Unsuspecting

“It took me a little longer to get things ready than I expected” Kevin finally explained. “I’m sorry I was so late, but I wanted everything to be just perfect.”

“Everything?” Beth said, turning to smile at him. “What are you up to?”

“It’s a surprise” was all Kevin would offer, wrapping his arms around her even tighter and placing his chin on her shoulder.

The rode in silence, enjoying both the beauty of the nature around them and the feeling of their bodies so tightly pressed together. After riding for nearly an hour they came to a run down shack sitting nearly hidden in the trees, a long dock reaching out to the water like the limbs of the weeping willow reach to drink the water below. Kevin slid down from behind Beth and taking her by the waist, lowered her gingerly to the ground. Beth was in awe of everything around her. The shack had probably been there a hundred years, and appeared to have been vacant for probably half that time. Although rugged and somewhat dilapidated, it stood as the only human reminder, the only man-made thing anywhere in site. Beth couldn’t wait to explore it, to peer through it’s windows, to wander through it, but Kevin had other things in mind.

Grabbing her arm before she could take more than a few steps towards the shanty, he led her instead down the long dock. As they got to the end, Beth saw a gray plaid blanket with a basket sitting near it. Looking at Kevin she realized that this was the surprise he had mentioned before. He encouraged her to sit on the blanket and sat down close to her, pulling the basket to them. He pulled out a bottle of wine and two crystal glasses. He carefully opened the wine and poured the burgundy liquid into the waiting glasses.

“Here’s to wonderful surprises” Beth said, raising her glass to his.

“Here’s to the surprises that the rest of the evening holds” Kevin said softly before pointing across the water through an opening in the trees.

The sun was setting, lighting up the sky in a colorful display of God’s finest artwork. The two sat, her leaning against him, watching the colors slowly fade from orange and red, to pinks and lavenders. Never before had there been a more beautiful sunset, and never before had Beth felt so content as she did in his arms.

“Did you like your surprise?” Kevin asked, nuzzling her neck.

Beth closed her eyes and nodded, the feeling of his breath on her neck making her head spin.

“Ready for another?” he said teasingly.

Beth opened her eyes and looked into his, a mixture of surprise and excitement in her eyes. “As long as you’re not going to toss me into the water and use me for gator bait, yeah, I’m ready.” Kevin laughed, his nose wrinkling, his eyes sparkling. He stood and took her hand, helping her to her feet. Standing behind her, he covered her eyes with his hands and led her down the length of the dock toward the shack. When he finally uncovered her eyes they were standing at the door to the shanty and Beth looked back at him puzzled.

“Go ahead” he said, nodding toward the door. “Open it.”

Beth turned the rusty knob of the door and pushed. Nothing happened. She looked back at Kevin again, searching his eyes for some clue as to whether this was part of the surprise. She tried again to push the door open, but it wouldn’t budge. Stepping aside, she allowed Kevin to try, but he too had no luck. Finally Kevin leaned hard against the door and pushed with all his might. With a loud cracking sound and a sudden crash, the door flung open, leaving Kevin standing there with the rusty doorknob still in his hand.

“THAT was not part of my plan” he laughed, handing the doorknob to Beth. “Go ahead. Go look.”

Beth walked into the shack and peered into the darkness. “Wait right here” Kevin whispered, walking around her and into the room. A flash of light broke the darkness as Kevin lit first one, then another long slender candle. The soft glow of the candles illuminated an exquisite bouquet of flowers and Beth’s heart began to pound. Kevin made his way around the room lighting candle after candle, slowly revealing the most romantic thing Beth had ever seen.

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