Keeper Of The Stars Pt 01

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, and it was created solely by me as the author. Any similarities to characters, businesses, places, or things are all happenstance, though my appreciation to those who have

inspired

my works is immense.

Author's Note:

This is the first part of many to come in a series I believe many of you will come to love. It's a slow buildup into the hot and heavy scenes, but my stories are STORIES, so many details make for fun, exciting, and interesting plot lines. Remaining calm in awaiting the next installment may be necessary, but I assure you, it'll be worth it. Questions and comments are welcome. Please take the time to rate this story also. I hope everyone will be kind. Your Support is Immeasurable.

Keeper of the Stars

"Alright, ladies," Savannah Martin told her two girlfriends as she put on her sunglasses and double-checked herself in the mirror one more time. She'd put on a new royal blue one-piece swimsuit which she'd gotten for their trip to Wisconsin Dells. "I'm gonna go hit the lazy river while it's not so busy. You two enjoy your shopping trip."

"Vanna, are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Sara asked and gave her a pouty look. "I thought we were gonna go get our pictures taken! You know, in the old west costumes and stuff?"

"Oh, Sara, leave her be," Sam chimed in. "Look at her? She's ready to go. Besides, girl, you look hot!" Sam teased as she pulled down her own sunglasses to check out Savannah. When Sam whistled, Savannah waved them on.

"Go. I'll be fine," Savannah told them and laughed. She took her beach bag, double-checked to see that her towel and sunscreen were in there, and headed for the waterpark. When she set her stuff down on a chair, she turned to see that the lazy river was filling up quickly. She walked over to where the inner tubes were and grabbed one of the last ones. As she turned to walk away, she was pulled back.

"Oh!" she yelped and turned to find a handsome guy holding the other handle of the tube she'd just grabbed. She took him in quickly. He was good-looking, shirtless, and standing in his blue swim trunks and a pair of sunglasses. He looked just about as surprised as she was.

"Oh, my gosh, I'm sorry," he told her and kept holding the handle. He looked behind her to see that the rest of the tubes were now gone. "Hey, um, would you mind if we shared this one? I didn't realize you'd grabbed this one, so it seems we both have a right to it. Maybe, you know, we could both hang onto it?"

Savannah continued looking at him and decided it couldn't hurt to share. "Um, sure. Let's go walk in through the pool." She let go of the inner tube and followed him. He wasn't bad to look at; that was for sure. When they got to the river, they each took a side and floated along with the many other people already enjoying the lazy part of the activity.

"So, your boyfriend isn't gonna jump in and accuse me of hitting on you, is he?"

"Oh, no. I'm here with my two girlfriends on a girl's mini getaway."

"Did you leave him home then?" the guy asked and raised his eyebrows.

"I see what you're doing there. Appropriate that we're in water. You could just ask rather than fishing around to see if I am spoken for. The answer, assuming you want it, is no, I'm single."

"Alright, thank you," he told her. "I see you prefer direct questions. I'll keep that in mind." He looked around at the many people filing into the water at the wave pool nearby. He then shook his head. "Oh, my gosh. Where are my manners? My name's Luke. It's nice to meet you."

"Savannah. Where are you from, Luke?"

"Mayfield, Illinois," he informed her. "You?"

"Riverside, Illinois. I wonder how far away that is from Mayfield."

A couple hours, I think," Luke told her and placed his chin on his hand as they continued floating. They spoke about the drive up and what they hoped to do while at Mount Olympus. After many more laps, they got out and found that Luke had placed his stuff just a couple chairs down from Savannah, so he switched to the chair next to hers and joined her to continue talking.

"So, what brought you guys here to Mt Olympus for a vacation?" Savannah asked Luke.

"Well, it's kind of a family tradition to go on a trip with the guys, cousins or brothers. First, we decide who's going, and then we each write down where we want to go. We draw out of a hat, decide if it's feasible, you know, close enough to drive, only stay a couple of nights, not too expensive, the usual. Then we set a date and just go. For the last five years, that's how it has happened. I've gone the last two years. My oldest brother met his wife on their guy's trip. My cousin met his fiancé last year. It's becoming a thing." Luke shrugged and fixed his glasses. "So, same question to you. Why are you girls here?"

