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7. Lucas

7

LUCAS

I'm not sure how I can just meet someone, and already she consumes my every thought. I should probably be training for the invitational this weekend in Kentucky. But instead, I'm driving over an hour into Whiskey Run just so that I can see Becca. I'll probably only get to see her for thirty minutes, and then I'm going to have to turn right back around. But that doesn't even bother me. Thirty minutes is better than none.

We've talked every day this week, and it feels like she's warming up to me, but I want to see her again. I have to see her again. I park my truck on Main Street and walk up to the Sugar Glaze Bakery. I barely get through the door and set my eyes on Becca when she gasps, "Lucas."

I probably need to quit surprising her like this. I probably should have at least texted or called her to let her know I was coming, but I wasn't sure if it was going to work out or not.

But seeing the unguarded smile on her face and knowing that she's excited to see me makes it worth it. I take my hat off and hold it to my chest. "Hey, honey."

She waves at her friend who is working the counter with her and then comes over. I open my arms because I want to feel her next to me. She walks right up to me and wraps her arms around my waist. I wrap mine around her shoulders and hold on to her tightly. I inhale her sweet scent and rest my chin on the top of her head. I could stand right here, just like this, for as long as she'll let me.

She doesn't loosen her hold when she looks up at me. "What are you doing here? I thought you were getting ready for Kentucky."

"I am." I nod. "Or at least I should be. But I couldn't leave without seeing you again."

Her hand goes to my chest, and her eyes widen. I know that I agreed to be her rebound guy, but after getting to know her this last week, I already feel closer to her than anyone that I've ever dated before. There's something building deep between us. I know I can't be the only one that feels it.

"How long will you be here?"

I look at her with regret in my eyes. "I have a half hour before I have to get on the road."

She shakes her head, not understanding. "Wait, are you telling me that you drove an hour here out of your way JUST to spend a half hour... with me?"

I shrug. "I'm not saying that at all. There’s no JUST to it. I drove an hour out of my way so that I could spend a half hour with you. The way I see it, it's definitely worth it."

She looks at her friend behind the counter and then back at me. "I may be able to leave for a little while..."

I would love to be alone with her. As a matter of fact, that's all I seem to think about. But I also know that I'm not sure I can trust myself alone with her right now. She's not ready. And I know that I need to take this slowly.

I nod over to the dessert case. "What I'd really love is one of your desserts. And if you could sit down and maybe share one with me and we can talk a little bit."

She looks surprised but nods her head quickly. "Yes. Is there anything in particular you'd like?"

I shrug my shoulders. "Anything you made will be perfect."

I let go of her reluctantly and watch her walk away from me. She grabs a tray and sets some plates and drinks on them and then brings them over to the table. I hold her chair out for her to sit down and then I sit across from her. She has a big plate with some different samples of desserts on them. "These look too good to eat."

She shrugs. "I wanted to try a few different recipes. Maybe you can help me decide what's good and what isn't."

We try the different desserts. She’s made various kinds of cookies and small pastries. Every one that I taste is good, and they each have a unique flavor. There’s no way I could just pick one.

Becca has me laughing, and I don't think I've ever laughed as much as I do whenever I talk to her. Thirty minutes goes by way too fast, and she sees me looking at my watch. Her face shows her displeasure. "You need to leave, don't you?"

I hate to. I don't think she understands how much I hate to leave her. "Honey, I need to get on the road."

"So when will I see you again?"

"Next weekend, I have an event in Whiskey Valley. I would love if you could come to it."

She looks down at her hands and then back at me. "I'm off next weekend. So I could probably drive into Whiskey Valley to watch."

I can feel my hopes rising. "It's a three-day event. It starts Friday night and ends Sunday afternoon."

She shrugs her shoulders. "Sure. Just let me know when's the best time for me to come, and I'll be there."

I reach across the table and grab on to her hand. "I would like for you to come the whole weekend."

