22

Forrest

When I awoke the next morning, moonlight still streamed through the cabin's curtains. I turned my head, half-expecting to find the bed empty beside me. But Sienna was there, sleeping peacefully. Her auburn lashes rested against her cheeks, her lips slightly parted. I resisted the urge to trace her ruby lips with my fingertips, not wanting to wake her.

Instead, I savored the warmth of her body next to mine, the gentle rise and fall of her chest. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt that content. It was as if I had found a piece of myself I hadn't even known I was missing.

A cool breeze drifted through the open window, carrying the scent of pine and morning dew. Sienna stirred slightly, nestling closer to me. I wrapped my arm around her, breathing in the vanilla fragrance of her hair.

"Good morning," she whispered.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Mm-hmm," she hummed, the vibrations radiating through my chest.

"Good," I said, brushing a strand of hair from her face, savoring the feeling of her body against mine.

"What time is it?" she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.

I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "Just past six," I replied softly.

She rolled over to face me, her eyes sparkling. "I love watching the sunrise," she whispered. "It's my favorite part of the day."

"I have an idea," I declared. "Give me just five minutes." With a sudden burst of energy, I jumped out of bed and hurriedly set my plan into motion.

I scoured every nook and cranny of the cabin, gathering every blanket I could find. I placed them in the back of my trusty pickup truck, creating a makeshift bed. A few fluffy pillows completed the cozy setup, ready for us to bask in the beauty of the impending sunrise.

"Come with me," I said, gently pulling Sienna out of bed. With sleep still lingering in her eyes, she followed me outside.

"Forrest!" Sienna squealed when she saw the back of my pickup truck.

"Do you know the best place to watch the sunrise?" I asked.

She nodded, her grin stretching from ear to ear. "It's actually right around the corner."

"Hop in," I told her. She climbed into the truck and navigated us to her favorite spot to watch the sunrise. In no time, we arrived at an empty field that stretched out before us like a blanket of golden wheat.

"Park right there," she said, pointing in front of us, and I did exactly as I was told.

As we settled into our nest of blankets, the pre-dawn chill nipped at our noses. Sienna snuggled closer, her body warming mine in the crisp air. I poured her a steaming mug of tea, and she wrapped her fingers around it gratefully.

The sky began to lighten, painting the horizon in soft hues of pink and gold. We sat in comfortable silence, sipping our tea and watching as the sunrise performed for us. Birds started their morning chorus, their melodies drifting through the pine-scented air.

Sienna gasped softly when the first sliver of sun peeked over the distant treeline. I was captivated, torn between watching the breathtaking sunrise and the equally mesmerizing woman beside me.

"This is perfect," she whispered as her hand found mine, our fingers intertwining as we watched nature's daily spectacle unfold.

In the growing light, a family of deer emerged from the woods, their graceful forms silhouetted against the golden horizon. A doe led her two fawns to the edge of the meadow, their ears twitching as they scanned for any signs of danger. Sienna's grip on my hand tightened, and I could feel her holding her breath, not wanting to startle the beautiful creatures.

We watched in silence as the sky transformed from soft pinks and oranges to a brilliant blue. The deer, finally at peace with their surroundings, began to graze on the dewy grass. The fawns pranced and played, their youthful energy a stark contrast to the serene landscape.

"I should probably head into town," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice as she broke the spell of the moment. "My bakery won't run itself."

"I'll take you," I offered, glancing at my watch. "My bar's renovations should be underway by now."