Page 132 of First Bride to Fall
“Then don’t get on that plane.”
Nell broke into a grin, and people started clapping. Their cheers escalated as she raced toward him. The security guards stepped back and unhooked the rope, and Nell ran past it like a sprinter reaching the finish line. She dropped her rolling bag handle and leaped into Grant’s arms.
He caught her, his heart full to exploding.
“I thought I’d almost lost you.”
“You’ll never lose me again.”
Then, to his joy, she kissed him.
And the airport roared with delight.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Nell turned to Grant when he pulled his SUV into a parking spot near the White Pines Overlook. “I had a feeling we might come here,” she said with a sassy lilt. She covered her mouth in a yawn. “I just didn’t think we’d come so early.” A purple curtain hugged the earth, and it was not yet daybreak.
He chuckled, then said warmly, “The sunrise will be worth it.”
She smiled at his handsome face. “Yeah. Can’t wait to see. It will be a first for me.”
“Watching a sunrise?”
“Watching one from up here.” Her cheeks warmed. “With you.” She glanced around at the darkened parking area, noting it was empty. “Doesn’t look like we’ll have much company.”
He kissed the back of her hand and grinned. “No.”
They both wore jackets and their knitted hats. It pleased Nell to no end that Grant loved his birthday present so much. It pleased her even more than he loved her. His arrival at the airport on Thursday had been so unexpected and amazing, and every day since had been like a dream.
They’d waited until today, Monday, for their hike, since Bearberry Brews was closed. In between Thursday and now, they’d spent tons of quality time together doing couple-y things, like going for a romantic dinner at Mariner’s, where they’d both had lamb stew. Nell’s parents had invited Grant and the whole family over for dinner, and her dad had fixed him shepherd’s pie. Everyone loved Grant, and her sisters were overwhelmed with tears and happiness when Nell told them about his airport confession.
She’d cooked for Grant at her cottage, too, and they’d spent most of the weekend laughing and cuddling, and playing lots and lots of Scrabble. Grant absolutely kissed like a waterfall, and she adored kissing him and receiving his kisses. She probably couldn’t be any happier, because she’d found her true love.
Nell had texted Aidan Thursday morning, and he’d been surprisingly cool about the change in plans. She told him she’d fallen in love, and he’d offered what had sounded like his sincere congratulations. So maybe Aidan Strong wasn’t such a terrible person after all. Her parents and sisters had all been super supportive. None of them were upset with Nell for changing her mind. All the opposite—they claimed to be extra glad that she had.
Grant stepped from his SUV, and she exited the vehicle, too, zipping up her jacket. It was a little windy today, but this time she’d dressed much better for their hike. Grant had helped her pick out an ensemble from his store in her favorite color: green.
“Don’t forget the rope!” she teased lightly.
He popped open his hatchback and winked. “On it. Although it’s mostly for emergencies.”
“Let’s hope we don’t have another one of those.”
Grant settled his headlamp around his hat and switched it on. “We won’t.”
His headlamp cast bright light ahead of them, illuminating the path. But dawn was breaking, so it was gradually growing lighter anyway.
Grant slipped on his daypack and slung his coiled rope over his shoulder. “Ready to get started?” His dark eyes sparkled, and Nell’s heart skipped a happy beat.
He held out his hand, and she took it. “Yep.”
“Great.” He pulled her toward him and kissed her on the lips, and she tingled all over.
Then he firmly held her hand and they headed up the path together, with shadows weaving through the trees.
As they walked, they chatted about things. TV shows, movies, local events coming up. Different things they wanted to do together. One of those was camping. Grant joked that since she was so great at it, maybe she should put up the tent, but she countered that she’d definitely want his help with that.
She smiled, thinking of her and Grant camping out together, which could be romantic in that tent. “I did kind of like those LED lights.”
