Southern Attraction (14 page)

             
“What?  You act as if you want me to be with him.  I thought you liked me,” Heather replied.

             
“I do like you more than you know.  I didn’t tell you this but I wrote Shawn a letter the other day.  I told him that I wanted you to be happy.  Your happiness means more to me than anything.  If you want to be with me then that would make me the most happiest man alive.  I want you to make a decision that you can live with, not just from anger.  Give it some time and then decide,” Jake said.

             
As Heather walked with Jake to his car she replied, “Jake, the reason Shawn and I were arguing was because he said that he thought that I care more for you than him.  Also, that I was choosing him out of fear,” she said.

             
“What do you mean, fear?” Jake asked.

             
“Jake, I told Shawn one day at Sally’s diner that I was afraid of getting involved with you.  My parents told me before they died, that they wanted me to be taken care of.  I know this is going to upset you because it upset Shawn, but I want to be completely honest with you, even though I might risk losing you.  Shawn comes from better circumstances,” she said frankly.

             
“Your talking about money, aren’t you?”  he asked.

             
“Don’t hate me,” she replied.

             
“How am I suppose to take that?  You are telling me that the reason you are having trouble making up your mind about me is over money.  Is that right?” Jake inquired.

             
“I knew you would be upset, that is why I didn’t tell you at first.  I don’t care about money like my parents did.  I just want them to be proud of me,” Heather replied.

             
Jake could tell that she was still grieving over her parents death but was a little irritated by her comment. “Heather, I think your parents would want you to be happy.  Money doesn’t buy happiness,” Jake said.

             
“I know it doesn’t.  I know that you make me happy, and no money in the world will ever make me feel the way you do.  Have I lost you by what I said?” she asked.

             
“No, I guess not, but how am I suppose to respond to all of this.  I can see why you would care so much about what your parents would think.  It is clear that you still miss them.  You are afraid of doing something that you think they wouldn’t like, but to choose someone for money is crazy.  I see what you think of me now.  I’m some poor redneck that won’t ever amount to anything.  Is that right?”

             
Heather covered her face with her hands and began to cry.  Jake started to feel really bad for her.  He couldn’t stand the thought of her crying in front of him.  Deep down he knew exactly why she was weeping.  

             
“Heather, honey, don’t cry,” He said as he wiped tears from her face.  She didn’t say anything but looked up at him as she whimpered. 

“
I didn’t mean to make you cry.   I  just think you need to take more time to decide about your feelings.   I think you are not over grieving your parents death.  You say that you’re happy with me.  If you feel the same way later on as ya feel now, then I will accept what you’re sayin to me.  Just take time and think about it first.  Make sure you can live with me being from humble circumstances and all.  Because in the end that will matter to both of us.  I don’t want you to regret anything,” Jake said.

             
“I’ll do as you asked, but I know who I want,” Heather said as she tried to hold back her sniffles.

Chapter Twenty-Three

             
The next day at school, Heather tried to talk to Shawn, but she could tell he was still upset.  So she decided that their talk needed to wait until Shawn had time to cool off.  Jake asked her if she had talked to Shawn.  She told him that she tried but he was still mad and that she would try to talk to him later on.

             
The more that Shawn distanced himself from her, the more she clung to Jake.  Not only was Jake the guy that she was falling in love with, he was the guy that had become her closest friend.  She could talk to him and not worry about him becoming defensive with her.  He had all the qualities in a man that she wanted.    He was kind, caring, devoted, good looking and a real friend.

             
Heather was looking forward to her date with Jake.  She knew she wanted a more private setting with him instead of a public place.  He arrived around five thirty.  He offered to take her back to the movie, that she wasn’t able to watch with Shawn, but she declined.

             
“Why don’t we go some place more private?” she suggested. 

             
“That’s a good idea.  Why don’t we go to Bear Creek Park?”

             
“Where?” Heather asked.

             
“Bear Creek Park is close by.  It has a lake and a pier that we can walk out on.  Trust me, you’ll love it,” Jake replied.

             
Heather had never heard of Bear Creek before, but she thought it sounded like a nice place to go.  Any place private was fine with her.  She wanted to spend some alone time with Jake because her feelings for him were getting stronger.

             
“Sounds great,” she replied.

             
Bear Creek Park was a short drive up County Road 88.  Heather thought that the scenery was beautiful.  The park resembled more of a nature walk than a man made park.  It had a stream running down beside the park into a cascading waterfall.  The sound of the water trickling over rocks was pleasant to the ears.  She saw small cabins near by as they approached the lake. 

             
The sun slowly started to go down as they walked toward the pier.  Jake reached for Heather’s hand as they walked, which made Heather more comfortable.  Heather was tense from the thought of being all alone with Jake but euphoric.

             
“It’s beautiful.  I’m glad you brought me here,” Heather said as she took in the scenery.

             
“I’m glad we could get away from town for a little while.  We shouldn’t have any kind of interruptions here,” Jake said as he smiled.

             
“No kidding,” Heather said playfully.  “It has to be the most tranquil place that I have ever been to before.  I could stay here forever.”

