It wasn't until she was out of the shower that she realized she had no idea what they were going to do that evening. Mac had mentioned a couple of ideas off hand but he hadn't confirmed them. A teal asymmetrical cut tank dress and a nice fit shirt with her good jeans combo stared at her from their spots on the bed. Both would go well with the sandals she'd bought.

She only had 20 minutes more to figure it out.

She finally chose the dress and grabbed a soft cashmere wrap style sweater to go over the top since the weather was getting cooler by the day. She took a final quick look in the mirror to make sure her hair and makeup still looked presentable then headed downstairs to wait for Mac.

Brenna took a moment to send up a prayer of thanks; nervous pacing was much more easily accomplished without crutches.

It was still quite early when headlights washed across her wall signaling the approach of a vehicle up her driveway.

A moment later she took a deep steadying breath before answering the door.

He wore dark dress pants and a dark blue striped button down shirt. She couldn't be certain but it looked like he'd gotten a haircut recently. The uniform made her think naughty thoughts; Mac cleaned up was extremely nice too.

"Hey." She greeted him awkwardly.

"Hey. You look beautiful." She finally remembered her manners and stepped aside to motion him in. Any doubts she could have mustered about the sincerity of his complement would have been shot down by the smile of admiration that accompanied it.

"Thank you." She smiled back shyly. "I didn't know what the plan was so I chose this but if....."

"Oh no. You look great and it should be fine. It's good to see you fully functional again." He motioned to her bandage free leg. "Although, I'll have to come up with some other excuse to show you how manly I am since I won't get to pick you up and carry you around anymore."

"Is that what that was all about? Now it all makes sense!" He looked puzzled for only a moment before catching on that she was teasing him.

"Shall we?" he questioned and she nodded in affirmation. He stood by her side as she locked her door. It was a little chilly out but he radiated warmth from his person and made her want to curl into him. He opened the door to the pickup and waited quietly to know if his assistance was needed before closing the door and moving around to the driver side.

The pickup was warm and Brenna decided she liked riding so much higher than her car. She was all smiles when Mac slid in next to her.

"I get it!" she announced happily.

"Get what?" he couldn't help but bite.

"All those country songs about hopping up in the guy's big ol' pickup truck. It's pretty cool being taller than everyone. I can see what the draw is."

Mac couldn't help bursting out laughing. She was sitting so proper, with her back straight and with such a look of prim wonderment on her face that he could think of no other word than "cute" to fit the picture.

"Well I didn't think it was that funny." She commented in puzzlement. He contemplated trying to explain to her what he saw but just shook his head and pulled the pickup out onto the roadway.

A short time later they reached the restaurant and he rushed around to open her door. "Such chivalry!" she teased him.

"It's not dead."

The restaurant wasn't much to look at from the outside but he knew for a fact it served some of the best southern BBQ in the area. He'd almost changed course when he'd seen how beautiful she looked. A girl that gorgeous deserved better than a quaint local restaurant but he'd be damned if he knew anywhere fancy enough to do her justice.

They entered the small wooden building and the hostess seated them at a corner table. The tables were made of thick planks of hickory sanded to complete smoothness. The restaurant was warm and fragrant.

"It smells amazing in here!" She exclaimed as she leaned across the table slightly. Mac would have liked it a little brighter to see her better but her luminous green eyes almost glowed in the low light they picked up from their rustic table lamp and her hair looked like dark molasses.

"I hope you like it. Its really good here. You really deserve something fancier but I...." She cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"Fancy has it's place but I like food. Good food. This place smells like it has that." He loved they way she talked about food and truly enjoyed it. He liked that she seemed happy to be with him and willing to have a great night. Even her personality sparkled.

"It's all good. I can't be counted on to give a recommendation because I like it all." He folded his menu up since he already knew what he wanted and settled in to watch her peruse hers.

Forty five minutes later a large pile of bare rib bones sat between them under the light of the lamp. Brenna was finishing off an ear of corn on the cob while Mac sat back and took a drink off of his iced tea. With delicacy she wiped each of her fingers clear of sauce and then carefully wiped her mouth.

"I think I managed to keep it out of my lap and off my chest. That is a true accomplishment!" she announced with a flourish.

"Better than me. I think I got most of it off with the little moist towelette but I still have an awkward wet spot on my pants to deal with."

As he watched she turned a bright shade of pink and visually struggled to control her facial features. "What? It wasn't that funny."

She burst out laughing with a snort. "You said awkward wet spot on your pants!" She then proceeded to dissolve into a fit of embarrassed giggles. "I'm sorry." She tried to apologize in between fits. "I am not this immature, I swear! I don't know what has gotten into me."

The harder she tried to contain the giggles the funnier it was and soon he was laughing right along with her. The waitress gave them both looks of puzzlement as she dropped the check on the table at Mac's elbow.

Moments later when they were both back under control Mac paid the bill and they walked out into the night. She walked close to him. He could smell the lavender shampoo she used and the light scent of her perfume. Without thinking about it he reached down and took her hand and was pleased when she didn't pull away.

They walked that way to the pickup where he again held the door for her. Back inside the pickup he started it to make sure she would be warm before turning to her again. "So, are you still up for more tonight?"

"Absolutely! No work for me tomorrow!" She gave him her most devilish smile.

"Well ok then."

Twenty minutes later they pulled into the Cove Bowl. Brenna loved it immediately. It had all the earmarks of a really popular hangout of the bygone days that had aged and lost its luster. From the glitter infused vinyl seats to the vintage pinball machines and real cork dart boards she was immediately felt transported back to the 50's.