"I told you. We're on a girl's getaway."

"But you're here, and they are..." He looked around as if expecting them to jump out from behind their chairs.

"I told them I wanted to come to the lazy river before it got too crowded," Savannah explained and laughed because it hadn't mattered. It was packed as soon as it opened. "They didn't want to go swimming yet, and I didn't want to go shopping, so I've been texting them to keep them informed on what I'm doing, and they're busy taking pictures of every cute thing they see in every shop they visit. Every now and again, I send a smiley face to show them I'm seeing their pictures."

"How long are you here?" Luke asked her.

"We got here last night. We leave Thursday. You?"

"My brother, cousin, and I headed out on Sunday after Mass. We leave tomorrow morning."

"Tell me something quite possibly only your family would know about you, but no one else," Savannah requested and moved her glasses down her nose to show him how intently she wondered about this.

"Um, I used to think I would make a good magician," Luke admitted and laughed when she tilted her head to decide if he was telling the truth. "Seriously," he admitted. "I believed I knew all the card tricks. I always thought I could see which cup had the marble in it. You know, when there are three cups, and you move them around the table and then have to choose which one has it? And I even asked for a magic set one Christmas, but thankfully I got a motorbike which was way cooler, and I didn't really think about it other than when my family would tease me about it now and then."

Savannah gasped and then reached into her bag to find the pieces of paper she'd been given which read "lunch" and "dinner." "So, I have one for you," she told Luke and held out her hands. "Pick a hand."

"You've known me for, what, a little over an hour? And you're already teasing me? And about something I braved enough to share? Seriously, Savannah, I'd be hurt... if I could actually keep a straight face!" Luke burst out laughing as he saw Savannah's concerned look had changed into a look of shock. She tapped his leg and joined in the laughter.

"Alright, I admit," she declared, "that was a good one. Anyway, pick one." He tapped her right hand, and she opened it for him to see the paper that read 'Lunch.' "OK, you buy lunch," she told him and smiled. "I'll buy dinner," she said with a wink and put the papers back into her bag.

"Wait, give me the lunch ticket, please," Luke requested. "I picked it fair and square." Savannah laughed and found it in the bag and then handed it to him. "You never know when you'll need a keepsake."

She took the little notebook she kept in her bag for inspiration and wrote her cell phone number and email address on it. "Here," Savannah told him as she sat up. "I don't want to forget to give these to you."

"Huh," he said thoughtfully and held out his hand for the book and pen. "Here," he told her and wrote out something. "I only have an email address to share. I don't have a cell phone."

"Really?"

"Yep, just not my thing," he admitted and took the paper on which she'd written her information. "Well, may I walk you back to your room? I'd like to change into dry clothes before heading to lunch."

"Sure, I'd like that," she told him and smiled when he offered his arm. "Wow, such a gentleman," she teased and put her arm through his.

Luke walked Savannah to her room and told her he'd meet her in the lobby about fifteen minutes later. She agreed and walked into her room where she laughed after the door shut behind her. "Did that just happen?" she asked the empty room. She didn't know what could possibly take place or come of this little interaction, but she was excited that she'd found such a nice guy to hang with.

"Um, met a guy. Heading out for lunch with him and I think dinner too. Wish me luck!" Savannah texted Sam and Sara in their group text and then shook her head as she changed into her outfit. She fixed her hair and put her small wallet in her pocket. She slid her phone into her back pocket and headed out with her room keycard in hand.

While at lunch, they talked more about simple things, and Savannah found herself really enjoying his company. She was laughing and genuinely having a great time.

"Would you like to go to the theme park?" Luke asked her. "I'd be happy to pick up the bill for dinner too, but I was just thinking maybe we could go ride some coasters and do some go-karting?"

"Hey, I offered to take care of dinner," she argued. "It's totally on me. And yes, I think the theme park would be fun. My friends don't like to go on the big rides. Are you a fan of roller coasters?"

"I love them," he answered her and watched her face as she talked. She felt a little self-conscious, but at the same time, she enjoyed having him look at her. If she didn't know any better (and she really didn't), she was pretty sure he liked what he saw.

