Thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far - they've been wonderful:) So here's the next chapter - still a few more to come!
Chapter 6
Jacques pointed them down a sandy path lit with bamboo candles. "'Ave a good night! Au revoir!" he waved.
They took off their shoes and carried them as they maneuvered along the path. Mac led the group to an enormous campfire blazing upwards into the night sky.
"A bonfire!" gasped Lindsay, reaching for Danny's hand and squeezing it excitedly. It reminded her of Halloween on her uncle Sam's farm - the hayrides were always followed by a bonfire just like this. The scent of burning wood was most nostalgic - she could almost taste the hot cider and caramel apples.
When they arrived, everyone inspected the inviting site before them: plush blankets and pillows were spread across the sand surrounding the fire, and a large picnic basket full of goodies sat nearby. Large pieces of driftwood were used to weigh down the blankets. The flickering of the fire made shadows dance across the sand. The light wind in the air made the waves of the lake larger than they had been previously, the sound of their crashing against the shore mixing with the crackling of the fire.
Lindsay shivered, not sure if it was from the chilly breeze coming off the lake, or just the excitement of the moment. As she inched closer to the fire, however, she felt enveloped by its smoky warmth. She huddled in front of it, rubbing her hands together briskly and grinning with delight. Just when she thought this week couldn't be any more perfect.
Everyone chose a spot on the blankets and sat down: Stella sat cross-legged on one blanket, Hawkes and Flack collapsed onto their backs on another. Danny sat back against on of the pieces of driftwood; Lindsay sat between his outstretched legs, leaning back with her head against his shoulder as he put his arms around her. When he spoke, his breath and stubble against her ear sent tingles the whole way down to her toes.
Stella wasted no time in reaching for the picnic basket, opening its lid. "What do we have here?" she murmured. "Oh, champagne! A disposable camera… cups and a big bottle of water… and marshmallows for roasting!" She passed out the plastic champagne flutes, then popped the cork. When each person's glass was filled with bubbly golden liquid, five pairs of eyes looked at Mac expectantly.
"Another toast? Really?" he asked skeptically. "I'm running out of inspiration here."
Flack raised his glass. "A toast to toasts!" he suggested.
"To toasts!" everyone echoed, as more glasses were raised and then promptly drained.
Danny looked at Lindsay as he clinked his glass against hers. "To you," he said quietly, kissing her cheek.
Lindsay smiled and craned her neck to peck his lips. She turned back to the group, blushing slightly when Stella winked at her. At least the pinkness could be attributed to the heat from the fire.
Passed around next was the bag of marshmallows, along with long, precut roasting sticks. Lindsay squeezed her marshmallow onto the stick carefully, then held it into the fire.
"The secret," she explained, "is to make sure you keep rotating it. Otherwise, you'll get black bubbles on the outside." She retracted her stick from the blaze, and showed off her brown, crispy treat. "Voila!" she popped it into her mouth and reached for another marshmallow. This time, the others followed suit, carefully following Lindsay's directions.
"Dammit," mumbled Flack as he pulled his flaming marshmallow out. It took him a few full-bodied puffs to get the flame out completely. Everyone laughed – he looked like a boy on his birthday trying to blow out a trick candle. "Oh quiet," he grinned, pulling his marshmallow off the stick. All that came off, though, was the charred outside; the gooey, melted minside plopped down into the sand.
"Haha, try again Flack," said Stella, tossing the bag in his direction. Flack just smirked, laughing along with the rest.
"Alright, Montana," Danny said mischievously, holding a perfectly-roasted specimen on his stick. "I'll feed you, you feed me."
Flack rolled his eyes and pulled his mallow out of the fire… it, again, was on fire. "Apparently this takes a degree of finesse," he said, blowing out the flame.
"Yeah, one you're lacking," teased Mac, handing him his perfectly-roasted one.
"Alright you two, feed each other," Hawkes cheered Danny and Lindsay on. "Do it like it's wedding cake!"
They groaned, but obediently crossed their arms and attempted to feed each other. Maneuvering the sticks to each other's mouths was awkward; Danny was getting marshmallow dangerously close to Lindsay's nose, and she accidentally smeared his cheek.
Stella grabbed the camera. "OK, I think I'm going to need a picture of this!" She aimed it at the couple, then snapped a photo.
Just before reaching Lindsay's lips, Danny's marshmallow slipped off the stick and tumbled to the sand. Laughing, they gave up and unwrapped their arms, then attempted to clean themselves up. Lindsay giggled as she tried to wipe the sticky confection from the tip of her nose and her chin.
Danny leaned over and whispered in a voice so low only she could hear: "If we were alone, I would take care of that for you." He licked his lips suggestively.
Lindsay grinned, and used her hand to gently rub the gooey mess from Danny's cheek. "Kinky!" she joked. "We'll have to remember this next time we're alone."
At that moment, looking around her, she realized Mac was missing. "Hey," she spoke up. "Where did Mac go?"
"To get something," Stella winked at them all. "He'll be back any second."
"I know! I think we need a ghost story!" Hawkes suggested, then gasped in mock horror at the cries of protest his idea was met with. "What? Come on! It's the perfect setting for one!"
"NO!" everyone chorused in unison, then laughed.
"I need a break from drama and gore, please," joked Stella. "How about a love story?" she added dreamily.
Lindsay felt Danny's arms tighten around her. I have my own love story, she thought.
"How about some music instead?" They all turned to see Mac returning, walking across the sand with his guitar case in hand. He sat down on the driftwood, taking a moment to pluck the strings and see that they were in tune. He strummed lightly, asking if anyone had any requests. Stella and Flack immediately threw suggestions at him, talking over each other.
