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ten
Present
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THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY, Arthur, Fred, and I go on a hike.
The idea and plan is formed so spontaneously I can barely keep up. When I walk into the breakfast room at just after seven with Fred at my heels, Arthur is drinking coffee like normal. His eyes smile over the top of his newspaper as he says good morning.
I make a friendly comment about how nice the day is—crisp and sunny and not too warm, the perfect day for a walk—and before I know it, Arthur suggests that’s what we should do and that’s exactly what’s happening.
Stella prepares us a picnic, we gather a few supplies, and then Arthur and I settle Fred into the back seat of the SUV and drive forty-five minutes to the parking area for popular hiking trails through scenic hills.
I’m thrilled by the surprise outing. In truth, I feel obliged to check a couple of times to make sure Arthur isn’t missing out on important work, but he reassures me he had very little on his schedule today anyway and nothing that couldn’t be pushed out to next week.
So I’m able to enjoy the drive and the hike without guilt. We laugh and talk and admire the scenery and watch Fred’s ecstatic antics.
Arthur must have already had our destination spot in mind because he directs us to it. The hike there takes about an hour and a half. It’s a shaded clearing far enough off the trail to not be seen by passersby with a view of the expansive vista and not far from a creek cascading down a rocky hill.
I’m utterly charmed by the setting, so much so I can’t stop oohing and aahing. Arthur appears pleased with my appreciation as he spreads out the blanket we folded and stowed in my backpack.
Arthur was carrying the picnic in his big backpack. It’s still a bit early for lunch, but the exercise and fresh air made us hungry, so we eat our sandwiches, pasta salad, grapes, and cookies right away.
Fred begs for food and then investigates the creek, jumping back dramatically when a frog hops right under his nose.
It’s all perfect. I have such a good time I can’t stop giggling.
Every time I glance over, Arthur is watching me—either openly or discreetly—with a soft, warm gaze that makes me flutter.
We talk about everything from books to our school years to the lifespan of a grasshopper. Eventually we both stretch out on the blanket, and I’m so relaxed and comfortable I actually doze off.
It’s only for about twenty minutes. I open my eyes to find Arthur stretched out on his side right next to me, his eyes on my face.
I smile instinctively because I like the sight of him so much. “Where’s Fred?”
“He decided to take a nap too.” Arthur nods in the direction of the creek.
