Chapter 3

Jack pulled into the lot of the local hotel. The banner read "Welcome Back Cougars." Jack instantly smiled. He got out and opened Sue's door, taking her by the hand.

His fingers slipped through hers as he walked to the check in table.

"Hi…" He started.

"Jack Hudson!" screeched the woman behind the table as she jumped up and ran around the table hugging him tight.

"Jenny Lucas!" How are you?" Jack asked, hugging her back.

"Well, not as good as you. You look wonderful!" She said hugging him again. "And, who is this beautiful lady?" She asked looking at Sue.

"Jenny Lucas, this is Sue Thomas- Sue, Jenny. Jenny and I were lab partners in out- what was it?" Jack began.

"Sophomore and junior years." Jenny completed. "If it wasn't for Jack- I probably wouldn't have gotten out of chemistry." She laughed.

"That's only because Ms. Greenwell liked me." Jack laughed.

"She was such a flirt! I heard right after we graduated, she got married. Had four kids! Her oldest just made her a grandmother!" Jenny laughed.

"Oh, don't say that! It makes me feel so old!" Jack pleaded.

"Well, then, this will really make you feel old. Do you remember Barbara Champagne? Do you remember she had a little girl in tenth grade?" Jack nodded. "She just became a grandmother, for the second time!" Jenny said. "I think she's coming tonight."

"Oh… now I really feel old!" Jack agreed, Sue laughed at Jack's reaction.

"So, tell me, why didn't I hear that you got married?" Jenny sked.

"Oh, we're not married." Sue piped in.

"Why not?!" Jenny asked poking at Jack.

"No… it's not like that…" Jack started.

"What Jack means is, we haven't been dating long." Sue explained.

"Ahh." She said smiling at the couple.

"You and Janice still together?" He asked.

"Yup. We have a little boy- girl on the way in September." She said proudly.

"That's awesome! Congratulations." Jack said as he kissed her on the cheek.

"What about you? Any kids yet?" She asked.

"Like Sue said, we haven't been dating long." He said smiling. He tugged on Sue's hand. "We'll see you later."

"Old girl friend?" Sue teased.

"An old friend, who happens to be a girl. She was a good friend. We kind of lost touch during college." Jack said. He found their seats. "Thanks for covering for me back there." He said shyly.

"I figured it was easier..." She stopped mid sentence, not wanting to finish her thought.

The band began to play and Jack asked Sue to dance. He wrapped his arms around her waist holding her close. He never took his eyes off hers. They talked a little when someone would say hi, or when Jack would spot an old friend, but for the most part, they held each other swaying to the music.

"I'm so in awe of how well you can dance." Jack complimented.

"I just need someone who can lead well." Sue said smiling at him. Jack pulled her back into his embrace, wrapping one hand around her lower back and his other pulled her hand to his chest. He left no room to allow them to talk, he only wanted to feel her against him. Her warm breath on the nape of his neck caused goose bumps to appear. The fragrance of her perfume and shampoo which created her essence nearly drove him over the edge.

Sue let her eyes close, enjoying the warmth of Jack's arms around her. For a brief moment, she allowed her guard to fall and snuggled closer into his chest. Jack released her hand and slowly moved his other hand to join the first on her lower back. Sue snaked her arms around Jack's neck, pulling him closer to her. The couple swayed in their own little world out on the dance floor. Jack allowed his hands to wander the length of her back creating a shiver within Sue. He smiled at the fact that he could do that to her.

Jenny walked past the pair and leaned into their space. "Get a room will you!" She teased. Jack blushed and smiled. Sue noticed the blush on Jack's cheeks but didn't mention it because she could feel her own burning.

The hours past, meals eaten, and old friendships restarted. It was nearly eleven when Jack suggested they take their leave.

"I want to show you something- if you're up for it." He said with a devilish grin dancing on his lips.

"Sure." Sue said smiling back at him, but squinting at him, letting him know she was onto him.

He handed the ticket to the valet and waited for the car. Jack opened the car door for Sue, helping her in. They drove back to his parents' house.

"Nice." Sue said coyly. "Looks just like your parents' house." She teased.

"Funny." He said as he got out to open the door for her. As they opened the door, Sara sat at the table.

"Hey there you two. Have a good time?" She asked.

"Yes, wonderful." Sue answered.

"Do you want a cup of coffee?" She asked.

"That sounds great." Sue started.

"But, I have plans." Jack interrupted. He poured a Thermos of hot coffee and grabbed two cups. He looked at Sue. "You're going to need jeans, sweatshirt, and, oh, sneakers." Sue looked at him curiously. He brushed her away with his hands. A few minutes later Sue reappeared wearing what he'd suggested, except a sweatshirt. Jack reached on the back coat hook and grabbed a hooded sweatshirt, handing it to Sue.

He reached into the living room and grabbed a backpack- stuffing the coffee supplies in.

"Where are you two headed at this hour?" She asked curiously.

"Ask Dad." Jack said as he dipped to kiss his mom on the cheek. Jack snatched his dad's truck keys and helped Sue up into the cab.

They drove through down town past the hotel that hosted the reunion.

"Where are we going?" Sue finally asked.

"Took you long enough." Jack teased.

"And that doesn't answer my question." She retorted.

"Somewhere I haven't been since I was younger." He said. "It's one of the coolest places I went to when I was a kid." Jack said with a reminiscent smile.

Jack drove to the outskirts of town, then he took a windy side road barely wide enough for his truck and another car. The moon hung high in the sky, glowing upon the vast fields and farms. The longer they drove, the deeper they went into the rural part of town.

"It's so dark out here." Sue said.

"Sorry." Jack said as he reached for the dome light in the truck. "Better?"

