The days leading up to their date passed by agonizingly slow. And now that the moment had finally arrived, Colt teetered between nervous and exhilarated.
He still couldn’t get over the vision of Penny waiting to greet him on the sidewalk that afternoon, her slender figure showcased in a long, flowing dress more vibrant than the summer sun. Her striking auburn hair fell around her shoulders in soft waves, and he’d longed to run his fingers through the silky strands.
But first, they needed to arrive at their intended destination—Penny’s happy place. He’d spent an entire day tracking down the right beach, and he hoped she would forgive his snooping once she realized the reason behind it.
As they zipped around winding mountain roads in Penny’s Mustang, Colt regretted not having a car of his own. While they’d made leaps and bounds in the adventure department, she staunchly refused to lay a finger on his motorcycle, let alone ride on the back of it. Not that it would matter in a few weeks. If his plan came to fruition, they wouldn’t need either mode of transportation.
He stole a glance at Penny in the passenger seat, noticing the way she sat up a little straighter when they reached a familiar fork in the road. When he veered to the right, she turned to gape at him in bewilderment.
“Wait. We’re not headed where I think we’re headed… are we?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” He flashed a devilish grin, enjoying the ardent curiosity sprawled across her features.
As they approached the towering wooden archway, Penny’s gaze darted from Colt to the rustic sign. “We’re going back to Lupine Ridge Ranch?”
He chuckled at the incredulity in her voice.
“I mean, clearly we are,” she said in a rush. “But why? Are we horseback riding again?”
He sensed the faint hesitation in her tone and smiled. “Nope. I called in a favor.”
And if he were honest, it wasn’t an easy phone call to make. Rational or not, he viewed Hunter as a rival, of sorts. And he didn’t relish having to rely on him to make Penny’s special day a reality. But in the end, it was well worth a blow to his pride. And once again, Hunter had proved to be a stand-up guy. Possibly even a friend, if Colt planned to stick around.
When they deviated off the main road down a dirt path, away from the lodge and stables, Penny swiftly rolled down the window, craning her neck to ascertain their exact whereabouts.
Colt parked at the end of the narrow lane, and Penny’s eyes widened at the sight of Hunter standing near an enormous metal hangar. “Hunter?” She cast an uncertain glance at Colt. “What’s going on?”
“You’ll have to—”
“Wait and see?” she finished with a playful smirk.
“Exactly.” He grinned, climbing out of the car.
“Nice ride,” Hunter said by way of greeting. “Nineteen sixty-four?”
“Sixty-five, actually,” Penny corrected. “My dad and I restored it together.”
For a moment, he looked surprised. Then he tipped his cowboy hat in a show of respect. “You did a mighty fine job.”
“Thank you.” Penny returned his smile.
Heartened by the absence of his typical jealousy, Colt extended his hand. “Thanks again for letting us borrow her.”
“Anytime.” Hunter shook his hand warmly. “I don’t get to take her up as much as I’d like.”
“Take her up?” Penny repeated in confusion, glancing between them.
“My gal, Molly. She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” Stepping to the side, Hunter gestured toward a cobalt-blue Piper Super Cub. With its large, durable tires and sturdy frame, it had earned a reputation in the aviation community for being one of the premier bush planes. And Colt wouldn’t mind owning one himself one day. If he ever settled in one place long enough.
“Wait. You mean, we’re flying… in that?” Penny balked, backing up a few steps.
Hunter’s forehead creased as he glanced at Colt in concern.
Prepared for her hesitation, Colt smiled calmly. “Did you know flying in a small aircraft is eighteen-point-five percent safer than driving a car?”
Her eyebrows raised a smidge. “Really?”
“Really,” Colt echoed with confidence. “And when you compare the stringent level of training necessary to acquire my pilot’s license versus my driver’s license, you were actually in more danger with me behind the wheel of the car than in the cockpit.”
This elicited a small smile. “In that case, I’m definitely driving on the way home.”
“Fair enough,” he chuckled. “Will that be taking place right now? Or afterward?”
She drew her bottom lip between her teeth, mulling it over. “Well, I guess I can’t argue with statistics. You said flying is eighteen-point-five percent safer?”
