Page 60 of Love's Bloom
“Thanks, but I’d better drive my car. I don’t have to worry about picking it up from here tomorrow.”
As they approached her cabin in the dark, Misty glanced in her rearview mirror at David’s truck behind her. She was grateful he wanted to make sure she was safe. Her security system helped make her feel protected, but after seeing David making his karate moves, she felt even safer.
Sugar's barks could be heard before they even reached the front door.
“Guess she takes her job seriously,” said David.
“She’s sweet with others but a real watchdog at home,” said Misty.
Misty opened the door and punched in the code for the security system. Sugar wiggled with happiness at seeing them. Misty picked her up and hugged her as she walked to the kitchen. She checked to make sure Sugar had eaten, and her water bowl still had plenty.
She opened the sliding door for Sugar and turned on the outside lights. “It’s still a lovely evening outside,” she said to David. “What can I get you to drink?”
“How about a cold glass of water?” said David.
“I can do that,” Misty said, giving him a wide smile. Being with him was just what she needed after such an eventful day. “I’ll be right back.”
She filled two glasses with ice water, grabbed an envelope from her purse, and returned to the deck.
“Here you go,” she said, handing him his water. “Now, I get to see where Emmett is taking Crystal for their honeymoon.” She set down her glass and held up an envelope. “Emmett put the information inside here and wouldn’t say anything about it to anyone but his replacement for fear his surprise would be ruined. But he wanted someone in the family to know where they’d be for emergency purposes.”
She opened the envelope, stared at the words, and let out a whoop of joy. “Paris! They’re going to Paris! I’m so excited for Crystal. It’s something she’s always wanted to do.”
David grinned. “Nice.”
Misty folded the paper and set it aside. “Let’s toast to that!” She raised her glass, and playing along, David clicked his glass against hers.
“How did you think everything at the wedding went?” Misty asked him. “Emmett’s father is something else. As nice as everything turned out, I know Crystal is relieved to have the wedding behind her.”
“Senator Everett Chamberlain is a first-class jerk,” said David. “He makes me realize how lucky I am with my parents. Emmett is a strong guy, perfect for Crystal.”
“I think so, too,” said Misty, letting out a sigh of appreciation. Sugar came up to her, and Misty stroked her soft curls, loving the feel of them. She gazed over at David, and a sense of peace filled her. She couldn’t help wondering how their relationship would continue to grow.
“Thanks for the drink,” said David, standing. “I have to be up early for a project with the new owners of a house in The Woods. But tomorrow night, there will be no such curfew.”
He held out his hand, and she took it.
Standing in front of him, seeing the flush of his cheeks as he gave her a sexy look, Misty’s heart raced. She pushed away thoughts of how big, how tall, how strong he seemed and closed her eyes in time for his lips to meet hers.
A thread of heat burned its way through her, filling her with desire. He pulled her closer, and she moved against him, trying to forget Vince’s arms around her, holding her too tight.
David lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. “It’s all right. You’re shivering.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he said and gently wiped a tear from her cheek. “Let’s just think of this as practicing, allowing you to become used to me, to us.”
“I like that,” she said and forced a smile though her heart was pounding.
He lowered his lips to hers once more, and this time, she thought only of him.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The next morning, Misty sat with Hazel in her kitchen, rehashing the wedding.
“I’m relieved for Crystal that Emmett doesn’t want to be part of all the campaigning. It makes her life much easier. Emmett’s father is someone I wouldn’t want to spend a lot of time with.” Hazel shook her head. “But he didn’t ruin the wedding, after all. In a way, it’s best he wasn’t there for the ceremony, which was so sweet.”
“I agree,” said Misty. “Emmett is a great guy. Thoughtful too. I can only imagine the joy on Crystal’s face when she learns they’re flying to Paris for their honeymoon. She’s wanted to go there forever.”
