It had been eleven days since that night on the docks. I had been so engaged in continuing down into the mines that I had finally found the bottom. The only downside was missing out on two fishing festivals in the process. Tonight was the first out of three nights that I could visit the Night Market. It was a new tradition that had started years ago, but I hadn't been here in years and as such I had never gone. I was excited. Missing the fishing contests was one thing, but a Night Market? Like hell I was going to miss this.

I had intentionally kept myself away from the bar. I barely ever went anyway unless I was celebrating, and I didn't intend to change up my usual routine. I would still see Shane and I planned to still talk with him, but I wouldn't force it. If I intended to be his friend, it was only right that I respect his routine as much as my own.

I looked at the clock on the wall and saw the time. If I head out now, I'd make it to the beach just as the Night Market opens. My heart begins to pound and I rush out the door. I fast walk past the bus stop and when I get to the edge of town where the road leads up to the community center I slow down. I still need to finish the repairs. That will be the next thing I accomplish once the Night Market has ended.

Continuing on I saw Mayor Lewis's house. Lewis had indeed had an earful when I saw him a few days after Abby had stopped by. He understands my stance but does not accept it. I respectfully told him where he could stick his opinions on my personal life and left after that. It was quite satisfying seeing his face flush red and I almost didn't hold back my laughter. I may respect him as my grandfather's friend, but if he keeps acting this way, then he very well may lose all the respect I hold for him.

The beach was just past the bridge and I held my breath with excitement. Walking onto the beach I saw strings of lights all over the docks. Boats of all kinds and colors were there and it seemed like almost half the townspeople had come to enjoy the festive atmosphere tonight. As I stepped on the weathered boards and made my way towards the boats, my eyes caught the sight of a blue joja jacket. He was barely illuminated by the glow of the lights as he stood there holding Jas's hand. I had gotten close to her and Vincent over the time I'd been here, as I hung out with Penny occasionally when I saw them around town. I enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm she had when jumping rope near the community center and could only wish I had that kind of energy for such a repetitive task. I walked towards them and waved at Jas as she turned from looking at the boats.

"Miss Lynn!" Jas beamed at me and dropped Shane's hand to come running over.

"How are you doing tonight, pretty little lady?"

Jas pursed her lips and crossed her arms in annoyance. "I'm not little anymore! I'm able to take care of the chickens all by myself and stay out later at night."

Shane had walked over with a grin as his eyes had stayed on the girl before us who was currently pouting. I laughed and reached out my hand to her and she smiled big and grabbed my hand before looking back at Shane. Looking up at him I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

"How about we all go enjoy tonight. Do you know anything about this festival? Maybe you could fill me in."

He rubbed the back of his neck and looked out over at the boats. I could see now that he looked uncomfortable. He dropped his hand and Jas grabbed it, her thousand watt smile was enough to melt my heart and as I glanced at Shane again, I knew he felt it too.

"Yeah, let's go look around. They sell a variety of items and they change occasionally each night."

"Why would they not sell everything each night?" I asked as we all began walking down the docks together.

"I figure it's to keep people coming each night, since they're here for three days."

"Oh…," I sounded so un-eloquently with my one word statement.

There was music playing around us and I could see so many more boats around us now. Jas tugged on our hands and we both looked down at the same time. She looked between us and settled on me.

"Do you want to go to the mermaid show?"

I heard Shane huff and when I looked up he had his face in his hand. There was probably only one reason for his actions. Without missing a beat I figured I knew what was going on.

"Honey, I don't think you're old enough for the Mermaid show."

Her eyes grew wide and she looked from me to Shane and then back again. "Why do you both say the same thing? It's not fair… I wish I was old enough to see the mermaid show…"

"Well…," I looked up to Shane to see him shake his head. I settled for the next best thing. "How about we all go next year?"

Jas released our hands and began jumping up and down ecstatically. Turning in a circle she ran back to Shane and grabbed his hand again. The look in her eyes was so hopeful and I saw him grimace before reluctantly nodding his consent.

"Alright, next year you can go. Just remember that-"

"Yay!"

Shane took a breath and I could see him relax. His lips twitched at the corners before a gentle smile formed. Jas had been so loud that Penny, who had been standing by one of the boats, turned to us. She laughed and walked over.

"How are you doing today, Jas?"

"Just fine, Miss Penny. I'll get to go see the Mermaid show next year!"

Penny looked up at Shane innocently and asked, "Is that so?" As he nodded she resumed watching Jas. "Would you like to come walk around with me for a bit?"

"Yes, yes! Can I, Shane? Please?"

Shane stood there for a moment seeming to debate it and finally relented after seeing Jas looking up at him with her big eyes. "Sure. Just for a little while. We can't be out too late."

"Yes!" Jas did a little dance and grabbed Penny's hand.

Penny looked between me and Shane before stating, "Can you smell that? The air is so spicy here…" She winked at me and I gasped as the two walked off.

