The Vacation

Chapter 15

It wasn't until she was out of the shower that she realized she had no idea what they were going to do that evening. Mac had mentioned a couple of ideas off hand but he hadn't confirmed them. A teal asymmetrical cut tank dress and a nice fit shirt with her good jeans combo stared at her from their spots on the bed. Both would go well with the sandals she'd bought.

She only had 20 minutes more to figure it out.

She finally chose the dress and grabbed a soft cashmere wrap style sweater to go over the top since the weather was getting cooler by the day. She took a final quick look in the mirror to make sure her hair and makeup still looked presentable then headed downstairs to wait for Mac.

Brenna took a moment to send up a prayer of thanks; nervous pacing was much more easily accomplished without crutches.

It was still quite early when headlights washed across her wall signaling the approach of a vehicle up her driveway.

A moment later she took a deep steadying breath before answering the door.

He wore dark dress pants and a dark blue striped button down shirt. She couldn't be certain but it looked like he'd gotten a haircut recently. The uniform made her think naughty thoughts; Mac cleaned up was extremely nice too.

"Hey." She greeted him awkwardly.

"Hey. You look beautiful." She finally remembered her manners and stepped aside to motion him in. Any doubts she could have mustered about the sincerity of his complement would have been shot down by the smile of admiration that accompanied it.

"Thank you." She smiled back shyly. "I didn't know what the plan was so I chose this but if....."

"Oh no. You look great and it should be fine. It's good to see you fully functional again." He motioned to her bandage free leg. "Although, I'll have to come up with some other excuse to show you how manly I am since I won't get to pick you up and carry you around anymore."

"Is that what that was all about? Now it all makes sense!" He looked puzzled for only a moment before catching on that she was teasing him.

"Shall we?" he questioned and she nodded in affirmation. He stood by her side as she locked her door. It was a little chilly out but he radiated warmth from his person and made her want to curl into him. He opened the door to the pickup and waited quietly to know if his assistance was needed before closing the door and moving around to the driver side.

The pickup was warm and Brenna decided she liked riding so much higher than her car. She was all smiles when Mac slid in next to her.

"I get it!" she announced happily.

"Get what?" he couldn't help but bite.

"All those country songs about hopping up in the guy's big ol' pickup truck. It's pretty cool being taller than everyone. I can see what the draw is."

Mac couldn't help bursting out laughing. She was sitting so proper, with her back straight and with such a look of prim wonderment on her face that he could think of no other word than "cute" to fit the picture.

"Well I didn't think it was that funny." She commented in puzzlement. He contemplated trying to explain to her what he saw but just shook his head and pulled the pickup out onto the roadway.

A short time later they reached the restaurant and he rushed around to open her door. "Such chivalry!" she teased him.

"It's not dead."

The restaurant wasn't much to look at from the outside but he knew for a fact it served some of the best southern BBQ in the area. He'd almost changed course when he'd seen how beautiful she looked. A girl that gorgeous deserved better than a quaint local restaurant but he'd be damned if he knew anywhere fancy enough to do her justice.