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Austin
Ruth squeezesmy hand tightly as I lead her down to the beach.
"One of the things I promised myself I'd do as soon as I was out is visit the ocean again. I used to ride down here with Max all the time," I say as we pick our way down the slope.
“It’s beautiful.” She considers. “Was Max your girlfriend?”
“Max was my basset hound,” I grin back. “You’ve actually met, but I didn’t get to introduce you.”
Ruth's other hand flies to her mouth. Her skin matches the sky's pink as the sun sets in front of us.
“Oh my gosh, I completely forgot. I tried to find out what happened to your puppy after—” she hesitates, and I hate the flash of remembered fear in her eyes. “After. but your lawyer told me it was taken care of.”
I nod.
“He went to stay with my friend Buck. Now Max chases cattle around all day,” I smile as I think fondly of how much fun he must be having. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss him, but there’s no doubt he’s better off on Buck’s ranch
“He’s a working dog?” Ruth asks.
“Absolutely not.” I shake my head, grinning again. “Buck says he hasn’t caught one yet. But he’s having fun, enjoying retirement. I’d like to go visit him, but first —”
I squeeze her hand as we reach the coast's edge. Waves lap at our feet, foaming.
“ — I had to make sure you were safe.” I finish.
"But I don't understand.” She looks up at me. “Why? That's what I always wanted to ask you— Why me?"
Ruth backs up a bit as a wave licks her sneakers. I kick my shoes off, flexing my toes as I step onto the wet sand.
"Come on. It's safe. I won't let anything happen to you," I tug on Ruth's hand, pulling her after me.
“Alright. But I don’t know how to swim,” Ruth says, kicking off her shoes and joining me.
“I do. Don’t worry,” I bring her into the surf, enjoying the salty scent of the Pacific as the waves lick at our ankles.
"I looked in your eyes.” My reply registers on her face as Ruth’s expression softens. “I saw all the fear in them and had to do something about it. It wasn't right that someone sweet as you should be afraid."
“You couldn’t have known I was nice by looking at me,” Ruth protests.
"I've got good insight. You had kind eyes.” I shrug. “You still do, but that shadow of fear is still there. I hate that."
“So that’s it?” Ruth sounds incredulous. “You risked your life for me because I looked kind?”
I take her other hand, clasping them both as I look down into Ruthie’s eyes. They’re the same color as the endless ocean at my back. The crash of surf is louder than my heart pounding in my chest.
She was more gorgeous yesterday than the day before, and today even more.
"I know a lot of people don't believe in this sort of thing,” I squeeze her grip before releasing it. “But I knew you were the one for me as soon as I looked into your eyes. I know it's crazy, but it's the truth."
Ruth's eyes go wide as she processes. The breeze blows a loose blonde spiral across her face, and I brush it behind her ear letting my fingertips graze against her cheek.
“That's intense.” I can’t read her eyes when they get like this, a blue so deep I could drown in them. “And a little scary.”
It slices through me. I can handle anything else. But scaring Ruth is devastating. I’m here to protect her, keep her safe. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happened to Ruthie.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you.” I take two steps backward, leaving Ruth standing in the shallow with her pants rolled up to her calves. Cool water soaks through my jeans as I put distance between us. “I don’t ever want you scared of me.”
“Austin, come back. I can’t get home without you.” Ruth’s smile reflects off the ocean like the sun. There’s no fear on her face now. “I don’t know how to drive one of those,” she jerks a thumb over her shoulder at my bike.
