Page 34 of First Bride to Fall
Before Nell could reply, Grant asked her, “Your sisters again?”
“Ah, yeah.” She tucked away her phone. “Just checking in.”
He laughed. “You’ve got a very involved family.”
“Yeah.”
“They must love you a lot.”
“They do. And I…” Her heart seized up. What was she doing to Misty and Charlotte by focusing on her own happily ever after? Essentially relegating one of them to five cold years of misery with Aidan Strong. “I love them, too,” she finished, guilty thoughts consuming her. She shook them off, reminding herself that this was a fair contest between the three of them, and they were likely working just as hard to beat her as she was them.
But this was her moment to shine and emerge victorious.
Operation First Bride might have stalled a bit on that summit in the rain, but it was fully back on track now. Had been coming back on track ever since Grant carried her down the mountain and took her to his cabin for shelter during the storm. Now that storm had lifted and they were experiencing an incredible rainbow together, just like the happy ribbon of light that was glowing ever brighter in her soul.
She was liking Grant so much, and he was liking her for the things in common that they shared and because of how well they got along with each other. A few minor differences didn’t matter so much, like them enjoying different types of foods—or him not drinking coffee. And even if she’d never been camping, she’d be more than happy to go and learn something new. That would be fun, but she’d probably better let him pick out the tent.
“You’ll have to text me that photo,” he said.
She recalled she had his number from when they coordinated about the hike. “All right,” she said, giddily retrieving her phone again and sending the image on. “There!”
“Thanks.”
A slew of freaked-out text messages from her sisters popped up on her phone.
Then the screen went black, and her cell died.
Oh, well. At least she’d sent Grant that photo!
He spun them back toward the falls, and they admired the view for a bit longer. This was probably one of the most special moments Nell had ever experienced in her lifetime. And, wonderfully, she was experiencing it with Grant.
After a while, he peered over his shoulder. “Ready to head back now?”
But it was so breathtaking here she couldn’t bear to leave. More clouds lifted, and the sky burned bright blue as the spectacular rainbow began fading.
“Just another minute.”
He nodded and gazed up at the waning rainbow, lost in his own thoughts.
She could only hope that those thoughts were positive ones about her. Because there was no question about it. She was definitely seeing Grant as someone special—and not just in an abstract fantasy way anymore; in a real flesh-and-blood way. The more she learned about him, the more surprised she was by her attraction to him, which only kept growing stronger.
She gazed up at the rainbow’s brilliant arch, and her heart beat faster.
Miracles happened every day.
Maybe it was finally time for a miracle to happen for her.
Chapter Eight
Grant carried Nell back into the cabin and deposited her on the sofa.
He’d never forget that rainbow or the excited glow on her face when he’d snapped that selfie. He was glad he’d asked her to send him a copy. That was an adventure worth remembering. This whole day was worth remembering. He still felt bad about Nell twisting her ankle, though.
“Thanks for the nature hike,” she said, shucking her jacket. She smiled, and he felt all warm and tingly inside. Nell definitely had an effect on him, even when she was inventing wild stories about made-up camping trips. He chuckled to himself over her very obvious lack of knowledge regarding the basics. Tents were essentially either single- or double-walled these days, though all of them had four sides, of course.
She lacked knowledge in the hiking department, too.
If she’d told the camping fib to make him like her better, he was inclined to give her a pass. He just wasn’t sure why she’d signed up for this morning’s hike to begin with. She’d clearly been in over her head.
