She glanced down at her lap to hide her sadness. How amazing would it be to meet someone who loved her like that? To have the wedding of her dreams? She couldn’t see that in her future.
Linc parked the truck and she looked around in interest. They seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Where was the river?
“Stay there. I’ll come round and help you down.”
Before she could answer, he was out of the truck, moving around with long strides. The sun glinted off his dark hair. God, he really was gorgeous.
What was he doing here with her?
She didn’t know. Right then, she didn’t much care, either. Maybe it was selfish. But she wanted this experience. The memory would keep her going for a long time. She didn’t know where she would be next month, but she could always have this.
He opened the door and reached across to undo her seatbelt. Whoops. She could have done that herself.
But then he wouldn’t have brushed his arm over her breasts.
Sliding his hands around her waist, he lifted her down. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a flowy, floral top with long sleeves and a high neck.
“We have a small walk. I should have warned you.” He glanced down at her feet. She was wearing a pair of old tan sandals. “Can you walk all right in those?”
“Oh yeah, I walk everywhere in these, I’ll be fine.”
They were pretty old though and they didn’t give much support. If she’d known, she would have worn sneakers.
“Are you sure? This is my fault. We can go back to town and have a picnic in the park.”
“No, this is fine, honestly. Please, a picnic by the river sounds like just what I need right now.”
“All right. But tell me if you’re having problems. Understand?” There went that note of sternness again. There was something wrong with her that she found that so hot.
Just friends, remember?
He drew a picnic basket out of the back of the truck. It came complete with a red and black picnic blanket rolled up and attached to the side by straps. Then he grabbed a jacket.
“Have you got a sweater or hoodie in your bag, Mari-girl?”
She glanced down at her large handbag. “Ah no, I didn’t bring one. The sun is out today.”
“But it could get cooler. Next time we go on a picnic, I’m sending you a list of things to wear,” he teased.
If only there was going to be a next time.
Reaching into the truck, he grabbed a hoodie. “It will be a bit big, but I haven’t worn it much.” He handed it to her and she tied it around her waist.
“I’m sorry. This is the first picnic I’ve been on.”
He froze. “What? It can’t be.”
She frowned. It couldn’t?
“Why not? I mean, I might have been on one when I was younger, before Mama died. But I can’t remember so I guess it doesn’t count, right?”
“Your aunt . . .”
“Isn’t really into children. Or me. Oh, wait! I lie!” She clapped her hands together. “Harry took me on a picnic once.”
How could she have forgotten that?
“Harry?” There was a funny note in Linc’s voice but she didn’t pay any attention to it.