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Sean’s voice echoed in the space. “Yes. Did you know that he’s the largest cast-iron statue in the world?”
Pausing, she glanced back at him. “That I didn’t know.” She started up again. “This is a hard one. What was the point of picking a Roman god to represent Birmingham?”
“By your lofty tone you don’t think I know the answer.” He sounded indignant at the thought. “For your information, it was because of the area’s mineral deposits. There’s a large amount of iron ore in the area.”
She smiled back at him. “Very good. Since you’re so smart, what’s Vulcan holding in his raised hand?” It took him so long to answer she began to think he might not know the answer.
“That would be a spear,” he said triumphantly.
She grinned down at him. “Now for bonus points. What’s in the other hand?”
A minute went by before he said, “Okay, you’ve got me there. What is it?”
“A hammer. It’s on top of an anvil,” she proudly informed him.
“That’s right. Where did you get all this knowledge?” There was a little huff in his voice from the climb.
Her foot clinked as she took another step. “I did a report in the sixth grade. Got an A-plus.”
Sean chuckled. “I would bring you to the one place you knew more about than me.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t think you’re less of a man for it.” She stopped and waited for Sean to join her on the upper landing.
As he did he pulled her against him. “I wouldn’t underestimate me there.” His mouth found hers as his hand came around her waist. Her heart jumped into overdrive and she hung on as his hot and sure tongue commanded her mouth. Just as quickly he let her go, leaving her wanting more. Sean had more than proven his point.
He opened the door and stepped out onto an observation deck. She followed on shaking legs that had nothing to do with their climb. They now stood at the top of the foundation and at the feet of Vulcan.
“I haven’t been here since I was a child. I have to admit I’m really looking forward to this.” She looked out over the expanse of the city with awe.
Sean said, “I’m glad. I was hoping you’d like it. I wanted to do something a little different.” He shook his head. “But I hadn’t counted on all those steps.”
“The view is worth it. Come on.” She took his hand and gave it a little pull.
Sean didn’t let go as they made their way around on the narrow viewing walkway. She stopped again to look out at the panorama of the city in early evening. Only a few lights were on. Sean came to stand beside her.
“My mom and dad brought me and my brothers up here. I remember being scared and Daddy holding my hand as I made my way around. I was glued to the side of the wall until Mama took the other hand. I felt secure then.” She had great memories of her parents. Missed them so much.
“You really had a great relationship with your parents, didn’t you?” Sean said quietly beside her, his arm coming around her waist.
Her head leaned against his shoulder. “I did. I miss them daily.”
“I don’t have memories of anything like that.” His tone was sad and dry.
She looked at him. He seemed troubled, as though he had said too much. “Are your parents alive?”
“Oh, they’re alive and well.” He gave her hand a tug. “Let’s walk on around and see what downtown looks like.”
“This is unreal.” She looked out at the tall buildings sitting in the valley of mountains.
Sean said, “You just wait for a few more minutes and I think you’ll be even more impressed.”
“Is that what you’re trying to do, impress me?” The fact he might care enough to try was empowering.
“Would it matter if I was?” Sean’s voice had grown deeper, raspier.
She looked at him. “I do kind of like the idea.”
His arm came around her waist again and they watched as darkness grew. The mountains beyond became dark silhouettes against the pink-hued sky. The sun slowly kissed them and disappeared. And lights in the city below blinked on. Some white with the occasional red and blue here and there.
“This is breathtaking,” Cynthia said in awe.
“Yes, you are.” She glanced at him, but he captured her look with the desire blazing in his eyes.
Cynthia swallowed hard and managed to turn back to the view. She would think about what Sean’s passionate gaze and statement meant later. “How did you discover this?”
“I came up here to visit Mr. Murphy one evening and he brought me here.”
She needed to keep the subject on a topic to keep her head clear. “So you make a habit of coming here?”
“No. This is the only time I’ve been back.”
He’d never brought another woman? This was special between the two of them. She liked the idea he hadn’t shared this with anyone else.
“I think it’s time for us to go down and have dinner,” Sean said in a low voice as they approached the doorway.
“Where’re we going?” Cynthia stepped through the door and headed down the stairs.
“Do you have to know everything?” he teased.
She stiffened her shoulders and used her best annoyed voice. “Well, not everything.”
“You’ve been looking after your brothers for so long that you need to know everything about everyone all the time. Why don’t you just let go some and live a little?”
He made it sound as if she couldn’t. She would show him. “This is from the man who doesn’t drive a sports car, has the bare minimum in his office, and seems to work all the time.” She straightened her shoulders. “I assure you I can do surprise.”
He chuckled. “Ouch. That hurt. But we’ll just see how well you do surprise.”
They slowly descended the stairs. A few minutes later they came out of the stuffy space into the cool evening. Mr. Murphy’s truck was no longer in the parking lot. Sean reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flashlight and then locked up. He directed the beam toward a path leading over a grassy slope. They walked over to it and down toward an outcropping of trees. There among them was a picnic table with a blue checked tablecloth covering it with a small candle flickering in a jar in the center. On the table sat a picnic basket.
Cynthia had never seen a mor
e charming setting. Romantic was an understatement. She was overwhelmed with the thought he had put into their evening.
“Come on. But be careful.” Sean’s hand remained firmly on her elbow as he led her to the table. He helped her to sit on the bench, then went around to the other side. Opening the basket, he pulled out three plastic containers of food. A bottle of wine and two glasses followed. Another couple of containers appeared to hold slices of pie. Lastly, he removed napkins, utensils, and two plates. Sean placed a plate in front of her, then handed her a cloth napkin and a fork.
“I didn’t think I could be more impressed but you’ve managed to do it.” She was overwhelmed. He’d gone to a lot of trouble just for her.
Sean sounded pleased. “I’m glad. I was afraid my organizational skills might scare you off.”
“You are worried about me being frightened off?” Why would he be afraid she wouldn’t want him? From what she could tell he was almost perfect. She couldn’t imagine why he might be insecure.
“A little bit,” Sean was slow to admit. He took the bench across from her.
“So you put all this together all by yourself?”
“Not exactly.” He started opening the plastic containers. “Truthfully, I called the local café where I often eat and they put it together.” He put up a finger as if to punctuate his statement. “But I did tell them what I wanted.”
Cynthia grinned. “No matter where it came from, I can tell you went to a lot of effort. It’s wonderful. I appreciate it. I’m honored.”
“I’m glad you like it.” He placed some fried chicken on her plate then on his. The next container held potato salad and out of the third came corn on the cob that was still warm. He brought out a small bag from the basket that had two rolls in it.
