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“That’s not what makes this special,” he insisted. “It’s more than that. You’re just going to have to bepatient.” Adam wasn’t about to let her make a mess of things. He fully intended on showing her the time of her life, and it all started in the back of this truck.
Plates were filled with food and red solo cups held the sparkling cider he’d packed. Faye kept looking over at him, then when he caught her staring, she’d look away.
“You really haven’t broughtanyonehere before?”
He chewed his sandwich thoughtfully. “You know, I don’t think it ever occurred to me before you took me to your favorite place. I mean, I always assumed that something like this would happen with my future wife. I guess I never connected the fact that I’d need to have a first date and then get married to make that happen.”
She glanced around the shop. “Yeah, because power tools, hoses, and other broken-down vehicles aresoromantic.”
“You really should give me the benefit of the doubt. You’re going to feel so sheepish when you realize that you’re wrong.”
Faye had gone from stiff and suspicious of him to playing along with him. He could already tell she had relaxed. Excitement came off her in waves. That light he loved about her had returned, and he found himself growing giddy due to what the rest of the evening held.
Without warning her, he pressed on the small black remote he’d grabbed from the work bench. The hydraulic system beneath them whirred to life and the truck lurched upward.
Faye gasped. Her hands flew outward to grasp onto something, but there wasn’t anything for her to hold. They weren’t going terribly fast, but the surprise had done its job. Eyes wide, Faye edged over to the side of the bed and looked down. “Should we even be in here? What happens if we get stuck? Is there a way down?”
“Relax.” He laughed. “This machinery can hold twice the weight of your truck at least. We’ll be fine. Just don’t try to make some grand escape while we’re up here, okay?”
She shot him a dirty look, but her tone still held that teasing sarcasm he was beginning to realize was her way of flirting. “Oh, sothat’swhy you brought me here—so I won’t escape.”
He shook his head. “You really are something, you know? I thought women were supposed to be mild and sweet, but you’re….”
The expression on her face darkened. This one wasn’t teasing at all. “I’m what?”
“You’re amazing.”
She blinked. “What?”
“Yeah. You know what you want. You figure out how to get it. You don’t needanyoneto fulfill you. It’s like you have this streak of independence. You wouldn’t stick around if you didn’twantto. That’s probably why I was so nervous all week.” He forced a smile. “It’s thrilling, really.”
Adam tore his gaze away from her. The way she was looking at him made him feel exposed. He didn’t know what prompted him to tell her any of that. He wasn’t even sure where those words came from. It was as if some outside force had put them in his mouth so he could understand and feel some semblance of security.
If he didn’t mess this up, Faye might stick around for the long haul.
The sun was going down, making the shop darker—something even Faye had noticed. It wasn’t lost on him that she hadn’t commented on his description of her. She didn’t need to, of course. The lack of comment was enough for him to know she wanted to let it settle.
Instead, she adjusted the way she sat so her legs crossed beneath her. “What do we do now? Do you have a candle or something? Does that little remote in your hand turn on lights?”
Adam shook his head. “No lights. It’s going to be at least another half hour. But I do have a few candles.” He chanced a look in her direction, finding that the smile had returned to her face. “Do you trust me?”
Faye tilted her head, her grin spreading. Then she pulled her lower lip between her teeth. Her eyes swept around them, landing on him, their picnic, and the shop that surrounded them. “Okay. I trust you.”
He would never get used to the thrill that filled him when everything started to fall into place. Faye was here with him, and in less than an hour, he’d be able to share the one thing he hadn’t shared with anyone. This was his moment to shine—to show her he was worth it.
19
Faye
Faye was a bundle of nerves. She probably should be terrified right now, but the only thing she felt was elation. She was a romantic; that much was clear. This whole date was more than she could have dreamed. It was unique—special.
Some part of her knew that Adam was special. Way back when he’d admitted to wanting to learn riding to impress a girl, she could see that he was more thoughtful than the average guy who lived in Copper Creek. Adam didn’t just take her to coffee. He didn’t ask surface questions that inevitably ended in them not connecting at all.
No, Adam was the kind of guy who thought outside of the box.
She caught herself staring at him far too many times as darkness descended around them. They were so high up, and she probably should have been worried about how they’d go about getting down without the lights on. But for some reason being here with him could make all those cares go away.
Faye grasped her cup with both hands and took a sip as she eyed Adam over the rim. It was quiet, but not uncomfortably so. Funny how she could be with him like this and not feel awkward. Her thoughts bounced from idea to idea until she landed on something she was genuinely curious about. “I guess this means you’re not going to continue trying to learn the ways of the rodeo?”
