Alli walked through the door of the cabin and threw her bag down with a sigh of relief. After a horrible breakup a few weeks prior she was so excited to be by herself in her family’s cabin. No phones, no neighbors, no pitied faces to bother her for a full two weeks. It had been humiliating to be left at the altar. How had she not seen that coming? Love isn’t blind, it’s just stupid, she told herself.
The cabin was only used in the summer for reunions and family vacations. It was October now and the leaves were all shades of orange, amber and red. As Alli sat on the porch and inhaled the crisp air it stung her lungs a bit. In an odd way, the pain was refreshing. The cold air wrapped around her and awoke her senses. She finally felt something after weeks of nothingness. It was time to get over Nathan, and move on. She rubbed her hands together and inhaled one last breath of the autumn breeze before going in to light a fire.
The cabin sat on ten acres of forested land with a little stream that ran through the east side of the property. On the other side of the stream was their only neighbor, the Olsen’s, who used their cabin as a summer home to escape Arizona’s summer heat. They had never officially met, but Alli’s family had grown up with the Olsen kids’ pranks. Every summer, without fail, their boys would sneak over to the Johnson’s cabin and scratch at the windows and grunt and moan and stomp off leaving giant foot prints in the yard with their homemade Bigfoot molds. They tried to catch them numerous times, but it usually ended with several people soaked in the stream and loud laughter coming from the Olsen cabin. Their boys were all grown now and probably married with kids. The cabin had sat empty for the last several summers and the Bigfoot prank was now just a fond childhood memory.
Over the years, Alli’s brother and sisters got married and had their own kids. The cabin was filled to capacity when everyone was there, so last year they added four bedrooms and a media room to the once quaint cottage. The four bedroom cabin was now an eight room lodge. Alli walked through the new rooms and admired all the new décor that had been updated. It didn’t feel as cozy as before, but the addition was beautiful. Each couple now had their own suite with adjoining rooms for their kids. Alli plopped down on the king size bed that was supposed to be for her and Nathan.
“I don’t get it. I thought we were happy.” She sighed under her breath. She felt the beginnings of self-pity settle in and jumped up off the bed, as though it had caused it.
After a couple hours, the silence she thought she wanted was a little too quiet. She looked in the den for a book to read, but the titles where all romance or suspense and there were surprisingly no movies in the media room. She didn’t feel like reading about someone else’s happily ever after and she didn’t think it wise to read a book that would make her jump at every little noise she heard. After her fifth game of solitaire, she decided to drive an hour into town to see if she could find a book or movie at the corner store.
It was only seven o’clock, but the town was dead. The corner store had lights on, but it looked abandoned. She parked in front and walked to the glass door that was plastered with ads. A little red sign hung on the handle. “Business was slow, so we closed early tonight. If you need assistance during business hours, call the number below and we will come right down.” Alli hesitated to call them when it wasn’t an emergency, but the next closest store was over two hours away. She got in her car and strummed her steering wheel while she resolved what to do. Just as she decided to call it a night, a pick-up truck pulled up beside her and read the same note. He was a little less understanding about the early closure and stomped back to his truck.
Alli rolled down her window and said, “I’d feel less guilty about calling them over here if I wasn’t the only customer.”
He smiled and said, “Then I better stick around.”
As it turned out, the owners lived right around the corner, so the elderly proprietors were there in less than five minutes. Alli grabbed a few snacks and a gallon of milk and looked through the “entertainment section”. It consisted of five different movies titles to choose from, all from the 80’s, and several out dated magazines. Alli took one of each and proceeded to the checkout counter. The little old man behind the counter smiled and asked her if her husband was ready.
“Oh, he’s not my husband. We just happened to pull up together.”
“Oh, I see. Well, we can fix that. It’s never too late…Married life is great.” The old man winked at his wife and raised his eyebrows up and down. Alli blushed.
“Ed, you’ve embarrassed the poor girl.” His wife elbowed him in the ribs gently. “He is good lookin’ though. If you ain’t married you should ask him out,” Eliza whispered a little louder than she had intended.
“Oh, he’s as single as they come,” came a deep voice from behind Alli. If she wasn’t embarrassed before, she certainly was now. She wasn’t sure what to say to that comment, so she chose to say nothing. She looked at the old woman for help, but the couple behind the counter just chuckled at the awkward moment they had just created.
“That will be $37.42 miss and I’ll even throw in a map of the area for you.” Ed smiled as he bagged her items at snail speed.
Alli rushed out of the store as quickly as possible and tried to get into her car before the mystery man walked out. She shook her head in disbelief as she looked into her car. There on her seat were her keys, and as luck would have it, the door was locked.
At this point, there was no avoiding more embarrassment, so Alli tucked her tail between her legs and walked back into the store.
“Well, it looks like I locked my keys in my car. Is there a locksmith or a towing company around here?”
“Not at this hour sweetie. Nothin’s open this late.” Alli looked at her watch. It was only 7:30. Surely there had to be a 24 hour towing company. She pulled up several listings on her phone and called a half dozen companies. They were either too far away or weren’t available for a lock-out call until the morning. The night was turning out splendid.
The tall, dark and single man spoke hesitantly, “Where are you headed? I could give you a lift home to grab a spare key.”
“Thanks, but it’s an hour out of town, and I’m pretty sure I don’t have a spare there. I’ll just call a cab and have him bring me back in the morning.”
“It’s going to be hard finding a cab in this area too. Maybe you should let this young man drive you home,” Eliza prodded.
“I’m sure I can find something. Thank you though,” Alli replied with an uncomfortable smile.
“Well, let me at least wait with you until it gets here. It’s too cold for you to stand outside and these folks probably want to get home. Come on, you can sit in my truck. I promise not to abduct you.”
Normally, she wouldn’t have climbed into a stranger’s car, but no other options presented themselves. He opened the passenger door for her and climbed in next to her on the driver’s side. He noticed she was shivering so he cranked up the heat.
“Thanks. This is really nice of you. My name’s Alli by the way.”
“No problem at all. I’d hate for you to get embarrassed and stranded all in one night,” he joked. He had a nice smile and like the store keeper noticed, he was quite attractive. Alli didn’t want to stare, so she flipped through her phone and called several places before finding a cab that would drive out to the middle of nowhere.
“I’m Bryce.” He extended his hand. “Nice to meet you.” Alli shook it cautiously.
When the cab pulled up thirty minutes later they were engrossed in conversation and didn’t see the driver until he honked his horn impatiently.
Alli tucked her hair behind her ears and thanked Bryce for the company and conversation. She waved goodbye as she climbed in the cab. Bryce flashed his lights at her as she drove off. He had wanted to ask her for her number, but chickened out at the last minute. He put his truck in reverse and started to pull out when he noticed a glint of light reflecting off of something on the floor. He slipped the truck back into park and leaned over to find Alli’s phone. A smile crossed his face when he realized he now had an excuse to track her down. He scrolled through her list of contacts for a home number. Alli’s mom, Lucy, answered and he explained how he came to have her daughter’s phone. It was the only means of communication Alli had at the cabin, so Lucy reluctantly gave him the address.
“I’ll have her call you as soon as I return her phone, so you know she’s alright,” he promised.
Bryce drove the familiar road, but passed her cabin. He continued two miles up the lane and pulled into the Olsen’s driveway. He laughed at his private joke as he unlocked the door and slipped inside the garage. There, hanging on the wall were the snowshoes he’d converted into Bigfoot stamps as a kid. He slipped them on and stuck Alli’s phone in his pocket. He laughed as he crossed the stream that led to the Johnson cabin.
