Chapter Four
Morning came early as it usually did. Seth woke to find Jessica pressed against his side. She was deep within her sleeping bag with only the top of her head showing. He tried to ease out without waking her but banged his knee on the tailgate and ended up cursing and waking her up.
It didn't take long for Mort and Seth to gather together the fishing gear and head out. Maureen and Jessica decided to hike in a different direction than yesterday and agreed to return in an hour or so for breakfast, hopefully.
"Doc really relaxes when he's away from others, doesn't he?" asked Maureen.
"Well, don't tell him I told you but a lot of his grumpiness is put on. I think it's to keep people from coming up to him and asking for free medical advice." Jessica laughed. "I do know he was looking forward to coming here."
"Mort really admires him, but don't tell the Doc," giggled Maureen.
The men weren't successful catching any fish so they scrambled eggs and fried up bacon.
"I don't know why but I get awfully hungry when I'm camping," admitted Jessica as she dished up more eggs on her plate.
"Me too," echoed everyone else.
They took a final hike before packing up and heading toward home. They pulled into a roadside diner for a late lunch and enjoyed burgers and fries.
"This was a great weekend. Thanks for inviting me along," remarked Jessica.
"Ayuh, I hope we do this again, with more tents." interjected Seth.
They laughed while Maureen smiled sheepishly. "Next time I won't help pack the truck."
The following week was a busy one for Jessica. She helped at the library's book sale, attended the fundraisers for new equipment for the firehouse and the playground at the park, and purchased several plants at the nursery and put them in the ground around her house. Her mind was on Seth often and she smiled at the thought that for years he had been 'just a friend' and now he seemed like more, at least to her.
She had become adept at ignoring her feelings and refusing to see what so many others hinted to her throughout the years. The question was what was she going to do about it? What did she want?
She had changed so much from when she was single and in her twenties. Life was an adventure and she wanted to explore it all. Now she was an independent middle aged woman that had done her fair share of exploration and the one thing she learned was she didn't want to do it alone anymore. She wanted to share it with someone. It wasn't just watching Mort and Maureen together either.
She and Seth had developed a sixth sense regarding each other in some circumstances. Years at traveling and doing things together honed them into a well oiled piece of machinery.
It took another couple of days before Jessica formulated a plan. While she hadn't contemplated whether or not Seth wanted a romantic relationship, He had never shared his thoughts on the matter with her, he was a romantic at heart and it wasn't like she was proposing marriage, just a simple date.
She decided on a possible evening and activity and went over to his practice Friday afternoon. He was coming to dinner that evening but she wanted to ask him at his residence and not hers.
Seth was just about to go upstairs and shower before heading over to Jessica's house when his doorbell rang. He grumbled under his breath and hoped it wasn't an after hours patient at the door.
"Jessica," he greeted. "What's wrong? Are you hurt? Ill?"
"I'm fine. I just stopped by to speak to you for a moment."
Seth ushered her inside and offered her a chair in front of his desk. He was silent, waiting for her to speak.
"There's a dance at the Veterans Hall in Portland next Saturday night and I wondered if you'd like to go with me?" asked Jessica.
"Of course we can go," enthused Seth. He rose but Jessica hadn't moved so he sat back down.
"Seth, I'm asking you on a date." Blue eyes stared into hazel ones.
"Oh," He dropped his head and stared at his hands for a moment. "A night of dancing and romancing."
"If you'd rather not, we can just go as friends, as usual," commented Jessica, disappointed.
"It isn't that, Jess." Seth sighed. "I wanted to ask you on our first date."
Jessica smiled. "Well, maybe I'll let you propose before doing it myself." She winked at him.
Seth began smiling. "Now see here woman, I'm not one of these new fangled men that let females call the shots." Both began to relax as they settled into their normal sense of humor with each other, chasing away any awkwardness.
Jessica arched her eyebrow at him. "I'm pretty certain you'll let me have my way."
"How do you figure?" asked Seth.
Jessica stood and walked around the desk, motioning him to push his chair back. She sat in his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I think I can be convincing."
"I should call your bluff," said Seth, softly. He tapped her hip to get her to stand. "Let me run upstairs and wash up and we'll head over to your house." He disappeared up the stairs and Jessica waited in his office. His heart rate had skyrocketed when she sat on his lap. Dating would be an experience.
Relief flooded through Jessica before she gave a little laugh. She would have to be careful with Seth and not grab the tiger by the tail. He knew her too well. She was happy he understood that it was to be a date and not two pals going to the same event together.
It was with nervous anticipation that Jessica waited for Seth to pick her up on Saturday evening. It had taken two days for her to choose an outfit to wear. She always dressed tastefully, befitting someone her age, and tonight was no exception. She was wearing a champagne colored evening gown with a slit in the leg that gave her freedom of movement without being scandalous. The bodice was high but the back wasn't. She ended up choosing the gown because she knew Seth's hand would be on her back all evening. It gave her goosebumps whenever she thought about it. She wanted to look like a woman to be admired and cherished.
