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Interesting. So our date was taking place on the ranch. I thought about the barren bushes at the front gate. They were more sticks than anything at this time of year. “It’s the wrong season for blueberry picking.”
“We’re not picking fruit.”
So presumably no raspberry and strawberry picking either. But what else could we do on the ranch? “Are you taking me on a tour of the property?”
Everly gave me another beautiful smile. “Patience, Wyatt.”
Oh, she had no idea how patient I could be.
We followed a winding trail past the blueberry fields and a small barn before ending up at a parking lot, where a group of people stood around a folding table. Ben and Dane waved us over. “Looks like our last guests are finally here,” Everly’s dad announced to the others. “Now we can get this tarantula tour started.”
I swallowed hard, feeling weak in the knees. “Did your dad saytarantula?”
Everly’s lips quirked in amusement. “I did mention small furry animals.”
“Yes, but I was picturing the four-legged kind.” I shivered. “Not the giant, venomous, eight-legged kind.”
Everly pressed a finger to her lips and whispered, “Shh. You’ll miss Dad’s talk. It’s important for you to know how to handle them safely. You don’t want to get bitten.”
Alarmed, I whipped around, determined not to miss a second of Dane’s lecture about what we’d see. Despite being creatures plucked straight from my childhood nightmares, tarantulas were quite fascinating. It turned out that the males were actually timid creatures that wooed females for only a few weeks around this time of year.
All of Dane’s information was interesting in theory, but I still had one very large problem. “I hate spiders,” I whispered. Just the thought of their wiggling, fuzzy appendages and venom-injecting fangs made me dizzy.
“Oh, I remember,” Everly said. “You made me catch every spider we found in your dorm room. I’d never heard a guy scream so loudly before.”
That was once. Once! She still wouldn’t let me forget it. And to be fair, the spider was crawling on top of my head. What was a guy supposed to do? I still had heart palpitations at the memory.
We followed the group as Dane led us along another trail and past a small pond and sprawling oak tree. When we reached the field tarantulas liked to frequent, Ben demonstrated how to catch and hold a spider and then set us free to explore on our own.
Everywhere around us, children laughed as they chased each other. Little by little, my stomach unclenched. Surely, if they could handle this experience, I could too.
“I hope all our dates aren’t as dangerous as this one,” I said, eying the ground for any eight-legged guests.
Ev chuckled. “Just how many dates are we going to have?”
A whole lifetime’s worth?I smiled at the thought. “Oh, at least a handful more. Johann will expect it.”
Her eyes twinkled. “So we’re doing this for Johann, are we?”
Our interactions had always been playful, that’s what made our friendship fun, but now they felt almost flirtatious. Perhaps it was my imagination, but it seemed like ever since we fell asleep together that night on her couch, Ev saw me in a different light. My chest squeezed tightly, and I found myself daring to hope.
“Consider this payback for tricking me with Ben’s Chewbacca costume.” Everly nudged me. “Don’t worry. Nothing bad will happen, not when I’m here to protect you.”
I wrapped an arm around her, enjoying having her nearby. “Better stay close, just in case.” If I had to face one of my worst fears, I’d milk it for every possible opportunity.
“Riiiight.” Her eyes widened. “Hold on. I see one by your left foot.”
“Very funny.” About to laugh, I glanced down and froze when I saw the hairy black creature scuttling closer. A cold sweat instantly coated my body.
“Tarantula!” a kid shrieked, pointing at me.
Every last shred of courage withered inside.
“Don’t move,” Everly said. “You might frighten it.”
Forget about the freaking spider. What about me? “Sure,” I said in a strangled voice. “I’ll be as still as a statue.” My muscles coiled tight, threatening to bolt. Biting the inside of my cheek, I slowed my breathing and repeated the facts I’d learned from Dane’s lecture.
Tarantulas are shy, gentle creatures.
