Chapter Twelve A picnic in the woods served as their late afternoon meal. Duncan and Caitlin sat shoulder to shoulder, holding hands quietly on a blanket in the shade of an ancient oak, their backs against its sturdy trunk. Stealing a kiss now and then, and laughing while they watched Tanya's comical antics as she chased butterflies and bees through the softly waving grass and wild flowers nearby. Satisfied to just sit quietly and enjoy their peaceful surroundings, Caitlin sighed and lay her head on Duncan's shoulder. Releasing her hand and wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he eased her back against his chest and kissed the top of her head as she nestled her forehead in the curve of his neck. "Umm, this is nice," she murmured closing her eyes and listening to the buzz of the insects and chirping of the birds. Feeling completely relaxed and happy as she rested against him. Smiling at her words of contentment and looking skyward he noticed the sun was getting lower in the sky and it would be getting dark soon. They should start packing up and heading back to the cabin. But, he hated to break the spell of this precious moment. He hadn't felt such peace for a long time. He wanted to savor it for as long as he could. Waiting until the last bright streaks of sunset began to disappear, he kissed Caitlin's temple realizing she had fallen a sleep and whispered. "Caitlin, Caitlin, it's time to go, it'll be getting dark soon." Rousing from her cat nap, she smiled up at him. "So soon?" Nodding, he rose to his feet while pulling her with him. Together without speaking, reluctant to break the spell, they packed the picnic basket, folded up the blanket and walked hand-in-hand towards the cabin, with the exhausted Tanya trailing quietly behind them.