A/N: Another chapter of our Holiday/Timeless mashup AU. Sorry this took so long, but maybe its length will make up a bit for the wait. Alyssa, there is a kiss, as promised. Thanks to Gracielinn for the generous loan of her quintessential partner for David Baumgardner, the inimitable Julie. And thanks again, as always to my dear writing partner Elodie, for her patience with my wordiness and the inspiration of her imagination that steers us deep in the fluff. All shortcomings are mine alone. Reviews and comments appreciated always! Gratitude to all who read.
Lucy looked down at the withers of her horse. It shook beneath her hand, as if she were a fly to be brushed off. Like a bowl full of jelly, came to her mind for no good reason.
Ginger, the spirited red roan she sat atop of looked nothing like Santa Claus, and Lucy felt she'd be lucky to make it to Christmas at this rate. She grasped the reins in her right hand and buried her left hand in the horse's mane. The tall horn of the saddle stuck up like a tower above the pommel between her legs. She found herself hunching over again and straightened up just in time to see the cheerful reminder in Wyatt's eyes as he said "Legs down, Lucy. She'll settle if you sit back and let her feel your weight."
"This is nothing like the hunting lessons I got in middle schoool."
"We're all set to go hunting if you'd like. Just with a shotgun and lariat, not a fox and hounds," he added, "Honey," and gave her a secretive grin. Lucy blushed a bit but smiled back at him.
Wyatt Logan sat relaxed and composed on the back of the tall chestnut horse. A half-smile curled his lips, and he looked another level of sexy in his black suede coat and deep brown cowboy boots. They were worn and weathered, as was the buff colored cowboy hat he wore. Lucy had donned her brand spanking new boots and a black hat she had purchased that Wyatt assured her did not make her look silly. The boots creaked when she moved. Their snug fit made her thank her lucky stars this was not a hike.
Kicking the roan's side, she got ready to follow along with the others. Wyatt motioned her in line before him. The horses' hooves clanged every so often on a rock. The noise of their passing grew more quiet as the dirt track gave way to brush and open range. Lucy drank in the open sky that grew lighter by the minute above her.
Moments from their morning came back to her as sense memories: the strong coffee he'd brewed at 6am, the bacon they'd been greeted with at the ranch, the sweet smell of the hay in the barn, and bright clean smell of the saddle soap and musky oils they'd rubbed into the halters and saddle. When getting ready for their ride, Wyatt had carried his own weathered saddle and shouldered the festively detailed saddle on loan to Lucy, despite her protestations. She insisted on helping though, so was loaded down with their halters, saddle pads, blankets and girth straps. Laden down, Lucy waddled as quickly as she could after Wyatt who strode briskly, his thigh length jacket snapping with each step.
"You all right with all that?" Wyatt asked.
Lucy shifted her burden to get a better grip on the blankets. The metal buckles of the cinches rattled merrily. "What do you mean am I all right? Are you all right? I'm still worried that this is too soon for you to be out riding. The doctor said to take it easy."
Wyatt settled the saddles on a barrel, taking items from Lucy's hands as he got each horse ready to ride. "And I've been doing that for three days now. Hey, I went to the hospital like you asked—"
"And they said you were lucky not to have more damage! We were right to come in."
"And they also read you the riot act for hitting me," Wyatt snickered as he cinched the strap on his chestnut. He waited a minute after tightening it, giving the horse a chance to release his breath after the initial tug, then tightened it a notch more. As one of the trail guides stepped up to put the halter on Wyatt's horse for him, he moved over to Lucy's mount.
Lucy followed him, turning a bit pink and mumbling into her saddle blanket, "Yeah, some guest I am, nearly killing you." A stray lock of hair fell in her eyes. Lucy blew at it, unable to use her hands.
"Hey," Wyatt turned to her and stepped closer. "You didn't." He looked into her eyes warmly and touched her forehead, moving the hair out of her eyes. "And you were more on the intruder side than guest, at that point anyway." He smirked. "So I think you were just acting in character."
