The Dance

Chapter 190 Second Chances

Gabe nervously knocked at Lucy's door patiently waiting for her to open it. His first date with her didn't go exactly as planned and he was relieved she had given the opportunity to make it up to her. He clutched a small bouquet of fresh flowers in one hand and a picnic basket that Red had packed for him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Lucy flashed a smile at Gabe. She spotted the picnic basket. "Did Red help you pack those goodies?"

"Unless you wanted PB&J sandwiches, she had something to do with the basket." Gabe waited until Lucy invited him in before handing her the flowers.

"For you." He watched as she inhaled their aroma. He was glad that he brought them along.

"Let me put them in water." He watched as she disappeared into the kitchen to retrieve a vase. It gave him an opportunity to take in her apartment. It was small and cozy and not anything that he expected. It was like he stepped into a fairy world. Everything was delicate and girly with touches of painted furniture everywhere. He suddenly felt like a bull in a china shop and avoided moving to far from where he stood for fear of breaking anything.

Lucy rounded the corner with his flowers carefully arranged and placed them on her coffee table. "Do we need a blanket?" She paused for a minute and pointed at the basket again. "For the picnic."

"You're place is very nice." Lucy pulled a blanket from her closet and handed it to Gabe.

"Thanks. It's a little girly but when you're surrounded by wild things all day, it's nice to be able to come home and remember that I'm still a girl."

Gabe laughed. "It suits you."

"So where shall we pinnic?"

Gabe had already planned that out by asking for the skiff. He found a quiet little beach not too far from Hoonah that he thought would be a nice spot to get to know Lucy better. At least, it would be away from his family's prying eyes and away from any issues with the locals.

They chatted as they walked to the skiff keeping the conversation light. When they reached the dock, Lucy was surprised to see they had company waiting for them in the skiff

"Lucy, I'd like you to meet Mister Cupcake." The family's dog, or rather his dog, was sitting in the boat.

"He's gorgeous Gabe and I can't believe his name is Cupcake!"

"He will be our guardian while we picnic. In case of bears."

"Bears?"

"Don't worry. I have that covered. We never travel without our rifles."

Gabe helped Lucy into the skiff and Cupcake took a seat at her feet. He navigated a few miles down the coast until he found a good place to beach the skiff.

Lucy was just about to step off the skiff but Gabe stopped her. "If you don't mind, I'll just carry you to shore so you don't get your shoes wet."

Lucy nodded and decided it was wiser not to argue with him besides it gave her an opportunity to get very close to him. She tried not to admire how his white shirt hugged his chest and arms. As he tied off the anchor, she found herself studying him from his curly locks pulled neatly behind his head to the way his jeans covered his rear.

He handed her the basket and blanket scooping her up and carrying her to dry ground. She smelled beautiful again to him. "Gosh, you smell good."

Lucy wanted to kiss him right then but didn't want to appear too easy.
The more time she spent with him, the more she wanted to taste his lips.

She followed his lead until he found a shaded spot and tried to spread out their blanket. Cupcake didn't exactly make that an easy task constantly running under the blanket just before it touched the ground.

Gabe took Cuppy for a game of fetch as Lucy volunteered to unpack their lunch. Red had thought of everything from the sparkling apple cider to a delicious batch of fresh berries, cheeses and a variety of freshly baked breads.

Lucy sat cross legged on the blanket and watched a joyful Gabe chase his dog around the beach. He had a great laugh as he would run from Cupcake hiding behind a tree and jumping out to surprise his playmate.

Cupcake splashed in the water as Gabe returned his attention to his date and made his way back to the picnic spot.

Lucy handed him a cup of cider and offered a toast. "To second chances." She clinked her tin cup against his cup.

"I'll second that notion." Gabe gulped his drink down and poured himself another cup.

"This is a great place for a picnic."

"I'm glad you like it. I thought it might be nice to go somewhere quiet."

"You picked a perfect spot." Lucy took a bite of the bread Red had baked.

"I think I picked a perfect girl." Lucy blushed at Gabe's compliment.

She took the cup from his hand and with her free hand she pulled him by the shirt closer to her. Without hesitation, she brushed his mouth with her lips. Her advance somewhat startled him as he pulled back for a second. She pulled him back towards her and kissed him again. This time, he kissed her back.

Kiss Me-Ed Sheeran