Lights flickered from the media room as he approached. He threw a couple of pinecones gently at the window and then scratched it with a stick. Alli jumped up to see what was going on. Bryce moaned and howled and just as Alli got to the window, he made his way to the front of the house. She immediately saw the fake footprints and knew one of the Olsen boys was in town. She rolled her eyes and laughed.
Moments later, the doorbell rang. She opened the door to find her phone with a note on it.
Dinner tomorrow? 7pm… Bigfoot’s place.
–Bryce
PS- call your mom, she’s worried I’m holding you captive.
Alli smiled so big it hurt her cheeks. She laughed as she listened to Bryce howl in the distance.
The next day, Alli woke up early and took a cab into town. Ed and Eliza were at the store bright and early to help the crowd -all three people- with their grocery needs. Alli popped in to grab a bagel and hot chocolate while she waited for the tow truck driver to come unlock her car.
“Glad to see you survived the night,” Eliza joked.
“Me too. I almost died of embarrassment thanks to you two.” Alli winked at the happy couple.
“He’s a good boy, that Bryce.” Ed said.
“You know him?” Alli asked shocked. She wasn’t expecting an elderly couple to play wingman for a young bachelor.
“Yes, and his family. His parents passed away a few years back so we haven’t seen much of the boys, but they used to come here for the summers and help us in the store. They are a hard working family. Good, good boys. Be nice to Bryce. He’s had a rough year.” Eliza shook her finger at Alli before she added, “You’re one of the Johnson girls right? Jack and Lucy’s girl?”
“Ya. I’m Alli. I didn’t know you knew my parents.”
“It’s a small world up in these parts. When you are as old as us, you meet everyone at least once, and sometimes we even remember them,” said Ed as he patted his belly and laughed at his own joke.
“It’s true though. We know everyone that comes and goes.” Eliza tapped Alli’s shoulder. “I think I see your tow truck. Tell him I’ll give him a free cinnamon roll if he gives you a discount. He’ll do it too. My food’s that good!” Eliza waved at the driver and shuffled off slowly to straighten the shelves.
The tow truck driver made quick work of the lock and Alli was in her car in less than ten minutes. The driver collected his cinnamon roll and gave Alli the “good neighbor” discount. It still cost her an arm and a leg, but at least she had her car back. The drive home was beautiful in the day time. The sun was out and the sky was a crisp blue. Flashes of light streamed through the trees, and Alli seemed to be shining a little brighter herself after her accidental encounter with Bryce.
As the day marched on she found herself both giddy and nervous. It was her first “first date” in over two years and she wanted it to be perfect. It was a weird sensation to be dating again after almost getting married. For the last two years it had been her and Nathan. He wasn’t big on going out, unless it was with his friends, and most “dates” he planned consisted of a football game and a make out session. When he left her at the altar he didn’t offer any explanation. He just didn’t show up. She stood there in her white dress waiting for two hours before she realized he wasn’t coming.
A full week had passed before she heard from him. Even then, he hadn’t had the guts to talk to her in person. He just sent a text that said “I’m so sorry. I never meant for this to happen. Please forgive me. I never meant to hurt you.” She couldn’t understand how she had missed all the signs…the signs that were so obvious to her now… Bright neons signs that practically screamed “HE’S NOT THE ONE!” She had loved him though, and sometimes, love makes you oblivious to reality.
It was still painful to think of Nathan. It was hard to wrap her mind around having to start all over with someone new with no guarantee that it would work out. But tonight was just for fun. No commitments. She lived hours away and who knew where Byrce was headed. There was no pressure, no expectations. She was determined to laugh and have fun and enjoy the moment. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to be dating again, but he was easy on the eyes and fun to talk to. He hadn’t asked her to marry him, just to dinner. She could do dinner.
At 6:45 Alli locked up her cabin and headed toward the Olsen’s. She crossed the stream using the same bridge the Olsen boys had made so many years ago. She wished she would have thought of a prank to play on him on his territory. She decided to wait and see how the date went before she determined the right lark. She rang the bell and wrung her hands together as she waited for Bryce to answer.
The Olsen’s place was a beautiful traditional Appalachian log cabin with massive logs that had been dove-tailed and stacked like giant Lincoln Logs. The logs were stained a deep, rich red and the gaps between the wood had been chinked with sandy mortar, making it look straight out of the 1900’s. The high peaked roof on the outside translated into gorgeous cathedral ceilings on the inside. The roof trusses had been left exposed on the interior to display the craftsmanship of the builder. Alli couldn’t help but run her hands along the wood and admire the detail. Bryce noticed her look of awe.
“You like it? My great-great grandpa built this back in 1907. He had to clear the land and he used the trees he logged to build this place. He hand carved everything. It’s had some updates here and there- like the flushable toilets and running water- but we’ve tried to keep everything as original as possible. Every log was hand hewn and placed by sheer manpower.” He flexed his muscles and made his best attempt at a body-builder pose. Alli laughed and tried to decide if he was cocky or carefree. Either way, he looked amazing.
“I can’t believe all these years we’ve been just down the road and never met.” Alli sat down on the leather couch and tried to not look nervous. She crossed and uncrossed her legs several times before standing up again. Bryce smiled and Alli got a little weak in the knees.
“If I would have known the Johnson girls were as cute as you I wouldn’t have run off.” He blushed a little and tried to change the subject. “Want a drink?” Before she could answer he handed her a coke. “What are you doing here this time of year anyway? Don’t you guys usually come in the summer?”
“Ya, but I needed a little R&R and couldn’t wait that long.”
“I get that. Who’s staying with you?”
“It’s just me this trip.”
“Better be careful out there. Single girl, in the forest… I hear Bigfoot’s on the loose.” Bryce flashed his perfect teeth again and sat down on the couch. He patted the seat next to him, inviting her to join him. She sat down a little further than he was hoping.
“How about you, Mr. Olsen. What brings you here?”
“Repairs. My parents passed away a few years ago, and we don’t make it up here as often as we should to check up on the place. Ed and Eliza, the store owners you met in town, were friends with my mom and dad. They drove by a few days ago to make sure the place was ok. They were worried a pipe had burst, so I came up. Luckily, it wasn’t anything major.”
“That’s good. How long are you here?”
“That’s to be determined. I was supposed to go home tomorrow, but I have a few other projects I need to finish before I head home. We have been trying to decide if we are going to sell the place or rent it out since none of us use it all that often. I’d hate to sell it, but my brothers all live out of state now and I’m the only one here to do the maintenance.”
Alli perked up after hearing he lived in state. It was definitely good news. “You seem pretty handy. What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a contractor. I own a renovation company. How about you? ”
Bryce took a sip of his drink and rested his arm on the back of the couch. Alli’s heart surged. She wasn’t sure if he was flirting or just resting his arm. She took a chance and casually scooted a little closer; his fingertips grazed the tip of her shoulder.
“I’m a bounty hunter. Right now, I’m tracking down Bigfoot,” she teased. Bryce raised one eyebrow and laughed. “Actually, I’m a real estate agent.” Bryce couldn’t tell if she was still joking or not. He had a look of disbelief on his face, so she added, “Seriously. I’m a real estate agent; but don’t worry I’m not here for your business.”
“Well, if I decide to sell, I’ll need your number.”
“We’ll see how tonight goes. If you’re lucky I might leave you my card.” She was a little surprised that she was flirting so much. She was usually more reserved. Alli decided to just go for it. She had already been left at the altar, so there was nowhere to go but up.
