Page 33 of Her Surprise Vacation Date

“I’m Faith.” The older woman turns to me and says with a cheeky grin, “If we’re Faith and Hope, then you must be Love.”

“Close enough,” I reply with a chuckle. “I’m Shane. I aminlove though.”

Hope glances up at me but doesn’t say a word. A flicker of emotion passes over her face that makes me wonder if I should be concerned.

Meanwhile, Faith humors me with an amused eyeroll.

“You know what? I’m feeling generous today,” Faith declares as she gives the suitcase a push in Hope’s direction. “Here, take your luggage and go ride off into the sunset together.”

Hope gasps. “Really?! Thank you, Faith!”

I pull out my wallet. “Let me pay you for it.”

“No need. Save your money and treat your girl to a nice meal. Be sure to hold onto this one. I can tell she’s a gem.”

I couldn’t agree more. Watching Hope embrace her suitcase like it’s a prodigal child who’s returned home puts an automatic smile on my face. She’s one of a kind, and I love everything about her. Put me on board the love train and cut the brakes because I’m ready to go full steam ahead with this relationship.

My only concern is if Hope is as committed as well.

CHAPTER 17

Hope

“Everyone has a photographic memory;some just don’t have the film.” ~Unknown

I’ve stepped into the Twilight Zone, and it’s much stranger than I ever expected.

Okay, I’m not actually in an alternate reality, but I might as well be. After spending the day in Solvang, Shane and I are back in our room at the inn brushing our teeth. Together. In front of one sink. Our reflection in the mirror is proof that I’m not dreaming, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d be here. Me in my leggings and a top and him in shorts and a T-shirt. My bare feet rock back and forth on the cool tile floor as a wave of worry crashes over me. This is too good to be true. Shane is too good to be true. Why me? Out of all the women in the world, why would he ever fall for me?

Shane spits out his toothpaste, then rinses his mouth. His gaze stays on me as I do the same. Once we’re both no longer foaming at the mouth, we exchange an easy smile, and mystomach suddenly lurches. Easy—that’s what worries me about this whole thing.

“Don’t you think it’s strange how fast everything’s happening between us?” I ask him. “It’s disconcerting, to say the least. Nothing ever goes this smoothly for me.”

“Maybe that’s because you haven’t had me around,” he jokes.

“I’m serious, Shaney.”

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, not everything’s been smooth sailing. My sister’s still on the fence about us.”

I sigh deeply. “Thanks for reminding me. Not that I forgot about Ames, but I’m praying she comes around. We’ve been friends forever; I can’t imagine there’s anything that could change that. But if not, I don’t know what I’ll do. I can’t choose between you guys. The only option then would be to join a convent or something.”

“A convent?” Shane laughs. The sound rings hollow, though, even with the acoustics of the bathroom. He reaches over and takes my hands in his. “Please don’t become a nun. I stand a slim chance if you have to choose between me and Amelia, but me and God? I might as well submit my application to the monastery now.”

“You’d become a monk if we couldn’t date? Come on now. There are plenty of other fish in the sea!”

“But they’re not you.” He places a kiss on one of my palms. “I can’t imagine kissing any other woman after kissing you. You’re it for me, Hope.”

“It’s only been two days, Shaney. Maybe you should wait at least a couple hundred more before saying something so final like that.”

He leans his head back against the wall, his expression somber. “What will it take for you to believe me? I want to be with you and only you.”

My chest twinges to hear the sincerity in his words. What in the world is wrong with me? I’d been so ready to jump headfirst into relationships with half-hearted guys, but here I am experiencing cold feet with a man who actually wants commitment.

Not just any man. But possibly the best man I know, aside from Jesus.

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, Shaney. I guess I got used to being disappointed by guys. You know my dad left my mom and me when I was a baby. The two relationships I had in college didn’t work out. Then there were Ned and Fred; you know what happened with them.” I release a shaky breath. “I have no idea what to do when a guy actually wants to be with me.”

“Hey, come here.” Shane draws me close and rubs my back. “I’m sorry you’ve been so hurt and disappointed. Those guys didn’t know what they were missing, especially your dad. He didn’t leave because of you, Hope. From what Amelia told me, he had a lot of problems of his own. You know that, don’t you?”

---