"Well, if you're ready, let's head out," Luke suggested and took her garbage to the bin before offering his hand for her to take it. "I have to warn you though. I'm pretty good at the go-karts."

"Ha!" she replied and slipped her fingers in between his. "I guess we'll see about that."

Savannah and Luke spent the rest of the day walking around slowly between roller coasters and the different go-kart tracks. She hadn't laughed that much in a long time. She just really enjoyed his company. After dinner, he suggested that they take another ride on the go-karts. He picked the course in which he'd beaten her, of course. She'd won their races on the other two tracks. The line was long but moved along quickly enough. When they stopped again to wait for the line to move again, he asked her to close her eyes. Hesitantly, she did as he asked.

"I have something for you," he whispered. Before she could ask, he kissed her. His lips were soft and felt amazing against hers. It was over before she knew it, and her heart did a little flip. They both acted a little awkwardly, but it was to be expected, at least for Savannah. It had actually been her first kiss. Ever.

Luke beat her again and laughed when she tried to come up with excuses. They held hands as they walked aimlessly around the park once more before they had to leave. When they got back into the hotel, Savannah was not looking forward to what was to come. She looked over at him and sighed.

"I've been dreading this all day," she admitted and stopped by a set of chairs. "I don't want this day to end."

"Me neither," he shared quietly. "I should probably get you back to your friends before they think I have other than honorable intentions. I really did have the best time today. I wish I wasn't leaving tomorrow."

"Me too," she sighed and let him pull her with him toward her door. When they were standing next to her room, he brought her to him to hug her. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his shirt. She wanted to remember the way he felt and the way his shirt smelled, and she hoped with every part of her being that he would kiss her again.

"Savannah, may I kiss you once more before I go?" Luke asked her as he stepped back. She nodded and sighed when he cupped her cheek. He put his lips to hers softly and then kissed her forehead before turning to leave. She took out her keycard and walked into the room where her friends were watching a movie.

"There she is!" Sara greeted Savannah and sat up from where she'd been lying on her stomach. "How was the... Vanna? What's up, honey?"

"Nothing," Savannah answered as she set her keycard, phone and wallet on the table. She smiled to herself as she walked into the bathroom to get ready for bed.

When she came out, Sam was standing by the bathroom door and had her arms crossed. "Savannah? What's up? Who's this guy? Why are you smiling like that?"

"Like what?" Savannah asked her and smiled again as she thought about her first kiss. Or kisses. The whole day felt like one giant dream.

"OK, I give up," Sam told Sara as she threw up her hands. "She's a goner."

"Oh, come on, Sam," Sara argued. "It's obvious that she's in love. This guy she met had quite an impression on her."

"I'll say," Savannah told them and then smiled again. "He kissed me," she told them as she pulled back the covers on her bed. "Good night, girls," she told them and fell asleep shortly thereafter.

At around midnight, Savannah woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. She put on a hoodie she'd just gotten from a souvenir shop and slipped into sweatpants. She quietly left for the lobby to sit in a comfy chair where she could think for a while.

She walked through her day in her mind from the first time she had seen Luke. Did he seek her out? Were there many other people around? Once they had begun talking, she realized she hadn't noticed anyone else in the park at all. A quick memory of them standing by the go-carts filled her mind. She closed her eyes and smiled. She opened her eyes again and began to stare at a square design on the carpet, something she usually did when she wanted to pray. If she stared and prayed, she tended to keep her words within. If she looked around, she found that she would mouth the words she was telling God. She found that staring kept others who were walking by less of a distraction. She also didn't like to give the impression that she was talking to herself.

"God," She began in her mind, "there's a reason you sent Luke to come and meet me today. It was nice." She liked the way he looked at her. She liked finding someone who gave her positive attention. He was easy to talk to. He was cute. He was funny. "God," she directed her thoughts again, "is he supposed to be an important part of my life? Everything happens for a reason, I know, but the feelings I have are so strong, yet they feel so right." She heard a faint clearing of a throat, so she looked up from the square to look around.

A guy had come and sat by her on a nearby couch. He greeted her and tried to hit on her. She wasn't interested.

With a nod and a cocky smile, he looked at her. "Sup?"

