Page 100 of One More Kiss

Chapter4

"I thinkit's just a little bit further," David calls out to Corbin and I over the howling wind and the sound of rain pelting our bodies.

He's right, it is only a little bit further. We finally make it to the door of the log cabin, his cabin.

The base of the high ropes course is too far, an hour long nature trail on a good day, when it's not pouring. Thankfully, as part of his job with the park, he'd moved into one of the cabins that wasn't far from where we were when it started raining.

The cabin is a humble little place, one room, with a bed, a couch and a small, old fashion kitchen with a table. It smells like a campfire, but not a campfire that's burned through the night. It smells like a fire that was put out quickly — damp wood, smoke, and a hint of something sweet.

He works quickly to make another fire. There's electricity here, and central heating, but nothing warms the soul like a good, old-fashioned fire. He must be thinking the same thing I am because when he's done, he slides two chairs in front of the fireplaces and motions for Corbin and I to sit down as he goes to get blankets for us.

Corbin decides that he doesn't need the other chair. He'd rather sit in Mama's lap and I don't fight it. His little body is warm as he lays his head on my chest and tangles his arms and legs around my middle.

The blankets David brings are thick and cozy, I get the feeling they're wool or something made to resemble wool. All I care about is that they're dry and comfy.

David lets out a small laugh as he slides into the chair beside me, obviously realizing it isn't going to get used for it's intended purpose. He is close enough that I can feel the heat radiating off of him. The flames dance in front of us and cast a glow to the small room.

There's no sound beyond the crackling of the fire and Corbin's happy, contented humming. I'm surrounded by warmth and comfort and I can't help but let myself smile.

Did I say I loved rainy days? I love them. Especially when I'm not caught in the middle of a forest inside of them.

The rain is still coming down hard outside, but I don't feel the least bit concerned. I can't tell you how long we stayed like that. I don't know how long it was before Corbin fell asleep, his head nestled in the crook of my neck, his small, steady breaths on my skin.

I don't know how long David and I sat there, watching the flames, before he turned and leaned in toward me.

"There's something about this place," he says in a voice low and steady enough not to wake the sleeping six-year-old in my lap. "It has the ability to change lives completely."

I turn my head to look at him, but his eyes stay trained on the fire. "It definitely changed mine."

"Mine too. Years ago, when I came here for the first time, I was a burnt-out, miserable, college student up to my ears in business courses I didn't care about. I was failing and about to lose my scholarship and the housing that went with it. Life as I knew it was about to end and it felt like this train hurtling forward to a cliff that I had no way to stop."

I knew that feeling well; just the complete and total loss of control of everything in your life. I'd been there the day he saved me.

"I'd barely gotten here when I found myself on this cliff, staring over the edge and considering just how easy it would be to just jump. Even if I didn't have plans on it, I've still been in the same shoes you were that day."

I choke up a little and try to hold it in. I don't want to cry. A strange feeling of warmth creeps into my chest. I don't think I've ever felt so connected to someone.

David turns to me and our gaze locks. His eyes, dark and endlessly deep. "But then I looked around me. I saw the birds chirping happily and the squirrels scampering around. None of them cared about the instability of the stock market or what grade they were going to get on their final. They just woke up every day and lived their life. That's what I wanted. So, that's what I did."

I can't keep it in any longer. The tears flow down my cheeks and I wipe them away with my sleeve. The second I do, David leans forward and kisses my cheek.

He pulls back and looks at me, almost as if he's shocked by his own actions.

"I'm sorry," he says, wiping away a tear from my cheek. "I didn't mean to."

"It's okay," I say, sniffling. "I needed that."

We sit in silence for a few moments, just staring at each other. I can feel the tension between us, thick and electric. I want to kiss him, but I'm not sure if I should. Not here, with Corbin sleeping in my lap. Not after just meeting him.

Today has been an emotional roller coaster and I'm not sure if either of us should trust our feelings right now.

The fire crackles and pops in front of us, filling the silence with its soft sounds.

David turns and looks out the window. "The rain stopped."

I look out the window, for the first time noticing that the pattering of rain on the roof has subsided. Instead, there are only gentle drops landing on the roof and the ground outside. There's no more wind and the clouds overhead are thinning out, the sun peeking through, the storm quelled.

"I should go," I say, rising to my feet while still holding Corbin against me. He stirs a little, looking up at me bleary-eyed. I give him a small smile and a kiss on the forehead before he buries his head back into the curve of my neck.

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