Part 37 (1/2)
He grinned. ”That's okay. I'm more interested in the woman who makes them.”
And to prove it, he kissed her again.
”So when do you think you might be open to that date?” he said after they'd come up for air.
”Oh, maybe as soon as I call Mom and my sisters and tell them the good news,” she said with a grin.
She called Cecily first. Her sister was happy for her but didn't sound all that surprised. ”I just had a feeling,” she said.
”What else have you got a feeling about?” Samantha asked, smiling at Blake.
”Well, I've got a strong feeling that Blake is still there with you. Am I right?”
”Oh, yeah. By the way, we're going to be pretty busy rebuilding the company and I could use help with the marketing and advertising. I know you've got a life down there but I'd love to have you back here. I don't suppose I could talk you into coming home?”
”I don't suppose you could keep me away,” Cecily replied.
Oh, yes, life was looking good.
Samantha and Blake celebrated by going to dinner at Zelda's. ”Are you having dessert?” Maria asked.
Samantha smiled at Blake. ”Yes, but not here.”
Maria, no fool, cracked, ”Let me guess. You're going someplace for chocolate kisses?”
”Something much better,” Samantha said with a grin.
Muriel was walking on Lost Bride Trail with both her husbands. ”It looks like Sweet Dreams will be around for a long time,” she told them. ”Samantha saved it.”
”That takes a load off my mind,” Waldo said.
”Mine, too,” Stephen agreed. ”The only thing that would please me even more is to know that she's found someone who can make her happy.”
”I think she has,” Muriel said.
He smiled. ”I'm glad to hear it.” He looked up the path. ”We have to go now. Will you be all right?”
She smiled at both of them. ”Yes, I will. You two go on ahead. I'll be fine here.”
They both kissed her and then walked up the path. She stood watching until a mountain mist swallowed them.
She awoke to find herself alone in her bed, morning sunlight filling her bedroom. She smiled, then threw off the covers. It was a new day.
May had arrived and the countryside was lush and green with vineyards come back to life and blossoming fruit trees. This particular Sat.u.r.day was a perfect day for a hike, all blue sky and suns.h.i.+ne.
Blue skies or no, Samantha had planned to get caught up on her laundry and maybe clean her apartment. And she said as much to Blake when he suggested a hike. Cleaning had never sat high on her priority list but these days, between running Sweet Dreams and spending her free hours with Blake, it never happened. If she didn't do something soon, her condo was going to be condemned by the board of health.
”Come on, babe. On a day like this, that stuff can wait.”
When he put it that way... ”I'll get my camera,” she said.
Two hours later they were on Lost Bride Trail, the sun warm on their shoulders, the thunder of the falls promising a stunning view right around the bend. Normally it wasn't a two-hour hike to the falls-unless you stopped frequently to take pictures. Or kiss.
”I remember hiking up here when I was a Boy Scout,” Blake said. ”I guess I've come full circle.”
”Only without the boys,” Samantha said.
”I like girls better.” And to prove it he drew her to him.
As always, contact with that big, football-player body of his set off a thousand sparklers inside her.
He smiled down at her. ”Have I told you recently how amazing you are?”
”Oh, you're only saying that 'cause it's true,” she quipped.
”Yeah? How do you know I'm not just saying it to protect my investment?”
The answer to that was easy. The hungry glint in his eyes betrayed him.
He touched his lips to hers and threaded his fingers through her hair and that ended the joking. They got serious.
After a long delay they finally made it to the falls. ”Look at that,” she said. ”Gorgeous.”
”I'll say,” he agreed.
She turned to see he wasn't admiring the falls at all, and that glint was back in his eyes, promising another lengthy delay before they started back down the trail. ”Here,” he said, ”give me the camera. I'll take your picture.”
She handed it over.
”Pretend you're searching for the lost bride,” he said.
”Oh, that's B.S.” She'd seen the lost bride and...well, here she was with Blake. Still.