Page 42 of Always Another Sunset

“And those will be very lucky people,” JC said, not daring to let Bella doubt herself for even a moment. “You deserve this, and I couldn’t be more excited for you.”

Moving her face closer, JC saw Bella’s eyes take on an extra flicker of passion. “Exciting for us,” Bella murmured. “Everything in my life has been wonderful since I found you again.” For a fleeting moment, JC thought to tell Bella everything in her heart but then let it go. The moment was about Bella’s news, and what JC had to say could come later. In fact, an idea started to form in her mind, and she smiled as she closed the few inches between their faces to kiss the woman she loved.

Fluttering her eyes open,Bella slowly rose from a sweet dream. She and JC had been at the lagoon on the small island JC took her to when they went on that first kayak adventure together. Warm water, bright sunshine, and a very sexy JC. She smiled lazily and took in the fact she was in bed beside JC. Wrapped up with her to be exact. The woman had an arm draped over Bella and, by the sound of her rhythmic breathing, was fast asleep. Turning her head a little, she could make out the woman’s relaxed face by the faintest slivers of daylight coming in between the blinds through the bedroom window—a beautiful face. Open. Welcoming. Bella loved to look at her and felt warmth fill her body.

They had toasted Bella’s great news with multiple glasses of wine, and then one thing naturally led to another. Before long, they were both naked and enjoying each other in JC’s bed. A pleasant blush colored Bella’s cheeks as she remembered how her body reacted to JC’s touch. Her mouth. Everything about her. Their lovemaking was all she ever hoped it could be and simply another thing that added to making Bella’s world so wonderful at the moment. Life could not be better to the point it was almost frightening. She didn’t know why she warranted such happiness, but the thought made her smile.There I go again, not feeling worthy of joy,she thought.JC would be all over that negative thinking, reminding me I am more than deserving.As always, JC was her biggest fan.

She felt a cold nose on her arm and gently turned to look at the edge of the bed to find Gracie standing there. Her tail wagged when their eyes met. “Do you need to go out?” Bella whispered to the dog, and the tail wagged harder. “Okay. Let’s go.” Moving with infinite slowness, Bella released herself from under JC’s arm. The woman murmured something unintelligible before rolling onto her back. Bella froze until a slight snore started. Loving the comforting sound, Bella grinned as she followed Gracie out of the bedroom and across the kitchen. Opening the patio door, she let them both outside into the backyard.

Feeling the embrace of the cool predawn air and breathing in the sweet scent of plumerias, Bella walked to the edge of the pool while Gracie ran to the corner to do her business. A glance upward and she saw a sky filled with quickly fading stars. The whole thing was so welcoming, she slipped into a lounge chair and lay back against the cushions.How can everything always seem so perfect here?she thought with a sigh and realized that as much as she loved Oregon, and especially Portland, her heart felt happier with JC in Hawaii. Although it was too early in their relationship to make drastic changes, Bella felt a sense of calmness settle over her as she embraced the decision. There was no reason she couldn’t live full-time in Hawaii, assuming JC would be open to her moving in. Although she didn’t dare assume anything, she sensed Bella living there was precisely what JC wanted.

Gracie returned to her side, and Bella ran a hand over the fur on her black and white head. “You’d like it too, I bet,” she murmured. “I think I wrote my best words with you beside my writing table.” The dog wagged her tail, and she licked Bella’s a hand as if in answer. She heard the sound of the patio door opening and glanced to see JC coming out of the house. Bella frowned. “Oh, no, did we wake you?”

“Only by being absent,” JC said with a sleepy smile. “I rolled over, and you were missing from your spot.”

Bella started to get up. “Then, let’s go back to bed,” she said. “I was just enjoying the dawn for a moment because Gracie needed to go out.”

She watched JC search the sky. “It is beautiful. The first lightening of the night sky,” she said, and as Bella followed her gaze, a faint trail of shooting star darted across a part of the sky.

“Wow, did you see that?” she asked, and after a beat, JC nodded.

“I did,” she said. “Did you make a wish?”

Realizing she hadn’t, Bella paused and then smiled as she sent a message heavenward. She finally knew exactly what she wanted.

42

After a beautiful morning enjoying each other in bed, followed by coffee together on the patio, JC was running a little late but, if she was being honest, she didn’t mind. She was sitting on the bench seat in her bedroom, putting on her waterproof sandals before heading to the office for the morning’s kayaking tour, when she sensed Bella in the doorway. When she didn’t say anything for a moment, JC glanced up and saw her leaning against the door jamb seeming to study her. When their eyes met, she saw Bella swallow hard as if gathering her courage about something. “So, I don’t suppose your afternoon tour is full today,” she finally said, and JC furrowed her brow at both the strange behavior and the random statement.

“Actually, it’s not,” she said. “It’s only one group of three.” She finished with her sandals and stood with a smile. “Why? Planning to join us?” Bella bit her lip, making JC pause to really look at the woman. Something was going on. “Bella, what are you thinking?”

