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Chapter Thirty-Seven
Lucy
Wyattpicksmeupearly Saturday morning with an iced vanilla latte in hand. He’s in an orange and red flannel that’s unbuttoned to reveal the tan, waffle knit Henley underneath. His dark hair is curling underneath the dark brown beanie and I’m pretty sure my knees are shaking. It’s unfair that this man looks this good in a flannel and jeans. A crime against humanity, really.
“Good morning, sunshine,” he says, handing me my coffee and kissing my cheek. “You’re staring, by the way.”
“Well of course I’m staring, you look annoyingly attractive.” I sigh.
Wyatt laughs and winks at me. “If ya got it, flaunt it.”
He shakes his shoulders a little and I roll my eyes, sipping my coffee.
“Do you need to tell your mom bye?” he asks, nodding behind me at the door.
“No, she’s still asleep. I told her our plans last night though, so she knows I’ll be gone most of the day.”
Wyatt nods and takes my hand, leading me toward his truck. He opens the door for me, something I’m still trying to get used to. He leans and gives me a quick kiss, just the simplest brush of his lips against mine, before leaning back and grinning widely at me.
“You look annoyingly attractive too, by the way.”
He shuts my door and walks around the front of the truck to get in the driver’s seat. He starts up the car and I lean over, fiddling with the radio.
He told me we were going on a day trip to the mountains, but that was the only information he was willing to share. It’s the middle of October, and North Carolina weather is fickle at best. But this week the mountains, and even our town, is having a cold spurt. So, I’m in a slightly oversized tan sweater, jeans, and boots.
When I finally land on a station I like—country seemed fitting for the day—I settle into the passenger seat and look over at Wyatt.
“So, what exactly are we doing today?” I ask.
I watch his lips tug up in a smile even as his eyes stay focused on the road.
“We’re going to the mountains.”
“Yes, I know. You told me that part. What are we doing in the mountains?”
“Well, I managed to find a farm that’s got an apple orchard, so I thought we’d do some apple picking. Then, if you’re up for it, there’s somewhere I want to show you.”
“If I’m up for it?”
“It requires a little hiking. Not much, and most of it is easy.”
“I think I can handle that.” I smile.
He looks over at me now, his face full of so much unbridled joy my heart aches. His hand moves from the steering wheel to grab mine, his eyes focusing back on the road.
I watch him in silence for a bit. It amazes me that this is the same man I met almost a year ago. His smiles come so easily now, and his eyes are bright and open instead of cloudy and guarded. Every emotion is shown across his face now. He smiles not just with his lips, but the corners of his eyes. He tilts his head back when he laughs.
I never thought a man could be beautiful, but he is.
“You’re staring again, Lucille,” he says.
“You look happy.” I smile. “A few months ago, I didn’t know if I’d ever see you like this. So excuse me if I’m trying to memorize it now.”
He squeezes my hand in his and shakes his head. “You better stop saying things like that to me or I swear I’m going to fall in love with you.”
“Hmm,” I hum, “that would just be awful, wouldn’t it?”
“The worst.” He grins.
