The Picnic

Candy Pruitt is walking casually up the road to Bridal Veil Mountain. She is on her way to take lunch to her beau, Jeremy Bolt. As she nears the camp, she stops and straightens her dress and pats her hair down. She wants to look her best for Jeremy.

Joshua, Jeremy's brother, is the first one to spot Candy. He nudges Jeremy and jokingly says, "Uh oh, brother. Looks like you're being checked up on." He nods in Candy's direction.

Jeremy turns and sees Candy. He is pleasantly surprised to see her. He rushes over to her and touches her arm. "What are you d-doing up here?"

"Hi Jeremy. I thought I would bring you some lunch," Candy responds with a sweet smile. "I hope you haven't eaten yet."

"N-no, I haven't eaten yet. We're j-just breaking for lunch."

"Oh good! Is there somewhere we can go and have a picnic?"

"Uh, sure. I g-guess we can sit over there on that log." Jeremy points over to a log close to the camps eating area where the men are beginning to sit and eat.

Candy slightly shakes her head and mumbles, "Oh my!" She takes Jeremy's arm to stop him from walking to the log. "Jeremy," she whispers so the men can't hear her. "I was thinking maybe somewhere more away from everybody. You know, so we could be alone."

"Oh, sorry." Jeremy's face turns red. "Let's g-go this way." He turns them to a little path that leads to a small clearing. "Will this do?"

"Yes, this is fine." Candy takes a red and white checked tablecloth out of the basket and hands it to Jeremy. He spreads the cloth on the ground, then helps Candy to sit. He sits next to her. "I hope you're hungry. I brought your favorite, fried chicken."

Jeremy licks his lips. "Yes, I am and I do like your f-fried chicken." He takes the plate from Candy and waits until she has all the food spread out. Then they fill their plates and begin eating. They talk about their day so far, laugh, and just enjoy being together.

After they have put everything back in the basket, Jeremy takes Candy's hand and says, " Thank you for lunch, Candy. It was d-delicious."

"You're quite welcome. Jeremy, I hope I wasn't out of line by bringing lunch to you. It's just that I wanted to do something nice for you." She looks embarrassed. "And I used this as an excuse to come see you." Her face turns red.

Jeremy smiles and raises her hand to his lips and kisses her fingertips. "It's f-fine, Candy. I'm glad you came."

"Really Jeremy? You're not just saying that are you?"

"No, I'm not just saying that. I'm glad you came." He leans forward and gives her a small kiss on the cheek.

"I guess I should leave so you can get back to work. I don't want to make Jason so mad that he tells me not to come up here again." She brushes Jeremy's hair out of his face and lets her hand linger on his cheek.

"Candy, I h-hope you'll do this again. I really enjoyed being with you." He stands up and helps her up. "I'll walk you back to town."

"You don't need to walk me back. I can find my way."

"I k-know I don't need to, Candy. But I w-want to." He takes her hand entertwining their fingers and they start walking to town.

As they come upon a small patch of wild daisies, Candy bends down and picks one. She smells it and then lets Jeremy smell it. While they continue their walk, Candy starts pulling the petals from the daisy and says, "He loves me, he loves me not. He loves me, he loves me not."

Jeremy stops and takes the daisy from her hand. "You d-don't need a daisy to t-tell you the answer." He puts his hands around her waist and gives her lips a light kiss. He looks into her eyes. "I love you, Miss Candy Pruitt."

Candy puts her hand to her mouth and gasps, "Oh!" Her arms go around Jeremy's neck and she leans into him. "I love you too, Mr. Jeremy Bolt. So very much."

Being this is the first time either one has said the word love, they are happy and excited. They continue holding each other and looking into each others eyes. Their lips meet for a brief moment, then they meet again in a much longer kiss.

When they break apart, Jeremy takes her hand and they continue their walk to town. "That was b-better than a daisy." He blushes.

"Yes, I agree." She blushes.

As they arrive in town, they walk to the dormitory and stop at the door. "Thank you for walking me back, Jeremy." Candy smiles ever so sweetly.

"My pleasure." Jeremy doesn't want to let go of Candy's hand. He raises it to his lips and kisses her fingertips. "Candy, can I see you t-tonight?"

"I would love that, Jeremy. See you tonight."

Jeremy leans forward and gives her a soft kiss. "See you tonight."

Candy stands on the porch and watches Jeremy until he is out of sight. She giggles.

"Tonight. I'll see you tonight," she thinks to herself. She smiles and goes inside.