Page 90 of My Favorite Hero

“Pixie, I’m always hungry. But let’s go for a walk first.”

We strolled, hand in hand. He walked us up the ridge and pointed to the land below. “That’s where the chief wants his place.”

It was a beautiful spot, surrounded by trees on one side, the brook wider and more like a small river just in front of the wooded area. Nestled in a valley between the rolling hills, it was sheltered and lovely. “You can drive into it easier over there,” he pointed to a break in the trees.

“How incredible.”

We walked back to the brook area. Unable to help myself, I slipped off my sandals and walked into the water, squealing at the cold. Jesse laughed, holding out his hand to help me back to the grass. “Barely warmed up yet.”

We sat down, and I unpacked the food, widening my eyes at the amount we’d bought. Jesse laughed at my expression. “Leftovers,” he said, picking up a sandwich and biting down. “Delicious.”

I took a piece of chicken and some of the salads. They’d been kind enough at the store to add a few plates and some napkins as well as the forks I’d asked for. “This chicken is incredible,” I muttered around a mouthful of the still-warm meat.

Jesse took a piece and bit into it. “Six pieces wasn’t enough,” he groaned.

“We have lots of other things.”

He nodded. “Next time, we’ll get an entire bucket.”

His words warmed me, thrilled he was already planning a next time.

“Good idea.”

A small piece of meat caught in my throat, and I sputtered, smacking my chest and coughing. Jesse sat up, alert and worried. “I’m fine,” I said, coughing a little more. He handed me a bottle of water, and I drank it gratefully.

“I shouldn’t talk and eat,” I teased.

He shook his head. “Dangerous at times.”

I finished my chicken and the salad, looking over the sandwich selection.

“They’re really good. The ham is great. So is the meatloaf,” he offered, trying to help me decide.

“Wanna share one?”

“Sure.”

We ate quietly for a while, enjoying the sun and peace. I shut my eyes with a contented sigh. “It’s so lovely, Jesse. Today is a great day.”

I felt his fingers run down my cheek. I opened my eyes and met his tender gaze. His voice was low. “Yeah, Pixie, it is.”

We finished lunch, packing up the leftovers and deciding to wait a bit for dessert. Jesse lay down opposite me on the blanket, resting his arm over his eyes. I leaned back against the tree, the serenity surrounding us.

“What would you do?” I asked.

“About?” he responded lazily.

“If I were choking. I imagine you’re trained for that.”

“Yes.”

“So, the Heimlich thing?”

He was silent for a moment. His chest jumped as though he was laughing. “In normal situations, yes. The Heimlich thing.” He paused, his voice almost shaking. “In your case, I’d pull back a couple of inches and say sorry. Then carry on.”

It took me a minute to get it, then I gasped. He lifted his arm, grinning so widely, his eyes were almost shut. And he was laughing so hard tears were rolling down his face.

I launched myself at him, and he caught me, pulling me down to his chest and kissing me. We laughed as we kissed, one of us breaking away when the humor would hit us again.