Did Penny, kind, sweet, intelligent, Penny just… Yep. I believe she did indeed. I let out a groan and hid my face in my hand. It seems today is the day for facepalms. I hear a familiar giggle and swiftly turn to see none other than Abigail standing against Willy's shop less than 5 feet from me. I can't believe I've been so oblivious. She looks away with a smirk, indicating she may have heard Penny's statement and I glare at the side of her head half-heartedly.

Shane clears his throat behind me. Turning back to him, I see him looking at anything but me. His hands are in his pockets and he has a light blush on his face. I'm sure that my own is even brighter than his but I take a step towards him. He looks up at me then and his voice is slightly shaky, showing how nervous he feels.

"So do you want to look around still, or…?"

"Absolutely!" I say a bit too enthusiastically. "I didn't actually expect you'd come to something like this."

"I'm taking a night off from the saloon for Jas' sake…"

"Ah, of course... Well, no use just standing around while we are here. Let's go."

I reach out my hand and he stares at it dumbly. I debate taking it back and decide to just wait. He looks into my eyes and then back at my offered hand. I don't think he's going to take it, but then I notice his own sliding out of his pocket. As his hand slides over my own, a shiver goes up my spine and I feel my fingertips tingling. He takes my hand and looks down at the dock. A soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. I look around as we begin to walk. No one seems to be paying us any attention right now.

"So where are these vendors?"

He takes the lead and shows me the stalls set up on entrance to the boats. I take my time looking through things and as we walk back I notice a painting I didn't see when we walked by before. My steps slow and I tilt my head. It's an odd painting that is titled 'Red Eagle'. Am I looking at it wrong or is there no Eagle in this painting?

Shane squeezes my hand and I resume walking. We haven't talked much tonight, but considering I'm getting him out of his shell a bit, I'd call tonight a win. As I'm in my thoughts I don't notice us leaving the lights of the festival behind until my shoes hit the soft sand, sinking slightly. I look up at Shane, as he has brought us out here, only he doesn't look back at me. We continue at a steady pace along the shore and walk over the boards I had rebuilt leading to the secondary beach area. Once we cross, he stops.

Turning to me he tugs at my hand and I step into him. His free hand glides through my hair to rest on the back of my head and I'm pulled to him in a fierce kiss. My mind shuts down. I have no idea why this is happening, but I'm not about to stop it. I moaned as his tongue danced with mine and our hands laced together. My hand, once at my side, is behind his waist. I pull him against me as I lean further into him and he pulls away slightly and groans. Our heads rest against each other and I can feel him against my thigh. Hoping this isn't a repeat from nearly two weeks ago, I kiss the side of his lips. Slowly I spread kisses along his jaw and the hand not holding his runs slowly up his back. I lean away just to kiss his lips tenderly and the hand he has is my hair slips down to rest on my side.

We pull away from each other, still in an embrace and our eyes meet. I feel a shock go through me. He holds me captivated in his gaze and I feel my expression change. He lifts his hand from my side and caresses my face. I sigh contentedly and lean into it, still looking into his eyes.

"How do you do this to me?" He asks, barely above a whisper. His voice shaky as he speaks.

"I could ask you the same." I responded. "In all the time I've been here, even before this really, I've never wanted someone like… this."

My hand moves over his back and I feel his muscles beneath his jacket. As a part-time farm hand and full time Joja Mart Stocker, I can tell he indeed works hard. His eyes close and he releases my hand. For a moment, I panic. He lifts his hand and pulls me to him. Our foreheads touch and our noses ghost over one another. I hear him breathe slowly and he swallowed hard.

"I want you."

Those words make me hot at my core. I clench my thighs, which rubs our bodies together. I hear him breathe a ragged breath before he steps away. With his warmth comes the cold. I watch him as he steadies himself. What seems like hours is only seconds and he's facing me again.

"Shane, I-"

"Wait," He interrupts. "Can I go first?"

His question sets me off guard. I nod at him and he sends me a thankful gaze. Reaching his hand out, he takes mine and we begin walking again. We weave past the tide pools and stop at the ocean's edge. I stare out over the water as I wait. The sound of the waves calming me and I wonder if it's having the same effect on him.

"Lynnete, I'm not good for you. I'm not good for anyone. Not Jas, or even… myself."

He pauses and grips my hand tighter before releasing slowly. After looking down at our joined hands, he pulls them up. A kiss is placed on the back of my hand and I stare at him, wondering where this conversation is going with all these mixed signals he's sending me.

"...Every day is the same. Stocking those horrible shelves, going to the saloon, tossing and turning all night. What's the point of life if all you do is work?" He looks out to the ocean before continuing, "Every time I try something new it goes horribly wrong. You learn to just stay in a shell."

