A Love for all Time

Part 4 : "Damsel in Distress"

The ride the the Upton farm was uneventful.  We took it nice a slow as Pandora was moving very slowly.  Of course being that close to Tom though seemingly uncomfortable was just the opposite.  The warmth of his body, the sound of his voice that I could feel to the core.  The most haunting of course was his scent.  Why do other guys not get it.  Tom put on just the right amount of cologne and it lingered all day long.  The scent will forever be on my mind.  Sadly.

As we rode I showed Tom a few of the Landmark attractions.  That way during his visit if chose to go riding again he would not get lost.  He was gracious and thanked me for the information.  I really wanted to show him the lake but with Pandora not being in good shape simply pointed in the direction of it.  

"The Lake is just over that hill a little to the East of us.  Its got some of the biggest trout in this part of the country.  I'd show it to you but our mission is in a different direction. " I said, looking back over my shoulder at Pandora.  She seemed to be getting along good.  We'd stopped a few times to let her rest.

 "A lake, nice." Tom said as he once again patted my hand for the 4th time this past 3o minutes.  Every time he touched me I chill ran up my spin.  Though I'd like to say I was getting used to it but, no, no diffidently not but I was certainly willing to learn. "Maybe you can meet me at our spot and you can show me tomorrow."  Tom said but paused. "I mean that is if Pandora is better by then." 

"I doubt she will be," I said.  

"Oh", said Tom. I may not be my mother or have that much knowledge about men but I could tell that Tom was sort of pouting.  So I through him a bone. 

"But we do have other horses. I'm sure dad wouldn't mind me taking one of them out."  I said cheerfully. " I don't think he has much time to ride any more and the hands have their own horses. "

"Fantastic!"  Tom said.  I could almost feel that grin on his face.  "Hey, Maybe we can meet in the morning and maybe take a picnic lunch to the lake."  He patted my hand again but this time gave my hand a squeeze then slid his hand further up my arm.  He held my arm most of the way back.  

"I think I can arrange that."  I said with a smile of my own and a little blush on my cheek.  Thinking of being alone with Tom at the lake.  wow I thought.  I told Tom a story of my youth.  

"That was something Mom never let me do.   She always knew when the group of friends and I wanted to spend the day at the lake.  She'd see me packing a lunch and I'd start to head for the barn when she'd bring out the list of chores for the day.  "Ah mom I'd say.  Can't I have a little time off this summer. "   I laughed and so did Tom.  The deep sound of his laugh echoed through the trees.  Something about his laugh grabbed a hold of me.  I wanted to make him laugh more as the sound of it put a smile on my face. It was like, heart warming.  

"Any how I always felt a little like Cinderella not getting to go to the ball.  Mom, never really knew how much I wanted to go." I said head down, "but one time I was able to sneak out anyhow. Oh, I felt guilt letter and got grounded for it but it was totally worth it. " I smiled remembering that was the day I had my first kiss.  Sweet 16 just 2 days before my birthday.  

"First kiss huh."  Tom said, as if he was reading my mind.  

"What?...  How did you know that? "  I said trying to look around to see his face.

Umph, Tom said,  "Because if I were to meet a girl at the lake when I was your age, that's exactly what I'd have on my mind."  Tom paused, " A sweet 16 kiss, cant be beat nor forgotten and should be in a memorable place like a beautiful lake."  Tom, said as he rubbed my arm warmly.  I could feel my cheeks blush.  I was kinda glad I was sitting behind him.  I could put my head down a hid.  Oh how I wanted to bury my head between those shoulder blades.