Protecting Summer

•Chapter 7•

{Author's Note: Above is how imagine Summer Bowen}

Every year in September, the town of Regina had their annual end of the summer/beginning of fall parade. The whole town would decorate wagons and cars and even horses. There were games, food stands, shops were open, and later on in the day, some dancing.

"Where to first?" Hope asked Logan after the four parked and met up.

Logan took Hope's hand. "Well, what do you guys think? Just walk around for a bit?"

Summer and Leo nodded. "Sounds good. Then find lunch." Leo smirked. His dimples deepened.

The four set off down Main Street. Summer took in all the floats and decorated wagons. She wished Gideon had something special like this.

They walked along the boardwalk and watched for a good 20 minutes. Little boys on decorated bikes rode along with the crowd. A group of Girl Scouts sat on a red float and waved American flags. A farmer sat atop his tractor with a little boy on his lap. A truck of hunter's clad in camo piled with their hunting dogs in the back of a muddy Chevy. And an elderly man walked with a brown cow.

The early afternoon sun faded behind a large cloud and the wind picked up. Summer rubbed her goosebumps and continued to watch the procession. Leo leaned down close to her ear.

"Are you cold?" His warm breath tickled her ear.

Summer turned her head and their noses were inches apart. "A little."

Leo quickly shed his leather jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. In her perifial, Summer could see Hope biting back a smile. She smiled back. "Thank you."

"What do you guys want for lunch?" Logan asked. "I'm feeling shrimp or fish?"

"Oohh!" Hope smiled. She was always on Logan's side. So faithful. So perfect.

"No." Summer said. "How about just a good 'ole cheeseburger?"

"We have those back in Gideon, Summer. Go crazy for once." Logan teased.

Summer slanted her blue eyes. "I'm gonna play it safe. I don't want to wake up at 3am with food poisoning." She pivoted on her heel. "Y'all have a blast with your shrimp. I'm gonna find me a burger."

Summer strutted off toward the other end of Main Street. She honestly didn't know what that little burst of sarcastic attitude was.

"You're pretty fast." Leo came up beside her. "I'm up for a burger too."

Summer slowed her step a bit and smiled. "Good to know somebody sees things like I do."

Leo smiled back. "Where are we going exactly?"

Summer led the way, "I changed my mind. I'm feeling waffles." She stopped and swung open the door to Melba's Good Eatin'.

A waitress sat them in the window seat up front and brought them tall checkered pink and white menus.

"I'll have a coffee, just black." Summer told the waitress. Her pink pin read, Darlene. She smelled strongly of hairspray and old perfume.

"Alrighty, sugar. How about you doll face?" She asked Leo with a smile; all cherry red lipstick.

"Sweet tea, please." Leo smiled back.

"Yes, sir. Sit tight, I'll be right back." Darlene walked away, leaving the two alone.

"Black, huh?" Leo quirked a brow. "Didn't take you as that kinda girl?" His grin was adorable.

Summer scanned the menu without looking up. "You don't know me so you can't make quick assumptions that I'm one of those iced latè city kinda girls."

"I didn't do that now did I?" Leo did the same and intently studied his menu. "I actually saw you as the hot tea and yoga, 'save the whales' kinda girl."

Summer contained her amusement and continued to stare at her menu a little more. She sighed, "and you're the flirtatious, conceited, 'I do what I want' kind of guys, huh? I think I want the jumbo waffles."

"Was that really your first impression of me? Ooh, that hurts. I'll have the Mountain Man plate with extra bacon."

"Not apologizing."

"Don't want one."

They dropped their menus at the same time. Leo smiled, his dimples deep. Summer couldn't help but chuckle. "It might take some time for you to change my mind, though."

"I'm up for a challenge."

•••

It hadn't felt like Summer and Leo had been sitting in Melba's all that long when Logan and Hope came marching in.

Summer laughed at Leo's comment while they people watched from their seat in the window.

"There you two are!" Hope smiled at Summer and gave her a knowing look. Summer rolled her eyes with a smirk.

"Lets go, we wanna check out the game booths." Logan pointed over his shoulder.

Leo stood from his chair. "I'm gonna pay, I'll meet you three at the front."

Summer stood and knocked her chair back slightly. "Hey, whoa there. I'm not letting you pay for mine."

Logan took Hope's hand and tugged her out the door. "We'll me you two outside."

Leo stared down at Summer right in her bright blue eyes. Her breath caught and heart pounded. His brown eyes were mesmerizing. His chiseled face serious. Something in eyes sparkled. "We're on a date aren't we?"

"A forced one." Summer cut in.

Leo shushed her and continued, "therefore. While on a date with a beautiful woman the man usually pays for the meal. I would be breaking the rules if I didn't. And we both know how many beatings I would get from your brothers if I made their pretty little Summer pay for her own Jumbo Waffles and three cups of black coffee. Isn't that right?" Leo's dimples were deep with amusement.

"You're black mailing me." Summer slanted her eyes. "Fine."

•••