PART II

It was late afternoon as Lee approached the West log cabin in the rented Cherokee jeep. He carefully drove the length of the back driveway. He knew about this back road from the diagram Billy got from Amanda. She supplied the drawing in case any agents wanted to use the cabin in the future for their personal time. This was to be a last resort offer in the event the agent didn’t have anywhere else to stay.

Retrieving his weekender, Lee quietly made his way up the back steps toward the door of the cabin. He couldn’t believe himself, he was actually shaking with anticipation at the thought of seeing her again. ‘I’m acting like a teenager,’ he thought. ‘What’s wrong with me. This is Amanda for heaven’s sake.’ His hand wouldn’t still as he tried to unlock the back door with his lock pick. The door finally budged. He snuck in as silently as he could.

Since it had been hot as blazes in D. C., the air-conditioning felt wonderful. A delightful odor filled his nostrils as his journey took him past the kitchen. There was Amanda hovering over the stove stirring the welcoming dish. Lee had forgotten to eat and was starving to death. His stomach growled from hunger loudly. Amanda heard his groans and didn’t even flinch.

"Wash your hands, Stetson, we’re just about ready to eat," came the retort from the stove area. She didn’t even turn around to greet him.

"How did you know?" asked the penitent voice behind her.

"Because I know you, Scarecrow and where there’s a will, there’s a way. Besides, I saw you drive up using the back entrance."

Moving forward slightly, just to be closer to her, he was stopped by Amanda’s hand on his chest. "Why don’t you store your gear in the spare bedroom to the right of the kitchen. We’ll eat dinner, then we’ll talk, Lee, okay?"

Before she had a chance to return to her task, Lee stopped her. He grabbed both her hands and looked into her wonderful deep brown eyes. "I’m so sorry about our disagreement, Amanda," he said sincerely. "Can you forgive me once more?" he pleaded. "I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I lose all perspective when it comes to you."

"Lee," she placed her finger to his lips. "Let’s talk about it after dinner please. I know you’re starving and so am I. Get your bag in the back room and come into the den. I have to finish setting the table, but other than that task, dinner is about ready."

Acknowledging her request, he added, "Amanda, thank you for your patience and constant, unconditional friendship. I don’t know what I would do without you."

"Lee, the feeling is mutual, believe me," she confided.

As he turned to place his travel bag in the extra bedroom, an unbidden thought crossed his mind on how he wished they could share the same bed. ‘Forget it, Stetson,’ his conscience berated him. ‘You don’t even know how she really feels about you.’ He shook his head in frustration as he looked over the small, but spacious spare room. ‘The bed sure looks comfortable,’ he thought.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The table was set for a quiet, romantic meal for two, complete with candles and soft music by Enya. As Lee approached the den, he noticed the sentimental atmosphere and wondered how she could be so forgiving all the time. He certainly didn’t deserve her, but God did he need her…’from now, until forever,’ he affirmed. She had crept into his psyche with a quiet vengeance and taken residence in his heart.

His hopes toward ultimate resolution were utmost in his conscious thoughts as they sat down to eat their meal. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and a fresh green salad with her famous apple crumb pie for desert were the delights offered. Lee was so hungry, he helped himself to second helpings of everything, including the pie. Small talk and camaraderie pervaded their meal gently avoiding the main subject at hand.

Once the dishes were done, Amanda invited Lee to sit in the family room area of the spacious den with her. They sat closely together on the sofa.

"Amanda," Lee started.

"Lee," began Amanda at the same time. They both chuckled, still in awe because their inherent connection never seemed to dwindle.

"Look, Amanda," Lee started again. "I know how hard it is for you when I pick a fight. I can’t even remember the reason for the argument," he paused.

He took both her hands. "It doesn’t matter anyway," he continued. " I continually stick my foot in my mouth with you and I honestly don’t know why, except, that where you’re concerned, I lose all train of thought, especially when I’m close to you. I’m so sorry," he apologized. He looked into those beautiful, cocoa eyes and found unconditional forgiveness and love.

"Listen, neither of us is perfect. I can get belligerent at times too. As long as we forgive each other I think we’ll survive the rough spots. Forgiveness leaves the communication open, don’t ever forget that, Lee."

"Why do you always come up with such a simple, but such a profound solution. I never stop to continually take in the wonder of you, but I appreciate every moment with you, Amanda King."

"That’s very nice to hear, Mr. Stetson. C’mon, let’s take a walk. There’s an excellent forest trail which leads to a spacious lookout. There you can see the most picturesque sunsets in the world," coaxed Amanda, grabbing Lee’s hand.

"That’s sounds great." He stopped her for a moment. "I’m so lucky to know you, Amanda," he replied emotionally.

"The feeling’s mutual, Scarecrow," she agreed. "C’mon, we’ll miss the sunset. Grab a jacket and let’s run," she was already on her way.

The sky was painted shades of violet, pink and light blue to accommodate its small audience. The sun was headed to bed for the night. The crest of the overlook offered two medium rocks for would-be lovers to take advantage of. Settling down on their natural chairs, they viewed a spectacular sight.

"It’s beautiful," observed Lee in awe "and looking at it with you makes the scenery twice as wonderful," he squeezed her hand tightly. "I’m so content when I’m with you, Amanda, in and out of the office. I guess part of my fear is that all joy will be taken away from me, almost like I don’t deserve happiness," he said quietly, lost in thought.

"Lee," she returned comfortingly, standing him up to her and giving him a hug. "You can’t live your life in fear, that’s not living. Our occupation doesn’t promote any guarantees for prolonged life. We live with that every day. We take each day as it comes and make the best of it, that’s all," she concluded lovingly.

"Thank you, Manda," he pulled her closer to him, "for just being you and constantly believing in me."

"I’ll never stop believing in you, Scarecrow, for the rest of our days and vows are not taken lightly."

"I love you, Amanda King," he confessed emotionally as he leaned in to taste her lips.

"I love you, too, Lee," she replied tearfully. She wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to his kiss and looking forward to new tomorrows and ALWAYS.