Page 21
Story: Love on the Line
“It is.”
“Well, in order for you to kiss me, we’dhave to meet.”
“And we shall.”
The joy in her voice was evident, yetMathias didn’t comment right away. When he finally did, his voice was husky.
“AJ, does that mean…?”
“Yes, Mathias,” she began softly, “itmeans I want to meet you tomorrow. In the morning, as the sun begins to riseover the hills and the hot air balloons are coloring the sky. How does thatsound?”
“Like a scene right out of a romancenovel.” He chuckled. “Sounds perfect.”
Both remained silent for a moment.
Mathias cleared his throat and said, “So,how was your day?”
AJ laughed as she launched intodiscussion. She left out her preoccupation with him as well as her preparationfor their meeting. Even when he asked where he should meet her and how would heknow who she was, she didn’t reveal all the details.
“Let’s meet at the small parking lot onthe western edge of Ann Morrison Park, off of West Royal Boulevard. Say, around7:00 AM? Does that sound okay to you?”
“Youarean early bird, aren’t you?”
Originally, after talking with Jen, she hadplanned to ask Mathias to meet late in the afternoon when her friends couldplan to be nearby. But she wanted this instead—just Mathias in the morning.
AJ chuckled. “I have been. I’m finallygetting back into a routine, and every morning this week I’ve been out atCamel’s Back to jog and walk the trails.”
“Y-you have?” he sputtered.
“Why does it sound as if you’re surprisedby that? Do I not sound like someone who’d enjoy the activity?” she saidlightly.
“No, no, not at all. I mean, yes, yes,you’d probably enjoy the activity, given your adventurous spirit. Maybe I justfigured you’d take advantage of sleeping in, given your reduced time at theoffice.”
“Well, I plan on returning to my regularwork schedule next week, so I figured I’d better start getting used to an earlyrise. Besides, the mornings have been beautiful, and I love the trails outthere when there’s not too many out and about yet.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” He soundedalmost wistful.
“You do? Are you an early riser? Do youget out to the parks for your exercise?”
“Uh, yeah, I take my bike out, especiallyup to Bogus Basin when the trails are dry. Then, when the snow comes, I head upfor skiing.”
“It’s been so long since I’ve been skiing.I miss it.”
“Perhaps this season we could gotogether?” he asked hopefully.
“Perhaps.”
“So, back to our meeting. How will we knowone another?”
“You mean you haven’t already planned thisout from night one? Had scenarios running around in your head? Where’s yourcreativity?”
“Oh, believe me, I’ve had creativescenarios running around in my head, Amelia Jane.”
“Y-you have?” It was now her turn tosputter.Dare I ask?
“Would you like me to share? I’ve hadplenty of ammunition since reading Sam. Of course I don’t want to scare youoff.”
Damn, that sexy, deep voice of his wasdriving AJ crazy. “Oh, boy,” she squeaked out.
“Well, in order for you to kiss me, we’dhave to meet.”
“And we shall.”
The joy in her voice was evident, yetMathias didn’t comment right away. When he finally did, his voice was husky.
“AJ, does that mean…?”
“Yes, Mathias,” she began softly, “itmeans I want to meet you tomorrow. In the morning, as the sun begins to riseover the hills and the hot air balloons are coloring the sky. How does thatsound?”
“Like a scene right out of a romancenovel.” He chuckled. “Sounds perfect.”
Both remained silent for a moment.
Mathias cleared his throat and said, “So,how was your day?”
AJ laughed as she launched intodiscussion. She left out her preoccupation with him as well as her preparationfor their meeting. Even when he asked where he should meet her and how would heknow who she was, she didn’t reveal all the details.
“Let’s meet at the small parking lot onthe western edge of Ann Morrison Park, off of West Royal Boulevard. Say, around7:00 AM? Does that sound okay to you?”
“Youarean early bird, aren’t you?”
Originally, after talking with Jen, she hadplanned to ask Mathias to meet late in the afternoon when her friends couldplan to be nearby. But she wanted this instead—just Mathias in the morning.
AJ chuckled. “I have been. I’m finallygetting back into a routine, and every morning this week I’ve been out atCamel’s Back to jog and walk the trails.”
“Y-you have?” he sputtered.
“Why does it sound as if you’re surprisedby that? Do I not sound like someone who’d enjoy the activity?” she saidlightly.
“No, no, not at all. I mean, yes, yes,you’d probably enjoy the activity, given your adventurous spirit. Maybe I justfigured you’d take advantage of sleeping in, given your reduced time at theoffice.”
“Well, I plan on returning to my regularwork schedule next week, so I figured I’d better start getting used to an earlyrise. Besides, the mornings have been beautiful, and I love the trails outthere when there’s not too many out and about yet.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” He soundedalmost wistful.
“You do? Are you an early riser? Do youget out to the parks for your exercise?”
“Uh, yeah, I take my bike out, especiallyup to Bogus Basin when the trails are dry. Then, when the snow comes, I head upfor skiing.”
“It’s been so long since I’ve been skiing.I miss it.”
“Perhaps this season we could gotogether?” he asked hopefully.
“Perhaps.”
“So, back to our meeting. How will we knowone another?”
“You mean you haven’t already planned thisout from night one? Had scenarios running around in your head? Where’s yourcreativity?”
“Oh, believe me, I’ve had creativescenarios running around in my head, Amelia Jane.”
“Y-you have?” It was now her turn tosputter.Dare I ask?
“Would you like me to share? I’ve hadplenty of ammunition since reading Sam. Of course I don’t want to scare youoff.”
Damn, that sexy, deep voice of his wasdriving AJ crazy. “Oh, boy,” she squeaked out.