Chapter 4
Connor
Yesterday I wasn't prepared for Freya to be here, but today I'm really excited that she's arrived. I want to take her everywhere and introduce her to everyone. First, though I've got to do some good fiancé things like making breakfast for her.
I make coffee for both of and then start to scramble some eggs and fry some bacon. I've got toast for her as well, and I set up the table nicely for her. I'm really energized and inspired to impress her today. At around eight in the morning she comes out of the guest bedroom.
"Good morning, Connor."
"It is a great morning and I'm so happy to have you here with me."
"Oh my God, you're a morning person."
She's beautiful and funny. I was surprised by her beauty yesterday when I saw her. The pictures don't do her justice. She's a goddess and I need to start worshipping her as soon as possible. Today, however, is a day to get to know her.
"You make it sound like it's the worst thing in the world."
"I might need to go back to bed."
"Not until you have breakfast. I've made bacon, eggs and some toast."
She sits at the table and waits expectantly for the food. I place a plate before her and then set a cup of coffee next to the plate. I place my own food down and sit down and join her. She takes a sip of the coffee and moans in a way that has me starting to harden.
"Mmmm that's some good coffee."
"I buy it from Over the Roast, a small coffee shop the next town over. She gets the best blends I've ever tasted."
"Should I be jealous?"
"Absolutely not. Sam is happily married."
She takes a bite out of the eggs and bacon, but doesn't comment on them. I'm a little hurt that she's not amazed by my cooking prowess, but what can you do?
"So I thought you might give me a lift downtown where I can sightsee and check out the place and make some new friends."
"Actually, today is bring your fiancée to work day."
"What?"
"Okay, that was an attempt at a joke. I have the day off and will be showing you around myself. If you'd like to meet the guys at work, we'll drop by and say hi. They'll love you."
I don't know why I said that last part. She's amazing, but the one who needs to love her is me, and I'm already halfway there. Freya is so easy to be with. Our conversations flow easily, and she seems to be very good natured, something I really like.
We finish our breakfast and she goes to get ready for the day. I don't know what to expect when she comes out in jeans and a knit sweater that hugs her curves. I think my mouth is open and I fight to get it closed again. I don't know how I'll survive a day with such a beautiful woman at my side.
Am I the luckiest man alive? That's got to be it. I've been given a gift from the universe because of my good deeds as a park ranger. I know I'm being silly, but what else could have happened for me to be this fortunate?
I help her up into my truck and then I reach inside to buckle her in.
We almost crash our heads together when I do this, but at the same time I am able to smell her vanilla and peaches scent.
It's intoxicating to my senses and I wish the moment lasted longer so I was able to breathe in more of that perfect scent.
"So what's on the agenda, tour director Michaelson?"
"First, we'll go to see the lake, where I have a small fishing cabin. Then we'll tour downtown and finish with a visit to the park ranger's station. How does that sound?"
"Sounds like a plan. Let's go."
I'm eager to see her response to the lake. It's a majestic view, and I enjoy the time I spend there alone. I wouldn't mind having someone with me to spend the days with. Sometimes I'd go with a buddy, but it would be a treat to bring a significant other with me.
The drive to the lake takes about thirty minutes, and I can hear her take in a breath when she sees it.
The ice should start melting soon, and I'll be able to bring her here to fish with me.
I know, not a particularly romantic date, but I think she'd like to spend the time together. Or at least I hope.
"This place is next level, Connor."
"You like it?"
"I love it. It's majestic and full of wonder."
"I was hoping you'd find it that way."
"I don't know how to fish. City girl here. But when can we come so you can teach me?"
"Things will defrost enough to fish in a couple of weeks."
We sit in front of the cabin for a bit and I serve her some coffee I brought with us in a thermos.
The silence between us is comfortable, and I'm starting to hope for a quickie wedding.
After a while, we leave to tour the town.
Cassie did a really good job showing her the highlights yesterday, so it's a quick tour.
Finally, I take her to the park ranger's station.
I'm a little nervous about doing this, but she needs to know what my coworkers and friends are like.
The station is at the base of the mountain and there are at least four of us on every shift.
The SAR team is not on duty every day, so the office shouldn't be that crowded today.
I help Freya out of her seat and down from the truck. I love doing these little things for her, and I hope they make her feel special. That's why I do them. When we come inside the office, everyone stops talking.
"Hey everyone. Look who came in early to visit." He hesitates. "This is Freya, my fiancée."
The guys come in one by one, and I start introducing them. There's Brody and Butch, and Marcus. For some reason, Brock, the field doctor for the SAR team, is here and I introduce him as well.
"So you guys are the ones who left Connor with the cleanup yesterday?"
They have the decency to look embarrassed about it.
"You guys are going to have to do better to make me start liking you."
The guys start giving excuses, mainly because I was the one who made them leave. After a while, they start joking around and teasing her, saying she could be better off with one of them. All except Brody and Brock, who are happily married.
Suddenly, I've had enough and want to spend some quiet time with my girl.
"Okay, that's enough for a visit. Thanks a lot, assholes."
They tease me back as I take Freya's hand in mine and pull her along outside the building. Theres a nice spot a few hundred yards from the office so I silently tug her with me towards that area. When we finally get to the area where the benches are I signal for her to sit down.
"Well, what did you think?"
"I think they'll be cleaning up whatever mess they make in the future."
"I think so, too. But I mean, about everything. Could you see yourself living here?"
I start panicking when she doesn't answer right away. I know this place is isolated and small compared to the big city where she comes from, but anyone can see the charm and the beauty of the place.
"The place is nice, and so are the people. I need to know more about the man."
"What you see is what you get."
"Is it, though? It seems to me that you're just showing me the good stuff, like we did online. I want to go deeper if I'm supposed to make a life with you."
"It's only been a day, Freya. Maybe give it more time."
"I don't know how much time I have." She mumbles.
"What was that?"
"I really like you, Connor. This place is fantastic. I'm just a little confused."
I get closer to her on the bench and put an arm around her.
I take her hand in mine and squeeze gently to reassure her that I am here for her.
We stay in silence for a while, the warmth of our bodies keeping us glued together.
I'm not sure what perfect words would keep this woman by my side, but I pray I can find them within myself.
"I'm glad you are here, Freya. I think we can do anything if we're together."
She lifts her face towards me and licks her lips. If that is not a clue that she wants me to kiss her, I don't know what is. I lower my lips to hers and place a soft, gentle kiss on her mouth. The kiss starts innocently enough, but it slowly transforms into something else.
I deepen the kiss, as it in turn warms my blood.
It ignites something in me that I've never felt before.
Not with anyone else, ever. When she opens her mouth to let me in, I surrender completely to my instincts.
My tongue reaches out to play with hers, and a battle ensues.
There's no need for there to be a winner in this battle, and we continue giving and taking and letting our walls break down and our feelings unravel.
When it becomes so much that I can't breathe, I pull apart from her. She's also breathing heavily, and it's cold enough that we can see our breaths in the air. Her cheeks are flushed, and I suspect mine are the same.
"That was amazing, Connor."
"There's more where that came from."
"I can't wait."
As I drive back home with my perfect fiancée in the car, I realize it only took me one kiss to fall completely in love with her.