Natalie and Mark; A Camp Experience P4 (Patreon)

  Sometimes you’ve just got to take that chance…           

Take Your Chances on Me Part 4 (Exclusive to Patrons only!)

Natalie followed Mark willingly around the opposite side of the house to come by the cottage. “Oh I should tell Bri I’m going with you. She’s gonna wonder when she gets back and I’m not there.”

“She’ll be fine. She went to find Jamie didn’t she?” he asked.

“Well yeah.”

“Then I’m sure she’ll understand. Don’t worry about it…”

The way he’d smiled at her told her there was some mischievous thing he and Jamie were up to together but she didn’t ask.

They crossed the road towards the horses, which were waiting by the fence already. “The horses?” she mumbled.

“Would you like to go for a ride?” he offered. She then noticed the saddles on the fence. The brittles were already in Riley and Duke’s mouths.

“Uh…” she murmured nervously. It wasn’t exactly what she’d had in mind.

“I promise it’s not that hard,” he started, “and these horses are so good tempered that we won’t have any problems.”

“Well yeah I guess…” she agreed slowly.

He grinned and hopped the fence. She passed him a saddle and he placed the first one on Riley. After he’d buckled it and made sure it was fastened properly, he entreated her to come over the fence. She did and Mark grabbed the second saddle and threw it onto Duke’s back.

“Ready?” he asked her. Nervously, she came to stand beside him and he took her over to Riley. “He’s smaller so it won’t be as hard to get up onto the saddle. Just put your foot in there and then hold the round thing there for support and then just push off and get on.”

“You make it sound so easy,” she laughed nervously. She tried two times and didn’t get very far off the ground before landing back on her foot.

“Here let me help you. Use the fence.” Mark guided Riley closer and Natalie climbed up one rung and then with Mark’s help placed her foot in the stirrup and climbed onto Riley’s back. She adjusted herself anxiously in the saddle.

“Just relax. He’s not going anywhere just yet,” Mark soothed, passing her the reins. “And if he wants to, just rein him in.” With one final encouraging smile, Mark went over to Duke and mounted himself onto the saddle.

“Alright. So riding is pretty simple,” Mark started. He then explained how to communicate to Riley which direction she wanted to go, how to slow down, go faster and most importantly how to avoid falling off –since it seemed like that was Natalie’s biggest fear. “Don’t worry I’ll be with you the whole time so there’s no need to worry. Riley’s good; he won’t lead you astray. Let’s just start nice and slow. Ready?”

Natalie nodded, nervous about finally doing this. She’d felt so comfortable on the ground when Riley and her were face to face. Up here was a different story. But when she coaxed him on, he moved a slow step at a time and she found herself soon coaxing him to go a bit faster to keep up with Mark and Duke’s pace.

“You okay?” Mark asked.

“Actually yeah,” she smiled and he returned it. “Shall we go a little faster?” she asked hesitantly a few moments later after getting comfortable with the way Riley was moving beneath her.

“Only if you want,” Mark assuaged.

In response, Natalie simply coaxed Riley into a slow trot.

“So is this your first time?” Mark asked.

She flushed awkwardly. “Oh, uh I tried once before a couple years ago but I, uh, didn’t really like my horse,” she admitted shyly. “So I stayed behind.”

“What was so bad?” he asked.

“He just kept shuffling around and wouldn’t keep still. I didn’t really feel comfortable.” Natalie felt self-conscious at telling Mark the truth but he didn’t seem to be judging her or laughing.

“Well that’s the most important part,” he replied instead, “if you’re not comfortable, you’re not going to have a good time. And the animal will probably pick up on that too.”

Natalie smiled at his innate understanding. “You and Jamie really like it here,” she stated.

“Yeah,” he smiled, looking out at the horizon and then back at her. He looked content. “What do you like Natalie?”

She slowed Riley a little in surprise at such a direct question. What did she like? Did he mean what did she want to do with her life? Or what other kinds of stuff did she like? She liked Mark –she knew that. “Well, what do you mean by that?” she answered finally.

“Exactly what I said. What do you like?”

“Um…” she coaxed Riley to go faster forcing Mark to keep up.

