As Stacy reaches over to his hand, Eric ceases his work, confused as to what she was doing. Her touch was warm... soft... just like he remembered on their ride home last night. A little tingle runs down his spine as she speaks. Was she trying to read his story? Was she, out of all people, taking the time?
He's about to close his fingers around hers when she withdraws, leaving him staring awkwardly down at the twine again. As she shows him her head, he glances up and chuckles. "Yeah... the police academy don't teach anybody how to fight trees."
His gaze returns to his task as a rather awkward silence takes over the barn until a low rumble of thunder echos through. Eric finishes separating the twine and is ready to braid it again when he pauses. Looking to the side, he studies Stacy for a moment. Her eyes. Her cheeks. Her lips. Her hair. She was very beautiful. "I'm... I'm glad you're okay," he comments quietly. "I was um..." He clears his throat. "Kinda worried about ya yesterday." No, that wasn't true. His gaze drops. "Well... really worried, actually."
He shrugs, wondering why all of a sudden he felt a slight chill. What he did know, however, was what he wanted to say. Setting aside the twine and whip, he turns just a little towards Stacy, reaching over and taking her hand. Turning it over, he runs a finger through her palm, his eyes following. "I was worried 'cause..." His finger finds a callous. "You're a hard worker..." His touch lightly runs over a faint scar. "...a dedicated mother..." He finds a small cut from yesterday. "...very brave..." His finger settles into the softness of her palm to linger there. "...and a fine woman."
Swallowing hard, he could feel the heat in his face. But he wasn't sorry. He was telling the truth - the truth that he was taking the time to see her story too. He didn't know why she bothered to try and get to know him. His story wasn't a very grand one and was full of his own pitfalls. He had very little to offer. But for some reason, she was trying to get to know him more... and respected that... and it made him feel good. And he wanted her to know that she hadn't slipped his gaze either.
Staring down at her hand, Eric suddenly finds himself unable to lift his eyes. Maybe this made her uncomfortable. Maybe he shouldn't have taken her hand. Maybe this would only embarrass her.
"Right. Nothing even remotely close to a date. Got it." Hunter raises his hands again in surrender. "Guess that scratches the goodnight kiss, but..." He sighs deeply. "I'll try to live without it." Realizing he'd yet again said too much, he shakes his head, a little color coming to his face. "Sorry. Forgive my impulsiveness. It happens in the presence of beautiful young ladies."
Seeing the clerk walk by, Hunter stifles a laugh. They better get out of here before they really got into trouble. "Okay, I can pick the place," he agrees. "Lemme finish my shopping and meet you out front."
Within ten minutes, Hunter had his grocery sacks and met Katie out in front of the store. Grinning, he nods to the parking lot. "I'm in the blue car." He casually points to his racing car. "Follow me and I'll lead the way to our da... dinner." Tossing her a wink, he heads to his car and watches to see where Katie goes so he'd know which car to look for in his rearview mirror...
...Fifteen minutes later, Hunter has chosen After Hours Bar & Grill, knowing they served dinner late into the evening. It wasn't too late yet, but enough that it might be hard to find something decent and Hunter's tastebuds had shifted from chips and salsa to steak.
Leading the way inside, he asks for a table in the side room, a good long ways from the bar and smoke. The lighting was a little dim, but not too bad, and they get a booth back in the corner by a window so it didn't feel too claustrophobic.
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