She had been pleasantly surprised when Seth rang her front doorbell. He was dressed in his tuxedo with a new bow tie. He presented her with flowers, complimented her, and assisted her in the car before they headed to Portland. They didn't discuss work or people they knew. She felt like she was dancing on a cloud all night. Seth was attentive and she enjoyed herself immensely. The topics ranged from his desire to cut back on his hours a little to her plans to plant a tree in her garden. His appreciative looks did wonders in keeping her spirits up.
It was a wonderful evening and they were very late getting home. Dancing in Seth's arms felt different this time. It might have been the fact that he was holding her closer. It might have been the hand on her waist that stroked her occasionally. But she suspected it was the fact that he spoke softly in her ear at times. His soft breath caressing her neck and making goosebumps sprout. She wondered whether he would kiss her goodnight. She couldn't read his intentions.
Of course, she knew he was purposely not giving any hints. He teased, laughed, joked, and spoke about the dance.
"I haven't danced the foxtrot in so long," reminisced Seth. "And the way you do the tango was something else, Jess."
Jessica laughed. "You were pretty good yourself. My feet weren't stepped on, you twirled me around effortlessly, and you and I just had the most marvelous time. We should have done this years ago."
"Neither of us was ready. No, now is the perfect time." They both fell silent thinking about their years of friendship. A little tension developed, not of anxiety but anticipation of what was to come.
Seth parked in front of the house and walked her to her front door.
"Would you care to come in for a cup of coffee? It would only take a few minutes to brew a pot," invited Jessica.
Seth agreed and they went inside. Jessica's nerves were beginning to unsettle her. She busied herself making coffee and grabbing a bite to eat for him. She put a slice of apple pie with cheddar cheese in front of him.
She poured him a cup of coffee and took a seat across from him.
"Ahhh," sighed Seth. "This is good coffee." He reached across the table and touched her hand. "Why are you nervous? I'm still me."
"I'm not sure what to expect. I mean, are you going to kiss me goodnight?" Jessica had always been direct.
"Well, Jess, that would depend on you. If I've shown you a good time and you feel so inclined to grant me a kiss, it would be my pleasure." He smiled softly at her. "If you'd rather give me a handshake or a pat on the shoulder, that's your choice as well. I just hope for the opportunity of another date."
"Of course, if you'd care to ask me for a date…" she trailed off smiling and he outright laughed.
She slipped her feet out of her shoes and sighed in relief. Seth got up and took a seat in the chair next to her and picked up a foot. He massaged it and then the other one.
"Oh Seth," she murmured, and then colored.
"And on that note, I better say goodnight." He let her foot fall gently to the floor before standing up. Jessica walked him to the door.
He stopped in front of the door. "I hope you'll do me the honor of accompanying me on a picnic Saturday."
"I'd love to go," she readily agreed. She watched as his face came closer and he put his hands on her shoulder. He was going to kiss her! It took a few seconds before his lips touched hers. He deepened it after a moment and dropped his hands to her waist, pulling her even closer.
The kiss didn't last as long as she wanted but she counted it as a very good one.
"Did it pass muster?" asked Seth.
"Yes, but you were holding back," accused Jessica.
"If I didn't, you would accuse me of attempting to seduce you," reasoned Seth. "I figured that's at least a second or third date reward." His eyes twinkled and she punched his shoulder.
"You never know," she said mysteriously.
"And this is why late night dates are so dangerous," smiled Seth. He turned and put his hand on the doorknob. "Would you like me to prepare dinner tomorrow?"
She agreed and was surprised when Seth put his hand to the back of her neck and kissed her again. This kiss was unexpected and she enjoyed it from the start. His fingers caressed her neck and she arched it to feel more. He leaned back and whispered goodnight. Jessica watched him get in his car and drive away.
With a light heart she turned off the lights downstairs and headed up to her bedroom. She hadn't felt this way since she was dating Frank. That's not to say that she and Seth would end up marrying but it felt so good to anticipate the future.
In her usual forthright manner, she told Frank all about it while changing for bed. In her younger years, she would have never asked a man on a date but times have changed and so had she.
The picnic became a weekly tradition. On days with decent weather they hiked to the shore or the cliffs and picnicked outside. On rainy days they spread the blanket on her living room floor and ate inside. By mutual consent they 'dated' on weekends. Tuesday and Friday night dinners continued and they still fished or shopped on occasion. Their friendship blossomed into something romantic for them although no one else saw a change.
A year later Seth retired completely. He wanted to be available when Jessica traveled or worked away from Cabot Cove. The scandal caused by him moving in with Jessica delighted the town for several weeks.