Nice and hot

[Lovely]

April 21, 2010
3:30 p.m.


He'd read the paper twice now and occasionally he'd put something down on a notepad he kept sliding in and out of the pocket of the faded denim jacket. No one spoke to him except the waitress who'd refilled his cup for the 6th time and walked off to the next table. He leaned now on his elbow, resting his chin in his hand as he watched her waltz gracefully and alone around her area. Click. The pen in his hand was in use again, jotting something else down while he watched from his perch on the other hand as the words appeared. He'd underlined something sharply and put the notes away again, his eyes now tracking a couple of young men that looked fresh off the time-clock and muttering their conversation quietly to themselves and glancing around in suspicious ways likely only he noticed. He tried not to be noticed staring at them and began looking around for the waitress again, "Excuse me, can I get another refill, please?"

Tully had been on her feet without a break since the place opened, short handed as the flaky girl didn't show up for her shift yet again. She was tired but did well not to show it, giving everyone a gentle smile and quickly getting the orders for them. She'd noticed the guy in her area since she'd refilled his coffee several times and not minded one bit - he was good looking though not the type, that she usually went for. There was just something about this guy.. she came back around with a smile even though she'd just filled his cup - hadn't she? "Sure thing." Her eyes were warm as she stopped beside the table, wiping one hand gently on the apron that hung over the front of her skirt. "You'll be up all night if you keep on drinking this."

"Working on a deadline," he said, flashing a sweet grin and watching her as he drank enough out of his cup to make her stop worth while. He held the cup out for her to top off. "Don't think I mind being kept up if I can thank your sweet smile for it," he said, glancing down in search of the nametag he hadn't caught a glimpse of yet. She might have thought he was oggling, and he thought she might have thought it, too, covering for the glance with a stammer. "Um... name... tag thing... I just wanted to thank you for helping this old guy out today."

"Ohh.." She wondered what he was thinking that she was thinking for him to make such a comment, she hadn't assumed he was oggling. "It's nice of you to want to thank me.. are you a friend of his?" She nodded toward the older man sitting near the window.

He chuckled and shook his head. "No. No no, I meant me, sweetheart. You have helped me like you would never guess today," he said, looking at the older man and leaning closer to tell her a secret. "Go ahead and put his tab on mine anyway. He's going through a rough time right now." He'd overheard a great deal sitting where he was since the lunchtime rush. The older man sat by the window alone, talking in whispers to a wife who wasn't there with him. "Kinda know how he feels losing someone close, you know?"

She smiled softly, her eyes getting this near misty shine to them as he offered to pay for the other man's meal. "That's really..." She licked at her lips and shook her head a little. "Most people are too wrapped up in thier own troubles to notice what others are going through." She reached out to offer her free hand to him. "I'm Tullia.. Tully to most." She bit at her lower lip. "If you're an old man.. then I need to start dating old men."

[Lovely]

"Got an open seat," he said, taking her hand and offering a spot for her to join him. "Sorry, you're still on duty. Wouldn't want you to get in trouble, now, but if you're talking about noticing things, I noticed you're the only one working, too. Can you join me when they cut the shackles off?"

"Ohhh you have no idea how tempted I am to toss my apron in and sit down right now." He was attractive enough to consider losing her job over, nevermind he seemed like an all around good guy. "You don't happen to have a foot massager in your pocket, do you?" She grinned and then glanced at her watch. "I have a half hour left.." That would make an even twelve and she was more than ready to relax. "If you really mean it.."

He folded his arms down in front of him on the table, "How would I get you give me those ideas? Got strong hands and some time to kill until tonight. I'm willing to wait a half hour if you keep it hot. The coffee..," he said, nodding to his cup.

"Strong hands.. you'd rub my feet?" Her grin lit up her face as her eybrow arched up. "Someone needs to pinch me. I must be dreaming." She laughed softly and topped his cup up. "Mmm don't you worry, I'll keep it nice and hot." With a wink she left him to sip his coffee and turned to head off to make the rounds at her other tables.

She wasn't dreaming, but he had considered pinching and a lot of other things when she got off of work anyway. He certainly wouldn't mind the company and probably needed the distraction of such a fine young lady to keep his mind off angry subjects. She was distracting him very well already, each time she wandered past his table. The scent of the occasional burger and fries walking past with her as she closed out her shift was making his mouth water as much as her just walking past alone. He sipped the coffee now, listening to the conversations around him and nodding with a smile at the lonely gentleman whose meal he'd bought. The man left moments before the thirty minute wait was up. Mitch set his cup down and started fishing out his pocket change.

Tully concentrated on what she needed to get done in that half hour but her thoughts and gaze kept turning to the man with his coffee, who she was excited to spend time with once her shift was over. She purposely walked past his table when she could so she'd have an excuse to smile and catch another glimpse of his 'adorableness'. Finally it was time to get off and she gladly turned her tables over to the waitress on the next shift. Tully took a few minutes to gather her jacket and purse from the back and headed out toward Mitch's table, hoping he hadn't taken off or ditched her while she was out back.

He was waiting up front for her, ready to help her escape. He hadn't thought to arrange a getaway car, however. He'd walked in and the last thing she seemed to want was to be on her feet any longer to walk out with him or stroll anywhere beyond wherever he hoped she'd parked. He coughed into his hand and appeared a little lost and a lot apologetic as she came up. "I um... I'm not sure about how you'll take this, but I don't have a car."

[Lovely]

She found him near the front and her smiled brightened as she walked up to him, he looked even more cute with how he seemed a little shy and lost.. it was sweet. "It's okay.. I have my bike today, if you don't mind riding with me?" Some people didn't like motorcycles or feel comfortable riding on them, especially with a girl.

"You ride?" His eyes sparkled at the realization of even more of a wild streak in this girl. "Don't mind it a bit. Only ones who'd talk would be my boys, but they'll stifle it if I tell 'em. After you, lady," he said, motioning for her to proceed. He took a glance around at the patrons, taking special note of those who smelled of worry.

