rain came down in a constant stream, muffling sounds in the glen. Peter rounded a bend and spotted Libby. He paused and smiled. She grinned back. Then he laughed. She stood in the center of the large rock that hung over the stream. She wore a dark green windbreaker and jeans. One hand was tucked into her coat pocket, the other held a huge blue and white faded umbrela. Its enormity dwarfed her. She looked like a cute little gnome who’d been left out in the rain.
Peter closed the distance in seconds. “You’re here!”
“So are you.” She grinned, her hair damp. Peter noticed several gaping holes in the umbrela, causing a constant flow of water onto her.
“I was so worried you wouldn’t be here, with the rain and al.
Have you been waiting long?” He wanted to reach out and hug her, but didn’t quite know how to make it happen.
“No, not long at al.” A shiver racked her body.
“Liar, your lips are turning blue.” Peter’s eyes settled on her trembling mouth.
“You’re getting soaked, come stand under the umbrela.” She lifted it enough to clear his height. In the process of tipping the umbrela a sheet of cold water swooshed off the back and splashed their legs as it hit the rock.
“Oops, sorry,” she said with a giggle.
Peter crowded close under the umbrela. He gazed down at her smiling face. Rain drops clung to her eyelashes.
“What do you say we go somewhere we won’t get pummeled by rain?” He took the umbrela from Libby and wrapped his arm around her. She felt smal, delicate and very wet. They moved off the rock and climbed to an area near the wal. Trees reached over the glen, blocking some of the rain, the constant downfal now sounded like a pitter patter.
Peter reached for her hand and held the oversized umbrela with his other. “Geez, your hand is freezing.”
“I’m not gonna lie, it was realy cold out here, but I didn’t want to stand you up.” Her cheeks chafed red from the cold. “So I hope you plan on making it worth my while,” she chalenged him with a sly look.
“Now that you mention it, I did have something in mind.” Libby’s eyes widened.
“Want to know what it is?” he teased, watching her reaction.
He loved to see her off balance.
“Okay.” Now she looked less confident. Peter almost laughed.
“I have something for you.” He had moved heaven and earth to pul this together.
“You do?” Her eyes glittered in surprise.
“Yup. Close your eyes and hold out your hands.” He couldn’t wait to see what she thought. Libby obeyed. Her dark eyelashes lay against her rosy cheeks. His heart beat in anticipation. He reached into his jacket pocket and puled out a white plastic bag, then glanced up. Her closed eyes changed to little slits.
“Hey stop peeking!”
Libby squeezed her eyes closed and laughed. She held out her hands and waited. Peter puled the slim item out of the bag and placed it in her hands.
“Okay, look.”
She peered at the shiny device and then back at him in disbelief. “You gave me a cel phone?” She stared at the gift. “You gave me a cel phone!” This time she yeled it.
Her excitement touched him. “It seemed like a good idea.
You didn’t have a phone number to give me and I realy missed you. It’s gonna get harder to see you. I thought this way we could stay in touch and actualy talk whenever we want.” She closed her hand around the precious phone and turned pensive.
“Is something wrong?” He wondered what could have upset her.
“I don’t know if I should accept this.” She gazed up at him with large doe eyes. He couldn’t believe this. She needed to take the phone.
“We barely know each other, and, wel . . .” Mischief lit her face and he wondered what she was up to. “We’ve never even kissed.”
Peter paused and took a good look at her. He’d been wondering how to sneak a kiss; she just made it simple.
He tossed the umbrela aside and puled her close. He let his fingers tangle in her wet hair and lowered his mouth to hers. He kissed her long and slow, taking his sweet time. Cold rain trickled down his neck as he savored each moment. Startled at first, Libby now matched his kiss. He enjoyed each touch of her tender lips.
He slowly puled away.
“Now can you take the phone?” his forehead rested against hers.
“Yeah, I think so,” she answered in a breathy