I look away, sure that he's about to tell me to forget what happened again. It would be so unfair. I had planned on trying to just be his friend, but from all our interactions I just can't see us doing that. I can't see me stop trying either though. I watch the waves crash over the swell of the ocean and listen to the waves as they lap along the sand. I start to turn and pull away but his grip is stronger than mine and I turn back to him. His face is raw with emotion. Shifting between confidence and insecurity, he settles somewhere in between.

"I want- no, I need to try."

"Try…?" I ask, looking at him hopefully.

"Try being there for Jas. Try opening up. Try dealing with things in a way that doesn't involve drowning in a bottle. Try…, " He step closer and leans down, stopping just before my lips like he did the night we left the bar. "Try letting you in." He kisses me lightly and pulls a breath away. "Try loving you."

My breath catches and he captures my lips again. This time it's slow and languid as we meld together. Time stand still for a moment until his phone rings. Taking a step back he curses.

"Hey, Marnie." He sighs and releases my hand as he paces along the beach. "Yeah, we were about to head back." He sends me a look of apology and begins walking back towards the Night Market. "Okay."

I walk beside him as he puts away his phone and runs a hand through his hair. I laugh and he looks at me curiously. His hair is sticking up on the side and I can't help but grin. He slows his pace and I step beside him, wrapping my arm around his.

"Your hair is a mess, ya know."

"Oh," He blushes and rakes his hand through his hair.

"So I'm guessing you have to get Jas home now?"

"Yeah, it's pretty late and the walk home will take a while. I should have paid more attention to the time."

"It'll be okay. If Marnie asks, just blame me."

Shane stops and looks at me seriously. "It's not your fault. You don't have to take the blame for anything that I do or don't do."

I nod but bring my hand up to his cheek. "Yes, I don't. But that doesn't mean I won't account for my own actions as I am partly to blame for this as well."

He gives me a look of what I can only assume is admiration and smiles. The light from the docks makes his eyes shine and without a care of onlookers, he kisses me. Pulling away he leads me back into the Night Market to look for Jas.

"I won't blame you for something I started." A smile lingering on his face, his expression soft as we walked once again on the weathered boards of the dock.

I let it be. If he didn't want to tell Marnie why he was late, I wasn't about to argue. He had just consented to… wait. What were we now?

"Hey Shane?"

His eyes continued searching for Jas. "Yes?"

"What exactly are we now?"

He stopped and turned to me. We were in the middle of everyone and I could feel their eyes. I kept my gaze on him and was more than surprised when, in the middle of it all, he leaned down and whispered in my ear.

"Would you like everyone to know?"

I feel myself nod. Not knowing what he was about to do. He turns to look at Abigail and gives a slight nod in her direction. She nods back and smirks while looking back to the ocean. I feel as if a silent conversation has just occurred, though being my friend, was he asking permission from her? Did they talk before this? I looked between them confused as questions swirled in my head before he grabbed my chin and tilted my head. His lips are on mine, and I hear a few gasps around us before I begin to kiss him back. The kiss was short, and as we pulled away, I heard Jas squeal.

She runs up to us and hugs our legs, making us almost lose our balance. I laugh nervously at this new predicament and look to Penny who sends me a knowing look before walking away. Just what was going on? I'm glad this development is getting positive feedback, but what was that between Shane and Abigail just before? I can understand Penny. She has a hidden talent of noticing things.

Jas lets us go and dances around before looking up at Shane. "Shane, are you dating Miss Lynn? I haven't seen you smile like that with anyone in a long time. Other than me of course! Can she come home with us? Will she be visiting us often? Can I have a girls night?" She stops and turns to me, "You're always so nice to me Miss Lynn. Grown-ups are usually mean and boring, but you're different."

"Aww," My heart feels warm and I lean down to give her a hug. "Thank you, Jas."

As I release her the girl giggles as I tickle her side. Standing up again I look at Shane as Jas holds my hand. He reaches his hand out and I take it, with a grin. He chuckles and that deep timber is all I can think about. We walk together off the dock and a breeze sweeps by. My hair flips over my shoulder and I can feel Shane's eyes on the side of my face.

The walk to Marnie's ranch was rather quick. Faster than the walk to my farm would be, and a lot more pleasant with company. Jas talked for a while before her words began jumbling together and Shane picked her up. Within a few minutes, she was fast asleep in his arms and we continued to enjoy the walk together, even in silence. As we came up to the door he knocked and within a minute Marnie was there. The door was thrown open.

"Why in the world were you- Oh!"

She quietly ushered him inside and I stood there. Marnie waved for me to come in and I stepped inside. She followed Shane into Jas's room and helped him tuck her in for the night. As they came into the dividing room, Marnie looked between the two of us. Within a second she looked calm, and simply walked by me with a knowing smile.

"I'll leave you too alone, you know where the kitchen is, Shane. Why don't you heat up some food? I doubt you too have eaten anything tonight." She walked through her bedroom door and it shut with a soft 'click'.