One of the patrons who smelled of worry and suspicion, watched them leave together. "Well I didn't steal it... this time..." She chuckled as she led him out to an older Sportster, it had seen the road but she felt it had character rather than flash.. it was comfortable like a favorite pair of jeans or home.

He chuckled, giving her a raised eyebrow. "Maybe you can tell me more about last time while I'm soothing your toes? Hope you don't have to go far. You've waited, literally, more than enough today."

"I guess it depends on where we are going..? I wasn't sure what you had in mind or wanted to do.. like you said I worked all day.. I don't want to be a downer but I think I'm more in a relaxing mellow type of mood. My place or your place.. or even the park with a blanket.. I'm open to any ideas you have."

A park with a blanket was too much like his own home and he needed the change. "I like a lady who thinks big," he teased, giving a pleased grin and a nod. "I've had enough coffee to keep me going a long while, so relaxing it is if you don't mind my taking you up on the offer of your place?"

"Perfect, it feels less rude when you kick off your shoes in your own house." She was pretty easy going about most stuff. "Here." She motioned to her extra helmut for him and leaned to stash her purse in the saddle bag, along with her pumps, trading them for a pair of boots and jeans. "Hope you don't think me too bold for this." She explained, as she shimmied her jeans up beneath the skirt without flashing more than a bit of creamy thigh, buttoning the jeans and unzipping the skirt. She pulled it down and off and it went in the bag with the rest, she sighed with relief as she flexed her feet in the boots. "I've ridden in the skirt but jeans are so much better."

"Hope you don't think me too bold for watching the whole show," he admitted. "Takes quite a bit to offend me and I don't mind anyone trying.. at least not that way." He was kind enough not to stare with his tongue hanging out, not in this form at least.

"Aww.. you're sweet, I think I should take you home." She teased with a playful smile and a wink as she got on the bike and got it started. "Come on, handsome.. hop on."

"You think we can fit three?" He looked around for the 'handsome' she was referring to, honestly not believing it was himself until realizing they were the only two there. "Guess I should know honesty when I smell it," he said with a shake of his head and a broader smile, taking a seat behind her.

[Lovely]

She laughed softly and let him get settled behind her before taking off and heading down the road. She didn't go into the heart of town or the small cluster that made up the denser area of downtown and main street, which took up all of five blocks and then things started spreading out. She headed out toward the stretches of road that had fewer houses and farther between them. It took about ten minutes to get to her place, an older house in need of new shutters and some repairs but the rain didn't come in and she had a porch swing that looked out over her backyard until it became thick with trees. She guided the bike up the dirt driveway and parked it in front of the house for now, she figured she would have to bring him home later so no sense in parking in the garage. "Home sweet home." She commented as she cut the engine and gestured to her humble house.

"Sweet it is. Nice little place, set back a bit from the everyday world. That's something I can appreciate. I don't like being cluttered up with people, myself," he said, admiring even the overgrowth and the hidden feel of her home. He climbed off and reached out to help her off though she likely didn't need the hand.

She took his hand even if she didn't need the help, it was the thought and the gesture.. like a real gentleman. "Yeah.. I like it. My grandmother left it to me, though I didn't really know her.. but that's another one of them stories for another time.." She held his hand and tugged him gently toward the front porch and the door. "You hungry? I don't think I saw you eat the whole time you were at the diner. I'm no fancy chef but I cook decent enough to keep myself alive." She teased a little about her own cooking, though he wouldn't know whether she was bad or good yet.

"Hungry? Actually, pretty much all the time. One of those high metabolisms. Runs in my family. It's a curse," he chuckled, answered by a growl from his stomach. He put his hand over it as if telling it to behave. "Guess you didn't need my say-so, there you have it. Not a lot of cash and that fella needed it more than me, anyway. Hard losing someone close like that." Here he was trying to distract himself and he'd dug the painful pieces right back out of his heart again. His expression fell, passing through a foggy distance for a moment before he put the shine back on for her. "Lady who knows her way around a kitchen the way she does a bike? She has my undivided attention."

She didn't know what to say, it didn't feel right taking a compliment or teasing him after seeing how his expression changed when he spoke of the man at the diner's loss.. like Mitch knew just how he felt. She wondered who he had lost, if it was a wife.. she felt sad herself thinking of him feeling such sadness and her thumb brushed over his hand as she unlocked the door with her other. "I might know my way around that bike a little better than the kitchen.." She led him inside with a faint smile, looking distant herself for a moment. "Do you prefer chicken or steak?" She cleared her throat a little. "Umm sorry about the mess.. I don't usually have company. The house wasn't really messy but there was some clutter, a basket of clean laundry waiting to be folded by the coffee table, a few cans and glasses she hadn't brought to the sink. The furniture had seen many years of use but was well cared for and still in decent condition. "Make yourself at home.. I'll get this stuff out of the way."

"No mess, no fuss. Please. You don't have to. That's work and you're off the clock now. How about... do what you do when you don't have company. And tell me where you kitchen is and the glasses," he suggested instead, trying to keep her from moving the basket or anything else on his account.

[Lovely]

"It's no fuss really.. I'll just put the basket in the laundry room.." She would insist on that much at least, she smiled at him as she pulled her boots off to set by the door. "I always take my shoes off when I get home.. The kitchen is right through here." She led him into the room he'd asked about, not sure why he wanted to know where that was or her glasses, but okay.

"I was hoping you would just tell me and I'd bring you some icewater," he admitted bashfully as she led him. "Guess I'm a little used to being the one in charge. Your place, so .. you're the boss," he smiled. "I am going to rub those feet if you promise to stop waiting on me. Off the clock, remember?"

"I'm sorry.. I don't expect you to wait on me or anything. I was going to make you dinner." She smiled and shrugged. "I guess I'm just used to being alone and not having anyone around who wants to do nice things for me."

"Alright then. Steak and no rush," he said, trying to fnd a middle ground. "What can I do to help you? In not any rush," he said again, ensuring she wasn't racing to get him fed just because his stomach growled. If he stuck around, he'd have time to explain than at some point.

