The Date

They traveled on horseback, the Big Top came into view. Towards it, Jacob led Rue.

The Acrobats were in the main ring. Practicing their trapeze routine.

Jacob pointed up high into the air. "That gal is Nan swinging there. That strong fella is her brother Dwight. Watch him catch her his timing must be just right."

He looked at Rue and gave her a wink, "You should try it I think."

Rue frowned. "Up there? You must be out of your head. Jacob I'll fall and end up dead."

He pointed down below. "Have no fear Rue, the net will catch you."

Rue eyed the trapeze. Her heart began to pound, so loud she feared Jacob could hear the sound.

Jacob drew closer. "I'll come with you. Trust me. I'll show you how, Rue."

Rue was still unsure. It was a long way to the ground. A long way up meant a long fall down.

Jacob gave her a smile and reached out his hand. Rue said, "If I die, I am coming back to haunt you, just so you understand."

Her hands shook a little as she placed it in his. "Rue, I promise you won't regret this."

Jacob led her to the ladder. Climbed behind her to the top. Rue looked down but did not stop. "Just a bit further, Rue. You're doing great! The view from the top is really first rate."

Rue was afraid, but forced herself to go on to the platform, which she now stood upon.

The woman gave her a smile. "I'm Nan, it's nice to meet you."

Rue smiled back. "I'm Rue. This really is a lovely view."

"I told you so," said Jacob with a smug smile. "I have not done this in a while."

"Why Jacob are you afraid?" teased Rue.

"Of course not pretty lady. I'll show you." Nan handed Jacob the bar. He glanced at Rue. "Now I don't expect you to be able to do what I do."

Nan rolled her eyes. "It took Jacob quite a while. His first time he cried like a child."

Rue giggled. Jacob looked at Nan. "That's because I was a child. However, now I'm a man."

His eyes went back to her, "On your turn swing on out, Rue and I will be sure to catch you."

Jacob pushed off and across he did fly, built up momentum to give his trick a try.

Dwight hung down, ready to catch his hands. Jacob's flip was nice but not properly planned. Jacob fell. Rue gasped and looked down. Jacob bounced and laughed landing on the net near the ground.

"I warned you, Miss Rue. It has been quite a while." Jacob hollered up wearing a smile.

"Your turn, Rue."

"So falling. This is what you think I can't do?" Rue said with a grin.

"Well I've already fallen for you. Just curious how long it will take for you to fall for me too."

"He'll never change," Nan said handing her the bar. Ruechari's hands shook. The ground was so very far. Just do it, Rue. Let go and fly. Rue's feet left the ground and she soared through the sky.

Dwight waited for Rue to let go. But there was another man, to which Rue wished to go. Ruechari felt totally free. She wished the feeling would always stay, but she knew the Circus and Jacob would soon go away.

With a scream of joy, Rue let go, back to the ground where Jacob awaited below.

She lay upon the net needing to catch her breath.

"Come pretty lady, it ain't over yet." Jacob helped her escape the net and Rue couldn't help but grin. Wondering what adventure lay ahead as he led her off again.

"There so much to see," he said as he led her through the tent city, past wagons and circus folk. Suddenly, Jacob stopped and spoke, "Rue do you love animals? This I must know as I wish to introduce you to Ode the hit of our show."

A baby elephant, just a calf, was in a large tin tub, enjoying his bath. With his trunk he squirted water up in the air, down upon the children gathered there.

Oh how those children did laugh and squeal. Jacob asked, "Would you like to touch him? You'll be surprised what you feel."

He took her hand, "Ode this is Rue. She would like to pet you." The elephant turned into Rue's touch. "Jacob, this is amazing! Thank you so much."

"No problem at all." The elephant felt soft and smooth much more than Rue expected him too.

"Would you like to pet the lions next?"

Rue's eyes looked wild. "Yes, please!"

Jacob grinned, " Geez. I was just kidding Rue."

She looked so disappointed. "Does this mean I don't get too?"

"I can show you them from behind the cage. He was surprised she was not afraid. Jonah is practicing. His show is all the rage."

Rue cringed with each crack of the whip. "Don't you think he's overdoing it?"

"Jonah normally uses the whip with more care, but he seems to be having trouble with that big cat over there."

When Rue saw the trainer lift the whip again. She had enough, throwing caution to the wind, she ran right in.

"What are you doing?! You'll get eaten alive!" Jacob and the trainer looked on horrified. Rue, however, showed no fear. She got down on all four and started creeping towards the creature that let out a thunderous roar.

The trainer ran to grab his gun. Jacob looked on stunned. The large cat came up and nuzzled her face. Ruechari nuzzled it back and with her arms, she did embrace.

The Jaguar rolled over onto its back. The trainer returned expecting an attack.

"Put that gun away, you don't need it at all. He's just grumpy because he has a sore paw." She showed the trainer where the skin was rubbed raw. "If you allow me some time with him, I think I can heal his skin."

"Oh, my poor Nyx. Are you certain his paw you can fix?" He wasn't sure he could trust Ruechari. He looked at Jacob wondering if he should agree. Jacob shrugged in response, "Don't look at me?"

"Please, he's in so much pain. And I can get him feeling better again."

The trainer nodded. Rue began to chant. The large animal began to pant. Rue grabbed his massive paw. For an hour she and the cat didn't move at all. Suddenly, she was all done. She gave the cat a belly rub just for fun.

When they were back together Jacob said, "Rue I've seen some amazing things but that just about tops everything. Now we must have a circus name for you."

Rue sighed, a frown line appeared. "Alright," she conceded, "this I must hear."

Jacob appeared to ponder and then he leaned in real close. "Zuri," he finally spoke. His voice sent shivers through Ruechari. "It means beautiful in Swahili."

Ruechari did not know what to say. She's heard pretty words before from men who went away.

Jacob and Rue left the circus behind. He took her to a spring he found. "How did you know? This is a favorite place of mine."

Jacob shrugged. "I didn't. I came across it and thought it would make a nice place to dine." A proper picnic he had waiting as the sun began slowly fading.

The sky was orange and gold, a nice breeze blowing. A pleasant night it foretold. Jacob grinned but Rue couldn't smile. It seemed he had been planning this a while.

They took a seat. Jacob laid out the spread, offering Rue some dried ham and bread. He gave her grapes too. "Jacob, this was a really wonderful time."

"I'm glad. Would the lady care for some wine?"

"No thank you. I would rather you tell me something about you. How did you come about breathing fire?"

Jacob drank some wine, gave her another grin. "Not sure where to begin."

"How about the beginning?" Suggested Rue as Jacob ate a grape or two. She knew he was evading. "I'd much rather talk about you. You sure a beautiful woman, Rue."

Jacob leaned closer, to touch her hair. Rue moved away all he caught was air. Rue looked at him, on her face a frown. "I know about you Jacob and you've flirted with half the girls in town."

"None of them matter, Ruechari. It's just you and me. You're the only woman I see."

"Please," Rue gave a laugh. She got to her feet and shook her head. "Is this what you say to all the girls you wish to bed?"

Jacob arose. "Ruechari please stay. No other woman has ever made me feel this way!"

He looked sincere. However, she has been hurt by too many guys. "I'll stay IF you tell me the truth about you. No more pretty lies."

Jacob gulped the rest of his wine. Nodded and gave a sigh. "I don't like speaking about my past. But if it means not ending this night with you, Rue. I'll try."