She seems taken aback, and her forehead creases. I know she's going to tell me no, but I hold my other hand up that is not holding hers. "No funny business. I promise. I have a spare bedroom with a lock on the door. I would pay for a hotel room for you, but Whiskey Valley's one hotel is full months before the event. And I'm sure the bed and breakfast is too. Most of the riders bring their campers to sleep in. I don't want you to drive back and forth. That's a lot." But before she can answer me, I continue, "But if you don't want to stay in Whiskey Valley, I'll come and pick you up and drive you back and forth each day. It's completely up to you. No pressure."

Her hand tightens in mine. "You would drive here to bring me to Whiskey Valley and then bring me home each night? That's crazy. That's like three to four hours of drive time. No way would I ask you to do that."

She doesn't get it. Yeah. It may be a little hard to fit into the schedule, but I would do it in a heartbeat. If it meant I got to spend that much time with her, I would definitely do it. "It wouldn't be bad. I'd worry just as long as if you drove yourself back and forth."

She tilts her head to the side and looks at me. "Tell me about the event."

"Because of my points, I have a bye on Friday."

She shakes her head and giggles. "Okay, in layman's terms. In words I'll understand."

I shake my head. It’s obvious I spend most of my time with cowboys and ranchers. "Because of how many points I already have, I don't have to compete on Friday night. Usually if I don't have to compete, then I'll just go and watch everyone else. On Saturday, I will compete in the preliminaries. And then God willing, I'll compete Sunday in the championship."

She's nodding her head. "Okay. And when would you like for me to come?"

"Friday," I tell her instantly, not even needing to think about it.

"Okay. I'll come Friday."

I try to keep my breath even and calm. "And you'll stay?"

She smiles. "Yes, I'll stay."

I stand up and pull her up to stand next to me. "All right, I'll come and get you on Friday then." She's already shaking her head, but I put a stop to it. "No, I want to come pick you up. It'll be fine."

But she's still shaking her head. "No, I'm going to want my car. Trust me. I can drive an hour. I'll be fine."

I don't like it, but I'm not going to disagree with her. "Okay. It sounds good. Do you want to walk me out to my truck? I'm parked right outside."

She nods and follows behind me. I open the door of the bakery and follow her out. We stop at the driver’s side of my truck. There's a thousand thoughts that are whirling in my head, but I don't say any of them. I push a blond piece of hair off of her face and cup her cheek. "I'm going to miss you this weekend. I really do think you're my good luck charm."

She smiles at that. "What time is your race tomorrow?"

"Six o'clock."

She nods. "Is there a way that I can watch it?"

I can feel my heart tighten in my chest. Just the thought of her wanting to watch me perform sends a thrill through me. "I'll send you the link."

She nods and looks at me a little worriedly. "Be safe."

I lean down and press my forehead to hers. "Can I kiss you, Becca?" Her answer is a yes, and it comes out in a little puff of breath. I don't waste any time, leaning down farther to press my lips to hers. Both of my hands hold the base of her neck, and I slant my head to the side to fit our lips together. We mesh perfectly, almost as if she was made for me and I was made for her. I don't know how I'm going to make it a week without seeing her. I pull back, not wanting the kiss to get out of hand, but already both of us are breathless.

"Take care, honey," I tell her before kissing her forehead.

She nods, grabbing on to my wrist. "You be safe. Text me," she says almost as if she's surprised. I have to admit, I am too. I know she’s trying to keep a distance between us, but I’m doing my best to break down the walls around her heart.

I get in the truck, roll down the window, and look at her. "You can bet on that. I'll talk to you soon."

She's nodding as she steps back from the truck, but she doesn't turn around to go in. I tilt my head and point toward the door of the bakery. "Go on in, honey. I don't want to leave you out here on the street by yourself."

She rolls her eyes, but she does what I ask. She turns around, and with one last wave, I watch as she walks in the door.

Yeah. This week is going to be rough. I'm going to be counting down the minutes until I get to see her again.

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