"You really are used to being in charge, huh?" She laughed softly, teasing him a little as she leaned to kiss his cheek. he was pretty darn cute when he was being bossy while trying not to be. She wouldn't hold it against him, since she could be the same way. "Do you like baked potatoes? We could get those started then relax awhile before we have to worry about the steaks.." She tried to meet him in the middle as he had for her. "I have some lemonade in the fridge and ice in the freezer.. and a porch swing out back..."

He chuckled, shaking his head at himself. She kissed his cheek, bringing her scent that much closer to him. "Deal. Potatoes it is. Swing sounds nice, too. Don't suppose you'd have any ... good Kentucky moonshine to go with that?"

"Ahhh nooo, but I have some of those hard lemonade and ice tea drinks..?" She suggested, since moonshine was not something she could offer him. Her smile was just as sweet though and she stayed close to him. "You like your steaks off the grill? Have one of those out back too." She grinned and shifted away to get the foil and potatoes.

He hesitated, almost joking and saying 'off the cow', as in right fresh off the kill, but didn't want to make her ill. "Sure, as long as you're really not going through any trouble," he said, watching her light up more and more now that she was comfortably home. "I've been known to turn a good cut now and then. How about you light and I flip?"

"Think we could apply that to more than the grill?" She teased with a playful grin and a wiggle of her eyebrow. She wrapped up a couple potatoes and grabbed the steaks, utensils, and everything else they'd need for grilling. She put it all in a paper bag to make it easy to carry. "Drinks are in the fridge and the grill is that way." She pointed toward the back of the house.

[Lovely]

Her suggestion was already being considered and it likely showed. "And you're going to go play in your meadow barefoot? I think I might like it here," he said, sliding off the shoes he didn't like to wear too long, himself. "I think I'll join you in that, too. Let me put these by the door and I'll get those drinks."

Tully giggled softly and lifted her foot to wiggle her toes at him. "I think I'll like you liking it here." She stuck just the tip of her tongue out at him to show she was teasing him a little, she already really enjoyed having him here. "I told you to make yourself at home.. and I mean it.. drinks, grilled steaks, a porch swing, and my meadow await." She motioned for him to follow her as she scooped up the bag and headed toward the back door.

He about said something about her waiting meadow, but stopped himself in a polite bite of his tongue and a flush of red as the words were stopped behind the telling smile. "Hate to keep a lady waiting too long," he allowed himself to say. He reached down for his shoes. "Especially one who likes her drinks hard," he winked in return.

The arch of her brow and the sparkle in her eyes said her drinks were not the only thing she liked hard, as she glanced over her shoulder at him. "I'll get the fire lit.. you can join me when you're ready." She left it at that and headed out onto the porch, setting the bag down on the table near the grill and moved to get the grill itself fired up.

He was quick on his feet, even bared ones, returning with the cold drinks, two each, before the grill was moved. "Would you... please, let me help with that...??" He was teasingly insistent, setting the drinks down and coming beside her at the grill.

"I thought I was lighting and you were flipping?" She glanced over her shoulder at him with a relaxed smile and held up the lighter for him if he really wanted to do both. "I might start feeling all pampered and spoiled and never let you leave."

"Careful what you curse yourself with," he chuckled. She'd already moved things enough and he put his hand up, denying the lighter. "You're right. You light and I'll behave. Except the pampering and spoiling part, if you don't mind. I need to keep my hands busy doing something."

"Why would you think you're a curse? That's the complete opposite of what I'm thinking so far.." She got the grill lit and stepped away to set the lighter on the table, then brought herself around to face Mitch more fully. "We'll need to put the potatoes in..on.. whatever once it gets 'warmed up' but there is a comfy, cozy spot right there for that pampering." She pointed to the swing on the other side of the porch, biting at her lower lip.

"On, in, whatever sounds good to me," he said, watching how she bit her lip. He reached out to give her hands something to do besides work for a minute. "The grill will handle itself. Come on over here and tell me a bit more about the barefoot girl with the big ass bike."

"Not much to tell.. what you see is what you get." She half teased as her fingers slipped into his and she reached with her other hand to grab each of them a drink. With a light tug she brought herself against him, smiling playfully for that momentary brush as she turned and tugged again to lead him to the swing. "This is one of my most favorite places." She nodded to the cushion as she sat.

[Lovely]

"It's what I get, huh? Well, let me tell you what I see, then," he said, kneeling down in front of her and slipping his hand around her foot, hoping he didn't tickle her or make her kick too hard. "I see a lovely lady who has a story, but maybe it's just not written yet. She works hard and this guy she just met wonders what else she likes. Alone but not lonely, he sees she likes her peace and quiet, and her noise," he chuckled. "The bike threw me, but it goes with the rest. It does. She's a giving soul, likes to take care of people. How am I doing with the vague and obvious, so far?"

She sighed and chuckled and shook her head, leaning back into the swing to regard him for a long moment. "You're good at reading people.. you got all but one right so far.." The smile that was there faded a little and she drew her gaze from his face to look out over her backyard. "I am lonely.." She told him quietly.

"Well, we'll just have to see what we can do about that." His fingers were quite strong, but also quite agile, pressing gently over her foot to help ease the workday out of it. "Good senses all around. I can smell those wildflowers starting to bloom up over there, and the grass around them. Okay, so that's just flowers, but I bet I would amaze you. I hear pretty good, too.. and hey, who needs a flashlight, huh? What I'm saying is I'm probably a little more perceptive than the average bear and I know that, but I'm also saying that you can tell me what you want, when you want, okay? Kinda weird and probably doesn't make a lot of sense right now, but maybe it will eventually. For an old guy, I try not to sound too crazy.. most of the time."

"You already amazed me.. when you paid that old man's bill." She was genuine in the soft remark as brought her gaze back to him, her smile warm and gentle. "Why do you think I brought you home with me?" Tully shifted in the swing and leaned to brush her finger over his cheek. "For the record I don't think you sound crazy.. and you're damn hott.. for an old guy."

"Was the least I could do for him, probably the most, too, without intruding on his whispers. It's funny, well maybe not funny, but strange.. well, nevermind about that," he said, starting again, but veering away from his sympathies for the man. He grinned at the brush of her fingertip. "Thank you. I'm... apparently more rusty at this than I thought," he chuckled.

