"In you go" she murmured, as the car boot opened and her collie jumped in. The summer evening was gently warm, and she wore a rugby shirt, soft joggers and a light glow of anticipation. There was a very good chance she'd meet her lover on the walk with her dog.
She drove with her phone clamped between her thighs. She enjoyed the sensation of his messages passing through to her; she didn't need to know the content on the 10 minute trip to the orchards. Three times the long, then pulsing, buzz of a message ushered her onwards, the last she relaxed into as she parked.
The dog set off at a million miles an hour chasing a ball, bright black and white blur. He looked up and barked happily, headed off down a side track to return, circling and skipping, with her lover rounded up. Two horses took up the parade and cantered up and back along their field, bucking and snorting happily.
She felt like bucking and running happily too, when she saw him, but instead just smiled. The smile lit her eyes and made her face open with joy. The evening sunlight haloed the auburn hair that flowed beneath her shoulders. He saw all this while tousseling the dog's neck and back, and couldn't restrain a smile too.
As she caught up with dog and man he reached for her, and their hands touched briefly. The path here was too open, too frequently used by others walking or jogging, to do more, but it was enough to give her a spritz of cheer. They walked together, one of them doing far more steps than the other two with a ball in his mouth.
The dog turned right between two stands of apples trees and the lovers followed. Their hands now twined together, and breathlessly she moved in front of him and kissed him, just once, but perfectly. They hurried onwards, knowing there was another turn ahead.