Lucy felt a thrill as his hand touched her face, then reddened further at his joke at her expense. "Hardy, har, har, har."
Running his hand over the horse's back to make sure it had been properly brushed before their ride, Wyatt plucked the saddle pad from Lucy's arms and laid it on the roan's back. "Hey, you brought this up again."
"And I'll remember not to in future. Especially in company." She looked guiltily at another of the guides, a young ash-blonde woman with a red cowboy hat and dark green down vest who stepped forward to help. She took the halter from Lucy and stood ready to put it on the horse as soon as Wyatt finished with the saddle.
The young woman smiled at them and said, "Ma'am, is he embarrassing you?" She gave a mock-disapproving glance to Wyatt, which Lucy thought ended with some female admiration despite the woman's attempt to look severe. "Well, boyfriends who try to make you look small for being nervous about being on horseback might want to re-think that kind of joke. Confidence is an important part of safety in the saddle."
Lucy turned all the way red and stuttered, "B-boyf-friend!?" She shook her head as Wyatt took the final item from her hands, her saddle girth. He leaned close and gave her a secret grin as he did so, whispering, "Want to go with it? Might be easier than correcting people all day." Lucy's eyes widened. She felt her mouth go dry and her throat close up, making her speechless. But somewhere deep inside her a warm feeling ignited in her belly and she found herself nodding to him.
Wyatt addressed the guide as he attached the cinch to the saddle and settled it on the horse's back atop the blanket. "You're right, ma'am. And this is my little lady's first time riding the range. She's ridden, was it side-saddle?" He shot a dry grin Lucy's way.
"Equestrian!" Lucy got out. "English, in grade school." She was still trying to process what was going on. Does he—? Is he—? she thought incoherently.
The woman walked up to Lucy extending her gloved hand and gave her a warm smile. "Well, welcome! My name is Wanda, and its my job, along with Doug there to make sure your day is fun and safe." She nodded to her compatriot, a slender fellow with dark braids who stood patiently holding Wyatt's reins. She went on, "I think you'll find it's like riding a bike. Once that muscle memory gets in there, it tends to stay. But it's been so long, we'll treat you like a beginner. I hope you won't mind the reminders?"
Lucy clasped Wanda's hand and finally got back her composure. She smiled back into the woman's eyes and said, "Not in the slightest. I think all I remember is to sit facing the horse's head anyway. That's right, isn't it?" she joked. "This is my get away from the big city. I put myself in your hands, Wanda."
Wanda returned Lucy's smile. "Well, first we'll have to have your handsome lug of a boyfriend make it up to you by helping you get on the horse. Then we'll give you the royal treatment, Miss Lucy." Wanda stepped towards the horse's head to put on the halter, walking past a now widely grinning Wyatt.
Lucy gulped. She tottered stiff-legged towards him and the horse. She stared at him and put her hands up to the saddle. She felt his hand on her shoulder, warding her off.
"Whoa there. Cool your jets, Annie Oakley. Wait until we get the reins." Lucy gave him some side-eye, and Wyatt looked abashed, "Just a friendly reminder for my little lady."
Despite herself, Lucy bristled. "Watch it there bub, who are you calling little?" Then suddenly Wanda was done and it was time to mount.
She looked up at the towering saddle. This horse was taller than the ones she'd ridden in grade school. A convenient mounting block had been vital but she wasn't being offered that option here. She put her booted foot in the carved wooden stirrup and felt Wyatt's warm, wide hands slip around her waist firmly but gently. As she clasped the saddle she gave her all to propel herself upwards. Even without Wyatt's gentle shove she probably would have been off balance. But with that extra push, she felt herself gloriously reaching the seat—and then tumbling right down off the other side of the horse.
This can't be happening, she thought. She tried to grab the pommel as it slipped by. Instead, her hands encountered smooth skin and she felt strong hands clasp hers. She stared straight into Wyatt's worried blue eyes. Well, maybe it is worth it, she thought on the way down.