“Natalie?” he exclaimed finally.

“I just don’t know what to say,” she admitted. “I like… I like vanilla and… hanging out with friends… And I like this; I like feeling comfortable. And I like that I’m not as shy as I am normally. I like that I’m sharing random stuff about myself with you. And I like…I like this –being here with you…” she trailed off shyly. She took a moment before she looked at him for his reaction.

“I like this too,” he answered with a smile.

They rode on for a bit in silence.

“And what don’t you like?” he inquired.

“You’re getting right down to it aren’t you?” she chuckled to herself. “Uh… I don’t know. I don’t like that I’m so shy.”

“What else?” he prompted after she was silent a moment.

“I don’t like that I don’t know what I want to do for the rest of my life; I have no clue.”

“Nothing with art or drawing?”

“That’s just the thing. I’d like to but really I don’t know what I’d do. I don’t think I’m that great. And even then what would I do?”

“I’m sure you’ll find something you’d like,” Mark encouraged.

“Well how long have you known what you’ve wanted to do?”

“Me? Who said I knew?”

“Didn’t you? You said you really like it here and I can see how much you and Jamie enjoy it and stuff and you’re really good with all the animals.”

“Well true but I can’t see myself doing this forever,” he admitted. “I do love it but I can’t stay on this farm for the rest of my life. I’m going to find something else…”

“Like what?” she prodded, feeling it was only fair to do so.

“Not sure yet.” He grinned at the parallel.

She smiled too. Feeling brave enough, she coaxed Riley into a gallop. Mark looking pleased followed her pace. They spent a few minutes galloping in a wide arch around the field. Finally, they both slowed the horses and began trotting alongside one another again. 

Natalie’s cheeks were flushed with excitement and brisk contact with the wind.

“Are you hungry?” Mark asked.

“Me?”

“Who else?”

“I dunno,” she murmured embarrassedly, “Um, a little. Want to head back then?”

“I was thinking we could just eat out here,” he commented.

She looked at him in curiosity and he eventually gestured at the backpack he’d brought. She’d barely noticed it before. “Oh, sure yeah.”

They brought the horses to a stop. 

Natalie realized the main house was a tiny thing in the distance. In all the excitement she hadn’t realized they’d ventured out so far. She then wondered how big the Talbots’ property was. But she hadn’t realized Mark had led them both through a fence which he’d opened earlier that day to let them into the adjoining field. It wasn’t the Talbot’s property but the owners of it were friendly and had allowed its use for the purpose of horse riding anytime by the Talbots and their farm hands.

Mark dismounted swiftly and Natalie wondered if she should attempt to do the same. But Mark came over to help. “Just slide your foot over like you’re riding side-saddle. That’s it. Now slide down.” He held out his arms to catch her and she felt all at once flattered and childish. Her landing was better than she’d anticipated but her feet hit the ground with an audible thump. “There we are,” Mark declared with a smile. He’d steadied her and then after a brief moment of staring into each other’s eyes Mark turned away to attend to the horses. 

He pulled out a large bowl from his pack and a four litre jug of water. She wondered how he’d managed to fit all of it plus their lunch in the bag and still be able to carry it comfortably on his back. He poured the horses’ water into the bowl and set it in front of them. It reminded Natalie of an extra large dog bowl being set in front of a pet. “It’s all we’ve got,” he explained, looking both to her and the horses.

He grabbed two plastic mats from his bag. Natalie had the urge to call them “Sit-Upons” as they’d called things like them when she was young at summer camps where they’d made them out of newspaper and garbage bags. But these ones were simply thin plastic or foam slabs –she wasn’t sure which–that fit easily into his backpack. “I’m sorry I didn’t have room for a blanket,” he murmured apologetically, and she got the feeling he’d wanted this to be kind of like a picnic lunch. “These’ll keep us a bit dryer anyway.”

“That’s fine,” she smiled gently, sitting on the one he offered her after he’d moved to sit on his own.

“Alright so ham or turkey?” he asked as he pulled two cellophane-wrapped sandwiches from the backpack.

“Doesn’t matter I guess.”

