Chapter 178

"Tess, I promised I'd make it up to you because I couldn't be with you before you left on your trip, and I meant that. I want to give us a special night. I understand, with everything that happened today, if you just want to be home in your own bed, but if you're up to it, I'd like to take a ride to watch the sunset with you and try to make it up to you." explained Finn.

"I'd love to watch the sunset with you," said Tess.

Finn smiled and took her hand. He led her to the stables where the horses were all ready to go. "It occurred to me, we hadn't actually ridden together yet. I thought we'd change that." Finn said as he climbed onto Neely. "I love to ride, and I wanted to ride with you."

Finn led Tess out to a remote part of Drovers. It had a beautiful western facing view. There was a large canopy set up. Under the canopy, Finn had laid out a rug with two rocking chairs facing west. In between the chairs, there was a basket filled with chocolates, strawberries, and other fruit. There was a small folding table with an ice bucket on it. There was a bottle of champagne in the ice bucket and two flutes placed next to it. There was another canopy set up, but it had walls draped down from the canopy, so Tess couldn't see what was in it.

"Finn! You did all of this for me?" asked Tess

"I told you I'd make it up to you with a special night." Finn climbed off Neely and led her to the rocking chair. "I think I timed it right." Finn smiled as he checked his watch. He opened the bottle of champagne and poured them each a glass. "There isn't much better than a beautiful sunset in a beautiful place with a beautiful woman."

"This is wonderful Finn, I love you." Tess sipped her champagne and sat, holding his hand, enjoying the sunset, and just being with him."

"So Finn, what's in the other canopy?" Tess asked as darkness fell over Drovers.

"Well, I might have been a bit presumptuous when I set that one up, but I was trying to be optimistic. I'll take you there now if you want. Finn took out two torches and handed her one and said "Just give me one moment. I'll be right back."

Finn walked around to the back of the walled canopy and after a moment it was lit up with paper lanterns. He walked back to Tess and offered her his hand.

Finn held her hand as they walked over to the second canopy. He led her into a large tent that was setup like a bedroom. He had a vintage styled, bronze framed, queen size bed all made up with pillows and bedding. There were night stands on either side of the bed. On one of the night stands, there was a small speaker playing soft music. There was a small wooden trunk at the foot of the bed with a dozen roses in a vase on it. More paper lanterns were set up on the inside of the tent giving it a bright, but very intimate effect.

Sitting on the bed, was a small suitcase that Tess recognized as her own. "What's this?" she asked, pointing to the suitcase.

"That's your overnight bag, I asked Jodi to pack you one when you got back this evening. I'm not sure what's in it, but she said it should have everything you need," answered Finn.

"Finn, this is too much. This is incredible," said Tess.

"I was hoping that we could spend the night together here. I didn't think you'd be keen for another night of rough camping after sleeping on the ground last night, and I wanted to whisk you away, just for tonight, just so we could have a little more privacy. I tried to make it comfortable for you. I didn't want your back or neck to bother you, so I came up with this. I just want you to be comfortable, and for us to have a special night, just the two of us," explained Finn.

"Are you kidding? This looks nicer than my bedroom at the cottage. I want to stay here with you. I would have been happy with a blanket on the ground if you were with me. I just want to be with you Finn," Tess pulled Finn towards her and kissed him.

Tess started unbuttoning Finn's shirt and Finn pulled the band out of Tess' hair, freeing the blonde and silver waves to fall about her face. He ran his fingers through her hair, savoring the smooth feel of it between his fingers.

Finn began unbuttoning her shirt, but Tess stopped him, suddenly feeling self conscience. "Finn, wait, I haven't done this in a really long time. I haven't wanted to do this with anyone in a really long time, and I really want to do this with you. It's just that, well, I'm not twenty-five anymore. I don't want you to be disappointed with what you see," Tess said as she suddenly felt vulnerable. Finn couldn't believe a woman as beautiful as Tess could have insecurities about her appearance.

"Tess, It's been a while for me too. but that doesn't matter tonight. Trust me, I have no desire to be with some twenty five year old girl. I want you, Tess. There is literally no possible way you could disappoint me in that way." Finn cupped her face with his hands."Tess, You are the most fascinating woman I have ever met. Your beauty radiates from your soul and out through your skin. I know every part of you is beautiful, whether I can see it or not." said Finn.

Tess kissed Finn again, and all of her previous anxiety was gone. All she wanted was to be with him at that moment. She felt his hands return to her shirt, but this time she let herself fall into the passion between them.

Tess stirred as she woke. As she remembered where she was, she smiled. Finn was asleep next to her. His arm was over her protectively and she snuggled in closer to him. She felt at ease in his arms.

