Page 51 of One Sweet Day I Found You

The only other two people out on the lighthouse deck climbed back down through the doorway, so they had the place to themselves for the moment.

Courtney’s eyes followed the miles of green fields, rows of trees, farmhouses, and barns. She turned to take in the deep-blue waters of the lake.

“It’s always amazed me how much the Great Lakes look like the ocean,” Nick said.

“I know, right? And it’s mesmerizing to watch it from up here.”

Nick’s eyes were on the water. “It really is.”

Gratitude didn’t begin to express the way she felt. He was just so amazing. She gazed at him, yearning to throw her arms around him. “It’s so beautiful, Nick. Thank you for taking me here. It was such a great surprise.”

Nick turned to face her.

The sun was warm but the cool breeze blew steadily. Nick reached out gently and took some of her hair, which was flying wildly around, and tucked it behind her ear.

“You’rebeautiful.”

He moved closer and cupped her face in both hands. He gazed into her eyes. It was finally happening. Courtney’s heart quickened. Nick reached down and kissed her softly on the lips.

She responded with soft kisses and he returned them with more. She put her arms around his neck as they stood there, and he pulled her closer. Her heart felt like it might explode.

* * *

Back on the ground,without the aid of the breeze that blew wildly on the platform at the top of the tower, Courtney once again felt the heat of the afternoon. She wiped the sweat from her forehead.

They wandered down to the water’s edge on the far side of the lighthouse where the island faced the magnificent expanse of the lake.

A twenty-minute break in the shade saw them hopping the rocks along the water’s edge. They stopped for a quick selfie with the lake in the background and another on the grass with the lighthouse.

Nick held out his hand, and Courtney grabbed it as she fell into step with him. It was time to make their way back to the side of the island where the tractor had brought them in.

Reaching the entrance, they saw the wagon idling near the ticket booth, waiting to fill with tourists before it made another return trip to the other side of the causeway. But only three people had come for the ride so far.

“Looks like it’s gonna be a while,” Nick said.

Courtney glanced over at the causeway and watched as a few daring visitors, who’d rolled up their pant legs, began to wade across the shallows.

“Look!” she said, taking Nick’s arm.

Nick turned. The bed of the lake along the causeway, covered in not just round pebbles but plenty of sharp stones, made the short journey more difficult than it otherwise might have appeared. Apparently, it was wise to take it slowly. But the people looked to be enjoying the trip nonetheless.

“Let’s do it!” Courtney shrieked.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah! It looks like so much fun.” Courtney’s khakis were already short enough not to get soaked. “Plus, it’s so hot out! I want to cool off.”

“Me too. Okay, I’m in.” Nick rolled up the bottoms of his shorts and they both took off their sneakers. He put his sunglasses back on and Courtney did the same. The sun was bearing down on them with full force.

Nick stepped into the cold water. “Oh, my gosh, so good,” he said, his eyes rolling back inside his head.

“Yes!” Courtney cried, laughing.

With shoes and duffel bag held high and dry, they made their way slowly through the sparkling blue shallows to the other side of the causeway.

* * *

An hour later,Courtney stepped out of an elegant ladies’ room lounge into the lobby of the Anderson Cove Resort, a popular waterfront facility with a hotel and restaurant. She twirled the skirt of her sundress playfully for Nick.

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