Bella hesitated for another moment before smiling. “Well, try not to pass out with disbelief, but actually I do want to join you kayaking this afternoon.”

Not sure what to say, JC studied the woman’s face for clues as to why she would suddenly be interested in kayaking again. After the last time, Bella was pretty clear she didn’t ever want to go. Still, she stood there asking about going. “I would love that,” JC finally said. “But I won’t lie. I am surprised by your request.” She stepped closer to Bella and pecked her on the lips. “I’m sorry, but I have to go, or I’ll be late. But if you’re only doing it for me, you don’t have to do that.”

“I know,” Bella said, stepping aside to let JC pass so she could grab her backpack and keys from the kitchen counter. “I want to go with you today.”

JC smiled, knowing better than to second guess an excellent opportunity to spend time with Bella. “Well then I’ll come home over the lunch break and get you.” An idea struck her, and her eyes drifted to Gracie, who was watching them from her bed in the corner of the kitchen. “And I’ll pick up Gracie too if that’s okay.”

She was rewarded with an even bigger smile on Bella’s face as well as a tail wag by Gracie at the sound of her name. “Yes, please,” Bella said. “That would be even more perfect.” As ideas formed in JC’s head, she had to agree. Having both Bella and Gracie with her for the afternoon would be fantastic, especially since it was a total surprise.

After kissing Bella again, JC headed for the door. “Then I’ll see you both in a few hours,” she said before leaving and jogging to the jeep. The morning was perfect weather, making her even happier. Unlike the last time they went kayaking, and a storm threatened, the forecast for the day was serene. Even though that trip to the island had proved to be the most important and memorable one of JC’s life, she hoped another chance at it might help Bella feel more confident. There were several fantastic places around the island to explore on the water, and she would love to share them with Bella if she was willing to start kayaking.

As she drove away from the house, she couldn’t quite believe what Bella suggested. No matter what the woman said, JC knew the gesture was primarily to please her.But why so suddenly?she wondered.It felt like she literally came up with the idea this morning over coffee.But I need to make the most of it.Thoughts about how to make the afternoon tour even more special formulated in her mind as she jumped on the interstate. There wasn’t time to plan much, but with a bit of luck, she could get Blake, who was still on desk duty, to help make some quick arrangements for her.

Standingon the beach watching JC and the others prepare the kayaks for departure, Bella hoped she knew what she was doing, and not only about the kayaking. There was a lot going on in her head. She was about to embark on another trip across the waves after she had basically sworn she would never do it again. The good news was the water today appeared calm. Waves lapped onto the shore in a gentle rhythm and were a far cry from what she experienced the last time. In the jeep riding over from the house, JC assured her the morning tour went as smoothly as a trip could go. “Honestly, the water is a perfect temperature, and the waves aren’t even a foot high today,” JC said, taking her hand as they rode toward the launching point. “And there is hardly a breeze to ruffle the ocean.”

“That is exactly what I want to hear,” Bella said, and as she surveyed the water from her spot on the beach, JC was right. Everything did look perfect for a trip across to the island. Gracie stood beside her. Although the dog had wanted to help everyone get ready, JC had impressed them all when she told Gracie to stay beside Bella, and she did. Still, Bella felt the excitement radiating off the dog. Her tail slowly wagged as she watched JC’s every move. Gracie may have belonged to someone else earlier in her life, but there was no doubt she was JC’s dog now. Their adoration for each other was sweet to watch. Luckily, the three tourists already reserved for the trip immediately fell in love with Gracie. They acted thrilled when they learned she would accompany them. The idea of a kayaking dog seemed to entertain them greatly, and Bella was eager to see it too.

But even the excitement of seeing Gracie kayaking could not erase her anxiety about what she wanted to say to JC at the island’s lagoon. With no ring or anything, she didn’t plan to make a big show of asking the woman to consider a life together, but it had felt appropriate to do it on the island. There could not be a much more beautiful spot. While the others on the tour swam, Bella hoped to finally have the conversation with JC about their future. The time had come to lay out her heart and be willing to make some life-changing promises. A phone call with her sister and her editor helped her confirm what she knew in her heart—living in Hawaii with JC was where she wanted to be, not only a few weeks here and there but full-time.

“Are you ready to get settled in the kayak?” JC asked as she approached Bella across the sand. Any reservations Bella had about her plans evaporated as she took in the broad smile on the woman’s tanned face. There was a twinkle of excitement in her eyes that was infectious.

Bella smiled back. “As I’ll ever be,” she said before glancing at Gracie. “And she is very willing. I can’t believe she stayed with me all this time.”

JC rubbed the dog’s neck. “She’s a good girl,” she said before looking at Bella. “Thank you for being open to letting her ride with us on the tandem kayak. It will be crowded, but I am confident with the water so calm today, we won’t have a problem with her in the middle.”

“I have no doubt you know what you are doing,” Bella replied, meaning every word. There wasn’t anyone she trusted more than JC, and the realization only solidified her determination to convince the woman they needed to be together. She pulled at the straps of her life vest, making sure they were snug before nodding. “I’m ready.”

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