She sighed. “I guess I can call Jacob and Abigail and see what they think. It feels wrong just taking off though...”
MELANIE FELT THE REASSURING warmth of Lucas's hand envelop hers as they strolled across the expanse of the farm. She glanced at him, taking in his dark hair that caught the sunlight, and the lines around his eyes that spoke of smiles and a life rich with experience.
"The tomatoes are just about ripe for picking," Lucas remarked.
She nodded. It had been over three weeks since she’d last inspected the crops herself. The realization struck her. Melanie had become a bystander on her own land, yet there wasn't a trace of anxiety within her. Instead, she found a profound trust in Lucas, in his ability to manage the very heart of her world outside the plant's steel walls.
"Joe says we'll have a bumper crop this year," she replied.
"Doesn't surprise me with the way you've been running things. You've got a knack for growth, Melanie. More than just these crops." Lucas squeezed her hand slightly.
She smiled, the edges of caution that once defined her softening in his presence. As they paused by the edge of a field, Melanie looked up at him, her green eyes reflecting the vast sky above, clear and open.
"Jacob and Abigail, they've agreed to handle everything next weekend," she said, a flutter of excitement lining her words. There was something liberating about letting go, even if just for a brief while.
"Really?" Lucas's eyebrows raised, a spark of delight in his gaze. "You mean I'll have you all to myself without worries about the farm?"
"Seems like it." She couldn’t help but mirror his smile. "I think they know how important this step is for us...for me."
"Then we'll make the most of it," he assured her.
As they resumed their walk, the shadows grew longer, stretching across the fields like fingers reaching for tomorrow. Melanie's heart danced to the thought of stepping away from the daily grind, entrusting her life's work into capable hands. For the first time in a long while, she embraced the idea of simply living in the moment.
"Mel," Lucas began, his voice threading through the soft rustling of the cornstalks. "You remember that musical you mentioned? The one you've always wanted to see but never had the chance?"
She turned toward him, her heart catching on an updraft of hope. "Wicked?" Her word hung between them, a single note waiting to harmonize with his next.
His grin was like the break of dawn over the horizon, warm and illuminating. "Exactly. I thought that’s what we could do next weekend. I got us tickets for Saturday night in Portland."
"Portland?" The word echoed within her, a pebble dropped into the still waters of her routine life, sending ripples outward. Excitement surged. “Seriously?”
"First-row balcony," he added, as though unveiling the final piece of a cherished puzzle.
"Lucas, that's...that's amazing!" Her laughter bubbled up, airy and effervescent, yet a shadow of concern swiftly followed, tempering her joy. She bit her lip, contemplating the reality beyond the farm's boundaries. "But leaving the farm—even with Jacob and Abigail stepping in—I haven't been away since..."
"Since you've made this place your world," he finished gently.
Lucas reached out, his hand enveloping hers once more, grounding her amidst the whirlwind of emotions.
"Trust me, everything will be fine here," he said. "And just think about how magical the night will be—just you, me, and a little bit of Broadway magic."
"Magical," she repeated, allowing the simplicity of the idea to sink in. With Lucas, even the impossible seemed within reach. Maybe it was time to let go of her apprehensions and step out into the wider world, to allow herself the chance to be swept away by something extraordinary.
"Okay," Melanie breathed out. "Portland, here we come."
FRIDAY CAME FASTER than she anticipated. Standing in line at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, Melanie fidgeted with the strap of her carry-on bag. Lucas's hand found the small of her back, a comforting presence that slowed her racing heart.
"First class?" she asked, eyes wide as he handed her the boarding pass.
"Nothing but the best," Lucas replied with a wink. It was his unspoken way of saying she deserved this break, this indulgence. The edges of her lips curved upwards, the very thought of leaning back in the spacious seats enough to make her feel light.
"Thank you," she whispered, leaning into his side. First class was a luxury she rarely afforded herself, too caught up in the practicalities of running a business. Yet here she was, about to soar above the clouds with the man who made her feel grounded.
"Come on," he urged gently. "Let's start this adventure right."
As they settled into the plush seats, Lucas’s hand enveloped hers, a silent promise of support and shared excitement. Her worries about the farm began to fade, overshadowed by the anticipation of the weekend ahead.
"Portland won't know what hit it," Melanie said.
