True North

Chapter 40

"It's no moonlit beach, but we could go for a walk," he offered. "Burn off some of this pizza."

She smiled, for real this time.

"Lead the way," she agreed.

Brian moved to the cab of the truck, tossing his suit jacket in through the open window and retrieving the keys from the ignition. They dropped the trash in the nearest receptacle and ambled slowly up the path. They came to the bridge and had just stepped onto the planks when they were met by an elderly couple heading back toward the parking lot. The four of them said hello and exchanged pleasantries about the weather and such, and just before they set off on their separate ways, the woman reached out with a shaky hand and squeezed Stormy's arm, the way older people tend to do.

"It's so nice to see young people in love," she said, her eyes twinkling merrily. "You two remind me of us when we were young." She turned and smiled lovingly at her husband, and he nodded in agreement.

"Oh. We're not, uh..." Stormy stammered.

"Thank you," Brian cut in graciously, signaling to Stormy with an almost imperceptible shake of his head. She got the message and replied with a slight smile and an equally furtive nod. Both couples wished each other a good evening and parted ways.

"I figured it was easier than trying to explain the concept of a Practice Date to them," Brian said, by way of explanation.

"True," she agreed. "Wait a minute, I thought we were done with the Practice Date!"

"Oh, it's not over," Brian corrected. "The location's just changed, that's all."

"That's not fair!" Stormy insisted. "If I had known we were still 'on', I would have been giving you my A-game!" She twirled in a graceful arc and leaned back against the railing, resting her elbows on the wood plank and arching her back as she shook her hair down over the length of her back. Then she licked her lips and tossed him a flirtatious grin.

He couldn't breathe. Literally.

"Looking like that, all you'd need to do is show up," he somehow managed, hoping his voice didn't sound as strangled as it felt.

Apparently not, because she just laughed and resumed their stroll. He followed half a step behind, watching as her slender fingers trailed delicately over the railing. They sauntered along at a leisurely pace, pausing occasionally to gaze out over the river or admire the sunset sky. As they neared the end of the bridge, Stormy stopped and leaned against the railing, looking down at the rocks that covered the sloped riverbank below.

"So how is it that your sister hasn't married you off to some cute little nurse or something by now?" she ventured.

Brian groaned. "Trust me, it's not for lack of effort on her part!" he said, absently twirling the keys in his hand. "At one point, it got so bad that we didn't speak for almost a month, until she finally agreed to never fix me up again!"

"Come on, it can't be that bad!" Stormy laughed. "I'm sure she means well..."

"Good, next time she gets the matchmaking bug, I'll send her your way!" Brian countered, falling in beside her at the railing. He leaned out over the edge and studied the riverbank below.

"I'll pass, thanks," Stormy declined.

"Why, worried that nobody else will quite measure up to Gage?" he teased.

Stormy elbowed him in the ribs. "Shut up," she murmured, holding back a smile. "And for your information, I've dated some since Gage!"

"Define 'dated'," Brian said. "Is that like Dinner-and-A-Movie dated or Drunken-One-Night-Stand dated?"

Stormy's mouth dropped open, and her eyes flew open wide. "I won't even dignify that with a response!" she gasped in false indignation.

"That's what I thought," he said knowingly. "Drunken one-night-stand."

"Shut up!" Stormy laughed, shoving him hard enough to knock him off balance.

His arms flailed out, and he managed to grab onto the railing and keep himself from falling, but not without losing hold of his keys. Time seemed to move in slow motion, both of them frozen in place as they watched the key ring arc through the air, pause for a brief moment, and then plummet from sight. The seemingly endless silence that followed was broken by a faint clink. They leaned out over the railing simultaneously, peering down at the keys just barely visible on the rocks below.

"Well, at least it wasn't a 'splash'," Stormy snickered.

Brian turned his head and cocked an eyebrow at her.

"This is funny to you?" he asked, his tone comically threatening. He sprang at her suddenly, laughing as he wrapped his arms around her waist and swung her legs up toward the railing. "How about you go get them, then?"

"Brian, no!" Stormy shrieked, laughing. "Don't you dare!"

Brian set her down, laughing himself.

"Wait here," he said. "I'll be right back."

He walked the few yards to the end of the bridge and started down the rocky embankment. Stormy leaned out over the railing, watching his descent from above.

"Hey, do you think there are river rats down there?" she called down innocently.

"You're not helping," he said dryly, looking up at her from the shadows. She was grinning down at him, and he couldn't help but smile.

He picked his way carefully down over the rocks, the smooth leather soles of his black dress shoes making the trip a treacherous one. He finally reached the spot where the keys had fallen, and Stormy began clapping and cheering wildly on the bridge above him. He gave her the finger, and she roared with laughter.

Damn, she's weird! he thought, shaking his head.

He snatched up the keys and stuffed them deep into his pocket before beginning the climb up over the steep slope. As he neared the top, he turned and grinned up at Stormy, intending to say something brilliantly witty, but his words were cut short as the rock beneath his feet gave way. He felt his legs come out from underneath him, and the last thing he heard before he tumbled backwards down the slope was Stormy's scream.