"You're doing just fine from what I can see and if it's me you want than I guess it's my opinion that counts." She ran her finger over his cheek again. "You know how you said I could tell you what I want.. when I want? Well the same goes for you.. you can tell me anything."

He tilted his head a little, "Not sure what you mean. I'm... what am I missing?" He was busy trying to get her to talk to him since he'd arrived at the diner the first time. He hadn't realized he was being evasive.

"If you want to know me.. you have to let me know you too.. You know you haven't even told me your name.. and yet here we are." She spoke quietly, her finger drifting down to run lightly up his jaw.

He hadn't thought about that part, either. "Promise you won't hold that against me. Mitch... Lindsay Mitchell," he offered, telling her more than he did to most. He reached up for her hand that kept lightly drawing over his whiskers. "So... what else would you like to know?"

[Lovely]

"Honestly? What your kiss tastes like.." Her eyes and smile lit up with michievious delight as she leaned a little closer to finding that out. ".. and then everything.. I want to know your story.. even the parts that haven't been written yet." She took the chance to close the gap and hoped she wouldn't scare him off by being so bold.

"Oh, that," he said, happy to oblige that sort of getting to know one another. He didn't flinch, letting her reach him gently. Some things he was rusty at, like casual conversation, but this he remembered well. He rose slowly from his spot on the ground to ease her back to the swing, following the kiss.

He would feel her relax into him and the kiss as he rose to meet and then ease her back on the swing, he followed the kiss and she continued the contact. Her hand slipped from his to find his shoulder and the other brushed his cheek and then to the back of his neck. The slight change in the tempo of her breathing and her scent would tell him how the attention affected her, how much she liked what she could taste of him in the kiss. The the man himself, his kisses tasted of mystery, wildness, yet there was also genlteness and kindness and it made her want to know even more.

"Hope I didn't overdo it," he murmured, slipping back from the kiss a moment.The change in her scent told him a great deal that she wasn't minding, but he wasn't one to assume things that needed more careful examination.

She licked at her lips smiling even as she brought her finger up to them and blushed a bit. "Mmm no.. not at all.. it was.." Hot, very, very hot and she wanted more! ".. ahh very good." She chuckled softly at being a little flustered from it, even if she never saw him again she was sure she'd never forget that kiss.

He giggled like a boy much younger than the old man he claimed to be and sat back on the swing, giving it a gentle push with his toe. "See that? Made the world move for me, too," he winked, then laughed, looking to the porch that slowly swayed beneath them. "Corny, I guess. I just haven't met many people in this small town that act like the small town people I knew back home. You're a different breed from them."

She half chuckled, glad that he'd joined her on the swing, her bare toes curled in the air as he sent it rocking gently. It was nice just sitting here with him. "I take that as a high compliment, thank you." She said of his last comment, smiling softly but looking a little distant. "I don't know about many or the town in general, I just know my friends and I don't stick my nose in everyone else's business. Working at the diner you hear all the gossip and people around here do talk alot.. I just don't pay it much mind."

"No?" He looked a little skeptical that she didn't jot down all the notes of all she heard. Most girls seemed to like chatter, but he would find it refreshing to know that she didn't. "Alright, so here's a test. What's the juiciest tale you've heard told this week? Even if it's just a snip, I'm curious to know what's going on with the 'in' crowd. Cross my heart, it won't go past this bench. Well, okay, maybe back in that door to the couch, but that's as far as I'll take it." He put a small 'x' over his chest as he promised not to make her sound like the town tattler.

"I guess you'll have to ask the in crowd if you want to know.. told you I don't pay much mind to all the talk and I'm not part of the in crowd.. though I am friends with them by degrees of seperation. I have friends who date some of the boys.." She shrugged, rolling her eyes at the whole thing, she hated gossip and it was a little insulting that he would ask for it after she'd just told him she didn't care to stick her nose in everyone else's business.

[Lovely]

"Alright, okay, like I said... that was a test. You passed. There's not a thing about any of them I want to know unless I ask them myself. Haven't found but one person in town yet I want to ask anything," he said, looking squarely at her, watching her dislike roll around the tops of her eyes with a similar disgust to his own. He looked back down at the ground that appeared nearly still now. "Like you telling me to say what I want and be all honest. Sometimes that's a little hard when you don't know what to say."

She chuckled quietly again. "Exactly.. you said it to me first but haven't asked me much of anything for me to have anything to tell you. I'm not one to talk much about myself either, especially with the open ended 'tell me about yourself' I never have anything to say to that.. I guess I don't feel like there is much to tell that's interesting. It's much easier when you know something specific that someone actually wants to know about you. I mean I could say I like fluff and jelly.. but then you might wonder why I'd say that. Of course if you'd asked whether I like crunchy or creamy peanut butter and I said, I don't like peanut butter, I like jelly and fluff.. see that would make sense, rather than blurting out random things."

"What flavor?" He asked, giving her something specific to answer as he grinned wider, the more she explained. "For dinner or breakfast? Have you ever picked wild berries to go with it?"

"What flavor? Jelly?.. Umm I prefer strawberry or mixed berry.. then grape.. umm anytime I feel like a snack or sandwich, it's not a time specific food and no I've never picked wild berries.. seems awfully fancy for a sandwich."

He raised his eyebrow, "Who was talking about a sandwich?" He brushed his nose lightly then pointed to a vague distance beyond the reach of her woodland-edged yard. "I'd reckon, six or seven acres of wild blueberries, maybe some longans, too, waiting for your bare feet to get all prickly into, but the sweetest, juiciest little things you ever did see, just waitin' for a visit one of these nights."

"You asked if I ever picked wild berries to go with it after I told you I prefer jelly and fluff sandwiches, so of course I assumed you were talking about the same thing I was." Obviously I was wrong for assuming we were in the same conversation, she thought to herself with a shrug and a soft sigh. "I don't care much for blueberries, I don't find them sweet, rather bland if not mashed up or mixed up with sugar and other stuff like in jelly or yogurt. I've just never liked blueberries plain or whole in anything.. I used to love picking raspberries and blackberries.. even some wild strawberries that grew along the edge of the yard where I lived as a kid." She smiled fondly at the memory. "Bowls and bowls full of them."

