As I headed downstairs with Lexine, I couldn't help feeling giddy. I haven't had a day out for fun in years. The occasion called for a little lipstick and mascara. Lexine and I were both in jeans, pink shirts and a white cardigan. 

Wyatt was waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs tapping away at his phone. We were about halfway down when he looked up and saw us.

"The two of you are matching! That's so cute." 

"You look nice too. I like that color on you." Wyatt was wearing a dark green sweater that complimented his hazel eyes. 

"So, now that we all look great, I think that we are ready to go!"

Wyatt locked the door and we headed to the garage area. I wasn't sure what car we were talking but he led us to the same SUV that Jake had used yesterday to take us to the store. 

"I figured since the car seat was already in here we could take this car." 

"It's a nice car. Very comfortable. So...where are we going?" I couldn't keep the eagerness out of my voice.

"What have you seen of Charleston so far?"

"Nothing really. I just kind of drove through at night on the freeway and ended up in Summerville where I met Brady and Jake."

"Great! Then we have a lot to explore. Let's see... what should we do? I know! We are going to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens."

"That sounds like fun." I said to him. 

The car ride there was nice with Wyatt telling me all about different places in Charleston. When we got there and parked, Wyatt came around the car to open my door and help me out before getting Lexine out of her car seat. He picked her up and held her with one arm and grabbed my hand with his free one. 

"Can't risk losing you in a crowd." He said smiling at me. 

"There's not a big crowd here." I told him. 

"Just go with it ok? It's an excuse to hold a pretty lady's hand!"

I had to laugh at him. Wyatt paid for our admission tickets and then we went into the gardens. We decided to walk around the gardens first to see all the flora and fauna native to this area. It was so beautiful! I fell in love with the camellias. Lexine went running around smelling all the different flowers. 

"What is your favorite flower?" Wyatt asked me.

"I really like white roses but I do have a weakness for any white flower."

"Good to know. I might need to bribe you sometime."

"Why would you need to bribe me?"

"Who knows? Maybe I'll say something stupid to make you mad."

"I doubt it. Besides, I don't get mad very often."

"I believe that! You are just too sweet." he looked at his watch. "Almost time for the nature train tour. Let's go to the depot!" 

Again he picked Lexine up and grabbed my hand. I could get used to this, I thought to myself. Rick was never really big on affectionate gestures and after a while I stopped trying and gave up. My hand felt small in his warm grip and I liked the way it felt. 

The Nature train arrived at the depot just a few minutes after we got there. It was more like a big tram which meant a smoother ride.  I got in first followed by Lexine and then Wyatt. Lexine climbed onto Wyatt's lap and I scooted a little closer to Wyatt. He reached out and pulled me closer until my thigh was pressed up against his. 

Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he said, "It's this big crowd. I really don't want to lose you in it."

"Wyatt, we are sitting next to each other on a train. How on earth are you going to lose me?"

"Quit poking holes in my excuses! Just go with the flow." and with that he kissed my cheek. That shut me up and made me nervous about what he might do if I continued to protest. Taking his advice about going with the flow, I snuggled into his side to enjoy the tour. 

There was so much wildlife to see! Lexine was having a blast pointing to all the different birds she saw. We even saw a few alligators! That made me shiver in fear. Wyatt noticed and tightened his arm around me and whispered in my ear, "Don't worry, I won't let anything hurt you. My brothers and I will keep the two of you safe. I promise."

I reached a hand up to hold the one on my shoulder and squeezed it and tucked my head into the crook of his neck. I felt grateful to him for his promise. I still wasn't a hundred percent sure that he would be able to keep it. I've had so many promises broken all of my life that it was extremely hard to believe that this one would be kept. More than anything, I wanted to believe in these guys.

I managed to enjoy the rest of the tour. After it was over, Wyatt suggested that we eat at a café there. I had to smile at the name of the place. The Peacock Café. I tried pulling out my wallet from my purse but Wyatt wouldn't let me.  He insisted that it was the rules of a true gentleman. Our late lunch was a light hearted affair with friendly banter between Wyatt and I.

