Merlin and Jalisa arrive in Granite Falls in the middle of a massive thunderstorm.
Voidcritter: This is a nightmare. Where is our cabin?
Knight: We won’t be staying in a cabin. That’s our campsite right over there…
Merlin nods towards a large camping area with a grill and two tents. Jalisa walks over to get a closer look…hoping there’s a camper or something hidden behind the trees.
Voidcritter: *realizes the reality of the situation* You’ve got to be kidding me.
Knight: *throws his hands in the air* This is amazing!
A large clap of thunder practically sends Jalisa in a panic.
Voidcritter: Terrifying maybe, but not amazing.
Merlin can see that Jalisa isn’t having much fun. He decides to seek out some shelter where they can wait out the storm.
Merlin lights a fire once they’re inside the cabin.
Voidcritter: I feel like I’m wearing a wet blanket.
Knight: The fire will help dry you out soon. *pause* I know all this rain this isn’t ideal. I’m sorry.
Voidcritter: It’s not your fault. You can’t control the weather. We’ll have to make the best of it, right?
Knight: We can do that. How about I start by helping to warm you up?
Voidcritter: Sounds perfect.
Merlin places his arm around Jalisa, which helps her forget all about the storm outside.
Voidcritter: I take it this type of thing is in your element.
Knight: What? Camping?
Voidcritter: The whole outdoors thing…
Knight: It is.
Voidcritter: Well, it’s not mine, so please take it easy on me. I’m going to have to ease into the idea of sleeping outside in a tent.
Knight: You’re in good hands with me. *holds her tighter*
Voidcritter: *flirty* I can definitely feel that.
Knight: Good. How you ever actually watched a thunderstorm?
Voidcritter: No. Why would I? Isn’t it dangerous?
Knight: It can easily be one of the most romantic things to do. Want to give it a try?
Voidcritter: I don’t like being wet.
Knight: I know the perfect place…and you won’t get wet. Do you trust me?
Jalisa is still afraid, but trusting Merlin up to now has exposed her to some incredible things. She does her best to release all of her fears.
Voidcritter: Yes, I trust you.
Merlin puts out the fire and leads Jalisa to the stairs.
At the top of two sets of stairs is a lookout tower.
Voidcritter: This is beautiful! Omw…look at the waterfall! How did you know this was here?
Knight: Granite Falls is like my 2nd home. My family and I spent a lot of time here when I was growing up.
Jalisa takes some time to look around. Merlin is right…there’s something about the sound of the heavy rain hitting the roof that brings a sort of peace over her. Merlin takes a deep breath, and she does the same. She’s surprised by the fresh scent that fills her nostrils…the scent of clean air and pine trees. Watching the rain come down in sheets and seeing the bolts of lightning that cut through the cloud darkened sky brings a new sense of appreciation for the storm. But it’s the loud claps of thunder that make her want to be skin to skin with Merlin…to feel his arms around her, keeping her safe. The storm is singing them a love song.
Voidcritter: I’m speechless. I would never have thought that a storm could be so beautiful.
Knight: Right? Nothing beats the beauty of a storm.
They sit down in the chairs next to them.
Voidcritter: I’ve always been afraid of thunderstorms. They happen quite often in Newcrest.
Knight: I was too. When I was a little boy, I would hide under my bed whenever a storm came through.
Voidcritter: No way! You?
Knight: *chuckles* Yeah! But one day, my dad took me out in the middle of one. He explained to me that storms were nature’s way of cleaning the air, and painting us a beautiful picture at the same time. I’ve been in love with them ever since.
Voidcritter: Wow
Knight: I have a feeling that it’s going to stop soon. Want to get a closer look at that waterfall? We might even spot a rainbow.
Voidcritter: Yeah, sure!
Just as Merlin predicted…the clouds begin to clear, and the rain fades to a mere drizzle before it stops altogether.
Voidcritter: I need to add more words to my vocabulary.
Knight: Why do you say that?
Voidcritter: You keep showing me things that I can’t describe. The inner poet in me wants to come out but is feeling too choked up.
Knight: The beautiful thing about being out here is there’s no need to describe it. You only have to experience it.
Voidcritter: Experience it? Okay, I can do that.
After some time has passed, Merlin suggests that they return to the campground.
Merlin: I think it’s time for some lunch? Are you hungry?
Voidcritter: Yeah, sure.
As they arrive at the campground, Jalisa tries to psyche herself up by admiring her surroundings. She looks up at the trees and is amazed at how clear the sky suddenly is. It’s like it never rained at all.
Jalisa walks over and sits down on the cooler as Merlin begins to grill potatoes.
Knight: Are baked potatoes okay with you?
The only time Jalisa enjoys a baked potato is when it’s next to a steak and topped with butter, sour cream, chives, and bacon bits. She knows Merlin doesn’t have any of that, so she’s forced to let go of the notion.
Voidcritter. Sure…baked potatoes are fine.
Merlin expertly grills up the potatoes, splits them open…adds a bit of butter and sprinkles on a bit of salt and pepper. Jalisa looks around expectantly as they sit down at the table…
Voidcritter: So…just the potato then?
Knight: Is that okay? I can make something else.
Voidcritter: *doesn’t want to sound ungrateful* No…this is perfect. Thanks.
Either the potatoes are really good, or Jalisa is really hungry because hers is almost gone before she knows it. She feeds Merlin the last bite.
Knight: Yours tastes way better than mine did.
Voidcritter: Anything is better when it comes off someone else’s plate.
Knight: *laughs* I guess so.
To be continued…
28 Blind Date Summaries | read from the beginning