“Yep. And that’s only counting small, private aircraft. If you include commercial flights, you’re one hundred and ninety times more likely to be in a car accident than a plane crash.”
She tilted her head, clearly warming up to the idea.
“So…” he drawled, offering his hand. “Are you ready to be my copilot?”
With a meaningful glance that made his pulse race, she slipped her hand in his. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll have to—”
“Don’t tell me.” Her lips quirked. “I’ll have to wait and see?”
If Hunter wasn’t standing two feet away, he would have pulled her into his arms and kissed her tempting lips right then and there. Did she have any idea how deeply he’d fallen for her?
He could only hope that after today, there wouldn’t be any doubt.
When her feet finally landed on solid ground, Penny still felt weightless, as though she’d never returned from the clouds. She had no idea the planet looked like that—a stunning patchwork of God’s creation spread out before them like an inviting quilt. And to her astonishment, she hadn’t experienced an inkling of fear, only awe and wonder.
But the most euphoric part of the flight? The second they crested the rugged mountaintops and the breathtaking coastline came into view, its pristine shore presenting an arresting contrast to the hypnotic expanse of cerulean waters.
For several moments, she couldn’t move, lost in the bewitching beauty displayed before her. When Colt reached out and gently touched her forearm, she’d finally noticed the silent tears trailing down her cheeks. Entwining her fingers with his, she’d hoped the warmth and pressure of her palm would communicate the words her lips couldn’t.
Turning to him now, with the plane tethered to the tarmac, she couldn’t hold back her swelling emotions. Throwing her arms around his broad shoulders, she buried her face in his neck whispering, “Thank you, thank you,” over and over. Realizing her tears had dampened his T-shirt, she pulled away, wiping the moisture from her cheeks with the back of her hand.
“I take it you like the beach,” he murmured softly, the edges of his mouth curling into a tender smile.
“I’ve actually never been to the beach. But I’ve always wanted to. I… I can’t believe we’re here. Sort of.” She grinned, then hiccupped, sniffling as she glanced around the tiny, bare-bones airport. “I assume the beach is somewhere nearby.”
“It is, but…” He trailed off in confusion. “You’ve never been to the beach before?”
“No. Why? Is that strange? I suppose it is, since I live less than a day’s drive away. I’ve thought about going a hundred times, but something always got in the way.” If she were honest, ever since her father’s death, she’d never been brave enough to venture that far from home on her own.
“It’s not that.” He cleared his throat. “It’s just— Well, the photograph in your kitchen of the beach… your happy place. I assumed it was somewhere you’d been before.”
Her head jerked up in surprise. “When did you see that photo?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, a sheepish expression shadowing his features. “I wanted to take you to the beach for our first date, and when Bree told me about the photograph, it sounded perfect. So, I… stole a peek to look for an inscription. And sure enough, ‘Starcross Cove’ was scribbled on the back. I spent an entire day scouring the internet to find the exact beach, made a dozen or so phone calls, and… here we are.” A worry wrinkle appeared in his forehead. “I’m sorry if what I did crossed a line. It was never my intention to make you uncomfortable. And I promise, I went in and out of your apartment as quickly as possible. And I—”
Penny’s heartbeat thrummed so loud, the rest of Colt’s confession faded into the background. Overcome with emotion, she couldn’t breathe, let alone formulate a coherent response.
Colt had found the beach—her beach. And he’d remembered the trick about the hidden inscription. Why hadn’t she ever thought to look for it? She supposed she took for granted that every photograph or painting procured by her father, he’d already checked.
Penny focused her gaze on Colt’s face, her pulse fluttering at the anxious glint in his eyes.
“Pen, I’m so sorry. I—”
Popping onto her tiptoes, she curtailed his apology with a heart-stopping kiss—the kind that left her knees weak and quivering.
He hadn’t just given her the perfect date. He’d given her the world. And it meant more to her than words could ever express. Hopefully, a kiss could come close.
When their lips finally parted, he released a deep and satisfied sigh, lightly resting his forehead against hers.
Brushing her fingertips across his left cheek, she murmured, “Let’s go see this beach.”