#RomanticFridayWriters: Romantic Picnic

Romantic Friday Writers is an ongoing blog hop developed by L'Aussie and Francine Howarth and now managed by Denise, (L'Aussie) and Donna Hole. You don't have to participate to enjoy reading the many excellent stories. However, I do encourage any aspiring writers of any genre to give it a try. The degree of romance is  up to the writer. Transforming your writing skills is always a worthwhile endeavor. If you'd like to read other stories in this week's submission go here.




Carl, his son James and I spent the day hiking along the Grand Canyon in Colorado. No one could ask for more perfect weather, or a better view. How humbled I felt by the majesty.


We stopped for a picnic lunch and had decided not to light a fire. Fire danger in Colorado was extremely high this year. A long drought accompanied by an extremely hot summer made for match box conditions.


I made my famous potato salad, an old family  recipe that brought back pleasant memories every time I labored over it's preparation. Carl whipped together the ham and cheese sandwiches while James waited on our checkered blanket. 


 We ate while James enthralled us with his digital cell phone pictures.


"Now that's a classic," Carl said and popped a ripe strawberry into his mouth. 


In the picture my hair had been tossed in front of my face by the wind at the last moment. "Oh yeah, I've never looked better." 


"I'm telling you Dad, take cooking lessons from her okay?" James said, some of my potato salad dribble on his chin. He wiped it up. 


"Yeah, yeah, I'll send you over to Leslie's house for lessons." Glancing at me Carl finished. "He's got a new girl friend, something easy so he can impress her, okay?" 


"Any time," I said and meant it. I loved both of them, but I'd never told Carl just how much. 


The heat of the day was eased by a hot wind evaporating our perspiration right off our skins. I applied more sun screen while James pulled to his feet and took off toward the ridge and another great photo experience.  


Carl watched his son for a moment and then rummaged through his backpack. I leaned back, gazing toward the blue sky that supported only a few running clouds. Then...


Carl blocked the sun before kneeling down along side of me. Surprised, I sat and crossed my legs. 


"I've never been more certain of anything in my life," Carl said. 


I blinked, not sure what he was talking about. 


"We've known each other for seven years. James was just a kid and me, a struggling, clueless father. You said hello and took it upon yourself to visit so often I relied on you too much. I still don't know why you---" 


"Carl?" 


He put his hand on my arm. I never realized just how much I've grown to love you. Do you think you could teach us both  to cook at my house?" 


In his hand he held a ring box. What's a girl gonna say?


WC 400 


So, I gave you a clue earlier in the story about what she thinks. If there had been more words I would have answered this. I bet you can guess. Hope you liked it. 


Picture link: http://www.dreamstime.com/north-rim-of-the-grand-canyon-imagefree139698