was brought to two people, but it seems that the last person might be my actual true love.

“Oh?”

“The magic at first stopped at a man with the lion tattoo, but then it moved to a woman.”

“So, you’re into both men and women?” I ask , hoping she is.

“I’m honestly not sure. Daniel, my fiance, was the only person I’ve ever loved romantically. I can’t say that I’ve been attracted to women prior to this circumstance, but I have admired the beauty of women.”

I listen to her intently, and genuinely interested in what she has to say.

“Does it bother you, that you might be?”

“Not at all. I just don’t know how to approach a woman. I don’t even know why I’m telling you this. But you make me comfortable, it’s easy for me to tell you anything.”

“Can I ask what the woman looked like?” I ask, trying to figure out who it may be.

“I don’t remember that much,” she says timidly. I can tell she’s lying though. I need her to tell me though.

Avoiding my question again, she says she has to go, and only then I’ve realized a few hours must have passed by now.

“Shoot, I didn’t realize it’s this late. At least let me give you a ride home.”

“No, I’m fine,” she says.

“Oh, okay.” I say with disappointment, lacing my voice. “Can we meet here tomorrow night?”

“Maybe,” she says as she walks away.

I watch her disappear into the darkness, hoping she makes it home safely. Cookie and I journey our way back home and get ready for the restless night ahead. Of course I won’t be able to sleep with this gorgeous brunette on my mind.