Page 40 of Finding Home at Hearts Hotel

Then, she heard the deliberate sound of boots stepping through the dry sand, moving toward her from the left.

The footsteps stopped directly in front of her. She could feel the sudden, comforting presence of someone standing very close, radiating a steady protectiveness that seemed to block out the cool sea breeze. A split second later, a highly familiar scent drifted over her, the clean, crisp fragrance of cedar wood, and the familiar soap he always used.

Maggie’s breath stalled completely in her throat, her heart going wild as her fingers began to tremble.

Michael

Michael stood in the center of the spacious living room of Martin’s hotel suite, his eyes narrowed in deep suspicion as the guys gathered around him. He’d spent the last hour trying to relax, fully expecting a quiet evening of reviewing his wedding checklist and discussing local property codes with his stepfather. Instead, Martin, Owen, and Darius had burst into the room holding a thick silk blindfold, announcing that his bachelor party was officially underway.

"I am going to need you to put this on," Martin said, holding the silk band out with a broad, mischievous grin.

"Absolutely not," Michael countered, taking a step backward and crossing his arms over his chest. "I am forty-five years old, I havea major wedding scheduled for tomorrow morning, and I've zero desire to participate in any business hazing rituals."

"It's not a hazing ritual," Owen laughed, adjusting his glasses. "It's a highly sophisticated, family-friendly event. Just put the blindfold on."

"Guys, remember we're not young anymore, and we have tweens with us tonight," Michael warned them nervously, his eyes moving toward the entryway where Jake and Toby were standing.

"Don't worry," Jake called out, stepping into the room with a wide, confident grin. "We’ve got you."

"You know I love you, kid," Michael told him, his legal mask slipping into a look of genuine, protective affection. "But that gives me wholly no confidence at all."

Jake and Toby both snorted with laughter, not at all offended by his statement as they stepped closer to the huddle.

"Well, you can trust us tonight," Toby promised him, his voice carrying that surprisingly philosophical wisdom that always made him sound like a miniature professor. "The five of us came up with the theme for your celebration ourselves. It is wholly PG."

"Can you at least give me one small clue before I surrender my sight?" Michael asked, letting out a heavy, defeated sigh as he finally relented and let Martin tie the silk sash securely behind his head.

"You once told Gran, during a very intense game of truth-or-dare last summer," Jake answered, his boots clicking against the flooras he guided Michael toward the door, "exactly what your most memorable moment on this island was."

"Okay..." Michael frowned beneath the dark fabric, his analytical mind trying to recall that specific summer evening on the porch. "I'm still not following the connection."

"Well, we're giving you that exact moment back tonight," Toby told him, his fingers lightly guiding his elbow down the corridor. "Just watch your step."

Michael let out a slow breath, his heart taking an unruly, rapid leap as the group guided him out of the lobby and toward the waiting vehicle. He was thoroughly baffled by their cryptic hints, but as the car door opened and he slid onto the leather seat, a hot wave of anticipation chased away his lingering hesitation.

They didn't drive for very long, making only a few unhurried turns before the tires rumbled over gravel and the engine cut out.

The interior of the vehicle went wholly silent.

"Okay, we're here," Martin’s voice announced, the sound of the car door opening letting in the fresh, cool night wind. "Watch your head as you climb out."

Michael stepped down onto the loose gravel, his boots instantly sinking into the dry, shifting sand. The air was cool, carrying the sharp, sweet fragrance of night-blooming jasmine and the unmistakable, clean scent of the gulf.

Were they at the beach?

His face dropped, the realization hitting him like a physical blow. His heart thudded violently against his ribs as a massive wave of beautiful, overwhelming memories came floodingback all at once, making his chest feel incredibly tight. He remembered the exact night of their senior prom, the feeling of Maggie's hand holding his as they slipped away from the crowded gymnasium to run down to the shoreline, and the sweet, terrifying perfection of their very first kiss.

They walked him forward through the sand, his steps slow and deliberate as he trusted his friends to guide him. Finally, they stopped him.

"Stay right there," Owen whispered, his hands releasing his shoulders.

Michael stood still in the darkness, the wind rustling the sea oats nearby. He heard footsteps retreating, and then, the sound of someone else standing directly in front of him. He could feel her presence blocking out the cool gulf breeze, and a second later, the sweet, familiar scent of her vanilla perfume drifted over him, making his pulse race with an intense, powerful hope.

A fraction of a second later, a firm hand reached out, untying the silk knot at the back of his head.

The blindfold slipped away, and Michael blinked against the sudden glow of the firelight. He turned his head, his heart thundering against his ribs as his eyes locked onto the beautiful woman standing right beside him, her own blindfold currently being pulled away by Linda’s gentle fingers.

Maggie.