https://youtu.be/ESnN9URRI1o

Jacob led Rue to the canyon just outside of town. No one else was around. It felt good to ride wild and free. He liked watching the face of Ruechari. Times like these, she came alive. He wanted to know Rue deep inside. The parts she hides from the world. He wanted Rue to be his girl. That thought scared him most of all. Just how far he was starting to fall?

He pulled out a blanket for the ground. Motioned for Rue to sit down. He gave her another grin. Wondered where to begin. "I really did have our second date all planned. First tightrope lessons with Ferdinand, a ride on Ode's Mother Lulu, followed by a candlelight dinner for two, then some dancing under the moon to the phonograph record, a romantic tune."

Jacob knew he was starting to ramble. He hoped this date wasn't a gamble. He was used to using the show to help woo girls wherever he would go. Now he struggles to find who he is since he left the circus behind. He took a big sip of wine, he had unloaded from their basket to dine.

He found himself nervous around Rue. Did she feel the same way too? She thanked him and just nibbled at her plate. Jacob began to get a heavy heart over this date.

Ruechari wasn't saying much. Had the circus been Jacob's crutch? Was he nothing without? Himself, Jacob was starting to doubt. Did she have Ronan or Billy in her head? Does she wish she were here with one of them instead?

Rue said something about the beauty of the sky. Jacob faked a smile and gave a reply. "The sky is nothing compared to you. You outshine the stars, Rue."

Rue snorted and shook her head. "Does that line often get women in your bed?"

"It was only for you. Let me apologize Rue. This night isn't going how I wanted it to."

"You mean because we both are fully dressed?" Rue said though it wasn't entirely a jest.

"No, because all you got is me, Rue. No tightrope or phonograph or Lulu." Jacob finished his drink.

Rue laid back. "The problem is the way you think. Jacob, a girl doesn't always need fancy displays. Simplicity and honesty can go a long way."

Jacob gave her a grin. "Well, in that case, let me begin. This Rue is a simple tune."

Jacob pulled a flute from his bag, Rue waited for him to brag. She was a bit surprised. When Jacob began to play and closed his eyes. The tune was soft and sweet. She watched the stars and tapped her feet. She stole another glance at his face. It was like the music took him to another place. Was this a glimpse of the man inside? The one Jacob tries to hide? If so, this was a man she wanted to get to know.

When he finished she asked for more. He gave her what she asked for. Then he stretched out at her side. Together they watched the night sky.

Afterward, they fell quiet for a spell. Until Rue asked him how he learned to play so well. She felt his fingers brush against her hand. He seemed to make a silent demand.

"I learned all kinds of useful things on the road, Rue."

"You miss it don't you?"

"Hard not to. They were the only family that I've known. Josie and I with them had grown; because of them, I'm who I am today. Now... who I am is... hard to say."

Rue rolled onto her side, she wanted to see his face, to make it hard to hide. "Then why did you stay?"

"Josie, mostly. Brandy too and I think I'm falling for you."

His voice was nearly a whisper to her ears. She was aware of his body so very near. Suddenly again she felt that rush of fear. She shouldn't have come with him here. She sat up straight and tall.

"You can't possibly mean that at all."

Frustrated Jacob rose, too. "Rue, please don't pull away. I mean what I say. I think about you constantly. Even more, since you healed me."

"So you want me because of what I can do for you?"

Jacob sighed. "Dammit, Rue! I want you for you! Each day your face is the first and last thing I see. Would you quit being so stubborn and kiss me already?"

"No way. It's not that easy cowboy! Not today."

"What would it take to earn a kiss, Rue?"

"More than just some pretty words from you."

"What about another song or two?"

Rue laid back again with a grin. "You're welcome to try, Mr. Craven."

Jacob took the challenge. Played a few more tunes.

"Have you ever been in love?" asked Rue, "And I'm not talking about a girl for a night or two."

Jacob reached for his drink. He should have known that Rue, would want to know things about him too.