He nodded. "Prefer a good raspberry, myself. I can just smell the blueberries from here. If they're there, can bet a good raspberry's not gonna be too far off. Got a basket? After those fine steaks, how about we go find us some dessert?"

She looked at him and then to the distance he pointed out, sniffing the air and breathing in deeply to try to smell what he did but she didn't get the scent of any berries. Tully pouted a little, wasn't fair he got to appreciate such a nice fragrance and she couldn't - phooey on that! She didn't know of any berry patches close to her yard either so maybe he just knew of some and was teasing her about smelling them. "Maybe.. I don't know if I'm up for a hike in the woods.. speaking of those steaks I'd better get the potatoes in." She brought her attention back to the porch with a small smile, she shouldn't have sat on the swing it was making her not want to walk a couple feet never mind a trek through the woods.

[Lovely]

He waved his hand out to the grill, letting her get up without fuss or insisting on helping for the moment. He was curious about her hesitation, wondering if it was relaxing from work or simply the company, or both. "Still got the other foot to rub and then some," he reminded her. He'd only started on the one when she'd distracted him. "Maybe the next time I come by we'll do that hike then?"

"I didn't say we wouldn't do it today.." She stretched deeply, arching her back as she stood and then rolled her shoulders a bit. "Maybe next time.. maybe tonight.. I just spent a good twelve hours on my feet carrying trays and pots of coffee. Dinner might perk me up enough to have a second wind after or maybe I'll fall asleep in the swing and be terrible company." She chuckled as she put the foil wrapped potatoes onto the grill and closed the cover again. "If I start drooling while you're massaging just put a napkin under my chin and keep going."

"Whatever the lady of the house says," he agreed with nod and shrug to that plan. He stepped up behind her and set his warm hands on her shoulders this time, rubbing lightly to start now. "Hate to think I might put you to sleep with my own terrible company, though."

"Mmmmmm." She sighed and he'd feel her lean into the touch over her tense knotted muscles from her long day at work and maybe from just being a little too independant for her own good sometimes. "Definitely not the company.. you're good company.. that just feels really nice.. and I had a really long crappy day at work."

He continued rubbing, taking in her scent from her hair and neck that still held the essences of the cafe. His mouth was watering a little. "So make this dessert. I'll pick up where I leave off after this fantastic looking meal. I'll even clean up... after I finish turning you into a puddle, hm?"

"Could you just pinch me a little so I know I'm not dreaming?" Her chuckle was soft as she continued to enjoy the massage and relaxed a little more in his care. "And then tell me what huge flaw you have that evens out all this wonderful."

He reached down and goosed her gently and chuckled. His hand was slow to move back up to her hip and side. "Hope that's enough to convince you you're not dreaming. I don't have any flaws, except maybe not being so good about talking about me."

She didn't jump much at the goose but giggled and leaned her back against his chest as he shifted his hand slowly to her hip. She brought her hand down to cover his and turned her head so she could kiss his cheek, it was a little low more along his jaw as she smiled softly. "No flaws.. and you seem to like me.. keep it up and I'll have to keep you."

"More than seem, there, lady. Careful if you keep me, though. Mighty high upkeep for the likes of me, especially if you feed me steak and give me such a fine evening like this on a regular basis. Could well spoil me completely.. and I'm rotten to start with," he said, nuzzling in gently to accept the kiss against his whiskers and return one softly to her neck.

"Ohhh." She sighed and shivered lightly as he tickled her neck with the brush of his whiskers and then the kiss. "Mmm nah, I don't think I'll be careful.. I'll keep you, spoil you, and enjoy every minute." She laughed softly and reached up with her other arm to gently embrace him and keep him close in the cuddle. "I don't know about you but this just feels good.. natural too.."

He hummed agreement about the natural 'click' between them as she curled around him. He wasn't about to explain why he agreed, not yet. "I think it might be me enjoying every minute," he muttered, not quite dancing with her there while the potatoes began to hiss and murmur while they heated up. "Still think you're dreaming?"

[Lovely]

"Mmmhmmmm.." She sighed, completely content in that moment, held in his gentle embrace as the grill heated thier food. She'd never felt so calm or so restless at once, she could have stayed there like that forever yet at the same time was eager for every experience and moment they could share. It was such a strange feeling but so wonderful.. she experienced her first moment of true happiness. "You may be real but this sort of thing doesn't happen to me.. I don't meet guys and take them home.. even if it's just for dinner.. or let anyone get this close or feel like this.. like I could really 'keep' you and it wouldn't be a mistake or moving too fast.. it's really making my head kind of spin.. in a good way."

"That's quite alright. Looks like I'm ready to catch you," he reminded her, noting she could get as dizzy as she wanted and he wasn't going to let her fall. "Maybe already caught you, fair and square, I'd say. Shoulda ordered that coffee the first couple of times I stopped in."

"I'd agree.. caught fair and square, though it goes both ways.. If it doesn't scare you away for me to say so.. I've decided, I'm not letting you get away.. consider yourself kept.. hopefully well kept at that." Her fingers shifted down to brush over the whiskers along his jaw, her smile all sorts of sweet as she leaned to try to catch his lips with a kiss to 'seal it'.

"Takes a lot more than a smart and pretty lady to scare me," he admitted, turning for the embrace to allow her kiss to be stolen and returned gently without her standing on her toes. He hoped she was just as difficult to shake, though so far she seemed to be to the point it even shocked her a little. "Hope I don't do anything to ruin that. Did I mention I'm rotten?"

She was glad he turned so she could reach him better and she stole a few more kisses from him just because she liked them so much. "Yes, you did mention rotten.. but I haven't seen anything I don't like.. so I'm sure I'll adore that too." She laughed at herself a little, she had never been one to believe anyone could really fall for someone quickly and here she was doing just that. She bet somewhere out there some master of fate or karma was having a good laugh at her right now. She didn't really care if it meant finding this man and having him in her life... let them laugh because she would happily laugh with them.

