Page 133 of First Bride to Fall
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I thought they had romantic possibilities.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him, and he chortled.
“Domestic goddess and Greek god possibilities, you mean?”
She blushed, wishing she hadn’t told him about her silly fantasies. Then again, maybe it was okay that she had. They were in love now, after all. “Well yeah. Like maybe kissing under the fake stars.”
He kissed the back of her hand. “You’re making me really like that tent.”
She laughed.
They arrived at the summit before she knew it, and Grant paused behind her. “You going to need help going up?” She glanced at the rope and then at the sky, which was slowly opening up in orange and violet hues. In another short bit, the sun would start peeking over the ocean.
Her knees shook a little, and then she told herself she could do this.
“No, no. I’ll be fine going up! It’s just the coming down part that might be a little tricky.”
“No worries. I’ll help with that.” He patted the rope. “We’ve got this if we need it.”
He stayed beneath her to spot her as she made the short climb, and she arrived at her destination in no time. She grinned down at him, and he scrambled up to the top next.
Grant wrapped his arms around her waist from behind her as they gazed out at the spectacular view. They could see the ocean from here over the fall-colored treetops that were beginning to glisten red and gold in the blooming light. The scenery was breathtaking.
“It’s beautiful,” she said.
“Yeah.”
He offered her some water from his daypack, and they both had a drink.
“Want a snack?”
Now that he’d mentioned it, she was a tiny bit hungry. “What have you got?”
“Trail mix.”
That usually had chocolate in it, but she didn’t want to be rude by picking the chocolate out. “Um. No thanks.”
He grinned. “I also brought a blueberry scone.”
Her heart fluttered. “You didn’t?”
He dug a small container out of his pack and snapped it open. “For you.”
She kissed his cheek. “You, Grant Williams, are the very best boyfriend any woman could have.”
“Yeah, well. I don’t want just any woman to have me,” he teased.
Nell chuckled and contentedly nibbled on her treat as they both sat on a large rock.
He munched on his trail mix. “Any second now,” he said, pointing toward the ocean. And then she saw it. The very top crescent of the rising sun, casting its magnificent glow across the water. Nell caught her breath. “It’s so beautiful,” she said. “We’ll have to do this again.”
“Look at you!” he ribbed. “Becoming such a nature girl.”
She nudged him. “I’m learning.”
“Yes, you are.” His eyes twinkled. “Very well, too.”
He reached into his daypack for something else, concealing it in his hands.
