I sucked in my breath and held it deep within me as the royal-blue swallow alighted on a nearby branch. Its head darted about to and fro before it relaxed and found comfort on its new perch. Smiling widely, I could only whisper the bird's name: "Purple Martin."
When its eyes suddenly met mine, I froze and tried desperately to gulp back my words, but before I could, it flew off into the distance.
I was about to curse myself for being so foolish when I heard the reason why it had taken wing. The beating of hooves against the forest floor echoed around me, and the sharpest of fears pierced my core. I could barely breathe, my throat constricted by my terror, as I gathered my petticoats and began to shuffle in the direction of Sleepy Hollow, the only home I had ever known and, with the grace of God, would continue to know. The thumping turned to pounding; it was either the horse's gait or my heart throbbing in my head. Nonetheless, I continued to run as fast as my legs could carry me.
Unfortunately, I was no match for the animal's stride. I thanked God, however, when I saw the headed figure of the man who had come to save us atop the creature. I was able to breathe again, though rapidly, as warmth rushed to my cheeks. I brushed imaginary dirt off my petticoat and smiled when he halted Gunpowder and dismounted him.
"Good afternoon, Constable Crane," I purred. "I am so glad to see that it is only you and your horse that have found your way here."
His soft expression turned to a muddle of nervousness and irritation. "I must admit, it is wonderful to see you as well, Miss Van Buren, but I regret to inform you that there is no Horseman."
The corners of my lips curled downward. How could a man so handsome be so occupied with his business? When I noticed his body stiffen and his cheeks brighten, however, the smile returned to my face, especially when he spoke again.
"B-but, yes. If I may be so bold to ask, what is your reason for being here?"
Despite his soft stutter, which I found simply irresistible, I suddenly felt coy. Bird watching, after all, was not exactly a womanly activity to practice. Even so, I responded with the truth.
"I was merely observing the birds."
When he smiled broadly, I had to stifle my sigh of relief. "Bird watching?" His voice rang with newfound confidence. "Now that is something I thoroughly enjoy."
"Do you, Constable?" I took a step toward him, subtracting the distance between us ever so slightly. Being only one small stride closer to him still made my heart pitter-patter rapidly. "Would you like to bird watch with me?"
He suddenly took an interest in his shoes, as his eyes immediately darted toward them. I frowned again, but only for a moment, because when he looked back up, his expression was that of a rather nervous gentleman. "Y-you don't mind?"
"Absolutely not, Constable," was my lighthearted response. "Gunpowder may join us as well."
"A-alright then. T-thank you, Miss Van Buren." I could tell he was containing himself, which only made me smile even wider.
"Please, follow me. I know a perfect place to watch the birds."
I walked along his left side as he led the horse on his right. As we ventured toward the sight, we spoke of petty affairs that only attracted me to him even more. He was such a good-looking man with his dark eyes, inky-black hair, and sweet smile. He was kind and tender, like a gentleman should have been, and his customary apprehension made him all the more enticing. If I had ever needed anything in my life, it was Constable Ichabod Crane.
As we approached the area, I glanced toward him and tittered at his wide, almost childish grin. It was a small clearing with a flat rock in its center, one wide enough for two to sit together intimately. The tree branches reached especially high for the sky, and they intertwined with one another lovingly, as I wished to lace my fingers with his.
He turned to me and was about to speak when he must have realized the attractively foolish look on his face, and, to my dismay, it faded.
"I-it is rather lovely here," he said softly. "I-it most certainly is the perfect place for bird watching."
"Did you not believe me?" I jested, to which he flinched.
"I-I would never doubt your word, M-Miss Van Buren!" he squeaked, and I laughed brightly.
"As I would never say such a thing to you and mean it?" I asked as I stepped closer to him. "You really should loosen up, Constable."
For a moment, he looked astonished, but his face soon relaxed, and his lips curled into a sheepish smile. "I-I wish it was as s-simple as stating so. I-I try and try, b-but no matter what I do, I-I can never keep collected a-around women, e-especially one such as," he turned his head to the slab of stone then, "yourself."
My mouth hung in the air for a moment before I realized it was doing so and snapped it shut. Heat rushed to my cheeks. His words were so sweet, so divine, as if they were murmured into my ear by God Himself. "D-do you think it is easy for me to be in the presence of such a g-gentleman?" I asked him sincerely as I clutched my petticoat in an attempt to still my quivering hands.
His head whipped back toward me, and his sucked in his breath, about to respond, when Gunpowder released a mighty snort from his nostrils. We both jumped before laughing heartily at our thoughtlessness.
"E-excuse me," he said, and I nodded before he left to tie the horse's reigns to a thick branch. I watched and sighed as his skilled fingers worked the leather into a tight knot, and when he returned to my side, he nodded toward the rock.
"S-shall we?" he inquired shyly.
"O-of course," I responded, voice weak from exhilaration.
We sat on the slab and let our eyes flicker from tree branch to tree branch in search of a bird. Occasionally, I would steal a glance in his direction, and I would entangle my fingers in the fabric near my bosom. When his head was about to turn toward me, my eyes darted back to our pursuit almost expertly.
Once, however, I was not quick enough, and our eyes locked. I froze as my heart threatened to leap from my chest. His Adam's apple shifted as he swallowed, and before I could comprehend what was happening, the distance between us was vanishing, slowly but surely disappearing. My lips quivered with anticipation; his did as well.
Before long, we were only mere millimeters apart from each other. His hot breath tasted so sweet on my lips. Bit by bit, his arms wrapped around me, and I returned his embrace, clinging to him as if he were about to evaporate into nothing. My heart was beating frantically and threatened to leap from my breast at any moment.
"Constable–"
"P-please, call me I-Ichabod." His voice was quiet, shaky yet sincere.
A soft purr escaped from my throat. "O-only if you refer to me as Elizabeth," was my hushed reply. Bit by bit, my hand slid up his back and his shoulder, making to caress his hot cheek.
"E-Elizabeth," he repeated, his head tilting into my touch. I gasped lightly when his palm glided across my arm.
Finally, in a gentle, lengthy dance, our lips met. Somehow, though I had never kissed a man before, the skill came naturally to me. A low sound echoed from my throat as my arms found their way around his neck, and I melted into him when he returned it.
Somehow, I had forgotten to breathe, and I pulled away quickly to gulp down as much air as I could. When I was stabilized, I giggled nervously. "Y-you kiss by the book, Ichabod," I murmured, eyes finding his.
He looked startled, but then that familiar smile formed on his silky lips. "A-as do you, E-Elizabeth. A-as do you."
"O-oh, Ichabod," I crooned, but when I leaned in for another kiss, an impatient snort sounded.
Suddenly, Ichabod bounced up from his seat. "I-I'm t-terribly sorry," he began as he walked briskly toward Gunpowder. "H-however, I h-have o-other affairs to a-attend to."
"B-but, Ichabod–"
By then, he had mounted his horse. "I-I am truly, d-deeply sorry!" he squeaked. "I-I will make this u-up to you!!"
He dug his heels into Gunpowder's flanks and sped off deeper into the forest. I watched them until they were swallowed up by the trees and sighed just as soft chirping met my ears. My head turned toward the sound, and I smiled sadly when I spotted a Purple Martin through the enclosure the branches made.