"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"I'll Be Waiting For You"

Every feeling in Summer's body urged her to agree to meet Dennis. Dennis told her that he was in town for a business opportunity. He was going to look at a couple horses at a local horse breeder. He invited Summer to meet him at the breeder's stables. The drive wasn't too far & she was longing to see him. She risked getting in trouble with Jay to follow her heart that afternoon. She excitedly agreed to meet him.

Dennis was already waiting at the breeder's stables. His palms were sweaty just thinking about seeing Summer for the first time in over a month. He was surprised she took his call earlier that day. They hadn't spoken for so long & it caused him to doubt his whole trip to Virginia. Before he met Summer at his uncle Jack's wedding, he honestly had no motivation for life. He had been battling with anxiety & depression. He had spent most of the year struggling to pull himself out of bed. His life before Summer was full of series of unfortunate events. The tragedies that struck his family & personal life really got him down. But meeting Summer totally turned his outlook on life around. After Uncle Jack's wedding when he returned to Tennessee, he got back into doing things that he loved such as time with family & his passions such as horse training & preparing for the grand opening of his family's new equestrian center. His family was shocked at the change in his life & were happy he was finally moving on & healing from his past.

Dennis was the first to arrive at the stables & was leaning against his rental car facing the main road. Every time a car passed by, he would get excited thinking it was Summer. Finally, after a few cars drove by, one car drove in slowly towards the lot he was parked in. It was Summer! Dennis couldn't hide his excitement. He was smiling from ear to ear. Summer drove in & parked her car next to Dennis. She quickly checked her face in the mirror. Swept back her bangs & tucked them behind her ear. She took a deep breath & then got out of the car to greet Dennis. It was like they were meeting for the first time all over again. There was something about the exchange of "hello"s that felt so innocent, pure & sweet. They both paused not knowing whether to give a hug or a handshake. There was an awkward dance duet they did until they gave in to a hug. And there it was, Dennis's eyes & his smile. It was just like she remembered. His gray eyes sparkled & caught the light in the most beautiful way. His bright smile was imprinted in her mind & it was the last memory she had of him when they had parted ways in Seattle. Summer's worries melted away at the sight of his smile.

Dennis: I'm glad you agreed to meet me.
Summer: I am too.
Dennis: What do you say we go check out those horses?
Summer: Let's go.

They walked down a cobblestone pathway to the stable entrance where the breeder had two horses waiting for them. They approached the breeder who was dressed in his work overalls. He had a long white beard that reached the top of his overalls nicely. As they greeted him & introduces themselves, Summer instantly knew he was a hard-working man by the callouses she felt in their brief handshake.

Breeder: This here is Prince & his girlfriend, Penny. They were both born at this very stable. Grab a couple apples to greet them.
Dennis: Hey boy...
Breeder: These two are spoiled. Let me tell you. The misses feeds them apples on the regular.

Summer came up to Penny & greeted her with a warm pat & a shiny, red apple.

Summer: She's beautiful.
Dennis: They are a great looking pair.
Breeder: They seem to like you two, already. Do you need help mounting them?
Summer: I'm going to need some help. It's been a while since I've been horse back riding.

The breeder gently helped Summer up as Dennis mounted Prince on his own. The breeder opened up the wooden, range fence for them & they were off to go riding. Summer & Dennis rode for a couple of hours & then returned to the stable close to sunset. The breeder met them when they returned & asked them to stay for a meal. The breeder & his wife were an elderly couple. He was a retired marine & had settled in Virginia after he served. His wife had been a horse breeder growing up & stuck with the trade all her life. They struck up great conversations about horses & just life in general.

Breeder: So, when's the big day?
Dennis: Big day?

Dennis & Summer caught the breeder looking at the ring on Summer's finger.

Summer: Oh, we're not together.
Breeder: I could've sworn I saw sparks out there while y'all were riding.

The breeder's wife gave him a stern look as if to scold him to mind his business. She quickly stood to collect everyone's plates & nudged her husband to join her.

Breeder: My mistake.
Dennis: It's ok.
Summer: Can I help with the dishes?
Breeder's wife: No thanks, sweetie.

Dennis bid the couple good bye & he & Summer took a walk outside. The stable looked absolutely beautiful at sunset. The combination of the sun's last rays across the grassy range was a calming sight. Summer was enjoying herself so much that she lost track of time. She didn't want to leave Dennis, but knew it was time to go soon.

Summer: Dennis, hearing from you & seeing you today was a surprise.
Dennis: A good one I hope.
Summer: It was a very good one.
Dennis: But?
Summer: I'm just wondering what you're really doing here in Virginia.

Dennis took Summer's hands & held them in his.

Dennis: Summer, when we parted ways in Seattle, I didn't know when I'd get to see you again. I've missed you. A lot. And I can't bring myself to stop thinking about you.
Summer: What are you saying? That you came here for me?
Dennis: I know you're engaged, Summer. But I need to know... Are you in love with him? And does he love you?
Summer: We're getting married at the end of September.
Dennis: Because I do, Summer.
Summer: It's getting late, Dennis. Jay's probably expecting me.
Dennis: I'm not leaving Virginia without first getting an answer from you, Summer. I need to hear it from you. And if you need time, that's fine.

Summer gently took her hands out from Dennis's hold & placed her hands over his.

Summer: Thank you for an unforgettable evening, Dennis.

Summer got in her car & started it up. Dennis stood by. She rolled her car window down & looked up at him.

Summer: I'm just going to need some time.
Dennis: I'll be waiting for you.

Dennis walked Summer to her car & watched as she drove off. He gave Summer plenty to think about on her drive home.