“If my charming disposition doesn’t win you over, my cooking will. I hope you came hungry,” Bryce said.
“I did. What’s for dinner?”
“My mom once told me that two things should be avoided on first dates. The first thing was spaghetti, so I made flank steak and mashed potatoes with grilled asparagus on the side.”
“Sounds amazing. What was the second thing she told you to avoid on a first date?”
Bryce smirked and reached for Alli’s hand, "I’ll tell you later.” Alli took his hand and let him lead her to the dining room. Her eyes widened as she looked around. The table was made from the same wood that Bryce’s ancestors had used to make the cabin. The logs had been cut in half and laid out, flat side up, and covered in a rich varnish to enhance the wood’s natural grain. The table top sat on two thick trunks, one at each end. The trunks looked so organic there, almost as if they were still in the ground. Bryce had put fresh flowers on the table and set the rustic table for two. Alli was impressed with his effort. Nathan had never made diner for her in their entire two year relationship.
Above the table was an antler chandelier that Bryce had helped his dad make when he was a teenager. Bryce talked fondly of his parents and asked all about Alli’s family. The conversation flowed easily and Alli sat happily across from Bryce and listened to him talk about his parents and his job and everything in between. She had forgotten how nice it was to have an actual conversation; one that didn’t revolve around fantasy football or recent episodes of Nathan’s favorite shows. She was pleasantly surprised that she and Bryce had so much in common. She caught herself staring at him several times throughout dinner, and she felt his gaze a few times as well. It was well after midnight when Alli thanked him for dinner. She didn’t want to leave, but it was getting late.
Bryce walked her over the bridge and back to her cabin. His heart was racing and his palms were sweaty. As she opened the door she tilted her head slightly and smiled and thanked him again. She rested against the door frame and studied Bryce, looking for a reason to keep talking.
“You never told me the other thing your mom told you to avoid on a first date. What was it?” she asked coyly.
“Kissing.” He leaned in and kissed Alli on the cheek.
“I guess that just means I’ll have to see you again.” She returned the affection and kissed his cheek. She lingered there for just a minute and whispered goodnight in his ear. She closed the door slowly and leaned against it. Bryce stared at the door fighting the urge to knock. He ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath. He walked home slowly, looking back at her cabin several times. Alli giggled as she heard a familiar howling as she drifted off to sleep.
Bryce woke up the next morning and jumped out of bed. He hurriedly dressed and looked out the window, half hoping Alli would be there on his lawn waiting for him. He felt like a teenager. He couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Across the stream, Alli was doing the same thing. She paced back and forth trying to come up with an excuse to see him. She didn’t want to seem too eager, but she didn’t want to waste any of the time she had left with him. Hesitantly, she pulled on her boots and coat and started the walk to his cabin. She was just about to cross the bridge when she saw Bryce heading her way.
“Good morning. I was just coming over to see if you needed any help with your projects.” It was the best she could come up with on the fly.
“I was hoping I’d see you today. Ed and Eliza called me this morning. They have a shipment coming in and need some help unloading. I’m going to head in to town for a bit, do you want to join me?”
“Sounds perfect.”
The autumn wind blew the fallen leaves wildly as Bryce and Alli drove down the narrow roads leading to town. The temperature had dropped and Bryce was worried he wouldn’t be able to finish the repairs before the weather turned. Alli secretly hoped he’d get stuck there for the remainder of her stay. The wind picked up and rocked the truck as they drove. An hour later they pulled up to Ed and Eliza’s corner store. The elderly couple grinned and whispered excitedly as the twenty-somethings walked in together. Ed went back to his newspaper, but Eliza was intrigued.
“Goooood morning to you two,” Eliza said with eagerness. Her eyes lit up and Alli felt an interrogation coming. She braced herself for a barrage of questions. Eliza left her post and wobbled over to greet Alli more properly. She linked her arm in Alli’s and asked, “You two drive in together?” Alli nodded. “Ohhh, that’s so nice. So nice to hear. I’m glad you two is gettin’ aquainted. Ain’t that nice Ed?” She yelled back in Ed’s general direction. Ed didn’t look up from his paper, but he waved at his wife in acknowledgment. Eliza clapped her hands together and kept repeating, “That’s so nice. So nice to hear”
Bryce disappeared into the back room and began unloading pallets. Alli grabbed a rag and a cleaning spray and started wiping down the counters and glass cases. Eliza started to sweep the store. Occasionally, she would take a break from her work long enough to give Alli an approving grin or a thumbs up. Alli chuckled and smiled back. Eliza pursed her lips and nodded in approval. Alli thought she heard her humming Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” as she swept around Ed’s feet. He put down his paper and goosed her as she passed. She swatted him lovingly with the broom and he pulled her in for a quick kiss. Alli loved watching their banter. The two seniors were obviously still very much in love after all these years. She wanted that kind of relationship when was old and grey.
Bryce popped his head out of the back room and beamed at Alli like a twitterpated teenager. “You can join me in here if you want.”
Eliza walked over and took the rag out of Alli’s hand and waved her away. “Go on. Go on. Ed can take care of that.” Alli willingly complied.
“I think they like you,” Bryce whispered. He handed Alli a box cutter and showed her how to cut the plastic off the wrapped pallets.
“They are sweet. They definitely don’t hold back do they?” Alli said as she unloaded boxes of cereal from her first load.
“My mom used to say ‘everyone in love wants love for everyone’ when she would set me up with random women she would meet at the store. Matchmaking is Eliza’s side job. It makes for good gossip, and all little towns need fresh gossip to survive.” He looked up at Alli and saw her nodding in mock agreement. “We should be done here in about an hour. Do you have any plans today?”
“Booked solid after this I’m afraid. I hear there’s a good lookin’ contractor in town and I was going to ask him over to my place to watch a movie. Might as well give the locals something to talk about.”
“Does this count as date two then, and the movie date three? ‘Cause my mom also told me not to kiss a girl before the third date,” he teased.
“Oh, I see. Well, I have a five date policy myself. My dad told me to watch out for guys like you.”
“Guys like me?”
“Yep. Tall, dark and seemingly perfect. They get me into trouble every time.”
“Well, let’s see if I can give ‘guys like me’ a better reputation.” He made air quotes as he said “guys like me” and slicked his hair back like Elvis. He liked making her smile. She was different from any of the girls he had dated in the past. It didn’t seem like they had just met. They had the kind of instant connection that led to more than just a fling. It was hard to find girls that would spend their day helping perfect strangers clean their shop rather than shopping and primping. He hadn’t planned on meeting someone like Alli in a tiny town, in the middle of nowhere. Everything just flowed effortlessly. He hoped that Alli was feeling the same thing. He watched her tuck her hair behind her ears and decided he’d have to stick around for a few more days. He wanted to kiss her in the worst way. He was going to have to negotiate that five date rule.Eliza started to sweep the store. Occasionally she would take a break from her work long enough to give Alli an approving grin or a thumbs up. Alli chuckled and smiled back.
Bryce popped his head out of the back room and beamed at Alli like a twitterpated teenager. “You can join me in here if you want.”
Eliza walked over and took the rag out of Alli’s hand and waved her away. “Go on. Go on. Ed can take care of that.” Alli willingly complied.
“I think they like you,” Bryce whispered. He handed Alli a box cutter and showed her how to cut the plastic off the wrapped pallets.
“They are sweet. They definitely don’t hold back do they?” Alli said as she unloaded boxes of cereal from her first load.
