Page 3 of Just One Kiss

As the float approached, Carly realized why it had taken so many hours to put the thing together. They had built a giant snow-covered slope onto a flatbed truck, and Jaden stood at the top in his ski gear, posed like he was about to shoot down the hill. It had been decorated with flags and a series of road signs that showed the address of the indoor facility Grady and Benji were opening.

On the side, a professionally created sign read,We bring the slopes to you, and on the top of the slope, behind Jaden, another sign read,Harbor Pointe’sIndoor Ski Training Center.

“Shouldn’t Grady be on the float?” Carly asked as the parade crawled forward. “He is kind of the big draw.”

Quinn squinted. “I don’t even see Grady.”

The music quieted and the float came to a stop in front of them.

“What’s going on?” Carly glanced at Jaden, who stood stock-still, the perfect model for Grady’s new business venture. Despite the oddity of the parade coming to a halt, she still found herself grateful to God for giving her such a good son. Growing up the way he did, without a father readily available until recently, she’d always worried that somehow the parts of him that a dad was supposed to nurture would fall short.

She knew it was still early and her son was only sixteen, but so far, he seemed to be well-adjusted, thoughtful and kind. She thanked God for answering her prayers that her son would possess those qualities.

“Quinn Collins.” The name came over a loudspeaker attached to the float, and Carly’s sister straightened.

“What in the world?”

Seconds later, Grady appeared on the back of the float. People had said many things about her sister’s boyfriend, but one thing no one could deny was how handsome he was. With his athletic build and just the right amount of facial hair, eyes that crinkled at the corners when he flashed that killer smile, the man had a whole lot going for him in the looks department.

And in other departments too. Quinn was different now that she and Grady were together. She took chances. She smiled more. She’d come out of her shell.

Grady Benson, reckless downhill skier, had actually been good for the reserved owner of a small-town flower shop. Who would’ve guessed?

“I’m not big on public displays of affection.” He spoke into a microphone, his voice echoing down the block. The crowd had stilled. The parade had stopped. Anyone within earshot was now looking at the Olympic gold medalist who’d infiltrated Harbor Pointe only a year before and only because his community service demanded it.

“But I thought I’d make an exception this one time because when you feel the way I do about you, you can’t help but make sure the whole world knows.”

Quinn covered her face with her hands, and Carly glanced at Jaden, who’d broken character to turn and watch as the guy who’d barreled his way into their lives a little over a year ago hopped off the float. As he approached Quinn, he never took his eyes off her, and Carly wondered if anyone would ever look at her like that. Genuine happiness, tinged with the slightest trace of jealousy, bubbled inside of her.

Quinn had found what most people never do—a man who kept his promises. A man who now got down on one knee in front of her, with a bevy of onlookers whom he seemed unaware existed. A murmur made its way through the crowd as people visibly strained to see what was happening.

“I want you to spend the rest of your life with me,” Grady said. He turned to Carly. “Will you hold this?” He handed her the microphone and pulled a small, blue velvet box from his back pocket.

People grew even quieter, as if they could hear what was being said without the assistance of the mic.

“Let’s get married.” Grady opened the box and set it on Quinn’s lap.

Quinn stared at the ring for several long seconds—seconds that felt like an eternity, even to Carly—then she nodded.

“Yeah?” Grady’s face lit.

“I thought you’d never ask.” Quinn stood and threw her arms around his neck as he picked her up and spun her around. The happy moment ended, as it should, with a kiss that was slightly too intense for public consumption.

Carly’s dad, Gus, stood. “Okay, okay, that’s enough. You’re holding up the festivities.” But their father’s eyes crinkled into a bright smile.

A smile reserved for his youngest daughter.

Quinn pulled away, but her gaze was still fixed on her new fiancé. “I love you.”

He kissed her again, then turned to go back to the float, but as he did, the crowd let out a collective gasp and someone from behind Carly shouted, “Is that boy okay?”

Carly followed the pointed fingers back to the float, expecting to find Jaden still in position, but instead she found an empty spot where her costumed son had been.

“Where’s Jaden?” Her heart kicked up. “Jaden?”

“He was just there,” Quinn said. “Grady, where’s Jaden?”

“We need a doctor over here!” someone from the other side of the float yelled. “This kid just fell from the top of the float.”

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