Something lit up her eyes more than just the little pecks and light banter. She seemed to sparkle and the scent was filled with more wonder and attraction than she may have meant to reveal. Mostly it confirmed more each moment that he'd chosen well and the rest should be easy, but it couldn't be too fast, too soon. He chuckled, watching her eyes dance. "What's so funny?"

"Me." She chuckled out loud now and reached up to dab her finger against the tip of his nose. "I have always been the sort of person who didn't believe in falling fast and I'd shake my head at those who did.. I've never wanted to rush into anything.. I was always like not too much, not too fast.. not too soon.. like everything had to wait for some perfect timing... and well look at me standing here with you.. wanting to tumble and rush and everything. Feeling suddenly like there's no good reason not to and wondering for the first time ever if someone else, you, will think I'm moving too fast or just crazy.. heck maybe I am crazy.. Since the moment we met this feeling started and I've been trying to figure it out.. and now I realize it's part of why I said yes.. that feeling of you only live once and you shouldn't waste a moment, especially when things feel right."

[Lovely]

He snickered and his head shook. "That is funny. I was just thinking that, too... sort of, at least the not too fast, too soon. It really has been a long time, but I'm warming up fast. You're not crazy. You might be if you stay around me long enough, though," he said, somewhat promising her an unusual future.

She tried not to be disappointed that he told her he was thinking basically the exact opposite of what she was feeling. She nodded a little, her smile less bright and she wondered how long it would take him to make up an excuse for needing to leave. She figured the rest of what he said was him trying to be nice and not hurt her feelings.. he thought she was a freak for feeling like rushing and being stupid enough to tell him. "You're not crazy.. you're the one thinking sensibly.."

"Until I get started, then I'm all over the place," he chuckled, remembering a time... The sting of a memory turned his smile again. "I just don't want to scare you, I guess."

She chewed at her lip, he hadn't even started yet and she was ready to pack a bag for Vegas... so pathetic. She was thinking like a fool and acting like one even more, her interest was obviously far more than his. "Don't worry.. I don't scare easily. To be honest not much at all ever scares me." She shrugged and started to turn toward the grill. "Just be yourself.. I should get the steaks on, I did promise you dinner and here I am.. not making it."

"Ah, but whetting an appetite, you are," he admitted. "Some of the old soul in me, going slow. That's me being me and hopefully not being too much of a disappointment. Took me four visits to the diner before I even said 'hello'," he said, hoping she wasn't too put off by his reluctance. "Being a widower.. maybe it slowed me down more than I thought it could."

Her movements stopped when he said he was a widower, she'd never dated a man who had been married before, not even one who was divorced, much less one who had lost his wife to.. She turned back, biting her lip even more now and looking slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry.. it makes more sense now.. the old man at the diner.. I'm not disappointed." She lied and gave him a slightly forced smile before turning back to go over to the grill. She was disappointed and mad at herself for being such an ass, here she was gushing and talking about only living once and.. oh, she was such an idiot! He was probably just lonely and wanted some pleasant company for an evening, he didn't want some girl falling over herself and.. she sighed, wishing she could slap herself. "Oh.. before I put these on.. how do you like yours cooked?" She took a breath and leaned on the table. "..and I'm sorry.. for going on like that.. about all that stuff."

"Rare... with no side of apologies. It's okay and you're a bad liar. I have a nose for that sort of thing," he chuckled, standing behind her again as she turned away to lean on the table. "It's more than just... It's been a rough couple of weeks and I'm trying not to put that on your shoulders," he said, reaching to rub them a little more. "Something that happened a long time go... all came back when I lost one of my boys recently. Hunting accident," he said, lying a little himself, this time, but he didn't want the dramatic reality to wear her down.

"Wow.. I really am an ass." She said quietly, reaching up to her shoulders to stop his hands, she didn't deserve a massage from him. "Could I be anymore insensitive?" Her head shook and her poor lip recieved more nervous nibbling. He told her not to apologise but she felt like she needed to alot more than she had, here he was going through this loss and she was trying to throw him into something he didn't need and probably wouldn't be ready for, for a long time to come. "If you feel like talking about it, I promise I'll try not to say anything stupid or insensitive.. anything else that is." She pushed herself up striaght again and let go of his hands, turning to face him but there was an apology on her face, even if she didn't say it again.

"You're not an ass," he said, trying to make it right. "Maybe talking is what I need if you're up for it. Where's your drink? You may need it," he suggested. He looked at the pouting apology on her face and couldn't help trying to erase if she would allow a gentle kiss of thanks for putting up with him being a flake.

[Lovely]

She took the kiss, her hand lifting to his cheek as she gently returned it, knowing she shouldn't if he wasn't as into her as she was him. It was wrong for her to enjoy it, to want more, and to cause him more confusion. "I am an ass." She insisted softly, with a slight nod as she stole another tiny kiss.

The second kiss he kept hold of, trying not to let her slip away. She was many things, but all of them were far from her being an ass. He tried to capture her hands as well. He needed this, he needed to trust and he needed to climb out of the deep well he'd held himself in for nearly twenty years. How could he be sure if he didn't give her that chance? He'd made that mistake once and wouldn't do it again.

Tully sighed softly and leaned up gently to the kiss he seemed to want, this was so confusing, was it wrong to keep kissing and encouraging him? Was she setting herself up to fall even harder when he didn't want what she did and he'd leave her? She felt his fingers on her hands and let them be caught, she wasn't afraid, she just didn't want to be stupid.. or insensitive to what he was dealing with. He appeared to have enough on his plate without her adding to it. She slowly pulled back from the kiss, she didn't really want to. "Do you want to sit here.. or.." She first motioned to the chairs around the small table, then to the swing they'd been on earlier and out to the steps that led down into the yard. "Wherever you'll be most comfortable." She smiled a little, trying not to look like some adoring fool but that might be exactly what she was.

