Page 40 of There’s Trouble Brewing

Her hand was warm and steady in his as they moved toward the others, carrying this new piece of news into the celebration.

A couple of hours later, the grand opening was over, and they were leaving the coffee shop in a whirl of smiles and hugs. The night was wide open, the air sharp and cold, nothing like the heat of the party. They mounted their bikes—Emily hopping on her new one—feeling more at home in their gear than they had at the celebration, more in tune with the rumble of engines than the noise of the crowd. The ride took them past dark fields and along deserted roads, the town receding to a distant glow. It took them to where they could just be themselves—just them, with no questions or congratulations. The town pulled at their heels, but they only raced faster. They rode, knowing the overlook would be theirs, knowing they would be the only ones under the starlit sky.

Side-by-side, with the hum of their bikes between them, Mark enjoyed the crisp night air, feeling it clear hishead. Emily was right there with him, always matching his pace, and it felt more like home than anything else. The ride was free and familiar—nothing but their bikes and the road—the two of them and nothing more. They passed open fields, the stretch of Texas plains, a darkness full of promises. Everything was quiet and wide, and it belonged to them.

Emily gunned the engine as she took the lead. Mark stayed close, enjoying the sight of her taillights in the night—enjoying how she pushed him forward even when they rode. They sped along the empty roads, pushing faster and farther until Faith Valley was far behind them—a glow left in the distance.

They reached the overlook and parked their bikes. The spot felt intimate, like a secret corner of the world that belonged solely to them. Mark dismounted first, running a hand through his tousled hair, and gazed out over the sprawling town below. This was the very same spot they had kissed for the first time, the moment he knew he was in trouble where she was concerned. The view stretched out like a living tapestry, each flickering light in the town below a testament to their ability to overcome.

Emily joined him, her footsteps sure on the rocky path, and they stood together.

“This is where it all really started,” she whispered, her voice mixing with the soft wind. “Right here, where I knew I wanted to be with you.”

Mark turned to her, his heart expanding in his chest. “And I wanted the same. From that first kiss, there wasn’t a choice in the matter.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close against him. The night was cool, but her presence filled him with a warmth that radiated from his core.

Emily rested her head against his chest, and he kissed the top of her head gently.

“Do you think we’ll ever get used to this?” she asked, gesturing vaguely at their surroundings—the overlook, Faith Valley stretched out below them, their intertwined lives.

“I hope not,” Mark replied seriously. “Getting used to it might mean taking it for granted. And I never want to take us for granted.”

Emily chuckled softly and looked up into his eyes. “That’s very wise, Mr. Merlot,” she teased lightly, but her eyes held deep affection.

Mark couldn’t resist; he bent down and captured her lips with his own in a kiss that spoke of promises and futures and unbreakable bonds. When they finally parted, slightly breathless, Emily’s eyes sparkled with mischief and love.

“So we’re really doing this?” she asked after a while.

Mark nodded. “We really are. It’s going to be amazing,” he assured her. He kissed her forehead tenderly and whispered, “To our future.”

“To our future,” she echoed back softly.

The stars above them seemed to twinkle in agreement, their light gentle and guiding. They stood there for what felt like an eternity, wrapped up in each other’s arms.

Finally, Emily pulled back slightly, her eyes searching his. “We should probably head back soon,” she murmured reluctantly. “The town might start thinking we’ve eloped or something.”

Mark chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Birdie would have the whole town forming a search party by morning.”

With one last look at the valley below—their town, their community—Mark and Emily made their way backto their bikes. The engines roared to life under their expert hands, breaking the silence of the night with a promise of return.

As they drove back to town, Mark knew without a doubt that every challenge they’d face would be worth it if it meant they did it together. They passed the glowing “Welcome to Faith Valley” sign, and Mark knew it was true. They were home, together, now and forever.

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