“My mom used to say ‘everyone in love wants love for everyone’ when she would set me up with random women she would meet at the store. Matchmaking is Eliza’s side job. It makes for good gossip, and all little towns need fresh gossip to survive.” He looked up at Alli and saw her nodding in mock agreement. “We should be done here in about an hour. Do you have any plans today?”
“Booked solid after this I’m afraid. I hear there’s a good lookin’ contractor in town and I was going to ask him over to my place to watch a movie. Might as well give the locals something to talk about.”
“Does this count as date two then, and the movie date three? ‘Cause my mom also told me not to kiss a girl before the third date,” he teased.
“Oh, I see. Well, I have a five date policy myself. My dad told me to watch out for guys like you.”
“Guys like me?”
“Yep. Tall, dark and seemingly perfect. They get me into trouble every time.”
“Well, let’s see if I can give ‘guys like me’ a better reputation.” He made air quotes as he said “guys like me” and slicked his hair back like Elvis. He liked making her smile. She was different from any of the girls he had dated in the past. It didn’t seem like they had just met. They had the kind of instant connection that led to more than just a fling. It was hard to find girls that would spend their day helping perfect strangers clean their shop rather than shopping and primping. He hadn’t planned on meeting someone like Alli in a tiny town, in the middle of nowhere. Everything just flowed effortlessly. He hoped that Alli was feeling the same thing. He watched her tuck her hair behind her ears and decided he’d have to stick around for a few more days. He wanted to kiss her in the worst way. He was going to have to negotiate that five date rule.
The wind howled as the two pulled up to Alli’s cabin. They rushed to the door to get out of the cold. Alli’s hair danced above her like a red tornado. Bryce pulled her hood up for her and swept the hair out of her eyes. She simultaneously felt a rush of heat and goose bumps when he touched her face. She felt a sudden twitch of nervousness and struggled with the lock. Bryce took her hand and helped her turn the key. The wind calmed to a gentle breeze and they stood there for a moment just looking at each other; both wanting the taste of a first kiss.
Alli broke the silence with a skittish laugh. She rested her forehead on Bryce’s. As much as she wanted to kiss him, her nerves got the best of her. She hadn’t kissed anyone other than Nathan in ages. She struggled with the fact that six weeks ago she was planning a life with someone else and now she wanted to kiss a stranger. She didn’t want someone as perfect as Bryce to be a rebound or just a vacation fling. He was too nice of a guy, and she was not that kind of girl.
Bryce cleared his throat and shifted his feet. “How ‘bout that movie?” he said awkwardly as he stepped into the entry way. Alli bit her bottom lip as she decided how vulnerable she wanted to be. If this was going to go anywhere, she needed to tell him she was recently engaged. Was it too soon, she wondered? Maybe he didn’t want this to go anywhere anyway. She was overthinking it. She figured she had nothing to lose. If he still wanted to kiss her after a conversation like that, he was a keeper.
“I’ll start the movie in a minute. Do you want some lunch first?”
“That would be great. I’m starving.” They walked into the kitchen and he sat on a bar stool.
“Well, I wasn’t planning on impressing any suitors, so all I have is PB&J or chicken salad. Sorry.”
“Suitor, huh? So I am a contender? That’s good news.” He rubbed his hands together and grinned. “I’ll take a chicken salad sandwich and a glass of water, ma’am.”
Alli took the bread out and laid it on the counter. “I guess that’s kinda what I wanted to ask you about. This isn’t normally a second date conversation, but I need to make your privy to some information since I only have a couple more days with you here. I don’t want to waste your time, and I’m not here for a holiday hook-up.”
“Okayyyy. Me either.” Bryce's eyes widened and he fidgeted in his chair. He wasn’t expecting a conversation like this today.
“The reason why I am here is because I was engaged a while back…six weeks ago actually. He changed his mind. Long story short- he left me at the altar and I’m here trying to sort it all out. I wasn’t looking for anything but peace and quiet when I came, but you kinda melted my heart. I really like you. I just thought you should know.”
“I’m glad he left you at the altar, for my sake. Wait, that came out wrong….I mean, I really like you too. I came here to repair a pipe. That’s it. Meeting you was sheer coincidence. Or maybe fate, but either way, I’m glad it happened. It’s been awhile since I’ve liked a girl.” Bryce took a deep breath and stood up. He tapped his fingers on the counter, as he tried to decide what to say next. After another deep sigh he said, “I don’t know how much Eliza told you about me, but last year my fiancé was killed in a car accident. We were on our way here actually, which is why I don’t come up too often. It’s been a year though, and I don’t want to miss any more opportunities. I haven’t dated anyone since I lost her, and even though you are going through a different kind of loss, I totally get it. There’s no pressure from me, but I really want to see where this can go. I haven’t felt like this in a long time. Let’s just take it slow.”
Alli didn’t know what to say. His honesty was only making him more attractive. “I’d like that. I’m so sorry to hear about your fiancé,” was all she could muster. They finished lunch and made casual conversation. The mood was more intimate than she had expected. A two hundred pound weight (named Nathan) had been lifted off of her shoulders. She finally felt ready to move on.
Alli led Bryce to the media room and he sat down on the small couch that barely left enough room for her. “Well played," thought Alli. She settled in close to him and he wrapped his arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head.
“Thanks for telling me, by the way. I know that had to be hard to talk about,” Bryce said. Alli breathed in his cologne and pulled his hand to her lips. “You know I was thinking. I think this is our fifth date actually,” he teased.
“Hmm. How do you figure?
“Our first date was the night you locked your keys in your car and I waited with you. Our second date was at my place for dinner. Our third date was at the store this morning. Lunch was our fourth date, and here we are…watching a movie….date FIVE.”
“I can’t really argue with that logic. You have a good point.” Alli tipped her head up and looked at Bryce. She could feel his heart racing. He pulled her closer and kissed her softly. It was slow and perfect.
When she came home early from her vacation and had a new man in tow, her parents were more than skeptical. It was hard for them to trust Bryce after seeing how Nathan had treated their youngest daughter, but when they saw how unbelievably happy Bryce made Alli, Jack and Lucy couldn’t help but give him their stamp of approval.
Four months later, Alli and Bryce had spent almost every waking moment together. Bryce’s main office was only a 30 minute drive from Alli’s house and she stopped in daily to sneak a kiss and bring him lunch. They laughed at the irony- all that time they had been just down the road from each other. So close, yet so far.
Alli woke up thinking of him. It was almost Valentine’s Day and she needed to find the perfect gift. She picked up her phone to call Bryce, but he beat her to it.
“Good morning beautiful. How are you?”
“Perfect now. What are you up to?”
“Well, Ed and Eliza called. They said there’s a broken window at the cabin. I know its Valentine’s weekend, but I need to take care of it. Do you want to go up with me?”
“Of course. I can’t think of a more perfect place to spend Valentine’s Day.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up in a couple hours,” Bryce said.
When they arrived at the Olsen’s cabin, fresh snow was beginning to fall. Bryce hurried to unlock the door and let Alli inside.
“What window is it?” Alli asked. “It doesn’t feel like there is a draft.”
“They said it was on the back side of the house. I’ll be right back. I forgot something in the truck.”
Alli walked to the back window and looked for the crack. Upon closer inspection out the window she put her hand to her mouth and gasped. Giant footprints littered the ground, each forming a letter. Bryce was on one knee. He had hired someone from town to stamp out “Marry Me?” in his Bigfoot molds. Alli cried and nodded enthusiastically, then ran out to join him in the snow. She kissed him over and over as the snow drifted silently around them. Bryce slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her hand. The world disappeared around them and all that was left was love.
