Her hand was warm in mine as we started down the path between the trees. Behind us was a sparsely populated parking lot with only a few cars in it. She knew I had something up my sleeve today since I’d been teasing her about living out a fantasy for a few days. But, she had no idea what was coming. Or so I thought.
It was late afternoon and most of the park’s visitors had already gone for the day. It was also the middle of the week, which meant there weren’t many visitors to begin with. The day had been warm with just a light breeze and the kind of deep blue sky one only sees on rare occasions.
Smiling at her somewhat confused expression, I led her down the path deeper into the park. Lined closely with trees on both sides, the late afternoon sun was quickly hidden and the voices of the few people in the parking lot faded also.
“When are you going to tell me what you’re up to?” she asked, pulling at my arm gently.
“When I’m ready,” I said with a smile and stifled her next comment with a quick kiss. Just a peck really, but I let a little heat get into it just to get her thinking.
We walked along the path for about 30 minutes, passing just a few people on their way out. I knew that the park gates officially closed at sundown. That was why I’d parked our car outside those gates. She’d asked me why and I told her that we needed the walk and just in case we didn’t watch the clock, it was the easiest way to leave after closing. Since I was planning to be way late on leaving the park, it just made sense.
The sky started to darken and I pretended not to notice. Taking one of the side paths, I led her down to a bench that overlooked a small pond. It was too early in the season for mosquitoes, so I had no worries on that score.
Standing there watching the fish make ripples on the water; she leaned against me and asked if we shouldn’t be heading back. It was time, the light was almost gone.