We hit the gift shop next and looked around. The next thing I know, Wyatt was purchasing a doll that Lexine had been staring at and lovely decorative plate that I had admired. Outside, he handed Lexine the doll and presented me with the bag holding the boxed plate.

"Wyatt, this is too much." I protested.

"Aww... I never go out and get to spend my money on two beautiful girls. This has been a lot of fun for me today! Just say thank you and remember to go with the flow." He smiled at me and tugged at a lock of my hair playfully.

Lexine still holding her doll hugged Wyatt around his leg. That was her way of saying thank you silently.

Wyatt understood and picked her up and said, "You're welcome little princess!"

He checked his phone and smiled. "It looks like we have time to do one more stop before we head home. Let's get in the car."

It wasn't too long before he pulled into a parking garage. When we walked out of there he said to us, " Welcome to the historic King Street Shopping!"

All the buildings were so beautiful and everything was so fun to look at. He picked up Lexine again and held out his arm to me saying, "Big crowds remember?" I smiled and moved closer to him and let him wrap his arm around me.

"I think that you are more scared of being lost than I am!" I teased him.

"Shhh! Don't give away my biggest secret!" he teased back. We laughed together and started walking. A blonde woman with really tight clothes passed by us and glared at me. I didn't understand why. I had no idea who she was.

After walking around for a while we ended up in a candy store. We got to try a few samples of things and I fell in love with the chocolate truffles.

The young man behind the counter seemed eager to please and Wyatt ordered a dozen of the truffles for me. The employee kept smiling at me as he boxed up our candy and I just smiled back. He grinned even wider when I did and I felt flustered so I reached out and held Wyatt's hand. He gave me a reassuring squeeze and paid for the candy.

"Looks like you made a conquest Delphine." Wyatt was laughing at me.

"I don't think so. He was just being nice. Besides, he was younger than me!"

"Isn't that the new trend? Women being cougars?"

"Yuck! So not my thing. I prefer guys the same age or older than me."

"That's my California girl!" he said with a smile.

Our next stop was at a pastry/ gourmet sweets shop. In there he purchased a bag of lemon cookies for Lexine and some candied nuts for me.

Lexine was fading by then and needed a nap. We headed back to the car with Wyatt carrying Lexine and me holding the bags of candy and cookies.

While we drove home, I got lost in my thoughts, reliving the day. We were back home before I realized it.

Wyatt opened the car door for me and helped me out of the car.

"You were pretty quiet on the way home. Everything ok?" Wyatt asked me.

"No! I mean everything is fine. I just really had a wonderful time today. I can't remember the last time that I had such a great day. I know that Lexine had a really good time too. Thank you so much for everything Wyatt." I went on my tip toes, put my hands on his chest and gave him a kiss on the cheek. His smile was blinding it was so bright and he slipped his arms around me.  

"You are more than welcome! Just so you know I had a wonderful time as well. We are going to have to do this again."

He hugged me and let go to get the sleeping Lexine out of the back. I grabbed all of the bags and noticed with a smile that even in sleep she was holding onto her doll. We started walking to the front door and I found myself eager to see the rest of the guys.

We walked into the house and headed for the living room. Chase, Brady, Jake and Preston were lounging around in there watching TV and talking. Wyatt carefully laid Lexine down on one end of the long couch. Jake covered her and grinned at her holding her doll.

"Did you have a good day Delphine?" Preston asked me.

"Yes, it was wonderful. We had a great day. I even got chocolate!"

"What kind?" Jake wanted to know.

I set the bags down on the coffee table and pulled out the box of truffles. Opening the box, I showed it to Jake and said, "Chocolate truffles."

"Jeez Wyatt! How many did you buy her?" Brady exclaimed.

"It's only a dozen!" protested Wyatt.

I looked in the box and my eyes got big. There had to be almost two dozen of them stuffed in there! I showed it to Wyatt who laughed and said, "I told you that you made a conquest!"