Wyatt realized that things had gone wrong when the look of triumph on Lucy's face turned to one of panic. As if in slow motion, he watched her body continue its momentum down off the horse, reaching back towards him. He reached out over the animal's back, too late of course. But he reached her hand and clasped it, realizing he shouldn't grip too tightly or risk making her pull something. She looked straight in his eyes as she tumbled over. He felt a connection. Holding her hand made him feel good, even as his heart sped up in fear for her safety.
And then she was gone. Lucy slipped out of his hold and fell to the ground. Wyatt strode quickly around the horse, touching its back so as not to alarm it, then reached down to help Lucy right herself. He took her hand to steady her and without thinking brushed dust from her coat. She coughed, catching her breath, looking embarrassed and relieved to find herself unharmed. He reached out to straighten her hat, and they shared a smile.
Wanda broke in on the moment that fell between them. "I'm sorry to interrupt you two love birds, but we don't have all day. Let's try this again, Lucy. A little less umph on the takeoff and you'll be fine."
Wyatt and Lucy gave each other a look when Wanda said the words "love birds", then Wyatt tucked Lucy's hand in his arm and escorted her back to try again.
The day took them on a trail across open range and into the shelter of the foothills of one of the nearest mountains. They stopped in the middle of the day to rest and water the horses. They ate a picnic lunch on a hillside that looked back across to the ranch and Wyatt's home in the distance.
"This is beautiful here." Lucy pulled her jacket around her to keep the chill of the wind out. She leaned against a rock and bit into the flaky empanada their hosts had packed for them. Wyatt sat down beside her, handing her a cup of coffee. He sipped one himself, then pulled out a jacknife and began to whittle a piece of wood.
"Ayup." He said laconically. She was surprised at the lack of inflection in his tone, thinking maybe he was unimpressed and had seen this all before. She blew on her coffee and looked at him over the rim. Seeing his expression, she got a vastly different impression. Taking a break from his task, his eyes drank in the distant horizon, speaking volumes. The cool winter sunlight tipped the distant town with a silver-gold light. A river they had passed snaked through the land glittering every so often like a diamond necklace. The landscape was severe, but the expanse drew Lucy's heart.
A darker expression drifted across Wyatt's face and he returned to his whittling. "Not everybody appreciates it."
Lucy nodded. She didn't want to pry. Sipping her coffee, she watched as the guides checked the horses' hooves for rocks and later packed up their lunch things. Every so often she glanced at Wyatt as the silence lingered. The piece of wood in his hands grew smoother, with a soft curve to it. She couldn't make out what it would be, but she enjoyed watching the small, deft movements his hand made, and the concentration on his face that drained it of anxiety.
She was just about to suggest they get ready to go when he said softly. "My wife Jessica grew up here, just like me. But for her coming back out here was more of a chore. For me, coming back home to see my grandparents, the mountains. It felt like coming home."
Lucy listened, transfixed by what she imagined was a very unusual outpouring from this reserved soldier. She put a hand on his arm and said, "I can see why."
He gave her a shy smile, looking a bit embarrassed at unburdening himself. He stood up and helped her stand as well. "Thanks," she said.
"No," he returned, "Thank you."
A very tired Lucy looked sat sipping tea, looking back on her day. The trip into the Texas rangelands was just what she'd been hoping for. The quiet and the distant horizon helped her feel like the narrowly constricted turns her life had taken might one day open back up. Simply not having to respond to other people's needs was heaven. No papers to grade, no students' fears to allay, no administration egos to stroke. She did miss Amy and her mother, but when she Facetimed with them they were so busy with their own visits and social events, that she felt she might have been a bit lonely if she had been home.
