Inspired by "Tea-House Moon" by Enya

~:o:~

"Look at the stars..." He gestured upward, his hand faintly outlined in the darkness. "I've...never seen so many..."

"That's what ya get for livin' in the city." She turned on her side to face him. "You've never done this before?"

He shook his head. "No..." He looked at her. "I'm not usually outside this late at night."

"Never been to a drive-in movie theatre, never been stargazin', never roasted marshmallows... What have ya done?"

"City things. Walks in the park. Shopping. Coffee every morning from Starbucks." He smiled as she giggled at him. "That sort of thing."

She suddenly snuggled up against him on the blanket. "Sounds pretty boring if ya ask me."

He wrapped his arm around her. "Yeah... Yeah, it does." He sighed softly. "When I first came here, I... I thought it would be boring. I didn't want to spend my summer in this town."

"Ah know ya di'int. Ya don' have to tell me. Jake, if it really means that much to ya, Ah wasn't too keen on havin' to babysit ya at first."

"Babysit me?"

"Tch, yeah! Every day you'd ask me somethin' stupid! Like where'd the hay come from an' what happens when the horses come up to the fence! Ah swear'd ya never seen a horse before!" Her tone softened and she giggled. "But Ah'm glad it's over."

Jake remained silent for a time, watching the night sky above him. He came to her town with his mother, under the pretense that they were there for a change of scenery. He knew his mother was really meeting someone to replace his father. He hadn't counted on bumping into the blonde country girl lying next to him and being roped into helping her on her family's land.

He saw she nuzzled against him, her breathing evening out as if she were asleep. He planted a soft kiss to her forehead. "Good night..." Turning his gaze upward, he continued watching the stars.