Page 36 of Cherishing Happily Ever After

Which only meant one thing.

She was about to get her heart broken.

Or would she?

She’d laid it all out with him the night before. But he hadn’t really answered her, had he?Maybe…

“No.” She spoke aloud. “Stop it, Steph. You can’t make something into something it isn’t. And right now, this is what it is.”

Stephanie hated that saying. Always had. It didn’t even make sense.

But for the time being, it was all she had.

Stephanie took another deep breath and released it slowly before moving to the fridge to start breakfast. She didn’t usually go in for a big breakfast. Usually, a smoothie was good enough for her in the morning. But after the big day they’d had the day before and what was probably going to be another big one coming up, it seemed like a good time for a big fry-up. Besides, it would take her mind off Travis and what was quickly starting to become a tricky situation.

She pulled out a few eggs and some bacon from the bag of groceries Travis had brought. Her mouth started to water the instant it hit the frying pan. When was the last time she’d tasted bacon?

While it was cooking, with a few minutes to kill, Steph checked her phone. There were a list of missed calls from Faith and Hope, a few text messages—one from her agent, Lewis, one from Nick, and one from Bella. She ignored them all, and instead listened to the panicked voicemail from her mother.

“We heard about the flooding down there. Are you okay? You’re not out at that little cabin, are you? Let us know you’re safe.”

Steph shook her head. They’d know if they ever came to visit her that herlittle cabinwas actually very comfortable and well-appointed. No need for concern there. But it was nice that they still worried after all this time. Nice, but kind of intense sometimes, and she was not in the mood to deal with that intensity. So instead of calling back, she shot off a quick text message.

I’m absolutely fine. Very safe. Not to worry. The bridge will be repaired in a few days.

She checked on the bacon and turned the stove off. She looked out the window but of course there was no sign of Travis yet. With a few more minutes to kill, she picked up her phone again and pushed the button for Faith’s number. It was early, but not too early, and no doubt everyone was up around there anyway.

“Are you okay out there?” Her sister answered immediately. “We tried calling last night, but it went to voicemail.”

“Sorry about that. I had my phone off last night and before that, well, I was…busy.” She added the word lamely. It was a poor description for what had happened last night between her and Travis, which, although completely innocent, had been much more intimate in a completely different way. She felt much more connected to him now. As if she actuallyknewhim better and she—

“Busy?” Faith’s disbelief came through the phone. “Doingwhat?”

“Sandbagging.” It was an honest answer, even if it wasn’t the whole truth. “Travis was able to get some supplies before the bridge went—”

“The bridge went out?” There was a muffled noise as Faith must have held the phone away from her ear for a minute. “The bridge is out,” Steph heard her tell someone else. “When?” she asked Steph.

“Ummm.” She looked at the clock. “I don’t know…yesterday afternoon. Nick had just left and he got across, thankfully. Travis was just able to get here and—”

“I’m glad Travis is there with you.” Faith cut her off and then to someone else said, “Yup. He’s there.” And then, back to her: “Hold on. I’m putting you on speakerphone.”

Stephanie chuckled, and a moment later, Hope’s voice came across the line.

“Are you okay, Steph? The bridge is out and you’re stranded? Oh my goodness.”

“It’s fine.” She laughed a little. “Really. We’re safe and we have lots of food. We’ll be okay for a few days.”

“A few days?” Hope was incredulous. “Last time the bridge went out, it was weeks.”

Weeks?

Stranded in the cabin with Travis forweeks? A thrill ran through her.

Weeks.

Extra time that maybe they could figure out whatever it was that they were doing. If anything. Or…weeks…where they could drive each other crazy.

“Wow,” was all she said.

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