Chapter 7
Harrison
Things are moving faster than I thought possible, but it doesn't matter because every moment I'm with Iris I fall harder and harder for her. The problem is, I don't know how to express my feelings to her without sounding too pushy. I want this to be her choice, and her choice alone.
She stirs in my arms and opens her eyes. I smile down at her so that she knows I'm right here with her. She lifts herself up and gives me a look.
"Can I sketch you now?"
"I don't know. People will actually see me buck naked? I'm not so comfortable with that."
"Let me sketch you and I can show you. You might think they are great."
I give her my best doubtful look and try to pull her back into my arms. She's determined, though, and gets up to find her sketchbook and art materials.
"Stay lying there just like that, Harrison."
I'm feeling a bit vulnerable, being naked for all to see, but her face is serious, meaning this is important to her. If it's important to her, it's important to me. So I just lay back and let her sketch to her heart's content. After about thirty minutes I'm getting a little antsy.
I didn't know this posing gig would be so intense. Finally, she puts the sketchbook down and starts getting dressed. I follow suit, not knowing what else to do.
"Can I see?"
"Oh, sure. Here you go."
She hands me the notebook and I start flipping pages. A lot of the drawings are of my face and my features. There's a bunch others of my body in general, but none of them are revealing. When I reach the last page, I see my face with my eyes glazed in pleasure from our encounter.
Every stroke of the pencil is firm and sure and I wonder how she isn't being featured in the best galleries in the world. Of course I'm only one person and am completely biased. I hand her back the sketchbook.
"These are amazing, my angel."
"I've decided these are going to be just for my private collection. I don't want women ogling you all over the country."
"Is that right?"
I come close to her and pull her into my arms. She feels right in my embrace, and it soothes my soul.
"Is it okay if I set up my easel and start painting this beautiful landscape?"
"You don't need my permission for anything, Iris. This is why I brought you out here, so you could spend your time doing what you love best."
"I'm not sure it's what I love best anymore."
There's a twinkle in her eyes when she admits that, and my heart starts beating faster. Did she really mean I'm what she loves best? It would be too much to ask of life for that to be true. I help her set up so she can work her magic and I sit down on the tablecloth and snack for a bit.
I love being out like this in nature. It's why I became part of the park ranger team and then moved to the SAR team. Hunter's Peak is a magical place, and I would love to make a life with Iris here. Her work is important, though, and I have to think hard about having to follow her to the city.
A lot of thoughts go through my mind and I realize I'm being silly. I just met Iris yesterday and am already planning our life together. My co-workers would have a field day with that information. I lie back down on the forest floor and take a nap.
When I wake up, my angel is looking down at me with a smile on her face. I'll never get used to how those smiles make her seem brighter and full of life. I'm starting to think I will have to start a conversation about feelings, even though we've barely met.
I know I'm being impulsive and reckless, but the heart wants what the heart wants. Whatever I do, I cannot let this woman leave the mountain without me.