The cabin was only used in the summer for reunions and family vacations. It was October now and the leaves were all shades of orange, amber and red. As Alli sat on the porch and inhaled the crisp air it stung her lungs a bit. In an odd way, the pain was refreshing. The cold air wrapped around her and awoke her senses. She finally felt something after weeks of nothingness. It was time to get over Nathan, and move on. She rubbed her hands together and inhaled one last breath of the autumn breeze before going in to light a fire.
The cabin sat on ten acres of forested land with a little stream that ran through the east side of the property. On the other side of the stream was their only neighbor, the Olsen’s, who used their cabin as a summer home to escape Arizona’s summer heat. They had never officially met, but Alli’s family had grown up with the Olsen kids’ pranks. Every summer, without fail, their boys would sneak over to the Johnson’s cabin and scratch at the windows and grunt and moan and stomp off leaving giant foot prints in the yard with their homemade Bigfoot molds. They tried to catch them numerous times, but it usually ended with several people soaked in the stream and loud laughter coming from the Olsen cabin. Their boys were all grown now and probably married with kids. The cabin had sat empty for the last several summers and the Bigfoot prank was now just a fond childhood memory.
Over the years, Alli’s brother and sisters got married and had their own kids. The cabin was filled to capacity when everyone was there, so last year they added four bedrooms and a media room to the once quaint cottage. The four bedroom cabin was now an eight room lodge. Alli walked through the new rooms and admired all the new décor that had been updated. It didn’t feel as cozy as before, but the addition was beautiful. Each couple now had their own suite with adjoining rooms for their kids. Alli plopped down on the king size bed that was supposed to be for her and Nathan.
“I don’t get it. I thought we were happy.” She sighed under her breath. She felt the beginnings of self-pity settle in and jumped up off the bed, as though it had caused it.
After a couple hours, the silence she thought she wanted was a little too quiet. She looked in the den for a book to read, but the titles where all romance or suspense and there were surprisingly no movies in the media room. She didn’t feel like reading about someone else’s happily ever after and she didn’t think it wise to read a book that would make her jump at every little noise she heard. After her fifth game of solitaire, she decided to drive an hour into town to see if she could find a book or movie at the corner store.
It was only seven o’clock, but the town was dead. The corner store had lights on, but it looked abandoned. She parked in front and walked to the glass door that was plastered with ads. A little red sign hung on the handle. “Business was slow, so we closed early tonight. If you need assistance during business hours, call the number below and we will come right down.” Alli hesitated to call them when it wasn’t an emergency, but the next closest store was over two hours away. She got in her car and strummed her steering wheel while she resolved what to do. Just as she decided to call it a night, a pick-up truck pulled up beside her and read the same note. He was a little less understanding about the early closure and stomped back to his truck.
Alli rolled down her window and said, “I’d feel less guilty about calling them over here if I wasn’t the only customer.”
He smiled and said, “Then I better stick around.”
As it turned out, the owners lived right around the corner, so the elderly proprietors were there in less than five minutes. Alli grabbed a few snacks and a gallon of milk and looked through the “entertainment section”. It consisted of five different movies titles to choose from, all from the 80’s, and several out dated magazines. Alli took one of each and proceeded to the checkout counter. The little old man behind the counter smiled and asked her if her husband was ready.
“Oh, he’s not my husband. We just happened to pull up together.”
“Oh, I see. Well, we can fix that. It’s never too late…Married life is great.” The old man winked at his wife and raised his eyebrows up and down. Alli blushed.
“Ed, you’ve embarrassed the poor girl.” His wife elbowed him in the ribs gently. “He is good lookin’ though. If you ain’t married you should ask him out,” Eliza whispered a little louder than she had intended.
“Oh, he’s as single as they come,” came a deep voice from behind Alli. If she wasn’t embarrassed before, she certainly was now. She wasn’t sure what to say to that comment, so she chose to say nothing. She looked at the old woman for help, but the couple behind the counter just chuckled at the awkward moment they had just created.
“That will be $37.42 miss and I’ll even throw in a map of the area for you.” Ed smiled as he bagged her items at snail speed.
Alli rushed out of the store as quickly as possible and tried to get into her car before the mystery man walked out. She shook her head in disbelief as she looked into her car. There on her seat were her keys, and as luck would have it, the door was locked.
At this point, there was no avoiding more embarrassment, so Alli tucked her tail between her legs and walked back into the store.
“Well, it looks like I locked my keys in my car. Is there a locksmith or a towing company around here?”
“Not at this hour sweetie. Nothin’s open this late.” Alli looked at her watch. It was only 7:30. Surely there had to be a 24 hour towing company. She pulled up several listings on her phone and called a half dozen companies. They were either too far away or weren’t available for a lock-out call until the morning. The night was turning out splendid.
The tall, dark and single man spoke hesitantly, “Where are you headed? I could give you a lift home to grab a spare key.”
“Thanks, but it’s an hour out of town, and I’m pretty sure I don’t have a spare there. I’ll just call a cab and have him bring me back in the morning.”
“It’s going to be hard finding a cab in this area too. Maybe you should let this young man drive you home,” Eliza prodded.
“I’m sure I can find something. Thank you though,” Alli replied with an uncomfortable smile.
“Well, let me at least wait with you until it gets here. It’s too cold for you to stand outside and these folks probably want to get home. Come on, you can sit in my truck. I promise not to abduct you.”
Normally, she wouldn’t have climbed into a stranger’s car, but no other options presented themselves. He opened the passenger door for her and climbed in next to her on the driver’s side. He noticed she was shivering so he cranked up the heat.
“Thanks. This is really nice of you. My name’s Alli by the way.”
“No problem at all. I’d hate for you to get embarrassed and stranded all in one night,” he joked. He had a nice smile and like the store keeper noticed, he was quite attractive. Alli didn’t want to stare, so she flipped through her phone and called several places before finding a cab that would drive out to the middle of nowhere.
“I’m Bryce.” He extended his hand. “Nice to meet you.” Alli shook it cautiously.
When the cab pulled up thirty minutes later they were engrossed in conversation and didn’t see the driver until he honked his horn impatiently.
Alli tucked her hair behind her ears and thanked Bryce for the company and conversation. She waved goodbye as she climbed in the cab. Bryce flashed his lights at her as she drove off. He had wanted to ask her for her number, but chickened out at the last minute. He put his truck in reverse and started to pull out when he noticed a glint of light reflecting off of something on the floor. He slipped the truck back into park and leaned over to find Alli’s phone. A smile crossed his face when he realized he now had an excuse to track her down. He scrolled through her list of contacts for a home number. Alli’s mom, Lucy, answered and he explained how he came to have her daughter’s phone. It was the only means of communication Alli had at the cabin, so Lucy reluctantly gave him the address.
“I’ll have her call you as soon as I return her phone, so you know she’s alright,” he promised.
Bryce drove the familiar road, but passed her cabin. He continued two miles up the lane and pulled into the Olsen’s driveway. He laughed at his private joke as he unlocked the door and slipped inside the garage. There, hanging on the wall were the snowshoes he’d converted into Bigfoot stamps as a kid. He slipped them on and stuck Alli’s phone in his pocket. He laughed as he crossed the stream that led to the Johnson cabin.