             
“What about with me?” Jake inquired.

             
“Of course.  I don’t think I would be as content here with anyone else,” Heather replied.

             
“Not even with a guy named Shawn?” Jake questioned.

             
“Not with anyone other than you,” Heather replied.

             
Jake took a deep breath.  He was relieved to hear what Heather said.  He cared a lot for Heather, but he didn’t know how much more he could play the devoted friend.  He wanted Heather’s commitment to him and him only.

             
As they walked onto the pier, Heather saw a couple of fish jumping out of the water and then back into the water again.  Jake and Heather stood hand in hand taking in the view.  They didn’t feel the need to talk.  Both were comfortable just being in each other’s presence.               

             
At that moment when Heather looked over the calm waters she felt a sense of comfort and protection deep within.
This has to be better than anything, having someone that you love standing next to you
, Heather thought to herself.  Money didn’t seem to matter to her anymore.  She could live with Jake in a old wooden farmhouse.  All she cared about was being with him because he truly made her happy.

             
After a few minutes Heather looked up at Jake and said,  “Can I tell you something?  I think I’m falling in love with you.”  Jake looked at Heather and asked, “Are you sure?  Are you sure it is not because of what happened with Shawn at the movies?”

             
“Yes, I’m sure.  I think I have known it for some time now, but I was afraid of saying it out loud,” she replied.

             
“I’m so glad you said that, because I know without a doubt that I am completely one hundred percent in love with you,” Jake replied.

             
Heather smiled as Jake pulled her closer to him to give her a kiss.  At first he gave her a delicate kiss on the cheek.  Then he kissed her on the lips.  Heather was taken back at first, but she soon kissed him back.  They remained in a close embrace until Jake heard something behind him.

             
He pulled his lips from hers and turned around.  A small deer was peeking at them from behind some bulrushes on the water’s edge.

             
“Oh how cute,” Heather said as she saw the baby deer.

             
“Whisper or you’ll scare him,” Jake instructed.

             
The young deer nibbled on some grass as Heather and Jake watched in amazement.  Then they heard an owl hoot in the background which scared the deer and it pranced back into the woods out of sight.

             
“That’s amazing that we were able to get that close.  Usually deer hide so well that no one ever sees them,” Jake said.

             
“I’m glad we were able to see it.  I’ve seen deer before but never this close.  This is going to have to be our spot from now on.  I love it here,” she said.

             
“I think your right.  Now come here,” Jake replied as he pulled her closer. 

             
Heather put her arms around his neck and they started to kiss again.  This time with more intensity and passion.

Chapter Twenty-Four

              Mick was waiting on her as usual when Heather walked through the front door. 

             
“I thought we had agreed on you getting back at a decent hour?” Mick questioned.

             
“We never set a time uncle Mick.  Jake took me to Bear Creek Park.  It is lovely there.  Have you ever been?” she asked.

             
“Yes, plenty of times.  You two were alone all this time,” Mick said in an inquisitive tone.

             
“Yes but you don’t have to worry.  Jake was a perfect gentlemen,” Heather replied.

             
“Glad to hear it.  Just next time let me know when you’ll be a little late,” Mick said.

             
“I will.  Good night uncle Mick, I’m going to bed,” Heather replied.

             
“Night night,” Mick said.

             
Heather couldn’t sleep because she kept thinking about Jake and their date.  Jake was tender and compassionate.  She thought about the future and what it held for them.  She didn’t worry about money or anything like that.  She thought about how happy he made her, and she knew he was the right man for her.

             
Now that she knew whom she wanted, she had to break it to Shawn.  She was worried about his reaction and didn’t like the idea of hurting him.  It was something that had to be done and she knew it. 

             
Heather spent the next couple of days hanging out with Jake.  They went shopping, site seeing and then out to dinner at the closest steak house.  John Boys’ steak house was fifteen minutes from Huckleburg.  They had the best tasting steaks in the south.  Their meat was the freshest, because they bought all their meat from the slaughter house. 

             
Heather wasn’t looking forward to Monday, and Jake knew it.  Jake tried to keep her busy so she wouldn’t be worried about her conversation with Shawn.  He knew she cared about Shawn, but she was dreading her talk with him.  Jake told her that he wanted to be there with her, when she talked to him.  She told him that she needed to talk to Shawn alone. 

             
She didn’t want any trouble between the two of them.  She wanted everyone to be able to remain friends.  So Jake agreed with her decision to let her talk to Shawn in private.  She told him that she would meet him again at Sally’s diner to talk after school on Monday.  That is if Shawn agreed.

             
Jake took Heather home Sunday night and gave her a kiss.  Mick opened the front door just as Jake’s lips touched hers.

             
“What are you two doing out at this hour?  Heather, I’m pretty sure  you promised me that you weren’t goin be late,” Mick said as he walked out onto the front porch.

             
“I’m sorry Uncle Mick.  Time just flew by, and we weren’t watching the clock,” Heather replied.

             
“Well that doesn’t mean a hill of beans to me.  Get inside, you have school tomorrow.  So do you Jake.  I advise you to go home and hit the hay,” Mick said.