Ch. 4
Sunday rolled around and found me taking full advantage of the day of rest. I slept in till 9:30, not wanting to waste too much of such a beautiful day. The sun was shining and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. I quickly ate breakfast and packed a lunch before heading out the door with may messenger bag full of paints in hand. I drove through the woods until I found the spot I was looking for. I parked on the side of the road and started down the green, semi-overgrown path until I reached a small, abandoned strip of the beach. I stood for a moment, soaking in the beauty, before unpacking. I set up the paints and pulled out a small canvas, then set to work on trying to capture the beauty, stillness and peace of this place.
I painted, and lost track of the time, caught up in my own little world, then a sense of something reached me. I sat up ramrod straight and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Someone was here. I whirled around, for a moment I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but as I looked closer I saw someone standing there. When they realized they were seen, they started moving forward and as he came closer I recognized him. It was none other then Jared. I felt panic rise inside me. Why was he here? What was I supposed to do? I almost wished he would disappear, but he kept coming. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and when I judged he was within hearing distance, I called out. "Jared, what are you doing here?"
"I was just going out for a run, and saw someone over here, so I thought I would see what they were doing."
He had reached me, and looked around him to where he had been, then looked at him dubiously. "You could see from there?"
He turned to look as well, then faced me again with a chagrined look on his face.
"Yeah, well I have good eyesight." He said and quickly changed the subject. "What are you doing?"
I looked at the paints strewn around me. "It's not obvious?"
He laughed. "I guess it is. May I see?" He asked gesturing toward the painting.
I nodded and handed him the painting. He looked at it for a moment, then at the vista before us and back at the painting.
"Wow Kim, this is amazing." He said, the sincerity tangible in every word.
"Thanks" I said with a small smile, blushing a little at his praise.
The morning was filled with talking and laughing and teasing. Something about Jared set me at ease, he was easy to talk to and fun to be around. Before I knew it the morning was gone and my stomach was growling.
"You hungry?" Jared asked laughing.
I blushed, but laughed along with him. "Would you like some lunch?"
"I never turn down food." He said smiling.
I smiled back. "I didn't pack very much, but it should be enough." I told him as I rummaged through my bag. "Aha" I exclaimed as I pulled out the brown paper bag.
"What would you like, there's peanut butter and jelly, chips and an apple."
"That's all you brought? I can't take anything, that's barely enough for you." He surprised at the amount of food, but adamant in his decision.
"No, take some, I don't eat all of it anyway." I insisted.
"I don't believe you." He said firmly. I could see I would get nowhere by pressuring him. I took an apple and bit into it.
"Fine then, but I'm telling you I won't finish it all." I told him. He didn't appear convinced.
I finished the apple and a bite out of the sandwich before setting it down.
"You can't be done!" He said incredulously.
"I'm not that hungry." I said fibbing just a little. I wasn't extremely hungry, in truth, but I could've easily finished everything I packed. I could tell Jared still didn't believe me, but I felt certain that after a while his stomach would get the best of him.
I was right of course. Before too long the call of that food was too much for him.
"You're sure you're not going to eat it?" he asked, eyeing the food.
"I'm sure."
I smiled, then gaped as he wolfed down the sandwich and chips in 5 seconds.
"Hungry much?" I asked him, still amazed.
He smiled sheepishly then changed the subject. "I didn't mean to keep you from your painting."
"It's fine." I assured him, waving away his concern.
"No, I mean it, keep painting. I'll watch."
I looked at him warily, before acquiescing and turned to my painting. It was hard to concentrate. I was only too aware of his eyes on me, but it didn't take long for the magic of creating a picture drew me in. I lost myself in it, but never lost the knowledge or awareness that Jared was there.
My cell phone rang, jolting me out of the trance. It was Amber.
"Yeah?" I said looking at Jared then away quickly.
"Kim, where are you? You're supposed to take me to the Hunters'." she said annoyed.
"Oh gosh Amber, I'm so sorry. I lost track of the time, I'll be there in a second. Call and tell them you're going to be late, but make sure they know it's my fault. Okay?"
"Sure, but hurry" she said before hanging up.
I looked at Jared. "I'm sorry, I have to go, my little sister needs a ride to her babysitting job."
"Okay let me help you pack up." He said, and I thought I saw a trace of disappointment in his face, but maybe it was my imagination.
"Thanks" I told him, extremely grateful for the help. "Is your car parked around here?" I asked as I started frantically throwing things in my bag.
"Slow down," he said, taking a hold of my hands. "breaking your things won't help anything, and no, my car isn't here. I was running, remember?"
"Oh yeah," I said breathless from the contact, then my brain caught up to present and I pulled my hands out of his. Hurt filled his face briefly, but he hid it so quickly, I was sure I imagined it. I looked away and started gathering my belongings again.
"Do you need a ride then?" I asked, still not looking at him.
"Yeah, that'd be good."
I could hear the smile in his voice and one automatically appeared on my face as well.
"Okay then, let's go." I said slinging the bag on my shoulder.
"Let me get that." He said, reaching for my bag.
"Thanks" I said letting him take it. The smile on my face grew even larger.
We hiked through the forest for a minute or so before we reached the car.
"You can just set the bag in the backseat." I told him as I headed around to the driver's seat. I started the car and we were off. I speeded home and found Amber standing there with a very disgruntled look on her face, that is, until she saw who was in the car with me. Then her face transformed into a look of surprise, satisfaction and determination. The determination I was sure was for the interrogation she would give me later tonight. I pulled up to the drive way and she hopped in.
"I'm sorry Amber. You called the Hunters?" I asked as we sped away.
"Yes, try to be on time next time." She said trying to sound annoyed, but I could hear the pleasure in her voice.
"I'll remember." I said giving her a knowing look through the mirror. She just smiled.
We pulled up to the Hunters' house and she got out.
"Be safe" I called to her.
"I will, have fun Kim." She said giving me a pointed look, then turned and went into the house.
I rolled my eyes and drove away, then turned to Jared. "Do you want me to drop you off at your house?" I asked.
"Sure, thanks. Do you know where it is?"
I gave him a disbelieving look. "You're kidding right? In this town everyone knows where everyone lives."
He smiled. "Just checking."
We were silent for a moment, then Jared looked at me. "You and your sister are close, aren't you?"
"Yeah, we are." I said thinking. I was lucky and I knew it.
We pulled up to his house.
"Thanks for the ride." Jared said as he got out.
"Anytime." I answered. His face lit up.
"I may have to take you up on that." He said in a teasing tone.
My brain functioning stopped. I fumbled trying to recover control.
"Of course, that means you'll have to do the same for me." I mentally slapped myself as the words came out of my mouth.
"It's a deal then." He said holding out his hand with a big smile.
"Deal" I said shaking it, a ridiculous smile spreading across my face.
Then he walked into the house and I drove away.
"Kim, how stupid can you be?" I groaned and wished I could beat my head on something; unfortunately, I was too safe of a driver to do anything of the sort. "You practically demanded he give you rides when you need them! Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!" but despite my continued thoughts, that smile wouldn't go away.