To be honest, she felt very much not alone here. More together than she had in a long time. The game of pretending to be boyfriend and girl during the trail ride had felt all too natural. Wyatt had dutifully helped her on the horse with each stop. He'd been attentive, laughed at her jokes. Even took her arm a few times, and was always there to help her on rocky bits when they had to lead their horses. He'd been the perfect date.
Too bad he wasn't, really.
She gathered herself from swiftly descending thoughts and considered once again their sleeping arrangements. Tonight. This can't go on any more, she thought. She set down her mug and made her way to the spare room. But when she got there she got shy. The door way half shut and the light in the room was dim.
As she hesitated, she heard Wyatt's voice from within, "Lucy? Is everything okay?"
She pushed the door open and peeped inside. Wyatt lay on the narrow bed. He wore soft grey pajama pants, and nothing else. She saw the muscles in his stomach tense as he shifted to look at her, and she swallowed to keep from drawing in an amazed gasp. She'd felt his muscles when they tussled by the stairs, but seeing them...
He repeated his words, "Is everything okay?" and a concerned expression crossed his face. She tore her eyes from his body and gave a nod. Then shook her head.
"Yes, I mean, no. Wyatt you said we were going to trade beds days ago. This has gone on long enough. I'm your guest in the most generous of lights. I can't add kicking you out of your own bed to the list of ways I'm putting you out."
"You're not. It's no trouble."
"No, I literally am. You just came home from a long assignment, got hit on the head, and here I am.."
"Yes," he broke in, "Here you are. And..it's nice having you here." He sat up straighter and patted the side of the bed, signalling for her to sit. She obeyed, feeling a sudden surge of adrenaline as she came closer to him. His ankle brushed her hip as she sat on the edge of the cot.
"You're sure this will hold my weight and yours?"
He chuckled, "Trust me the ones at boot camp took much more abuse and survived." He nudged her with a toe. "A lightweight like you won't make a dent."
"You're calling me little again? I thought we covered this at the ranch." She glared at him without much heat, then remembered why she was there. "Seriously, Wyatt, I'm worried about you. You should have a better place to sleep while you heal."
He raised a hand to his head. She'd helped him change the bandage that evening. The crisp smell of his freshly shampooed hair and the subtle musk that was Wyatt's own scent came back to her from the memory of that moment. He touched the spot gingerly then said, "It's fine."
Lucy decided to take another tack. "Wyatt, I am having trouble falling asleep thinking of you here on this hard thing when you should be recovering in your own bed. Please, let me take this room."
He swung his legs off the pile of blankets on the cot. For a moment she thought she'd succeeded. He looked off into the distance, and she found her eyes lingering on his physique. His finely muscled arm, balanced on the wooden edge of the cot was next to her. The thought of reaching out to touch him tantalized her. Then he looked at her and she realized she was wrong to believe he was going to budge.
"Lucy. I heard you on the phone the other morning. I don't know exactly what you're dealing with back in San Francisco, but I know it's a lot. And you said this was the first vacation you've taken in years. I'll be damned," he put his hand on her shoulder, "if I let you spend your first vacation in ages from the illness and work you've been dealing with, on a creaky old cot like this." She was dazzled by the intensity of deep blue eyes meeting her own. It almost distracted her from the feel of his hand on her shoulder. Almost.
She knew she was beat, but a Preston doesn't give up. She went on weakly, "But how can I let you sleep on a creaky old cot if you're injured?" Her face crumpled a little bit. "And it was my fault." She looked away, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
"Hey," he said gently. She sniffled, still looking away. "Lucy. Look at me." She felt a light touch to her chin and turned back to him. His too blue eyes now held a look of concern. "Let's set something straight. It was an accident that we met."
"Is that what we're calling Rufus, these days?" She couldn't help interjecting some snark.
"Point taken. But as I was saying. This wasn't something we planned, but I'm glad you're here. In fact, it's nice to be able to make someone else happy for a change. Think of this as you doing me a favor."
Lucy was overcome with emotion again, gladness this time, but she looked away again. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She felt him give her shoulder a shove.