But his past wasn't somewhere he wanted to dwell. Parts of it had been hell. Things he never wanted to tell. Shame and pain. Telling it, nothing would it gain. Only further hurt his chances with Rue. It didn't matter what he had been through. All that mattered was he was fine and had survived. 

Yes Jacob, keep telling yourself those lies. So much was riding on this night. Would Rue still want to give him a chance by morning light?

"Once. It's getting pretty late don't you think?" he said, again reaching out for his drink.

Rue sat up. She narrowed her eyes. Watched as Jacob rubbed his side. She knew he had something to hide. "Jacob, are you alright?"

Jacob seemed tense and as was his way he tried to steer her from the things he didn't want to say. The night she healed him, she'd felt his pain. Then there was that other night when alcohol had loosened his lips to her again.

"It's just a stitch in my side tonight." He stared at her and smiled. "I bet your hair looks lovely by firelight. I have something to confess, Rue. Tonight I planned to breathe fire for you."

"So why don't you? I have no place to be."

"You serious, Ruechari?"

She poured them both another drink, handing it to him.

He smiled. "I like the way you think." He reached out his glass the rims clinked. "A toast to you Rue. To health, happiness, and love too!"

Rue took a small sip and waited as Jacob drank deeply until he was sated. Soon, his cheeks had a ruddy glow. Rue wondered how many drinks to go until Jacob told her what she wanted to know.

He built the fire and asked if she were cold. As he drank he grew more bold. Then even bolder he snaked an arm around her shoulder.

Rue resisted her urge to move away. Instead, she had some words to say. "The last man I loved broke my heart. He cheated on me. Tell me, Jacob, how you are different than he? I know you've broken hearts before. And you know I want more."

"I made them no promises, Rue. I moved from town to town. What was I supposed to do?"

"Now you've settled, Jacob. So what's stopping you?"

Jacob let go and once again rubbed his side. "Nothing Rue. I believe it's meant to be, between you and me." He drained his cup and by now Rue had had enough. It seemed Jacob wasn't going to open up. His walls were too high tonight.

Ruechari wondered if he was worth the fight. Yes, he was easy on the eyes. Made her laugh sometimes. She was unsure how she felt about him. It was hard to get him to let her in. So far it seemed her secrets he had kept. But Jacob didn't even know the half of it. Could he handle, if he knew, just who she was and what she could do?

He was already jealous of Billy especially. What if he knew Ruechari had risen from the dead, Jujube? That would surely mess with his head. No, he wasn't ready so she said something else instead. "Thank you, Jacob. It's been fun but now I've got to run."

He didn't seem to like her dismiss. "What about breathing fire for you. What about that kiss, Rue?"

"You haven't earned it."

Ruechari arose and began to pack. All the things back into the sack.

She was a challenge. "Next time then?" Jacob asked with a grin.

"We shall see but only of you can be honest with me."

Jacob sighed. His disappointment he tried to hide. He usually did not have to try. Women wanted to be by his side. He was a smooth talker and got his way. But Rue, was different, special, what could he say? He wanted that kiss. He wanted her to stay. So maybe the truth or a taste at least, he grabbed the horse's reigns and started to speak.

"I was in love once Rue. At least I believed it to be true. It was a long time ago though."

"What became of your first love?"

Jacob gave a nervous smile and a shrug. "I hated her by the end. I'll never make that mistake again."

The look on his face showed Jacob's hate. Rue wondered even more as Jacob swore. It seemed he was living it again.

"I've been hurt by many men. I know that look you now wear. Jacob, it is one we both share."

"Love is not always a good thing, Rue. Sometimes it poisons and chokes you."

Ruechari could understand. Jacob was a scorned man. Finally, some things were making sense. Why Jacob was so tense. Why he only wanted a fling and cringed at the mention of a wedding ring.

"Tell me what happened between you two," pressed Rue.

"Not much to tell. I thought I loved her Rue and she made my life hell. I curse the day we met. She is my biggest regret."