"Thanks." Sue said slightly relieved. "Where are you taking me?"

"You'll see." Jack said teasingly. He reached over and put his hand on hers and squeezed it lightly. When she lightened her grip a minute later, he moved his hand to the shift. Jack turned onto a dirt road full with dips and water soaked pot holes. Sue let out a nervous giggle. Jack sped up the truck creating a dust trail behind them, jostling the pair around in the cab.

The moonlight suddenly disappeared behind tree cover, making the area pitch black. Jack slowly inched his hand toward Sue's, slipping his fingers around hers. To his surprise, she didn't move her hand.

They turned off the road onto what Sue thought was an access road. After a half a mile the road suddenly ended. Jack parked the truck and jumped out. He helped Sue out and grabbed the back pack.

"Where are we?" She asked.

"The very edge of town. It's a place my dad used to take me to." He answered. "Come on, we have to walk from here.

"Jack…" Sue began, staying firm in her spot. "This is very rural Wisconsin in the middle of the night… do you honestly want to go into the woods?" Sue asked.

"Come on- trust me!" it's only a couple hundred yards." He said. He took her hand in his and pulled her toward the opening of the path that led into the wooded area.

The couple walked about a quarter mile through the thick over growth into a clearing onto a beaten path barely wider than a dirt bike. The pristine white orb that hung high in the night sky seemed closer than usual and lit up their surroundings. From the hillside they walked across they could see a large pond complete with a thicket of cat tails and lavender in full bloom. The light sparkled across the water as a light breeze created soft ripples in the water. The tall grass whispered as the wind tossed it gently from side to side.

Sue stopped to take in the view.

"This is incredible. It's absolutely beautiful here." She said.

"Told you you'd like it. I love it out here." Jack agreed.

"Your dad took you here?" Sue asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, fishing and riding dirt bikes." He said. "Come here. Hurry!" He said excited.

He dropped the back pack and pulled out a blanket for them to sit on.

"What's going on?" Sue asked.

"It's almost midnight." Jack answered.

"Are you turning into a pumpkin or something?" She teased.

"Do I look like a princess to you?" He teased back. She laughed. "The train… it comes through at midnight." He answered as he poured two cups of coffee.

"The train?" Sue asked. Jack nodded.

"It's a freight train- coal, lumber, steel, you name it. Adds to the ambiance." He said smiling at Sue. He sipped his coffee and looked around. He took Sue's hand and pointed across the pond to a buck and doe drinking from the pond. Sue smiled. They watched the pair meander casually through the meadow dipping their heads to nibble on the sweet grasses that grew along the water's edge. As the buck pulled away from the female, a tiny newborn fawn became visible. It seemed cold and unsure of itself, hugging to its mother for warmth and security.

"They don't seem to notice us." Sue said.

"We're not a threat. And, as long as we're quiet and still, they'll stay around." Suddenly he smiled and nodded his head in the general direction they'd come.

Sue could feel the ground beneath her begin to move, shutter just a bit. Her eyes widened as did Jack's smile as the train appeared out of the foggy mist that hung over the field. The bright light that showed the way danced on the low clouds and spiraled on the golden hay field and along the side of the tracks. The train rocked slowly side to side, steel reeled against the steel rails and it thumped as it crept forward. The rumble of the big engine made pebbles dance and crash against the steel rails it rode on. The family of deer that were in the pasture hovering near the pond became spooked, causing the fawn to bolt under the cover of the thick tall pines for protection. The six point buck proudly stood his ground between the doe and the long track, as if protecting her.

Jack sat back on his hands, making his eyes level with Sue's. She watched as the train slowly tugged it's cars behind it.

"I used to sit here and wonder where they were going. What were they delivering? Fuel or lumber for someone's home in Maine? Were the logistics companies shipping something fun? I loved to watch for hours and imagine the coolest of things and places." Jack said.

"Who would you come with, beside your dad?" Sue asked.

"My brother, but that was it. I didn't even take my sister out here." He answered.

"You never came here with some pretty girl when you were in high school?" Sue teased.

Jack shook his head. "Nope. My father told me to never bring just anyone out here. This place is too special." Jack said. He smiled at her, his heart pounding so hard he thought it might just jump right out of his chest. Sue shivered, halting any thought he might have had about making a move. He reached for the back pack, and pulled out another blanket.

"We can share… unless you don't want to." He said hesitantly.

"It would be warmer with two." Sue agreed. Jack stretched the blanket over the two of them, making sure it covered Sue's shoulder. He gently brushed his hand along her shoulder, bringing his hand to her cheek. He pushed the hood of the sweatshirt under the blanket and caught a lock of blond curls in his fingers.

Jack softly brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. Sue leaned into his touch blushing in the darkness. He slowly leaned forward, closing the space between them and lightly brushing his lips against hers. His soft warm lips caressed hers creating a spark that set the field a flame. Jack's hand ran through Sue's golden locks softly pulling her closer to him. Jack's passion began to heighten the longer the kiss continued. Sue closed her eyes and let Jack gather her in his arms. He pressed his mouth against her supple lips with more force, more lust. His tongue cautiously pressed forward, softly sweeping Sue's bottom lip. She anxiously obliged his request greeting him with her own heightened passion. Jack dropped his hand to her lower back, holding her against his chest as close as he could get her. Sue moved her arm to hold onto Jack but effectively managed to pull them to the ground. Jack rolled on the top of Sue, never losing contact with her lips. Their tongues danced together, as anxiously and nervously as they were. Jack backed away from their kissing and smiled down at Sue as she lay beneath him. Their chests were heaving from spent passion and excitement.

"I'm so glad you're the first person I brought here. My dad was right, this place is too special to share with just anybody. He smiled down on her once again and descended on her lips once more.

THE END!