"Now get to sleep. And enjoy that king size bed of mine."
"Wait, you are sleeping in his king size bed?"
"Yes, that's what I said, sis." Lucy was wishing she had left that part out of her run down for Amy. "But don't worry, nothing is going on, and he's been a gentleman. I'm sure there's no reason to be worried about anything. You don't think I should be worried, do you?"
"Hold up. So he suggested you pretend to be dating, and he keeps making plans with you for these romantic, sweet, full day adventures. And you are sleeping in his comfy, huge, king size bed-alone?"
"He's just being nice."
"Nice, huh. I wish the people I date were half that nice."
"Okay, let's drop your fantasies about my love life—"
"Oh, so we're fantasizing now? I'm encouraged."
"You are incorrigible! Tell me about Rufus. You said you met up with him, when he had that trouble with the laundry?"
"Yeah. I couldn't figure out why he wasn't in more of a rush for it to get fixed, but it turns out Jiya had offered to let him use her machines."
"Jiya? I thought she was convinced he was some kind of security threat after the whole house switcheroo."
"Well, guess who missed his video game system? And guess who offered to buy dinner for Jiya in exchange for a little Overwatch time on her 75 inch TV?"
"No! You mean Jiya and Rufus are dating?"
"I'll have to report back once I get to talk to Jiya, since I didn't exactly cross examine, Rufus."
"Wait a minute, you didn't grill him?"
"No, of course not. I did ask him a few questions, though."
"Okay, there it is."
"And he said nothing! I couldn't get a single detail out of him. Except for the bit about dinner. And the TV. And the video games."
"And the laundry?"
"That does not count. He had to explain where he was."
"You see how ridiculous this all is. There may be a perfectly platonic explanation for them spending time together. Just like..."
"Just like you and Mr. Blue Eyes? Well, that may be so. I might wake up tomorrow with my hair turned purple I suddenly enjoy line dancing, but I think it's much more likely that the simple truth is that you like each other."
"All right. I'm done with my dose of smug for the morning. You going to talk to Mom today?"
"Yup. And you don't even have to tell me not to talk with her about your very complicated non-relationship thing that's going on."
"Thank you!"
"Hey, what are sisters for?"
The next day, Wyatt and Lucy headed out to a hot springs resort. Their day was complete with spa appointments and a pair of chaperones in the form of Wyatt's Delta Force buddy David Baumgardner, and David's Texas-born wife, Julie. Lucy was so looking forward to her massage and pedicure that she didn't think about the fact that she was meeting Wyatt's old friends until it was about to happen. As Wyatt pulled his jeep into the parking lot at the resort, Lucy took stock of what she was wearing, ran a brush through her hair, and touched up her make-up in the mirror embedded in her sun visor. Wyatt looked at her quizzically.
"Aren't you going to lose all of that when you get in the hot springs?"
She flashed a smile at him, her lips richly defined by the wine colored lipstick she wore. "First impressions are everything." She shook her mascara, pulled out the brush and then delicately touched up her eyes.
Wyatt leaned on the steering wheel, regarding her. "You look beautiful," he said. Her eyes flew wide. She looked at him shyly.
"Thank you." The smile on his face deepened and her expression warmed. They said nothing else as they left the car to join the other couple, and Lucy felt the absence of his hand on her arm as they walked side by side. He'd taken several times the day before and she'd grown accustomed quickly. But she felt a warm glow in her belly, and when she looked over at him a few times, she was met by his warm smile and appreciative looks.
The couples met to have a drink together at the bar, and then split up for their respective appointments. Lucy and Julie had massages scheduled, followed by manicures and pedicures. Lucy was practically vibrating with anticipation about the day and sudden nerves about meeting Wyatt's friends. David Baumgardner was a lean, good-looking solder, with wavy light brown hair and an intelligent smile that reached his eyes. His wife Julie was a trim, striking blonde woman, with a reserved, observant air that dissolved into easy delight at the sight of Wyatt.