He passed Natalie one. She didn’t pay attention to which one. She was trying to sort out her emotions over his kind actions this afternoon. She’d never felt so comfortable with anyone. And the fact that he’d clearly planned ahead on this lunch made her excited and scared at the same time. She wasn’t used to guys taking the initiative to do things for her or with her. It’d always been a two-way street with the majority of responsibility upon her –which she’d of course never been comfortable with being as shy as she was.

“I managed to get water bottles. Sorry I couldn’t find any juice boxes. Seems we’re all out.”

“That’s fine,” she exclaimed. “Thank you. This is…this is great.”

He moved in closer to give her a water bottle but stopped mid-motion to look into her eyes. She stared back comfortably and suddenly he was moving in. She barely had time to think before their lips met. Kissing Mark was far better than she could’ve dreamed. All the sexual tension finally aside felt great for both of them.

She placed her free hand on the back of his neck. He himself had dropped the water bottle and placed his hand on the ground beside her as he leaned into the kiss.

After another moment, he pulled away to gauge her reaction. As if he needed to; she’d been kissing him back hadn’t she? After seeing her expression for only a moment, he came to his conclusion. With a quick smile, he looked down and grabbed the bottle and placed it in her hand.

They sat in silence for a few moments. Natalie consciously opened the wrap on her sandwich but she wasn’t sure she wanted to eat anything just yet. Her head was still spinning excitedly; she was in the clouds.

Mark too was going along as though nothing had occurred. He opened his water bottle and took a sip.

They avoided each other’s eyes for a few more moments but finally they both burst out laughing softly as they realized how ridiculous it was that they’d both turned away and back at each other again in an attempt to avoid the other’s gaze.

“I was kinda wondering,” Natalie murmured shyly.

He looked as though he wanted to ask what she meant but had a feeling he already knew. It was what he was thinking too. “It was a matter of time,” he muttered softly. “If you didn’t, I had to. I couldn’t go on much longer without going in.”

She finally took a bite of her sandwich.

After their lunch, they packed up and mounted their horses again. Both resisted the urge to kiss again as he stood beside her to help her up into her saddle.

As they rode back, it was mostly silent until Mark’s hand reached out and grabbed hers. She smiled and he held it tightly until the Talbots’ home came into better view.

He pulled away and rode Duke faster towards the fence. She kept up and reined Riley in as they came near it. Feeling confident to get down on her own, she steered her horse to stand again beside the fence and she slowly stumbled down from the saddle.

Mark smiled gently at her. “Well I guess go on ahead; I can unsaddle them myself and catch up with you soon.”

“Okay,” she murmured, not sure how they should depart now. Should she hug him? Kiss him? Squeeze his hand? Just leave? She was standing close enough to do any of those actions but uncertainty prevented her from moving.

He leaned in and quickly kissed her forehead. “Go ahead now. We’ve been out awhile.”

She smiled and turned happily. Mark had made the move instead. Though she still felt the brevity of it was significant.

Natalie decided to go to the main house first –thinking it was unlikely Brianna was hanging around in the cottage. Natalie also wanted to let Carol know she was back. She wasn’t sure whether Mark had told anyone where they’d gone or not.

“Hey!” Brianna greeted, looking up from her craft. She looked pleased, giving Natalie an excited look.

“Hey! Hi Carol, um Mark took me out for a horseback ride –I didn’t expect it to go on so long… Time flies when you’re having fun I guess,” she murmured.

“Oh that’s fine –Mark told Aunt Rose and she told us. Glad you had fun!”

“Horseback riding fun?” Brianna teased.

“I surprised myself,” Natalie grinned coyly.

“Well I can understand why…” Brianna murmured in amusement as Natalie sat down with them at the table to participate in the craft.

“Well I’m done,” Brianna announced, “I’ll just go put this in the cottage then.”

“I’ll go with you since I doubt I’ll get much done anyway,” Natalie pointed out, looking at Ava and Ashley’s progress which indicated everyone had been working awhile and they too were almost done.

The girls hurried to the cottage to talk privately. “Okay spill!” Brianna declared anxiously once the door was shut and their shoes were almost off.

