The next afternoon Iris met James near Flower Lake, their usual meeting place. James held her delicate hand within his calloused palm. He led her through the trees. They had never gone this far from Flower Lake before. Usually they stayed near the wild flower patch.
Iris swung the picnic basket while walking through the shrubs with James. “Jimmy, where are we going?” Iris asked looking lovingly up at him. “You’ll see.” James gently pulled her along while dawning a sly smile. “What are you up to?” Iris nuzzled up to him and batted her eyelashes coquettishly. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” He teased. James was infamous for his romantic surprises, one of the things she found endearing about him. His good-natured comedy and sweet, romantic soul made him easy to love. James brought Iris to the deepest part of the woods. They were far from Flower lake and completely alone. There wasn’t another soul for miles. It reminded Iris of a miniature jungle on the outskirts of the big city. There was a canopy of lush green trees above them, and green high grass at their feet. Bird song lingered all around them and they were creating the most beautiful melody. A small clear water pond caused a distraction for Iris.
It was full of white water lilies. Iris set down her picnic basket and walked to the pond. “Jimmy, wouldn’t this be a wonderful spot to have our picnic?” Iris said bending down to fish the lilies out of the water. While her mind was on the lilies, James came up behind her and put his arms around her waist. “Jimmy.” Iris blushed. “Do you know what else is terrific about this place?” James asked. “No.” She softly replied.
“That we’re completely alone.” James whispered in her ear. He pressed his lips softly against the nape of her neck. Iris felt electric charges running down her spine at the pressing of his lips, and her heart began to race. She was certain James felt her thrill at one touch from his lips. James was captured by the scent of her. She smelled of rose water. The scent aroused him as he moved his hands up from her waist. Iris pushed his hands away. She turned to face him. “Jimmy,” Iris sighed impishly. “I do apologize if I’m being too forward. I’ve just missed you so much. He held her face in his hands. “How could I have stayed away from you for so long?” James whispered. Iris’ heart melted with one gaze into his sweet hazel eyes. He concentrated on her lovely face. “I’ve been without you so long, I thought I might forget how beautiful you are.” James whispered. “And have you?” Iris lowered her eyes to the ground. “Yes, but only because you have grown more beautiful each day.” James pulled her closer to him. With one hand he moved his fingers through hair, removing her hair pin. Her soft brown locks, loosened from its style, fell down around her shoulders. She looked up at him with soft violet eyes. James leaned in to kiss her. “I’m crazy about you, Iris.” He whispered. Their lips met and the engaged in a passionate kiss. Neither one stopped to pay any mind to the newly falling rain. A downpour drenched the lovers. They hardly noticed their surroundings, they were much too enthralled with one another to care.
James stopped for just a moment. He ran his fingers through her wet hair. “If I had the money, I would marry you this moment.” Iris wrapped her arms around his neck. “What’s this, James, on your shoulder, were you a sailor?” She asked. “Oh the marking, is that what you mean?” He replied. “I refuse to lie to you, Iris, I ran into some trouble along the way, but that’s all in the past now, and now you are all that counts.” He smiled. “Jimmy, remind me to never let you go away for so long?” Iris smiled up at him.