Lights flickered from the media room as he approached. He threw a couple of pinecones gently at the window and then scratched it with a stick. Alli jumped up to see what was going on. Bryce moaned and howled and just as Alli got to the window, he made his way to the front of the house. She immediately saw the fake footprints and knew one of the Olsen boys was in town. She rolled her eyes and laughed.
Moments later, the doorbell rang. She opened the door to find her phone with a note on it.
Dinner tomorrow? 7pm… Bigfoot’s place.
–Bryce
PS- call your mom, she’s worried I’m holding you captive.
Alli smiled so big it hurt her cheeks. She laughed as she listened to Bryce howl in the distance.
The next day, Alli woke up early and took a cab into town. Ed and Eliza were at the store bright and early to help the crowd -all three people- with their grocery needs. Alli popped in to grab a bagel and hot chocolate while she waited for the tow truck driver to come unlock her car.
“Glad to see you survived the night,” Eliza joked.
“Me too. I almost died of embarrassment thanks to you two.” Alli winked at the happy couple.
“He’s a good boy, that Bryce.” Ed said.
“You know him?” Alli asked shocked. She wasn’t expecting an elderly couple to play wingman for a young bachelor.
“Yes, and his family. His parents passed away a few years back so we haven’t seen much of the boys, but they used to come here for the summers and help us in the store. They are a hard working family. Good, good boys. Be nice to Bryce. He’s had a rough year.” Eliza shook her finger at Alli before she added, “You’re one of the Johnson girls right? Jack and Lucy’s girl?”
“Ya. I’m Alli. I didn’t know you knew my parents.”
“It’s a small world up in these parts. When you are as old as us, you meet everyone at least once, and sometimes we even remember them,” said Ed as he patted his belly and laughed at his own joke.
“It’s true though. We know everyone that comes and goes.” Eliza tapped Alli’s shoulder. “I think I see your tow truck. Tell him I’ll give him a free cinnamon roll if he gives you a discount. He’ll do it too. My food’s that good!” Eliza waved at the driver and shuffled off slowly to straighten the shelves.
The tow truck driver made quick work of the lock and Alli was in her car in less than ten minutes. The driver collected his cinnamon roll and gave Alli the “good neighbor” discount. It still cost her an arm and a leg, but at least she had her car back. The drive home was beautiful in the day time. The sun was out and the sky was a crisp blue. Flashes of light streamed through the trees, and Alli seemed to be shining a little brighter herself after her accidental encounter with Bryce.
As the day marched on she found herself both giddy and nervous. It was her first “first date” in over two years and she wanted it to be perfect. It was a weird sensation to be dating again after almost getting married. For the last two years it had been her and Nathan. He wasn’t big on going out, unless it was with his friends, and most “dates” he planned consisted of a football game and a make out session. When he left her at the altar he didn’t offer any explanation. He just didn’t show up. She stood there in her white dress waiting for two hours before she realized he wasn’t coming.
A full week had passed before she heard from him. Even then, he hadn’t had the guts to talk to her in person. He just sent a text that said “I’m so sorry. I never meant for this to happen. Please forgive me. I never meant to hurt you.” She couldn’t understand how she had missed all the signs…the signs that were so obvious to her now… Bright neons signs that practically screamed “HE’S NOT THE ONE!” She had loved him though, and sometimes, love makes you oblivious to reality.
It was still painful to think of Nathan. It was hard to wrap her mind around having to start all over with someone new with no guarantee that it would work out. But tonight was just for fun. No commitments. She lived hours away and who knew where Byrce was headed. There was no pressure, no expectations. She was determined to laugh and have fun and enjoy the moment. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to be dating again, but he was easy on the eyes and fun to talk to. He hadn’t asked her to marry him, just to dinner. She could do dinner.
At 6:45 Alli locked up her cabin and headed toward the Olsen’s. She crossed the stream using the same bridge the Olsen boys had made so many years ago. She wished she would have thought of a prank to play on him on his territory. She decided to wait and see how the date went before she determined the right lark. She rang the bell and wrung her hands together as she waited for Bryce to answer.
The Olsen’s place was a beautiful traditional Appalachian log cabin with massive logs that had been dove-tailed and stacked like giant Lincoln Logs. The logs were stained a deep, rich red and the gaps between the wood had been chinked with sandy mortar, making it look straight out of the 1900’s. The high peaked roof on the outside translated into gorgeous cathedral ceilings on the inside. The roof trusses had been left exposed on the interior to display the craftsmanship of the builder. Alli couldn’t help but run her hands along the wood and admire the detail. Bryce noticed her look of awe.
“You like it? My great-great grandpa built this back in 1907. He had to clear the land and he used the trees he logged to build this place. He hand carved everything. It’s had some updates here and there- like the flushable toilets and running water- but we’ve tried to keep everything as original as possible. Every log was hand hewn and placed by sheer manpower.” He flexed his muscles and made his best attempt at a body-builder pose. Alli laughed and tried to decide if he was cocky or carefree. Either way, he looked amazing.
“I can’t believe all these years we’ve been just down the road and never met.” Alli sat down on the leather couch and tried to not look nervous. She crossed and uncrossed her legs several times before standing up again. Bryce smiled and Alli got a little weak in the knees.
“If I would have known the Johnson girls were as cute as you I wouldn’t have run off.” He blushed a little and tried to change the subject. “Want a drink?” Before she could answer he handed her a coke. “What are you doing here this time of year anyway? Don’t you guys usually come in the summer?”
“Ya, but I needed a little R&R and couldn’t wait that long.”
“I get that. Who’s staying with you?”
“It’s just me this trip.”
“Better be careful out there. Single girl, in the forest… I hear Bigfoot’s on the loose.” Bryce flashed his perfect teeth again and sat down on the couch. He patted the seat next to him, inviting her to join him. She sat down a little further than he was hoping.
“How about you, Mr. Olsen. What brings you here?”
“Repairs. My parents passed away a few years ago, and we don’t make it up here as often as we should to check up on the place. Ed and Eliza, the store owners you met in town, were friends with my mom and dad. They drove by a few days ago to make sure the place was ok. They were worried a pipe had burst, so I came up. Luckily, it wasn’t anything major.”
“That’s good. How long are you here?”
“That’s to be determined. I was supposed to go home tomorrow, but I have a few other projects I need to finish before I head home. We have been trying to decide if we are going to sell the place or rent it out since none of us use it all that often. I’d hate to sell it, but my brothers all live out of state now and I’m the only one here to do the maintenance.”
Alli perked up after hearing he lived in state. It was definitely good news. “You seem pretty handy. What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a contractor. I own a renovation company. How about you? ”
Bryce took a sip of his drink and rested his arm on the back of the couch. Alli’s heart surged. She wasn’t sure if he was flirting or just resting his arm. She took a chance and casually scooted a little closer; his fingertips grazed the tip of her shoulder.
“I’m a bounty hunter. Right now, I’m tracking down Bigfoot,” she teased. Bryce raised one eyebrow and laughed. “Actually, I’m a real estate agent.” Bryce couldn’t tell if she was still joking or not. He had a look of disbelief on his face, so she added, “Seriously. I’m a real estate agent; but don’t worry I’m not here for your business.”
“Well, if I decide to sell, I’ll need your number.”
“We’ll see how tonight goes. If you’re lucky I might leave you my card.” She was a little surprised that she was flirting so much. She was usually more reserved. Alli decided to just go for it. She had already been left at the altar, so there was nowhere to go but up.
“If my charming disposition doesn’t win you over, my cooking will. I hope you came hungry,” Bryce said.