"Um, hi." While she wasn't at all interested or impressed by his approach, she was also a nice person and wasn't one to call someone out for a bad impression.

"Couldn't sleep? Waiting for someone? Looking for someone to hang out with?"

She wasn't sure what to say. She thought about saying, "Nope to all of those questions. I was actually praying. Want to join me?" but that wouldn't sound right. She smiled and shrugged. She was about to get up and just leave when he spoke again.

"So, what's the deal? You're sitting here alone. I'm alone. Let's get to know each other. That is, unless you're waiting for your boyfriend to show up. What? Oh wait, let me guess, you've got someone special back home?"

"Actually, yes, not that it's any of your business, I'm taken. I came out here for..."

A voice sounded behind her. "Wait. What? What do you mean you're taken? You told me you were single!"

Slowly, she stood up and turned around. She first looked at the guy on the couch. "Look, I just came out here to sit and think for a while. I'm not interested in you, and I don't appreciate the way you're talking to me." She turned to Luke. "For him," she said and pointed, "I'm not available."

"Dude, you know this chick?" the guy on the couch asked Luke.

She turned to Luke with an incredulous expression. "You know him?" She paused and let out a sigh. She looked at the guy on the couch. "Which one are you? Brother or cousin?"

He smiled and answered with a flex. "Cousin, and the best catch of the whole family." He then winked at her.

With a churn in her stomach, she rolled her eyes and turned back to Luke. "I don't know what's happening, but I've had enough drama for one night. I'm going back to my room."

"Let me walk you." Luke and Savannah proceeded to walk silently away from the lobby. He stopped suddenly and turned to her. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I didn't even know you were out here. I couldn't sleep, and..."

"I'm sorry you misunderstood what I told him."

"I wouldn't have said anything, but I heard your voice and panicked. You literary just told me less than 15 hours ago that you were single. What happened?"

She looked down, took in a big breath, let it out, and then looked straight into his eyes. "You. You happened."

He took her into his arms and held her there. She sniffed away a tear. This was all just happening too fast. And it was late, and neither could sleep. Was this it? What would happen after they said good-bye... again? Would he contact her? Did they live close enough to visit on occasion, or would this just be an event that would remain in the past?

They slowly walked to her room in silence. He took her face in his hands and gently placed a kiss on her forehead, and then a small one on her lips. She squeezed his hands in hers and waved as he walked on toward his room. A few tears welled up as she lost sight of him. She entered her room, took off her hoodie, and crawled into the bed. A tear found its way down her cheek as she lay in bed waiting to see what her dreams held in store for her.

The other girls got up the next morning and left a note for Savannah to see when she got up. They knew she had gotten up and left late the night before, so they figured she needed to sleep in.

As they headed to the lobby, a huge clap of thunder sounded with a giant flash of lightning which lit up the entire interior. Both girls stopped.

"Well, I'm not going out in that," Sam said.

"Nope," Sara replied. "No swimming, no theme park, and no shopping. Let me look at the weather." She took out her phone and scrolled through the hours of the weather app. "Yep, in fact, it's showing storms through Friday."

"In that case, why should we stay? Her guy is leaving today so she won't want to do anything anyway. I sure wouldn't want to. Let's go and see if she wants to just check out this morning. That will save us the extra night's fee."

"OK," Sara agreed. "And yes, if I'd just met the guy of my dreams, and he was leaving, neither of you would be able to keep me here."

"Do you really think it's that serious?"

"Sam, have you ever seen her like this before? She's the fun one! She went to play in the pool while we shopped. She had one boyfriend in high school, and it lasted, what? Two days? She has fun. She's lighthearted, cool, and focused. Now that college is done, she's been focused on trying to work enough to start her own business. Guys have not been on her radar. Church, school, her card business, and friends. That's it."

Sam thought for a short second. She used her key to get into the room and found Savannah sitting on the bed lost in thought. "Savannah? What's the matter, hun?"

"We don't even have a picture together. What if I never see him again? How will I remember what he looks like or how the day went or what it felt like to hold his hand?"

Sara gave Sam the "I told you so" look. Sam turned to Savannah and smiled. "Hey, we totally get it. We were just talking about maybe packing up and leaving..."