Page 72 of Hot For You

As for the explosion itself, and everything else bad that had happened, she appreciated that he didn’t bring it all up. She still had nightmares over the bastard who’d nearly killed her. Not a day had gone by since then that thoughts of all that had happened hadn’t flitted through her mind. But she was getting better, one day at a time. Time would heal the wounds as the memories faded and became more and more distant. Eventually, anyway.

She glanced out the window as he drove. After a while, her eyes widened. “Oh, my gosh. The red rocks are so beautiful.”

He gave a nod. “Yep.”

“That’s your surprise!” She gave an excited bounce in her seat. “We’re going to Sedona.”

With a smile he said, “You’ve guessed right.”

“I’ve been wanting to go since I arrived in Prescott.” She looked in wonder at the scenery. “This is absolutely incredible.”

He pulled off the road into a scenic outlook. “We’ll stop so you can take a look.”

Before she could climb out herself, like always he was there to hold the door open for her. She walked up to the overlook and gazed at the gorgeous rock formations and felt the spiritual pull of the place.

“It’s amazing.” She looked at him and smiled. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

After she’d had her fill of the view, at least temporarily, they climbed into the truck and were back on their way. They went through what felt like a dozen roundabouts as they headed through the Village of Oak Creek and into Sedona.

When they drove into the town, she looked in delight at everything around them. Soon he was pulling up to a rustic bed and breakfast nestled amongst juniper and pine trees. Manicured gardens surrounded the place.

“It’s beautiful,” Carilyn said in a breathless voice as Cody parked. Once he’d helped her out of his truck, he grabbed her small suitcase and his duffel bag and carried them into the B & B’s lobby.

Inside there were so many things to look at. Native American artwork decorated the cozy lobby. Cody checked them in and it wasn’t long before they were in their own room with a private patio. The room had a king-sized bed and a jetted tub in the large bathroom that was tiled with red stone.

“It’s wonderful.” She wrapped her arms around his neck after they looked around the room. “You are amazing.”

“Get ready, and wear the dress I told you to pack,” he said with a smile.

She felt almost giddy as she dressed and touched up her makeup. When they headed out, the day was waning and cool shadow lay over the land.

“It’s wonderful here.” She breathed deeply of the fresh air and stretched her arms wide. “More than this Kansas girl ever expected.” She closed her eyes and let the power of the place soak into her skin, soak into her soul. “I love this place.”

She opened her eyes and caught him grinning as he watched her and she grinned back.

They left the B & B and he took her to a lovely restaurant where they were seated in a corner at a table for two and given elegant menus. Cody ordered a bottle of Chardonnay and it arrived before they’d even had a chance to look at their menus.

After pouring each of them a glass, the server set the bottle down and started to light the candle at the middle of the table. Both Cody and Carilyn held out their hands in a stop gesture and said, “No!”

The server looked surprised but gave a slight bow and turned away. Cody and Carilyn looked at each other and laughed.

Carilyn shook her head. “I’ve had enough fire to last me a lifetime.”

The corner of Cody’s mouth quirked. “I’d say the same, but my career won’t let me get away from it.”

She studied him. “I don’t think I could go a day without worrying about you every time you went to work.”

He reached across the table and put his hand over hers. He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb in slow circles. “You don’t need to worry about me, Carilyn.”

“But I do.” She looked down at their hands before meeting his gaze again. “After everything, I feel even more like I’d worry every time you’d leave for the fire station.” She turned her hand up and they linked fingers. “But at the same time I’m so proud of you for doing something that saves lives. What you do truly matters.”

He raised her hand and brushed his lips over the back of it, causing her to give a little shiver.

She studied him before she said, “I booked a flight back to Kansas on Wednesday.”

He went still but his hand gripped hers tighter. “You’re leaving?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

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