“I did. What’s for dinner?”
“My mom once told me that two things should be avoided on first dates. The first thing was spaghetti, so I made flank steak and mashed potatoes with grilled asparagus on the side.”
“Sounds amazing. What was the second thing she told you to avoid on a first date?”
Bryce smirked and reached for Alli’s hand, "I’ll tell you later.” Alli took his hand and let him lead her to the dining room. Her eyes widened as she looked around. The table was made from the same wood that Bryce’s ancestors had used to make the cabin. The logs had been cut in half and laid out, flat side up, and covered in a rich varnish to enhance the wood’s natural grain. The table top sat on two thick trunks, one at each end. The trunks looked so organic there, almost as if they were still in the ground. Bryce had put fresh flowers on the table and set the rustic table for two. Alli was impressed with his effort. Nathan had never made diner for her in their entire two year relationship.
Above the table was an antler chandelier that Bryce had helped his dad make when he was a teenager. Bryce talked fondly of his parents and asked all about Alli’s family. The conversation flowed easily and Alli sat happily across from Bryce and listened to him talk about his parents and his job and everything in between. She had forgotten how nice it was to have an actual conversation; one that didn’t revolve around fantasy football or recent episodes of Nathan’s favorite shows. She was pleasantly surprised that she and Bryce had so much in common. She caught herself staring at him several times throughout dinner, and she felt his gaze a few times as well. It was well after midnight when Alli thanked him for dinner. She didn’t want to leave, but it was getting late.
Bryce walked her over the bridge and back to her cabin. His heart was racing and his palms were sweaty. As she opened the door she tilted her head slightly and smiled and thanked him again. She rested against the door frame and studied Bryce, looking for a reason to keep talking.
“You never told me the other thing your mom told you to avoid on a first date. What was it?” she asked coyly.
“Kissing.” He leaned in and kissed Alli on the cheek.
“I guess that just means I’ll have to see you again.” She returned the affection and kissed his cheek. She lingered there for just a minute and whispered goodnight in his ear. She closed the door slowly and leaned against it. Bryce stared at the door fighting the urge to knock. He ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath. He walked home slowly, looking back at her cabin several times. Alli giggled as she heard a familiar howling as she drifted off to sleep.
Bryce woke up the next morning and jumped out of bed. He hurriedly dressed and looked out the window, half hoping Alli would be there on his lawn waiting for him. He felt like a teenager. He couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Across the stream, Alli was doing the same thing. She paced back and forth trying to come up with an excuse to see him. She didn’t want to seem too eager, but she didn’t want to waste any of the time she had left with him. Hesitantly, she pulled on her boots and coat and started the walk to his cabin. She was just about to cross the bridge when she saw Bryce heading her way.
“Good morning. I was just coming over to see if you needed any help with your projects.” It was the best she could come up with on the fly.
“I was hoping I’d see you today. Ed and Eliza called me this morning. They have a shipment coming in and need some help unloading. I’m going to head in to town for a bit, do you want to join me?”
“Sounds perfect.”
The autumn wind blew the fallen leaves wildly as Bryce and Alli drove down the narrow roads leading to town. The temperature had dropped and Bryce was worried he wouldn’t be able to finish the repairs before the weather turned. Alli secretly hoped he’d get stuck there for the remainder of her stay. The wind picked up and rocked the truck as they drove. An hour later they pulled up to Ed and Eliza’s corner store. The elderly couple grinned and whispered excitedly as the twenty-somethings walked in together. Ed went back to his newspaper, but Eliza was intrigued.
“Goooood morning to you two,” Eliza said with eagerness. Her eyes lit up and Alli felt an interrogation coming. She braced herself for a barrage of questions. Eliza left her post and wobbled over to greet Alli more properly. She linked her arm in Alli’s and asked, “You two drive in together?” Alli nodded. “Ohhh, that’s so nice. So nice to hear. I’m glad you two is gettin’ aquainted. Ain’t that nice Ed?” She yelled back in Ed’s general direction. Ed didn’t look up from his paper, but he waved at his wife in acknowledgment. Eliza clapped her hands together and kept repeating, “That’s so nice. So nice to hear”
Bryce disappeared into the back room and began unloading pallets. Alli grabbed a rag and a cleaning spray and started wiping down the counters and glass cases. Eliza started to sweep the store. Occasionally, she would take a break from her work long enough to give Alli an approving grin or a thumbs up. Alli chuckled and smiled back. Eliza pursed her lips and nodded in approval. Alli thought she heard her humming Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” as she swept around Ed’s feet. He put down his paper and goosed her as she passed. She swatted him lovingly with the broom and he pulled her in for a quick kiss. Alli loved watching their banter. The two seniors were obviously still very much in love after all these years. She wanted that kind of relationship when was old and grey.
Bryce popped his head out of the back room and beamed at Alli like a twitterpated teenager. “You can join me in here if you want.”
Eliza walked over and took the rag out of Alli’s hand and waved her away. “Go on. Go on. Ed can take care of that.” Alli willingly complied.
“I think they like you,” Bryce whispered. He handed Alli a box cutter and showed her how to cut the plastic off the wrapped pallets.
“They are sweet. They definitely don’t hold back do they?” Alli said as she unloaded boxes of cereal from her first load.
“My mom used to say ‘everyone in love wants love for everyone’ when she would set me up with random women she would meet at the store. Matchmaking is Eliza’s side job. It makes for good gossip, and all little towns need fresh gossip to survive.” He looked up at Alli and saw her nodding in mock agreement. “We should be done here in about an hour. Do you have any plans today?”
“Booked solid after this I’m afraid. I hear there’s a good lookin’ contractor in town and I was going to ask him over to my place to watch a movie. Might as well give the locals something to talk about.”
“Does this count as date two then, and the movie date three? ‘Cause my mom also told me not to kiss a girl before the third date,” he teased.
“Oh, I see. Well, I have a five date policy myself. My dad told me to watch out for guys like you.”
“Guys like me?”
“Yep. Tall, dark and seemingly perfect. They get me into trouble every time.”
“Well, let’s see if I can give ‘guys like me’ a better reputation.” He made air quotes as he said “guys like me” and slicked his hair back like Elvis. He liked making her smile. She was different from any of the girls he had dated in the past. It didn’t seem like they had just met. They had the kind of instant connection that led to more than just a fling. It was hard to find girls that would spend their day helping perfect strangers clean their shop rather than shopping and primping. He hadn’t planned on meeting someone like Alli in a tiny town, in the middle of nowhere. Everything just flowed effortlessly. He hoped that Alli was feeling the same thing. He watched her tuck her hair behind her ears and decided he’d have to stick around for a few more days. He wanted to kiss her in the worst way. He was going to have to negotiate that five date rule.Eliza started to sweep the store. Occasionally she would take a break from her work long enough to give Alli an approving grin or a thumbs up. Alli chuckled and smiled back.
Bryce popped his head out of the back room and beamed at Alli like a twitterpated teenager. “You can join me in here if you want.”
Eliza walked over and took the rag out of Alli’s hand and waved her away. “Go on. Go on. Ed can take care of that.” Alli willingly complied.
“I think they like you,” Bryce whispered. He handed Alli a box cutter and showed her how to cut the plastic off the wrapped pallets.
“They are sweet. They definitely don’t hold back do they?” Alli said as she unloaded boxes of cereal from her first load.
