Chapter 24 - Page 341 - Jim's Big Surprise

   "Jim," Rhasha said, are you okay?"

   "I'm okay," Jim said between huffs and puffs. "Are you?"

   Rhasha began to cry again. "I'm sorry, Jim. I can't believe I did that."

   Jim straightened, pulling Rhasha up with him. His breathing was returning to normal. He put his arms around her and held her tight. "Sweetheart," he said, "everyone makes mistakes. I just thank God no one was hurt."

   Relieved that Jim wasn't upset with her, but still angry with herself, Rhasha hung her head.

   Jim released his hold on her and pushed her head high with his fingers. He kissed her gently on the lips. "Do you want to have some fun?" he asked, hoping to cheer her.

   Rhasha forced a smile. "Yes, but what do you want to do?"

   Jim smiled. "It's a secret. I can't tell you right now."

   Rhasha smiled again, but this time it wasn't forced. "Ohhh Jim, that sounds like so much fun. We're going to play 'I have a secret.'" She sounded as if she was the first person who had ever used that term.

   Jim knew Rhasha was teasing him. He laughed. "No, we're going to play I have a secret."

   He took her hand and pulled, indicating that he wanted her to follow him. She did. Jim led Rhasha down the hill to their picnic site. When they got there, he asked her to sit in the center of the blankets.

   "Rhasha," he said, "I'm going to leave for a few minutes. While I'm gone, would you put all the picnic stuff back in the box?"

   Rhasha smiled. "Sure Jim," she teased, "that sounds like so much fun."

   Jim grinned. "Maybe for you, angel."