Page 49 of Cherishing Happily Ever After

“Especially because I got to be the one to show it to you.”

She looked up at him, her eyes full of happiness and…love.

She tucked her head against his shoulder and sighed as they looked out at the beauty together.

“I’m really happy.” He whispered the words, not really meaning for her to hear.

But a moment later, he heard her response.

“Me too.”

Stephanie spread out a blanket in a spot where they could enjoy the view, but they weren’t too close to the edge. Tink immediately found a corner of the blanket and flopped down. The puppy had done well on the hike, running her way up the trail, but she was clearly in need of a recharge.

Travis pulled out the sandwiches he’d made and they enjoyed lunch under the warm sun. When they were finished, Stephanie laid back with her head in his lap and closed her eyes. “I can’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed and just…peaceful.”

He stroked her hair and she had to fight the urge to purr like a cat, she was so content.

“You know what’s crazy,” she said, her eyes still closed. “We’re way up here and everyone we know is way down there.” She waved vaguely in the direction of the valley below.

“It’s true. And…”

“And I feel like we’re the only two people on Earth right now.” She opened her eyes and looked up at him. “Don’t you?”

Travis nodded. “I do. I like it.”

She smiled and closed her eyes. “So do I. A lot.”

They sat in silence for a few more minutes, letting the sounds of nature wash over them.

“You want to know something else kind of crazy?”

“Of course,” Travis answered.

Stephanie inhaled deeply and released her breath slowly. “The first time I came to Glacier Falls, I knew this town was going to change my life.”

“You did?” His hand stilled on her head.

Stephanie pushed herself up to a sitting position and crossed her legs. “I did. I don’t even really know how to explain it, but I just had this feeling that it was going to be about more than a wedding.”

His face transformed for a second and then Travis nodded. “That’s right,” he said. “I forget sometimes that you came here to get married.”

“I didn’t know you then.”

“I knew you.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

Travis chuckled. “Everyone knew you, Steph. It’s kind of hard for you to slip into town, you know?”

She shrugged. “But you didn’tknowme.”

He shook his head. “I knew you were sexy as hell. That was enough.”

She blushed a little. “Is it enough now?”

“Oh hell no.” Travis leaned back on his arms and stretched his legs out in front of him. “I mean, you’re still sexy as hell. More so, in fact.” He winked. “But now…there’s more, too. Now the only thing that will ever be enough is all of you.”

A warmth deep in her chest, under her rib cage, started to spread through her. “I feel the same about you. And it’s crazy.”

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