“My mom used to say ‘everyone in love wants love for everyone’ when she would set me up with random women she would meet at the store. Matchmaking is Eliza’s side job. It makes for good gossip, and all little towns need fresh gossip to survive.” He looked up at Alli and saw her nodding in mock agreement. “We should be done here in about an hour. Do you have any plans today?”
“Booked solid after this I’m afraid. I hear there’s a good lookin’ contractor in town and I was going to ask him over to my place to watch a movie. Might as well give the locals something to talk about.”
“Does this count as date two then, and the movie date three? ‘Cause my mom also told me not to kiss a girl before the third date,” he teased.
“Oh, I see. Well, I have a five date policy myself. My dad told me to watch out for guys like you.”
“Guys like me?”
“Yep. Tall, dark and seemingly perfect. They get me into trouble every time.”
“Well, let’s see if I can give ‘guys like me’ a better reputation.” He made air quotes as he said “guys like me” and slicked his hair back like Elvis. He liked making her smile. She was different from any of the girls he had dated in the past. It didn’t seem like they had just met. They had the kind of instant connection that led to more than just a fling. It was hard to find girls that would spend their day helping perfect strangers clean their shop rather than shopping and primping. He hadn’t planned on meeting someone like Alli in a tiny town, in the middle of nowhere. Everything just flowed effortlessly. He hoped that Alli was feeling the same thing. He watched her tuck her hair behind her ears and decided he’d have to stick around for a few more days. He wanted to kiss her in the worst way. He was going to have to negotiate that five date rule.
The wind howled as the two pulled up to Alli’s cabin. They rushed to the door to get out of the cold. Alli’s hair danced above her like a red tornado. Bryce pulled her hood up for her and swept the hair out of her eyes. She simultaneously felt a rush of heat and goose bumps when he touched her face. She felt a sudden twitch of nervousness and struggled with the lock. Bryce took her hand and helped her turn the key. The wind calmed to a gentle breeze and they stood there for a moment just looking at each other; both wanting the taste of a first kiss.
Alli broke the silence with a skittish laugh. She rested her forehead on Bryce’s. As much as she wanted to kiss him, her nerves got the best of her. She hadn’t kissed anyone other than Nathan in ages. She struggled with the fact that six weeks ago she was planning a life with someone else and now she wanted to kiss a stranger. She didn’t want someone as perfect as Bryce to be a rebound or just a vacation fling. He was too nice of a guy, and she was not that kind of girl.
Bryce cleared his throat and shifted his feet. “How ‘bout that movie?” he said awkwardly as he stepped into the entry way. Alli bit her bottom lip as she decided how vulnerable she wanted to be. If this was going to go anywhere, she needed to tell him she was recently engaged. Was it too soon, she wondered? Maybe he didn’t want this to go anywhere anyway. She was overthinking it. She figured she had nothing to lose. If he still wanted to kiss her after a conversation like that, he was a keeper.
“I’ll start the movie in a minute. Do you want some lunch first?”
“That would be great. I’m starving.” They walked into the kitchen and he sat on a bar stool.
“Well, I wasn’t planning on impressing any suitors, so all I have is PB&J or chicken salad. Sorry.”
“Suitor, huh? So I am a contender? That’s good news.” He rubbed his hands together and grinned. “I’ll take a chicken salad sandwich and a glass of water, ma’am.”
Alli took the bread out and laid it on the counter. “I guess that’s kinda what I wanted to ask you about. This isn’t normally a second date conversation, but I need to make your privy to some information since I only have a couple more days with you here. I don’t want to waste your time, and I’m not here for a holiday hook-up.”
“Okayyyy. Me either.” Bryce's eyes widened and he fidgeted in his chair. He wasn’t expecting a conversation like this today.
“The reason why I am here is because I was engaged a while back…six weeks ago actually. He changed his mind. Long story short- he left me at the altar and I’m here trying to sort it all out. I wasn’t looking for anything but peace and quiet when I came, but you kinda melted my heart. I really like you. I just thought you should know.”
“I’m glad he left you at the altar, for my sake. Wait, that came out wrong….I mean, I really like you too. I came here to repair a pipe. That’s it. Meeting you was sheer coincidence. Or maybe fate, but either way, I’m glad it happened. It’s been awhile since I’ve liked a girl.” Bryce took a deep breath and stood up. He tapped his fingers on the counter, as he tried to decide what to say next. After another deep sigh he said, “I don’t know how much Eliza told you about me, but last year my fiancé was killed in a car accident. We were on our way here actually, which is why I don’t come up too often. It’s been a year though, and I don’t want to miss any more opportunities. I haven’t dated anyone since I lost her, and even though you are going through a different kind of loss, I totally get it. There’s no pressure from me, but I really want to see where this can go. I haven’t felt like this in a long time. Let’s just take it slow.”
Alli didn’t know what to say. His honesty was only making him more attractive. “I’d like that. I’m so sorry to hear about your fiancé,” was all she could muster. They finished lunch and made casual conversation. The mood was more intimate than she had expected. A two hundred pound weight (named Nathan) had been lifted off of her shoulders. She finally felt ready to move on.
Alli led Bryce to the media room and he sat down on the small couch that barely left enough room for her. “Well played," thought Alli. She settled in close to him and he wrapped his arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head.
“Thanks for telling me, by the way. I know that had to be hard to talk about,” Bryce said. Alli breathed in his cologne and pulled his hand to her lips. “You know I was thinking. I think this is our fifth date actually,” he teased.
“Hmm. How do you figure?
“Our first date was the night you locked your keys in your car and I waited with you. Our second date was at my place for dinner. Our third date was at the store this morning. Lunch was our fourth date, and here we are…watching a movie….date FIVE.”
“I can’t really argue with that logic. You have a good point.” Alli tipped her head up and looked at Bryce. She could feel his heart racing. He pulled her closer and kissed her softly. It was slow and perfect.
When she came home early from her vacation and had a new man in tow, her parents were more than skeptical. It was hard for them to trust Bryce after seeing how Nathan had treated their youngest daughter, but when they saw how unbelievably happy Bryce made Alli, Jack and Lucy couldn’t help but give him their stamp of approval.
Four months later, Alli and Bryce had spent almost every waking moment together. Bryce’s main office was only a 30 minute drive from Alli’s house and she stopped in daily to sneak a kiss and bring him lunch. They laughed at the irony- all that time they had been just down the road from each other. So close, yet so far.
Alli woke up thinking of him. It was almost Valentine’s Day and she needed to find the perfect gift. She picked up her phone to call Bryce, but he beat her to it.
“Good morning beautiful. How are you?”
“Perfect now. What are you up to?”
“Well, Ed and Eliza called. They said there’s a broken window at the cabin. I know its Valentine’s weekend, but I need to take care of it. Do you want to go up with me?”
“Of course. I can’t think of a more perfect place to spend Valentine’s Day.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up in a couple hours,” Bryce said.
When they arrived at the Olsen’s cabin, fresh snow was beginning to fall. Bryce hurried to unlock the door and let Alli inside.
“What window is it?” Alli asked. “It doesn’t feel like there is a draft.”
“They said it was on the back side of the house. I’ll be right back. I forgot something in the truck.”
Alli walked to the back window and looked for the crack. Upon closer inspection out the window she put her hand to her mouth and gasped. Giant footprints littered the ground, each forming a letter. Bryce was on one knee. He had hired someone from town to stamp out “Marry Me?” in his Bigfoot molds. Alli cried and nodded enthusiastically, then ran out to join him in the snow. She kissed him over and over as the snow drifted silently around them. Bryce slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her hand. The world disappeared around them and all that was left was love.