Soon, the beach was filled with the sounds of smooth, mellow melodies. Combined with the crackling of firewood and a light breeze crackling the tree leaves, it made for a relaxing atmosphere. Flack lay on his back his feet air-tapping in time with the music. Hawkes absent-mindedly tossed pebbles into the waves, while Stella hummed along to Mac's playing. Lindsay closed her eyes and pulled a blanket over her and Danny.
The music was taking Lindsay back to that night at Cozy's - the anticipation she felt while waiting for Danny, the momentary shame when she thought he wouldn't show. Then he walked in the door and her world had stopped. She was giddy and joyous, then amazed at how nervous he had been initially when he sat down. Ultimately, that night provided her with realization that the feelings she had for Danny were in fact mutual. Now, cradled here in his arms as the same music drifted over them, she knew that dreams could come true. Little could she have imagined that things would turn out so beautifully.
The scene was almost perfect - Lindsay wished she and Danny were alone to enjoy each other on the beach. However, looking around her at the smiling faces in the firelight, she had to admit that her coworkers had become like a family to her. She had left a lot in Montana; but here in New York, she had gained more than she ever thought possible.
Danny awoke to the sweet smell of campfire still lingering in Lindsay's hair. She lay with her back against his bare chest, nestled perfectly into him. He smiled, tightening his arms around her.
"Mmm, morning," she mumbled, her eyes still closed.
Danny placed a soft kiss in her hair, then turned to glance at the clock. 7:30.
"What time do we need to be ready?" asked Lindsay, still half-asleep. She wiggled herself closer into Danny's embrace, intertwining her fingers with his.
"Eight," he replied. "I guess I'll use the bathroom first, let you sleep in a bit more."
She turned over to face him. She opened her eyes slightly and rubbed her nose against his. "No."
"No?" questioned Danny, giving her a peck on her lips. "But I need… to…" His voice trailed off as Lindsay began to run kisses down his neck. Instinctively, his hands began to roam across her back, beneath the tank top she slept in.
"No," she repeated in between kisses.
"Hm…" he sighed in pleasure, "okay then." He dipped his head down to meet hers, the heat intensifying in the privacy of their own bedroom.
Knock knock.
Danny immediately placed his hand behind Lindsay's head, unwilling to let go of her. "Ig… nore… it…" he murmured between kisses.
"Dan—"
"No… leave… it…" he cut her off.
Knock knock knock. Louder this time.
"Goddamn," said Danny, flopping onto his back. "Fine, answer it." Exasperated, he ran a hand over his face.
"You answer it." Danny glanced downwards, then back at her. She rolled her eyes. "Fine."
She ran her hands through her hair as she opened the door. Danny recognized the cheery voice immediately: Rose.
"Good morning!" came her greeting.
It's way too early for that much energy, thought Danny, closing his eyes tighter.
"Just making sure you're awake, breakfast is in fifteen minutes, then it's your day's activity. Dress in athletic wear, and don't be late!"
Lindsay returned a sheepish smile, closed the door, and walked back to Danny.
"I'll shower first," she said softly, leaning down to give him a kiss. Danny quickly moved to deepen it, trying to pull her back into the bed, but she resisted. "Nuh-uh, deary," she laughed, standing up straight. "As much as I'd love to, we need to get ready." She paused, then added, "And I'm showering alone."
Danny pouted. "Whyyyyyyy," he whined.
"Because," she said, stepping just inside the bathroom door frame, "that'll end with either both of us being incredibly late, or you doing a repeat of yesterday." She grinned, and shut the door.
Danny let out a laugh, then closed his eyes. God, she drives me crazy, he smiled to himself. And I love every second of it.
The six sat in the cottage lobby, contently filled with homemade blueberry pancakes. Lindsay lay sleepily against Danny's chest, enjoying the soft twirling of his fingers in her hair.
"Good morning again," cheered Rose, walking up to meet them. A young man followed her. "We've got quite a day planned, but before I get you on your way, I first need Mr. Flack and Mr. Taylor to follow Dylan." Noticing the perplexed look on the two men's faces, she added, "Mr. Flack's doctors have informed me that today's activity is too strenuous for Mr. Flack; Mr. Taylor, I believe you informed the receptionist when you arrived that you'd accompany Mr. Flack on his separate activities."
Mac nodded. The two men waved quick goodbyes, then followed Dylan out a back door. Rose beckoned for the remaining four to follow her outside. Laid out on the grass were four identical red backpacks.
"Today, you'll be going on a nature walk," she explained. "Each bag is equipped with sandwiches, fruits, water, a map of the grounds, and a walkie-talkie. On the map there's a few places marked with Xs that you can walk to, or you can just follow the paths in the woods. Take as long as you like; if you choose to come back early, just use that as free time. Dinner will be served at five-thirty. Any questions? No? Okay, have a great time!"
Lindsay smiled widely as Rose disappeared back into the cottage. She eagerly pulled out one of the maps and slipped the pack onto her back. Noticing the questioning looks from the other three, she explained. "Our ranch in Montana was surrounded by large woods – I used to always go on walks like this when I was a kid. But I haven't done it in years."
"Country girls," muttered Danny, as he, Stella, and Hawkes picked up the remaining three bags. Stella and Hawkes followed closely behind Lindsay as she wasted no time in heading for the woods. Danny just stood and watched – he couldn't help but be awed by her. She had so much energy, so much zest for life, and even though at work she was all about business, she was still a fun-loving country girl at heart...
"Come on, slowpoke!" she called out to him.
...and absolutely perfect for him.