"Got a picnic blanket? The swing is mighty nice otherwise. Reminds me of home, a long time ago. Until this is all ready, how about that, a drink, and just us? That sounds like a nice way to work up to the rest, hm?" He didn't let go completely, trying to keep close. Her scent was keeping him sane and helping to keep the demons out of ihs head. He truly didn't want to move too fast, but be certain, as certain as he could be, that she would believe him and want to stay.

Her smiled brightened but remained soft as her head nodded a little. "Yeah, I have a quilt we can use.. just give me a minute to grab it." She motioned over her shoulder to the door of the house, hoping he didn't just bolt while she went inside. She couldn't resist another quick kiss before moving away from him. "Why don't you pick a spot?.. I'll meet you there." She offered to let him find a piece of her yard that he'd want to settle in for awhile.

"Perfect," he answered, a flash of something in his eyes that she might read as excitement or simply mischief, not that they were much different for him. He had warned her about once he started getting wound up. He stayed put a moment, soaking in the ideas that were playing in his mind. He looked for an open spot that looked inviting with minimal thorny things and walked over to start tamping down the taller grass and twigs with his foot while he waited. He didn't mind whether they had the blanket or not, but was sure she'd be more comfortable off the bare ground.

She was quick grabbing the blanket and getting herself back outside, smiling as she saw him in the yard 'stomping the grass down. She hadn't realized she'd let it get that long, she'd been working too much lately, grabbing their drinks in her other hand, she headed out to where he was. "Hey.. hope this works for you." She held out the drinks and the quilt, it was handmade and still in near perfect condition. "I helped my grandma on my mom's side make this one summer.." She blushed a little and shrugged her shoulder.

[Lovely]

"Woman of many talents. I can certainly admire that," he smiled, reaching out for the quilt to stretch out for her. "Hope she doesn't mind a little dirt on it for all that hard work. We'll take good care of it, I promise."

"Nah.. it was made to be used, she'd be upset if it just sat in a closet. Hope you don't mind the smell.. it was on my bed so it has the 'stink' of my lotion." She blushed again, this time biting her lip as she took a step back to let him spread out the blanket while she held the drinks.

"Now why would I mind that if it would make me think of you?" He winked and knelt down, patting a mostly smooth spot for her to set herself down. He took a whiff of the lotion scent and nodded. "Can't say I mind it at all."

"I don't know.." She admitted softly at his first question and shifted to sit in the spot he patted, she held out his drink to him and smiled. "Well as long as you don't mind, then I guess we're all set to be here awhile... as long as you're going to sit with me."

He tested the breeze. "Downwind. I don't mind your lotion, or you, but these?" He pulled out a cigar from his pocket. He was needing something to help calm him. "I don't want to make you suffer. I could keep it unlit, I suppose," he said, moving to a spot where the air would keep the smoke away from her and knelt down.

"That's up to you.. I don't mind if you light it, as long as it's blowing away from me.. thank you for thinking of that." She smiled again, watching with a curious expression as she played with the edge of one of the patches on the quilt. "I'm really glad you don't mind me or my lotion." She left it at that rather than adding the rest of her thought, though her eyes cast gently over him.

"Blame Cadence. That's my daughter. She reminds me enough, but I like to think that I remember enough on my own, like now. Thank you," he said, gesturing with the cigar before lighting it and sliding the lighter away. He was grateful for the allowance of his one harsh indulgence. He felt the glance and turned back with a smile as he sat down to get more comfortable. "And you're more than welcome. Why are you so worried about what I think? Aren't you the one telling me to be myself? This is your home and I like everything about it I've smelled, heard... seen, so far." He returned the glance over her. Although worried about him and his reactions, she seemed to be relaxing.

She shook her head a little and that blush warmed her cheeks as she looked down to the quilt again. "Can't tell you that, I promised not to talk like that anymore." She told him quietly and then looked back up to him. "How about you tell me about your daughter instead?"

"She's a good girl - most of the time - charming, but has a smart-mouth streak just like her brothers, because they are smart, but... I confess, I encourage them," he chuckled, puffing a ring with his cigar like he was proud of their antics. He was! He then sighed and looked to Tully for sympathy. "And, they're growing up too fast. Nineteen this year. I'm just glad they all still live at home."

She shifted to lay down and propped herself up on her elbow, she smiled as he talked about his kids, she was a bit surprised when he said how old 'they' were. Her eyebrow arched up and she looked over him again. "They? How many are there?"

[Lovely]

"Only the three, but they're the same litter... triplets, you know? Glad I've had family to help with them. They've got uncles. Sometimes, it's like a zoo, but I wouldn't trade any of it. Although if you name a price, they're yours," he teased, laying back on his elbows beside her. "So you believe me yet that I'm just an old fogie hitting on the hot chick at the diner?"

"Triplets.. wow.. so I'm guessing two boys and the girl Cadence since you mentioned her brothers?" She grinned at him and shook her head. "Nope, I don't believe it for a minute, about you being an old fogie.. though I could see you hitting on a hott chick.. but if you were doing that, what in the world are you doing here with me? Shouldn't you be off with her?"

"I'm looking at her right now and thinking she's very kind," he replied, turning to puff more smoke away from her. He rubbed out the end of the cigar on a twig, but held onto it.

"That's very nice of you to say.. she doesn't think she's hott and still thinks she's an ass.." Her shoulder shrugged and she curled her bare toes into the quilt a little. "What are the boys' names?"

He chuckled as he turned back. "Won't change the fogie's mind on what he thinks of her, but nice try. Luke and Jon. Now, before you go building a theory on beliefs and all that, it was just they sounded right."

"Huh?" She was confused about his comment on building a theory on beliefs. "I'm sorry.. you lost me.. umm they're nice names though." She reached for her drink to take a sip as she tried to keep herself from staring at him.

"Part of why I don't come in town much, actually. Brought the brood down for shoes one day when they were small and the woman at the shop went on and on about scripture when she heard their names. That woman... was an ass," he chuckled. "I mean I've been known to pick up the good book once in a blue moon, but it's not my guide. This out here? Grass, bees, good old oak and pine? That's a different story altogether."

