Page 42 of Out of Place

My stomach tingles with nerves as I walk downstairs to wait for Landon. Dottie hears my heels clicking on the wooden floors and comes out of the kitchen.

She looks me up and down and smiles. “You look nice. So much like your mother.” It’s still weird to me that almost everyone here remembers my mom. I don’t think she’s been back since I was born.

“Thank you.”

“Do you know what you’re doing tonight?” she asks, sitting on one of the couches in the living room.

“I’m not sure. He didn’t give me any details.”

She nods. “Landon is a good kid. A good man. Go easy on him, ok, hun? Be honest with him about your intentions.”

Meaning, getting the hell out of this town as soon as I’m allowed. She doesn’t want him to get too attached to me. Which is good because I can’t get too attached to him either.

I nod in understanding. “I will.”

There’s a loud knock on the door, and I suck in a breath.

“Have fun.” Dottie smiles at me as I open the door.

Landon is standing on the other side in jeans, a black button-down with the sleeves rolled up, and a pair of clean boots. He doesn’t have his hat on tonight, and his chestnut waves have a tousled look like he ran his hands through it a few times. Something I hope he’ll let me do later.

His eyes scan my body, and I can tell he likes what he sees.

“You look gorgeous, sweetheart.” His voice is low and sexy, and I wish I could just take him upstairs right now.

My cheeks heat, which has never happened in my entire life. “Thank you. You clean up nice as well.”

I take his offered hand, and he walks us to his truck. I let him help me in, and he backs down the drive.

“Where are we going tonight?” I ask when we’re on the main road.

“It’s a surprise.” I love surprises, although, with the look on his face, I’m not exactly sure what I’m in for. Surprises in the city are all your friends showing up to the same club or a lavish trip to my favorite spa. I have no idea what surprises in Thundersville could be.

We talk about our day, and he asks about the farm, and before I know it, we’re pulling down a gravel path.

He pulls right up to a giant oak tree covered in Spanish moss. I’m confused. Is he bringing me here to climb a tree or something because I’m very over dressed for that.

“Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He hops out of the truck before I can answer.

I look around. There’s literally nothing on this property except a few of these big trees and a small, half-destroyed house. This has to be a mistake.

Did he bring me here to kill me? That seems like an elaborate plan, but I’ve heard worse on some true crime podcasts.

Suddenly, the tree in front of the truck is lit with twinkle lights, and Landon is beside me, opening the door. I take his hand to help me down. It’s a lot more difficult in heels than in the boots I normally wear.

We round the truck, and I see a big blanket with a picnic basket, some candles, and two glasses.

It’s adorable. So simple yet so sweet.

“I know it’s probably not what you’re used to on dates,” he starts, sounding kind of nervous, “but I couldn’t figure out what to do for the girl who has probably seen and done some pretty extravagant things. So I figured I’d keep it simple because maybe that’ll mean I have a chance of standing out.”

“This is beautiful. You did all this for me?” He pulls me towards the blanket while I take it all in. It’s super simple, but he took the time to put something together instead of just making reservations at a restaurant.

“Yeah. My mom helped me make the food and string up the lights, but yeah, it was my idea.”

“Your mom? You told your mom about me?” I ask. For some reason, I’m suddenly worried about his mother knowing about me.

“Of course I did. I’m pretty close to my family. They know about everything important in my life,” he explains.