David grabbed Wyatt with a bear hug and shook Lucy's hand enthusiastically. She lit up at the friendly greeting and began visibly relaxing. Turning to David's wife, she felt a shift in the atmosphere as she grasped the hand of the slim green-eyed blond. Julie was friendly but calm, and Lucy had the distinct impression she was being assessed and considered.
Lucy kept her chin up and for some reason kept returning in her mind to what she'd told her sister. There was nothing between her and Wyatt but kindness and friendship. She had nothing to hide and nothing to be judged for. Nonetheless, when they walked over to the bar for their drink, Lucy felt great relief to find Wyatt at her side. She had no idea that her smile at him lit up her face. Or that Wyatt's responding smile was the brightest the Baumgardners had seen their friend look in years. The husband and wife exchanged knowing glances.
The four chatted easily. Lucy relaxed and thought her fears had been for naught. She and Julie went off for their treatments while the men went out to the golf driving range. The masseuse wrapped her in warm towels and left her as a relaxed heap of limp muscles. Feeling about ready to drift off, she sauntered over to the salon area. She found Julie with her hands already in the cosmetology practitioner's relaxed grip. An older woman with attractive salt and pepper hair rubbed moisturizer into the blond woman's hands. Julie smiled languidly at Lucy as she joined her. A younger woman came from behind the counter, introduced herself to Lucy and began prepping for Lucy's treatment.
Lucy said, "Thank you for making the booking. Wyatt told me you two were regulars and pulled some strings to get us in before my vacation ended."
Green half-lidded eyes circled slowly to meet Lucy's brown ones. Measuring her words carefully, Julie said, "He can be very thoughtful."
Lucy leaned back in the chair. "Mmm-hmm... He's been incredibly sweet."
Unseen by the dark-haired woman, Julie's green eyes narrowed further. Julie kept the tone of her voice light as she said, "This is the first time he's introduced us to a woman since Jessica left. " Lucy's eyes snapped open and her head jerked in Julie's direction.
"Um. That's, interesting." Lucy scanned Julie's face trying to take in what the other woman was trying to communicate, to determine what her intent was. Dear god, I hope I'm not getting caught in some kind of jealous love triangle. A tight feeling spawned in the pit of Lucy's stomach. The young woman holding her hands pulled out the cuticle tool and Lucy braced herself for an emotional as well as physical onslaught.
Julie nodded, taking in Lucy's taut face and stiff posture. She gave her a considering look and asked casually. "How did you two meet?"
Lucy's face turned crimson. She focused on her nails rather than face Julie. "He didn't tell you?"
"No, actually. All he's said is that you're visiting the area, and he asked us to help you enjoy your stay." She paused. "Wyatt means the world to us. He's practically an adopted uncle to our girls. I've known him for years, and my husband and Wyatt have served together for several tours. So all of us would do anything for him."
Lucy's eyes rose and she met Julie's gaze as the woman spoke. She felt like there was more the other woman wasn't saying. "And?"
Julie raised an eyebrow. "And I'm just curious to meet the person who's been able to pull our dear friend out of his shell." She went on lightly, glancing over at Lucy every so often. "He's practically been a hermit since his divorce. If not for us and Rufus, I don't think anyone would have seen him except his fellow soldiers. Sometimes I think he's wanted to ride off into the range like a wounded animal and just disappear." Julie shook her head to shake away the vision. "That's foolishness, of course. But still..."
Lucy nodded. "I've seen it, too. The way he just gazes off into the distance." She looked at Julie with guarded hope in her eyes. "Julie, I'd like to understand about what happened. Beneath all that Delta Force swagger, he seems so tender. Like he's got a wound he's protecting."
Julie's eyes darted to meet Lucy's directly. She ensnared Lucy's eyes with her intense direct gaze. "So, you're interested in our Wyatt?"
