A Gift

I stopped in the Sheriff's office

After the news of today

I just wanted to certain

Brody was doing okay.

I leaned against the door frame

He was sitting at the desk

Hat pulled down low

Arms across his chest

Obviously getting some

Much needed rest.

I chuckled lightly

Before I left.

"Bella?"

I heard my name

I smiled before saying,

"In the Flesh."

"Are Annie and the others back too?"

He had to mention you know who.

"We're all back."

"I need to see CG and Myna?

Do you know where they are?

I have some news for them."

"Mayor Order already filled them in."

"They already know about the Sheriff,

Billy, *swallows hard*, Lou?"

"Yes, Mayor Order told them what he knew."

"Oh in that case. How are you?"

"I'm fine Brody. I'm more worried about you."

I fiddled in my pocket, reaching for the gift

He looked like his spirits could use the lift.

"Its been a rough couple of days

But I'm glad your back. "

"I'm glad to be back."

"Rosetta has left town for a few days

Petra will need your help at the stables

Rosetta said she hired you

So I'm guessing you know what to do?"

"I'll go and see.

I turn to walk away but say.

"Try and get some sleep, Brody.

You need to be at your best.

And when you feel up to it

I brought something back with me

That you may have an interest."

"Can't quite say I would know

what that would be

but the one thing I'm grateful

you brought back is you

from County."

I blush slightly at his words.

I decide then and there

I'd give him the gift.

To show him I care.

"Wow, Bella this quite special

Can't remember ever getting

A gift from a girl."

From his palm the necklace he

Unfurls.

"Thank you!"

He leans over and kisses my cheek.

I blush a bit.

"See you around, Brody?"

"I'm counting on it."

________

I'd seen Petra she didn't have much to say

She actually was quite rude to me all-day

After work, I thought of stopping to check on Brody

But right now my room seemed a good place to be.

Little did I know he had seen me.

After stopping at the café

for a bag full of food

and some lemonade

I heard a knock on the door

"Room Service!"

"Come In," I said surprised to see

Brody now looking at me

"You look like you could use

some substance and perhaps a friend."

"Brody?! What are you doing here?

What would make you say that?"

"A hunch but if I'm wrong I can

leave the food and go, but I'll expect

a good tip before I leave."

That smirk didn't go unnoticed one bit

Oh, how I love that smirk

"You aren't wrong so please come in."

My poetry was still in plain sight

I had just sat down to write.

Not something I wanted to share tonight

I quickly stashed it out of sight.

Lemon muffins, noodles, roasted chicken

Lemonade. The aroma made my stomach

Grumble, ... when was the last time I had eaten?

Brody looks around. "I'll be right back."

Handing me the food sack.

Coming back with a blanket in hand

Laughing at my expression

when I didn't understand.

Until he placed it on the ground.

"Indoor Picnic!" had an awesome sound.

"Haven't done this since I was a kid."

It was sweet what he did.

I neatly laid out the picnic fare

Along with plates and silverware.

Sitting on the blanket was

So much better than the floor.

I  look up at Brody he seems so much

Taller than before.

"Hope there's nothing spicy."

"No just sweet like you."

He attempted to sit down

But with his long legs

He knew not what to do.

Finally, he decided on a comfy spot

"Are you going to eat any or

am I just going to eat it all?

You should get some while it's hot."

A couldn't help wearing a grin

Teasing him.

"Depends on how you feel about sharin'."

"Sharing is caring,

plenty to go around

so dig in."

"So here in BG how's it been?"

"Every minute I've enjoyed,

my sanity is in question though

but what's BG without a little insanity."

He looked at me with hope abound

"Does this mean you'll be sticking around?"

"My home is here now,

I have no plans to leave

Can't get rid of me

That easily."

"That's good news, I don't share

my noodles with just anyone

you know."

There was that grin I

adore, but I wanted to know

something more?

"What exactly did you mean by a

a good tip if I didn't let you in?

I think I have an idea

By your famous grin."

"My grin is famous?"

I laugh at him being him

"Of course you'd answer me

With a question?"

"Then let me ask you another

What had you hoped I had meant?"

I looked at him blushing nervously

rather hesitant.

I point to my lips,

Hoping I didn't misinterpret it.

He shakes his head no,

"The comment was just to tease.

But you bring up a whole slew of new

questions for me, Bella?"

"Like, would your eyes stay open

or would they flutter closed if we kissed?

Are they as soft as the appear

Those beautiful lips?

If I held your face would I feel

The heat of your blush against my palms?

I answered them all without any qualms.

Though my cheeks turned tomato red,

This is what I said,

"My eyes would flutter closed.

My lips are soft but I don't know.

You'd probably feel the heat

With how I'm blushing now."

His look instantly changed somehow.

Kneeling in front of me,

Tucking back my hair,

"I really do love when you blush."

He asked my permission,

Without it, he wouldn't dare.

He cupped my face,

He claimed my lips

I could feel his smile

We kissed for quite a while.

Each reluctant to pull away.

"Everything I thought

And so much more,"

Is what he had to say.

"Likewise Brody, likewise."

Couldn't ask for a more perfect ending

To my otherwise stressful day.