She felt Finn kissing the back of her neck as he held her close. "Ah, so you're awake," Tess said as she turned over to face him. She traced the shape of his jaw with her thumb. His stubble made the skin coarse under her hand. The roughness of it made her smile as she said, "Good morning."

"Good morning, Tess," Finn said as he smoothed her hair. "Do you have any idea what that smile of yours does to me? I swear everytime you smile at me, I forget my name. I forget where I am. I forget everything, except you."

Tess smiled again as a rosy blush descended on her cheeks. "Well, we might have a problem then, because being with you makes me smile." Tess kissed the corner of his jawline where her thumb had been. "Do you think we could just pretend the rest of the world doesn't exist for a little while longer. I'm not ready for this to end quite yet," she admitted.

"Well we don't have to leave yet. I think we could stay here at least a little longer," Finn said as he pulled Tess tight against him and kissed her.

"So, do you think you might be ready for some breakfast?" Finn asked as he got out of the bed. He was wearing pyjama pants with brown and blue stripes and no shirt. Tess noticed the brown of his pants matched the brown of his eyes and hair, and she couldn't figure out how he pulled that off.

Tess was thankful for the bag Jodi had packed. She had packed some sexy silk pyjamas and a matching bra and panties set for her, as well as her tooth brush and a nice feminine top for her to wear with her jeans for the ride back Jodi had also included a handwritten note that read, "Don't be nervous, you're beautiful, and Finn wants you, no one else..." Tess hadn't seen the note until later in the evening, after she had been with Finn for the first time, but she appreciated the note and encouragement from her sister who had known she was feeling nervous about that. She didn't feel nervous about it anymore. She had slept most of the night in the silk pyjamas, and appreciated her sister's choice for the evening.

"I brought a few things." Finn reached in the wooden trunk and pulled out a French coffee press and an electric kettle. He held them up for Tess to see.

"You really did think of everything. Yes, coffee would be wonderful. What else do you have in there?"

"Nothing too extravagant, just some pastries I picked up yesterday, some orange juice and there's more champagne, if you want a mimosa. I've got a cooler right outside, so it's cold," said Finn.

"Yes to everything, but coffee first please," said Tess.

"Coming right up."

"Thank you for an incredible night and morning. I'm sorry to leave this place, it's been magical." said Tess as she climbed onto Sandy and watched Finn climb onto Neely.

"I'm glad you liked the spot. I checked out a few of them before I picked this one. Have you ever watched the sunset here with anyone else, another boyfriend or anything?" asked Finn.

"No, not this spot. Why?" asked Tess, wondering why he was asking about other men.

"Last night was really special for me too, Tess, and well, I'd like that spot to become our spot, because it's already a very special place to me. It's where I first made love to you, and I will never forget that. I want it to be a place that when we are here, we think of each other, and what we shared with each other here. I hope it will be a place we return to, to celebrate other special moments in our future together," explained Finn.

"Oh it's definitely our spot. I could never forget what happened between us here. It was the most special night I've ever had. You brought a full bed out here for me. I loved it, and I love you, and I love this spot," declared Tess. "Where did you get that bed anyway?"

"I bought it in town. I'm staying here in Gungellan, and I can't stay at the pub forever. I found a possible place to rent that isn't too far away. I needed a bed, and I couldn't think of a better way to use it for the first time." Finn said over his shoulder as he and Neely started towards home.

"You've found a flat? You really have been busy while I was gone. Where's the flat?" asked Tess.

"It's not definite yet. I'll let you know when it is," said Finn.

"Finn, you told me you wanted our first night together to be special, and it was. It was perfect."

"It was perfect for me too," said Finn.

"Do you need me to come help you move everything back out?" Tess offered.

"No way, I've got this, It's only a couple trips in the pick up truck. I want you to go hangout with your family and relax. I'll have everything moved back out before you know it. It'll lose it's magical effect if you have to lug and tote everything afterwards. I'd rather you believe I made it happen with just a snap of my fingers," said Finn.

"No, it wouldn't change the magic, but if you insist, I'm looking forward to spending time with Claire and Charlotte. Charlotte was so brave, but she seemed a bit shaken after it. Claire spent the night in her room with her so she wouldn't be alone, and I reckon Claire and Jodi had a handle on it, but I still want to check in on her myself," said Tess as they rode back home.

The magical night was officially over. Finn and Tess were back at the Drovers stable.

"I'll see to the horses, you go be with your family." Finn said as he grabbed Tess from behind and pulled her close to him. He kissed her neck as he wrapped his arms around her stomach. "Thank you for a very special night. I'm headed back up to take the first load of stuff, but don't worry about me for the rest of the day, I've got some other errands to do too. I'll call you this evening. I love you."

"I love you too."

Finn finished taking care of the horses, climbed in his truck and headed back towards the tent. He had a lot of work to do, but he knew he would do it with a smile.