"How long were you together?" asked Rue

"Three years but let's talk about you? About that SOB, Billy. What a great protector was he? He broke your heart, Ruechari."

Jacob pulled at his collar. By this conversation, he was certainly bothered. He clenched his fist and held it tight. Rue sighed at the sight. Then again, her relationship with Billy is hard to fathom from the outside looking in.

"Yes Jacob, I know well. Billy put my heart through hell. But he's also the reason I stand before you now. And I haven't become completely lost and for that, he's paid a very high cost. But this isn't about him. It's about you and me and why I should let you in. I can honestly say, your anger certainly isn't helping."

Jacob's face returned to a grin. "I'm sorry, Ruechari. I've got a lot of anger inside of me. More since I found out about Lou and Brandy and how I failed them so miserably."

That tugged at Ruechari's heart. She knew this wasn't a ploy on Jacob's part to draw her in and make her feel sorry for him. "What happened to Brandy and Lou was awful, but by no fault of you. Jacob, you cannot go on believing that it is true. You have to stop trying to fight the whole world."

"I would if you promise to be my girl. Rue, I wanna be a better man around you. I made the decision to steer clear of Brandy's husband even though I want to kick his teeth in. I don't trust Bruce and God as my witness above, I know he didn't marry Brandy because of love. I will discover his game, and what that ba@@@# hopes to gain."

Ruechari had her own doubts about that match. She hoped Jacob figured it out and fast. But she didn't want any more bloodshed. This town already had more than its fair share of the untimely dead. She placed a hand on his arm. "I'm sure Brandy won't come to harm. She can take care of herself, that one."

Jacob placed a hand atop Rue's. "That woman I mentioned... she is nothing compared to you. Her love was twisted and Rue... tonight, you're right, should be about me and you."

But Rue needed to strike while the iron was hot, "Three years? I would have never thought. What happened to end it between you two? Tell me how did she hurt you?"

Jacob laughed and shook his head. "Many things. But she wanted me dead. She refused to let me go. Got crazy jealous when I dated anyone from the show. So I started seeing townies instead. But that's the past, it should be put to bed."

Rue wondered the woman's side of things. Did he cheat and flirt, with anything wearing a skirt? Knowing him now, she found it hard to believe. Yet Jacob doesn't really seem capable of monogamy. Could she give him the benefit of the doubt? Should she put her own heart out?

If she was ready, she didn't know. So many dreams she had to let go. And her and Jacob certainly had a ways to go. Tonight, however, had been good a start. Too bad it required alcohol for Jacob to bear his heart.

Their future was uncertain, unwritten. She could see why other girls had been smitten. However, Rue would always have one demand. She wanted all of him. Or none. Even the parts of himself he rarely showed anyone. The parts that had been broken or buried inside, the secret Jacob he tries to hide.

But if he was willing, then perhaps so should she. Rue would just have to wait and see. Maybe she was ready to take that leap, to see if his promises, he could keep. Just a step or two, she made up her mind. She knew just what to do.

Jacob doused the fire, was loading up his gear as Ruechari came near. He stilled. Neither of them spoke a word but their breathing could be heard. He waited to see what Ruechari would do beneath the light of the stars and the moon.

Her eyes were wide, reflected in the light. She was quite a beautiful sight. She raised up on her tiptoes. Placed a soft kiss upon the tip of his nose. Jacob drew in a sharp breath. Waiting to see what came next.

Her lips moved lower to his. Upon them, she placed a gentle kiss. It was brief and light. Searching it seemed to see if they fit right. Jacob let Ruechari control this. She pulled back from their sweet kiss.

Ruechari lips twisted into a grin, "If you want to do that again. I suggest you lay off the pickup lines, Mr. Craven. Now accompany me home, if you please." The look in his eyes, "Not like that! Don't be a sleaze!"

Jacob laughed at the face she made. He knew he should be afraid. That kiss was so brief and light. But enough to know it felt right. And it was then, he truly knew. He was falling in love with Rue.