Stung, Lucy's chin came up. "You asked how we met? Well, Rufus set up a house swap. I came down here expecting a quiet getaway. I've had a lot of stress lately. But what should happen? Rufus had the keys to Wyatt's place. He thought the house would be empty..."
Julie's eyes lit up. She interjected, "Rufus put you up at Wyatt's?" Her guarded look gave way to a belly laugh. The blonde woman shook until she had tears in her eyes. The practioner asked if she needed to take a break, and Julie tried to calm herself again.
Lucy went from consternation, to appreciation, to chuckling herself. Julie gave her a conspiratorial smile. "I'm sorry, Lucy. When Wyatt sprang today's outing on us, and we'd never even heard your name before, I couldn't help but wonder. Then when he turns out to be totally smitten with you..."
Lucy's mouth dropped open, "No, no. You've got it all wrong. He's just being nice. I mean I hit him on the head, and we were just pretending to date yesterday..."
Both of the women scrubbing their hands suddenly paused what they were doing. Three pairs of eyes now stared at Lucy.
Julie's green eyes glittered with amusement. "Why don't you start at the beginning, hon'."
Finishing up at the driving range, Wyatt and Dave retired to the sauna. Wyatt exhaled with a deep sigh as he sat on the wooden bench, the lower part of his body encased in a thick white towel. It had been some time since he had been on such a long ride and the healing warmth was welcome. Dave put a dipper full of water on the hot rocks. Both men braced against the intense heat of the steam, holding their breath until the air cleared again. They sat in silence for a few minutes.
Dave finally spoke. "So, the Sherriff is finally dating again? Good for you, bro."
Wyatt blinked and looked at his friend. "What gave you that idea?"
"She's clever, funny, easy to talk to and she hasn't run away from your sad puppy look yet. I tell you buddy, if you don't keep her around you'll regret it. Not to mention how beautiful she is."
"Hey!" Wyatt was taken aback, both at his friend's directness, and at the strange feeling in his breast at the prospect of another man talking about how beautiful Lucy was. Truthfully, she is damn gorgeous, he thought.
"C'mon man, I'm not trying to poach. (Julie would kill me) Just straight talk here. You're nuts if you let this one get away."
Wyatt was assimilating his friend's words as fast as he could. The events of the trail ride the day before were flashing before his eyes. Each touch they'd shared. The feel of her slim hand snugly held against his side. "Lucy deserves better than someone as broken as I am."
Dave gave a short laugh. "That's her choice to make. If she decided to let herself fall for you, your only choice is not to think about who she deserves but if you're gonna let her in. Or not."
"Easy for you to say. You and Julie are happy. We don't all get happy endings like you."
"Are you still hung up on Jess? I know that hurt, buddy. But just cause that wasn't meant to be doesn't mean you have to be alone forever. Don't lose this chance."
"I don't even know if I'm ready to be open to someone else."
"You are. I saw you with Lucy, if you weren't you wouldn't look at her the way you do."
"What? I don't..."
"Yes, you do. Your mind might want to hold you back because of Jess, but your heart knows."
Another silence settled between them. Someone else entered the sauna, nodded to the soldiers and added more water to the rocks. Wyatt closed his eyes against the heat, feeling his friend's words and the steam melt away his resistance, thinking about what Dave said about letting something so good slip away.
That evening, Wyatt and Lucy sat on the deck. Enjoying a beer and glass of wine, they watched the sunset together. A companionable silence stretched out into a long pause they were unsure how to break.
Leaving the resort earlier, neither of them had spoken about what the Baumgardners had said privately. But each noticed a certain awkwardness that was new. Wyatt opened the car door for Lucy stiffly. She sat in his car feeling the strangeness of being there. And even more so, feeling how odd it was to have become so comfortable, so quickly. Lucy felt keenly the gaping holes in her knowledge about this quiet soldier. Questions ran through her mind—When did you get divorced? Do you miss Jessica? What ended things? But she had stayed quiet.