“Spill? Well… he convinced me to go riding and then I was comfortable after a few minutes so we rode further out into the field and then stopped for some lunch –he brought like a picnic can you believe that?!”

“Really? Aww that’s so cute! What did he bring?”

“Sandwiches and water bottles and…” Natalie smiled as she remembered the kiss.

“What! What?!”

“He kissed me,” Natalie murmured happily.

Brianna squealed, “Oh-my-God that makes two of us!”

“Two?! You mean Jamie too?!”

“Yeah,” Brianna blushed, “When I went to give him his glove. But finish your story first!”

“There’s not much after that I guess… We just ate lunch and then came back here. He said he’d unsaddle the horses and stuff so I came inside. Alright now what happened with you!?”

“I just went to return the glove and all of a sudden he pulled me in from behind the tool shed or whatever and kissed me. I…” Brianna was grinning ear to ear and felt the heat rising in her cheeks. “I don’t know but I think I’m in love with him…” Brianna sighed happily.

“Gosh that makes two of us. Who fricken knew we’d both find somebody out here?!”

“I know…”

“There he goes back to the house. I’m gonna go back.”

“Ha-ha go ahead! I’m gonna just grab my phone and I’ll be right there.”

“He-he no pressure! Take your time!” Natalie laughed.

“Hey where’s Jamie anyway?” she asked.

“I’m not sure actually. He went to grab something and I thought I heard the truck leave right before you came in the house.”

“Hmm… `kay well see you soon!”

“Bye!” Brianna laughed, amused at the eager love struck look on her best friend’s face.

She grabbed her phone from her suitcase. There was one new text message. Her heart skipped a beat. She opened it and her thoughts were confirmed. It was from Kyle.

Several minutes later Natalie was sitting in the living room with Ava and Ashley when Brianna came in looking somewhat down and anxious. “What is it?” Natalie murmured quietly, shifting her position to sit closer to Brianna who sat on the floor in front of the game board that the other two girls were setting up.

“I got a text…from Kyle,” Brianna whispered nervously. “He said he was making a mistake and there’s only one person he wanted to go out with last night…”

“Ohmygawd and?”

“I called him. And he confessed he really likes me and… well actually he said he loved me and that he thinks I like him too so once I get back we should go out and do something.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah I know. But I realized right then it wasn’t worth it. So I said no…he should’ve said something sooner and I’d talk to him later `cuz I had to go.”

“Whoa.” Natalie’s face was mixed with surprise, admiration and approval.

“I… I realized I love Jamie. And for as long as I’ve liked Kyle, I just… he put me through so much up and down and with Jamie it’s been nothing but up. I feel so much more connected to Jamie only knowing him like a day than I have with Kyle for like almost a year… Did I do the right thing do you think?” Brianna looked worried.

“Yes,” Natalie nodded after a few moments’ consideration. “You’ve gotta follow your heart and your gut. I mean Kyle’s alright but you’re right; it’s been like a year and still he’s being like…well acting like you’re just friends when clearly you’ve given him so much saying that you’re not. I’m proud of you!”

“Thanks!” Brianna smiled happily and they hugged. “I can’t wait to see Jamie again; I feel like I just want to kiss him and tell everyone he’s the guy for me!” she laughed.

“He-he I’m sure we’ll see him soon enough.”

Mark returned from the bathroom. He gave Natalie a small smile.

The sound of the front door opening made Brianna look up expectantly.

“Mark?”

“Yeah Jaym?”

“Could you come out for a second?”

“Uh sure! Be right back girls,” he exclaimed, “You can start without me just in case.” They nodded.

Mrs. Talbot came into the kitchen and washed her hands. “I have some news you girls might be interested in,” she began as she dried her hands on a dishtowel. “There’s a dance at the hall tonight for the youth –it’s free. You’re welcome to attend if you’d like. I’m sure Carol would consent.”

“A dance? Yeah let’s go that would be fun!” Brianna exclaimed.

“I’ll go,” Ava smiled.

“Sure,” Ashley agreed, “I guess.”

Natalie nodded in excitement.

“I’ll go ask her then –you girls continue your game. Oh and I hope you don’t mind if Jamie goes too. I think Mark will also come –Jamie must be asking him now. If that’s alright?”

