Page 14 of Rose's One Night to Forever
“I’m glad we had that night, but I need you to know I don’t expect us to go there again today. Or tomorrow.” When she frowned, he chuckled, grasping her fingers and lifting them to his mouth to gently kiss her knuckles. When he spoke again, his voice had gone thicker but remained lighthearted. “I plan for us get there again, not too many days in the future, but this is a fresh start. No expectations. Just two people getting to know each other.”
She didn’t exactly sigh in relief, but the tension in her shoulders faded the tiniest bit. Enough that he noticed.
“I’d like that,” she admitted. “All of it. Getting to know you and the not-too-distant-future possibility of a repeat performance. If I’m being honest.”
“Honesty always,” he promised. “Now, I need you to help me follow the directions my brother gave me, because they’re supposedly simple, but I have no idea where TWP47 means I need to turn.”
He squeezed her hand then joined her in the car, waiting as she glanced at the directions.
Her lips curled upward. “This is where Cody suggested we picnic?”
“Is it not a good spot?”
She faced him, and her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Cody is obviously a romantic at heart. It’s a wonderful place and somewhere you absolutely need to see if you’re going to live in Heart Falls.”
They headed out of town and north for the briefest time, the summer fields glowing with life. Cattle ranged in wide-open spaces, all of it making his heart swell with happiness. “This isn’t so different from the grazing lands of Ireland.”
“I’ve heard that. Scotland as well, from what people say.” She pointed ahead slightly. “That’s our turn.”
They were headed toward the Rocky Mountains now, the huge peaks in the distance still capped with snow. The lower rolling hills close to them were verdant and the perfect setting for deities to play.
Chance smiled to himself. “Have you traveled much?”
“No. We moved here from Calgary when I was twelve, and I’ve been a Heart Falls girl ever since.”
Chance slowed as the road increased in steepness, winding back and forth through narrow hairpin turns. “Would you like to travel?”
Rose had her nose all but pressed to the window. “I would, but you have to admit I’m not suffering living where I do.”
They rounded another corner, and the valley spread before them in a dizzying display. Chance slowed to a stop and stared in admiration. “Fantastic.”
Green and gold and blue and brown. Every shade blended into a mosaic bursting with life. A river meandered through it all. The sunlight shone off the surface like a silver ribbon laced through the broad grasslands all the way to the eastern horizon.
He could have gawked for a lot longer, but Rose laid a hand on his arm. “Let’s go before someone else comes. There’s more to see ahead.”
Only five minutes later, they were parked in a wider part of the road, close to the mountain edge. Chance draped the picnic blanket over the bright red cooler that had been the only thing Cody owned to hold their food.
Rose offered her hand and tilted her head toward a barely visible path in the tall grasses. “This way.”
They had walked only a few paces when a strange sound tickled Chance’s ears. The next moment a park bench appeared beside the trail.
“What on earth—good God.”
He’d followed the line of Rose’s pointing finger to discover the prime view awaiting viewers on the bench. A waterfall cascaded over the nearest ridge, crystal clear spray shooting out. A fine mist drenched the nearby hillside.
Chance plopped the picnic basket on the bench so he could take it all in. “Jaysus. That’s brilliant.”
“Heart Falls’s namesake.” Rose seemed delighted with his enthusiastic response. They still held hands, and now she curled in tighter to his side while explaining the lay of the land. She pointed to the north, starting with Red Boot ranch. Chance could recognize the layout of the ranch and even the small cabin he currently occupied. Rotating in a slow circle, Rose gave the names and a little background on each of the families and homes visible from the viewpoint. Tidbits about the people she knew so well.
It was an extraordinary gift. He didn’t think she understood how much he appreciated the crash course on his new home.
“And in what you can see of town, you already know the community centre. That’s where everything from community gatherings to dramatic events and musical performances happen. Although we don’t get too many of those.” She met his gaze, concern in her eyes. “You’re opening an art gallery?”
“I am, but don’t worry that I’ve settled in the wrong spot. Trust me, I think Heart Falls will share my love for beauty.”
He realized he’d unthinkingly cupped her face. Stroking his thumb over her cheek. Staring into those expressive brown eyes.
She licked her lips. “Chance?”