"Ohh.. that sort of belief.. I don't pick that book up much myself. It just wasn't raised with it being part of what we did, so I didn't get the reference. I'm not sure I fully get it now but at least I have the idea. I like your guide.. it must be nice to have one at all. I wonder sometimes about what it's like to believe in.. anything like that."

"Do you like it? The great outdoors? All woodsy here, I guess so, but do you get out in it much for the fresh air, away from the burned eggs and coffee stains? What do you do for fun, Tully?" He asked, noticing more how she seemed to fidget and shy away now. "You remind me of Luke. He doesn't like to sit still, either."

"I like it alot.. I wish I could get out in it more. I spend too much time with the burned eggs and coffee. I don't get much time for fun or anything.. Right now, I like this, just laying here on the blanket. When I do get time, I like to ride my bike, I guess that's why I take it to work so I can at least do that a little more often. I can sit still.." She smiled and chuckled a little. "I even like to sometimes.. I just don't like being cooped up all the time."

"On your next day off, I want to take you on a hike with me, then. No bikes. No motors, no phones, no roads. What do you think?" He was hopeful she'd be willing to see him again and accept the offer. He wasn't sure bringing her to the den was wise, yet, but it would be nearby.

[Lovely]

Her smile brightened again and she sat up fully, the excitement shining in her eyes. "Really? I'd love to.. it's a da.. deal" She caught herself but still smiled as she nodded in agreement. Tully knew she liked him and would love to spend time with him, though she was trying to keep it light and not put any pressure on him. What she really wanted, wasn't what he wanted, she knew she shouldn't torture herself by spending more time with him but had been too thrilled at the thought to play at casual interest.

He grinned at the slip. "Date. I want it to be a date. I'll even bring the picnic. Fish or elk? I'll make something special for you since you've been waiting on me all day," he said, and he feared he'd make her wait on him a little while longer before he was brave enough.

Her expression was embarrassed for a moment as he caught the slip but then softened to a sweet smile as she once again nodded her agreement. Maybe she was setting herself up to be hurt, but how could she say no to him, how could she not take the risk? "Alright.. a date. mmm I've never had elk.. or fish cold.. which is better?" She asked with a slight arch of her eyebrow, she never thought of that for a picnic. "It's my job to wait on people in the diner.. it's my pleasure to have you here and do a few things for you."

"Me, I like them both, but for you? Roasted hot over a campfire. Or maybe a nice, juicy tourist. I hear they're in season right now, too," he joked. "That would be my pleasure for you. Especially if you keep smiling just like that. I'm embarrassing you again, I'm sorry. Where's that drink?" He'd lost track of his since they'd sat down.

She shook her head as she helped him find his drink. "You haven't embarrassed me at all.. I've been doing that all on my own and plenty of it." She picked up her own drink to take a nice long sip, wondering if it was a good idea, if she loosened up she might start thinking and talking about that stuff she wasn't supposed to.

He located his again and sat up to enjoy some of it. He didn't often get the opportunity. "Well let me make a toast and see if I can catch up," he offered, looking at the bottle a long moment to come up with something profound to say.

Tully took another smaller sip but turned when he mentioned making a toast, waiting for him to finish. When he didn't her head tilted slightly, wondering what he was thinking behind that expression as he stared at the bottle in his hand. "You don't have to.. are you alright?" Perhaps the mention of making toasts made him think of his loss, it happened to people sometimes. She reached over to put her hand on his arm.

Mitch nodded, putting his hand on hers. It helped keep his other hand still. "Fine, just trying to say something that doesn't sound silly. I'm not coming up with much that makes sense right now except... okay. When this world tries to spin us off, here's to finding someone to hold onto," he said, his eyes shining a little.

"Cheers." She shrugged and reached over to tap her bottle against his, then took another long sip. It was a good toast, even if it made them both a little sad. "I wouldn't have minded if you said something that sounded silly.. I said plenty.. earlier." She spoke quietly and looked off to the distance a moment.

[Lovely]

"I meant you," he clarified, taking a sip finally, watching her smiles wither. "I'm better at campfires than toasts, thankfully. Speaking of, what do you think of those steaks? I think we better eat soon before I start swimming." The drink hit him harder at first than he'd expected.

Her gaze slowly swung back to him, the surprise showing a little in her expression, though she tried not to let it make her too hopeful. It was so hard to put the brakes on, when she felt such a strong urge to dive headlong into him. "It's not the toast or you.. it's just me trying very hard not to be an ass or make you uncomfortable.. or scare you off.. it's me not knowing how to balance what I'm feeling and thinking with your needs and feelings." She patted his hand and gave a half smile, shifting to her knees to try get up. "If you want to eat soon, I best get those steaks cooking."

"Can't think of anything you could do to scare me, or scare me off, or make me uncomfortable that I don't do to my own self. Except maybe brussel sprouts, but that's nothing personal," he said, getting up with her.

"I can think of plenty, with the way I went on before.. I'm surprised you haven't run for the hills already." She shook her head and reached for his hand, grateful that he hadn't run off but still trying to keep herself 'mellow' compared to how she'd been earlier when she got all caught up in what she was feeling. "I don't eat brussel sprouts.. so that's one thing we don't have to worry about."

"Stop. Would you stop?" He laughed now. "If I'm running to the hills, your hand better be in mine. That's where I live. Maybe sometime soon I'll haul you there anyway. I'll have to make sure the kids clean up their caves, first, though."

"Maybe that's exactly what I want and why I'm so worried about scaring you away?" She countered, pulling her hand away to slap his arm lightly. "I want to dive right in.. into everything with you and you want to go slow and I'm trying really, really hard not to trip over my damn self!" She ended up laughing a little at her own frustration.

"Well, then it's settled," he shrugged slightly. "Plan on it and have a bag ready. We'll work on the tripping a little at a time, okay? Steaks first, then..," he let the idea hang again. "There's still that foot rub. Maybe that will help."

Her mouth opened and closed a few times with questions that started and stopped within her head about how it was settled and when and if he still meant to take it slow but was just telling her that's where he wanted to end up in the future. "Alright." She finally settled on that and then reached for his hand again. "I'm bringing my quilt.. when we go to your place."