“That’s fine,” Brianna nodded, trying not to show her developing excitement.

“Yeah, yeah!” Ava nodded.

Rosemarie went back outside to find Carol, who was talking with her great-uncle tending to the sheep.

“Oh-my-God I’m so excited!”

“This is gonna be great!”

“Thank God we brought those tops!”

“I know!”

Brianna and Natalie grinned at each other in anticipation.

Rosemarie told them Carol was fine with the dance and they all made plans to go at seven into town; Carol, the four girls, Mark and Jamie.

The four girls finished their game and put it away. Mark and Jamie still hadn’t returned. The two best friends were getting worried.

Carol returned inside and the girls began work on their last project; patchwork pillows. They all immersed themselves in the task and by the time they finished, it was suppertime. 

Natalie and Brianna had secretly been thinking of Mark and Jamie’s whereabouts the entire time but couldn’t find a way to legitimately voice their concerns to Mrs. Talbot and Carol.

“Could one of you girls go out and call the boys in?”

“Sure!” Brianna agreed. She got out onto the porch to put her boots on and descended the stairs.

“Oh is it suppertime yet?” Mr. Talbot asked, walking over with the boys from putting things away in the shed.

“Oh yes I was asked to call you in.”

“Thank you!” Mr. Talbot smiled, “Well let’s go in and get washed up then.”

Brianna wanted to wait so she could walk up after Jamie but since she was right beside the stairs it seemed insensible and she quickly decided just to go up first. She’d see him inside anyway.

She went into the kitchen to help the women get the table ready while the men went to the bathroom to wash their hands.

Everyone sat down for supper. 

“Mark could you pass the mashed potatoes please?” Natalie asked.

He did so and she flashed him a smile. He returned a small, brief one and grabbed the salad.

“So we haven’t seen you all afternoon,” Brianna finally commented once people were well into their meals.

Jamie looked up knowing she was talking to him. “Yeah sorry about that. Went into town with Rosemarie for a few things and then had to take care of some business with the sheep and then went for a horseback ride. You girls were busy yourselves anyway I hear.”

“We made pillows,” Ashley declared, “yeah.”

“Yeah I’m no good with a sewing machine,” Jamie smiled at her and looked back to his food.

Brianna could tell something was bothering him but now didn’t seem a good time to ask. She’d inquire later when the Talbots and Carol weren’t around just in case.

After supper, the group shared clean-up duties. In the middle of the commotion, the girls noticed Jamie had disappeared again. While Natalie, Ava and Ashley went to the living room to start another board game (and sit with Mark), Brianna went outside to find the distant Jamie.

Natalie sat down beside Mark and gave his hand a quick squeeze. “Busy afternoon…” she murmured.

“Busy alright,” he muttered.

“What’s wrong?” she asked quietly after they’d sat in silence for several minutes with Mark looking distracted.

“It’s probably best not to talk about it here.”

“We’re going back to the cottage,” Ashley declared, “We’re bored.”

“Okay I’ll catch up with you girls later,” Natalie told them.

Once they’d gone, Natalie was left with the realization that the house was completely silent. Rosemarie, Tom and Carol must’ve gone out sometime while Natalie was busy trying to figure out Mark’s mood.

“Well?” she asked.

“Seems Brianna already has a boyfriend or something?”

“What?”

“Don’t play dumb. Kyle or something like that?”

“Oh,” Natalie murmured.

“There you go.”

“Hey wait it’s not what you’re thinking.”

“What Kyle is her brother?”

“No.”

“Then I think it’s what it looks like. You know, Jamie really likes –liked her.”

Natalie went to protest but heard the sound of the front door opening. Moments later, Brianna came through the kitchen.

“Oh hey Natalie can I talk to you for a second?” she murmured.

“Can I talk to you first?” Mark asked, sounding blunt.