Sitting on the deck, Lucy felt a deep relaxation throughout her body. Despite the confusion in her mind since her talk with Julie, the week of activity and the massage had done their work. Her body finally felt free of the bone-deep tension she'd carried for years now. She settled back into her chair and said, "Hey."
Wyatt pulled his eyes from the horizon and returned her gaze. "Yeah?"
The languor invading Lucy's body soothed her unsettled nerves. "Wyatt, I'm so grateful for this vacation. I don't think I can remember the last time I had such a good time."
He eyed her appreciatively. "Me, too," he said.
She went on, "I also don't know the last time I was so sore." He chuckled at that.
"Truthfully, I haven't been sore in quite these places in a long time either."
Lucy closed her eyes for a moment, dragging her mind back from where that comment sent her thoughts spinning. She felt sleep drag at her consciousness and fought it. "Wyatt, I'm really enjoying being here with you." She tried to formulate all the ways he had gone out of his way to make her feel welcome, upended her expectations, and generally transformed a debacle into the best time of her life. All she could get out was. "It's special. You're special."
Taking a swig from the beer, he took in the sleepy look in her eyes, the way she sagged in the chair. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you." Very quietly he said, "You, too." More distinctly he said. "Also, I think we've pushed all your Professorial endurance to the limit. Time for you to hit the hay."
"Don't call me ma'am," she said, a bit groggily. "Sounds like you're talking to my mother."
Wyatt stood, and took Lucy by the hand. Pulling on her limp limb he coaxed her up from the chair. "Trust me. I've not met Carolyn Preston, but I'm pretty sure I'd never mix you up with her."
Snapped out of her trance by his tug, Lucy surged upward. She landed standing quite close to him.
"Wyatt," she said. "Thank you, for everything." Getting up on her tippy-toes and setting her hands on his shoulders, she placed a sweet kiss in the near vicinity of his mouth.
Wyatt stood in stunned silence, his train of thought lost. Since talking with David the thought of kissing Miss Lucy Preston had plagued him. Driving her back here he'd itched to take her hand, or lean over and nuzzle her dark hair when he stopped the engine. But the reality of contact with her stopped him dead in his tracks.
It was not so much the kiss. The contact was brief, her soft lips grazing the corner of his mouth. But the flood of emotion unleashed by that little touch floored him. He realized that Lucy stood in front of him still, wavering on unsteady legs. Looking a bit nervous at the potential aftermath of her impulsive act. He captured one of her hands where it had fallen to her side. He pulled it against his chest, covering it with his own. He spoke, hesitatingly.
"Lucy, I am really enjoying having you here. It's making me happy to give you the break you deserve. Honestly, it's giving me a break, too. It's been hard to let go of the pain of losing Jess."
Lucy looked up at him with wide eyes. He looked deep into their brown depths and took a deep breath.
"May I..may I take you out on a date?" he said quietly.
Impossibly, Lucy's eyes opened wider. Not trusting her voice, she just nodded. Wyatt breathed out, relieved. Tension left his body he hadn't know was there until it was gone. He picked up her hand from where it rested on his chest. He brought it to his mouth, brushing his lips across her knuckles. Lucy looked at him as if dreaming. His eyes caught on her lips. He whispered, "May I?" and followed the path of his gaze to press his mouth against hers. After a breathless moment, Lucy responded, moving her lips against his, lightly touching his lips with her tongue. He opened his own lips and tasted her mouth gently. Long, sweet moments later, they broke apart and he stepped back.
"Good night, Lucy."
Lucy's heart beat rapidly. She suddenly could not imagine sleeping. "Good night, Wyatt." He lead her to the stairway, and Lucy walked up to the bedroom. She curled up in a ball on his too-wide bed. Reliving the day, thinking hopeful thoughts, until she drifted off, still certain she would never lose consciousness, perhaps ever again.
Wyatt lay on the stiff cot, unable to stop grinning. His last thought before he fell asleep was, Damn you, Bam Bam. When the hell did you get so damn insightful?