Chapter 4

Amanda was startled by the tapping coming from the window but quickly realized it could only be one person, Lee. She put her book down and went to answer it before he could knock again. After reaching the door, Amanda slid the curtain to the side, and with butterflies in her stomach, was curious as to why he was there. She forced out a breath and thought, Omigosh, you can do this, Amanda. You can do this. Her heart started racing, and she could feel her cheeks turning red as she opened the door.

"Hi, Amanda."

"Hi, Lee. What are you doing here so late?" she whispered.

"I need to talk to you about something." Lee peeked around Amanda, searching the area behind her for her mother or the boys. "Is everyone else asleep?"

Amanda held up one finger to tell him to hang on for a moment. She made a quick dash to the laundry room and reappeared carrying a sweater. Amanda pulled it on as she walked outside to join Lee.

It wasn't until they were finally seated in the gazebo when Amanda answered him, "Yes, everybody's in bed. Mother had one of her headaches and turned in earlier. And the boys have an early start in the morning with the Junior Trailblazers."

Lee nodded his head. "Ahhh. Well, I hope your mother feels better tomorrow…" Lee let his words trail off as he anxiously bounced his leg while looking down at his feet.

Amanda watched Lee for a couple of minutes, waiting for him to speak. She could tell he definitely had something on his mind and appeared to be just as nervous as she felt.

"What's going on, Lee? You said you needed to tell me something. Is everything alright?" Amanda tried to coax it out of him.

"Yeah, everything's okay. I'm okay. I think. It's just… It's just..."

Amanda reached out and placed her hand on his for comfort and to give him the courage to go on.

"It's just what, Lee?"

Lee picked his head up, stared directly into her eyes, and took a deep breath. "Well, I- I-I'm not sure where to start."

Amanda squeezed his hand, smiling, and reassured him. "It's okay, Lee. Just say what you need to say."

Lee linked his free hand with hers. Unconsciously, he ran his thumb over her knuckles as he stared down at their conjoined hands. "I have to tell you— you totally surprised and confused me earlier, and I haven't been able to concentrate on anything all day but you and what you said."

Her anxiety level instantly shot up as she felt her cheeks turning red. Amanda was pretty sure she knew what Lee was talking about but needed to be certain. "Oh, I'm sorry, Lee. I didn't mean to confuse you. What did I do?"

Lee sighed as he glanced back up, gulped hard, and tried to stay calm. "Ohh, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I know you do. But you're gonna make me work hard for this, aren't you?" He chuckled nervously.

"Lee, what are you trying to say?" Amanda asked, trying to sound calm.

He rolled his eyes and huffed, "A-mann-daa! What you said to me… 'Not exactly.' Those words haven't left my brain all day."

"Mine either," Amanda mumbled as her heart skipped a beat.

Suddenly, Lee jumped up and started pacing back and forth like a madman. "Listen, Amanda, I have to be honest with you. I really enjoyed holding you last night. It just felt…right. The smell of your hair. Your perfume. The lilt of your voice. Your cute nose and your beautiful smile. Everything about you is special to me. I've finally realized you've become the most important person in my life. But I have to admit, I'm afraid."

Amanda approached him with tears sliding down her face, smiling. "Ohh, Lee. You don't have to be afraid. You're very special to me too! You always have been."

Lee brought her closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. He gazed directly into her captivating brown eyes which he could get lost in forever. He took the pad of his thumb and tenderly brushed away her tears. "Amanda, I'm afraid of getting too close to anyone because, in some way, they're always taken from me."

She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Lee melted into her and found himself lost in her embrace. He breathed in Amanda's unique scent. A scent that soothed his mind. Her scent filled his soul with warmth and comfort. He wished they could stay like this for an eternity.

"Awww, Lee. I'm not going anywhere. You won't lose me. I promise." They drew back from one another before Lee gently rested his forehead on hers.

"You can't promise that. Things happen. Especially in this crazy business. I can't lose you, Amanda. It would kill me if something happened to you too."

Amanda pulled away slightly to look into his eyes. "Listen, nothing is guaranteed. Life is not guaranteed. So, we need to grab what happiness we can when we can."

Lee smiled. "Are you sure you want to try this and see what happens?"

"Positive, Lee."

"Amanda, we'll take this as slow as you want and enjoy every minute of getting to know each other better. How does that sound?"

"Heavenly." Amanda beamed.

They gazed lovingly at each other, bringing their faces even closer. Lee made the first move and tenderly brushed his lips against hers. He ran a finger softly down her cheek. She sighed happily as they leaned in, getting lost in the heat of the moment with a long passionate kiss. The need for air finally forced them apart. They smiled, took the time to catch their breath, and hungrily recaptured one another's lips. Lee suddenly pulled back, gently cupped her face in his hands, and blurted out, "I love you, Amanda King!"

Amanda gasped as she formed a wide grin. "I love you too, Lee Stetson!"

The rest of their time together that night in Amanda's backyard was spent in each other's arms, enjoying themselves as they made up for so much lost time. Their dreams were finally coming true.

The End