“Um sure I guess…”

“I’m just gonna come out and say it. Jamie and I know all about this Kyle guy or whoever. I’m frankly just a bit more than pissed that you’d lead Jamie on like this knowing you already have some other guy. What did you think you were doing? What did you figure that this would just be some weekend fling and then it would be all good `cause you’d never see him again? Well I don’t know where you’re from but you don’t play around with people like that –I don’t care who you are. Jamie really liked you –though I doubt that means anything to you. And to be honest I’m almost not surprised at your immature behaviour. It’s exactly what I’d expect from a sixteen year old.”

“Mark!” Natalie exclaimed.

“What Natalie?” he snapped.

“Shut up!”

“No, this needs to be said. I’m not going to stand around and let this go unnoticed.”

“You don’t know anything about it,” Brianna muttered, a tear falling from her eyes.

“All I need to know is that Jamie heard you tell Kyle you love him. And not only that but not once this weekend did either of you mention him in the slightest which is both cunning and immature. Well good job.”

“C’mon Brianna let’s go. We don’t have to listen to this.”

“Natalie wait!” he sighed in frustration.

“Oh no Mark I think you’ve made yourself pretty clear! We should get going.”

The girls left Mark standing alone in the living room and rushed out onto the deck where they threw their boots on and ran to the cottage.

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Brianna murmured before they went inside, “Jamie must have heard me talking to Kyle. But he must’ve not heard me say the part where I told Kyle off… And now I see Mark has got it all right twisted!” Brianna let a few more tears fall. “I don’t know where Jamie went to so I could talk to him! Do you think he’ll still go to the dance?”

“I don’t know. I’m only going if you’re going,” Natalie decided angrily thinking about Mark’s harsh words moments earlier.

“I’ll still go. We told Carol we would and I need to get away from here for awhile and try and enjoy myself. And if Jamie’s there, I need to tell him the truth.”

Natalie nodded. Brianna wiped her tears from her face and they went into the cottage to begin getting ready for the dance.

When it approached seven O’clock, Carol and the four girls made their way to her van. The two boys came down the porch steps. They’d been sitting on the couch there waiting.

The seven of them all crawled into the seats and buckled up. The tension between the boys and two girls was thick and awkward. Oblivious to it all, Ava, Ashley and Carol began chatting excitedly.

“So do they put these things on often?” Carol asked.

“Every few months and in the summer up to every third weekend yes,” Jamie explained. “When Rose and I were in town this afternoon, I saw the advertisement and figured it’d be fun to go to if you were all interested since you’re out here anyway. Some people treat it really seriously and bring a date but honestly it’s just for fun and games…”

His words stung Brianna and she wanted to confess everything to him right there in the vehicle.

“It’s more fun to go alone anyway when you go with friends,” Jamie continued.

“Yeah,” Ava nodded happily.

“Well thanks for the invite Jamie. We appreciate it!”

“Yes,” Ashley agreed.

The rest of the ride was silent –they arrived a minute and a half later since town was only three and a half minutes’ ride from the farm.

Everyone got out of the van and headed into the hall –which was quite large considering the size of the town. Once inside, the boys split from the girls to say hi to some local friends.

They danced awhile and soon Brianna and Natalie separated from Carol and the other two. Bri was eyeing Jamie sadly meanwhile Nat was avoiding Mark’s gaze. “I can’t do this anymore,” Brianna confessed, “I’ve gotta ask him to dance.” Natalie nodded and Brianna left.

Natalie watched her go and upon seeing Brianna, Mark looked up towards Natalie. She moved into a crowd of people to avoid his gaze. How dare he say those things about Brianna –and about her too.

Brianna soon came back looking defeated. “He said no. And he wouldn’t listen when I was trying to ask him to just talk so…”

“How’d it come to this?” Natalie murmured. “Keep trying. He can’t avoid you the entire dance,” she encouraged. She felt like a hypocrite though since for the next half hour she did just that to Mark. He obviously was trying to approach her but she didn’t want to talk to him.

“I have to go to the bathroom,” Natalie told Brianna, having not seen Mark for a few minutes now. “If Mark comes to ask about me, shrug him off. I don’t want to talk to him.”

“`Kay,” Brianna consented.

Natalie left and pushed open the door to the girl’s washroom. She stood at the sink for a moment before suddenly the door flew open and Mark entered. He looked briefly around and after confirming that they were alone, he turned and locked the door.