Page 42 of The Cannon
“What’s this? A DNA testing kit?” I say surprised.
“All you have to do is spit in the little bottle enclosed and mail it back to them. All kinds of people are using it to find their family members. Maybe your sister has registered. It’s worth a shot.”
Her eyes. They’re full of hope. I can’t help but have a sliver of it myself. Even though it’s a long shot.
“Thank you. Yeah. Can’t hurt to try.”
I turn the volume up on the Luke Combs ballad and she slides closer. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders just feels right. Her head resting against me seals the deal.
“You’re beautiful crazy to me,” I say quoting the song.
The sun isn’t far from setting as we drive toward Shelby Farms. I did my homework in finding an open field, a proper stargazing site. Access to telescopes was the bonus. Once again I have a Swift to thank. This time it was Charlotte and Mallory who suggested I check it out. Atticus had taken a group of Mallory’s friends there for her birthday.
As we take the turnoff, Bristol solves the mystery. “Are we going to Shelby Farms?”
“Yep. Have you been? And if it was with another man don’t tell me about it.”
She giggles. “No. This will be a first. But I’m intrigued. Do they have evening tours?”
I turn into the entry and head for the check-in gate.
“No, darlin’. It’s the stars we’ll be looking at. We’re going to open the tailgate and have a party.”
A sly smile stretches across her beautiful face. “A party?”
“For two. Hope you like picnics under the stars.”
Her pleased expression is my answer. Everything is contained behind the soulful eyes. I drive up to the gate and roll down my window to speak to the attendant.
“Evening. Sawyer Tom and Bristol Swift. We have reservations.”
The young guy looks over his paperwork and finds our names.
“You’ve reserved a telescope. Want me to put it in your flatbed? There’ll be a docent in the field to provide guidance.”
“Yes to the telescope, no to the tour. Not needed. And, we have the entire site, right? I reserved all the spaces in that area.”
“Yes, sir. You’ll be alone. Sure you don’t want help with the telescope?”
This kid is green. Hell no I don’t want any other person there. “No. No help. I’m familiar with telescopes. How long do we have?”
“Eleven. The park closes at eleven thirty. If you haven’t returned the telescope by then, a docent will come find you.”
“We’ll be back.”
Thinking of another person invading our slice of heaven ruins the picture.
“Here’s directions to the field and my cell number in case you get lost. But the connection can be spotty.”
“Thanks. We’ll be fine.”
I roll up the window as the guy loads the flatbed. When I turn to Bristol she’s smiling.
“You happy?”
Her expression is like a young girl who just got asked to dance.
“Very. This is my first picnic under the stars.”