It was practically empty except for the old man behind the rental counter and a couple elderly gentlemen engaged in an intense game of cards in the corner.

"This place is great." She all but skipped into the arcade. "Are you any good at air hockey?"

"I have actually never played it. I play the real thing, on skates and ice."

"Ohhhh..... We are going to play!" She shuffled happily to the table and fished out 2 coins from her purse. "This game is on me." She grabbed the wooden paddle and took on her ready stance as the air began to shoot up through the tiny holes in the surface.

Mac approached and took his paddle and lined up the puck behind the line. He gave it a tentative tap and then hit it a bit harder sending it straight across the table and into the opposite goal.

Brenna's mouth hung open in an "O" of shock. "I thought you said you hadn't played?"

"I haven't."

She narrowed her eyes in suspicion and took on her stance again. "Ok, let's go."

The next goal was hers. Mac turned out to be a natural. He won the first game by a point. Several games later they called it a draw instead of battling it out all night long.

Mac brought her a beer and then she proceeded to prove that her dart skills did improve with the addition of alcohol and the removal of her shoes.

It was near midnight before Brenna was satisfied that they had played every game in the place. Mac had won a good many of them but she had proved her metal in darts and pool. She held on to that little piece of satisfaction.

The elderly gentlemen had departed a couple hours before and the attendant looked to be nodding off behind the counter. Mac thanked him loudly as they left so he'd know he was off the hook and could close up.

"This place is great. I can't believe I never found it before this. Thank you." Brenna wrapped the cuffs of her sweater around her hands and hugged herself against the cold. Mac scrubbed his hands up and down her arms rapidly to generate warmth as they walked. The neon light of the Cove Bowl sign shined down on her dark hair and pale skin.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I used to go there with my dad as a kid. You seemed to really like nostalgic things so I gambled on whether you'd enjoy it or be bored out of your mind."

He helped her into the truck and came around quickly to get the heater started for her. "Well, home then?" he asked. She'd pulled her legs up under her dress and curled herself into the seat.

She nodded. They drove in companionable silence back to her house and he parked in front of the porch and shut off the truck. The truck ticked and cooled down around them but neither of them moved.

"Tea?" Brenna finally broke the quiet.

"Sure."

They exited the truck and Brenna did a little dance of cold while she tried to get the key in the door. Inside she told Mac to make himself comfortable and headed for the kitchen to put the kettle on.

Mac walked about the living room a moment. A large brick fire place adorned one wall. Brenna had placed several pictures along the mantle. In amongst the pictures were pieces of firefighter memorabilia. He stopped to study a black and white picture of Brenna and a man who could only be Greg on their wedding day.

The man had his arms wrapped around her waist as she bent forward in laughter. She wore a close fitting lace gown and a veil atop her dark hair. Her entire face smiled and she looked absolutely beautiful. The man's face conveyed wonder and deep happiness all at the time. Mac understood that look. He felt it when he saw her too.

He heard Brenna's steps approaching on the hardwood floor and turned to greet her.

"Sorry, I was just looking at your pictures."

"Oh, of course. It's kind of the point of putting them out; for people to look at them and all." She handed him his mug.

"This one was at the fire academy. These were all the guys in my class. Most of them still work in the area." She smiled fondly and moved down the row. "This is me and my Aunt on my graduation. This one is our wedding day. I was trying to dodge Greg's brother trying to pour and entire cup of bird seed on my head."

"He looks like one happy guy. You look beautiful. I'd have been happy too." he took a sip of his tea and swallowed deeply. "Look. I just want you to know, I am not trying to replace him. I just want to clear the air. I never want you to think that or that you can't talk about him or anything. I simply want a chance to be important in your life in my own right."

Mac tried to read her face. She simply stood still and looked up at him giving him no clue as to the thoughts tumbling around behind her eyes. In a moment she placed her mug carefully down on the mantle and rose up on her tippy toes to look him straight in the eyes as if she were the one trying to understand what was in his head.

She must have approved of whatever it was she saw because without warning she was close, so close that her lips were touching his and it took him by surprise.

In seconds it registered and he was returning her kiss. She tasted like vanilla and something clean and herbal that he didn't know but it meshed with her light floral smell to make her a full on assault of Earthy goodness. His hands ran down her sides and it was everything he had to keep them from continuing down to cup her firm round bottom. He compromised but allowing them to travel up and tangle in her hair.

Too soon the kiss was over and they were staring at each other again as they caught their breath.

"I really don't think the night can get any better than this at this point so I think I will head on home before I can possibly do anything to mess it up." His hands still cupped her face and he leaned down to place a light kiss on her lips again. "Thank you for giving me a chance Brenna." He released her face and they stepped apart to put a little distance between them.

"Thank you. Not only for tonight, but also for your patience and your kindness. Just.....thank you." Those eyes of hers took him out at the knees every time.

He simply nodded and made a reluctant step toward the door.

"Hey, what are you doing on Tuesday? Do you work?" she asked in a lighter tone. "I'm going to head up to Brown County and nose around the arson site up there. Brad says there is a great burger place along the way."

He smiled with pleasure. "I am not working Tuesday. I would love to road trip with you and eat a good burger."

"Great. I'm sure I'll talk to you before that. Especially if Reego eats anymore of your uniform."

"I was so mad when I saw my boot, you have no idea; but yes, we will definitely talk before Tuesday. Goodnight Brenna." He walked away with a smile and let himself out. Brenna stood rooted to that spot for a few more minutes replaying the kiss in her mind. Finally she decided to take her musings to bed with her and turned off the light before heading to bed.