“Mmm. Can we stay here forever?” Vienna shaded her eyes and looked up from the double chaise lounge.
Matt handed his bride one of the glasses of lemonade he’d retrieved from the kitchen of the private little casita he’d reserved for their Sedona honeymoon. “Sadly, no. You have an inn to run, and I have pets to take care of.”
She sighed. “I know. And I do love my job.” She shifted onto her side, tenderness suffusing her features. “But I love you more.”
“The feeling is mutual.” As he’d tried to prove not only over the past eight months but every day of the blissful honeymoon that had been distraction free.
Except for the very major distraction his wife represented.
He stretched out beside her, soaking up the warmth of the March sun on their secluded balcony.
“I’m definitely not ready to go back in two days.” She stroked a finger over his lips.
He captured her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Me neither.”
“At least I didn’t have to worry about the inn while we were gone. Paige has the routine down after her stint as substitute host last fall while Mom and I were gone. I’m grateful she was able to work inn duties around her blossoming catering business. She told me she has two new bookings lined up at Edgecliff. Apparently the historic estate is on a roll since it opened to the public for private events. But she assured me that preparing food at the inn will always be her priority.”
“That’s good to know. I’m happy for her—and for Andrew. I saw BJ at The Perfect Blend the day before our wedding, and she was singing his praises. I got the feeling he was in line for a foreman slot as soon as one opens up.”
“They deserve all the success that comes their way.”
“Amen to that.” He took a sip of his lemonade and swept a hand over the casita. “I know we both agreed to go low-key on this trip, but are you certain this was nice enough? I would have taken you anywhere in the world, to the fanciest spot on earth, if that’s what you’d wanted.”
She smiled and traced the line of his jaw with her index finger, leaving a trail of warmth on his skin. “I live in a luxury inn. Soon we’ll both be living there. The only luxury I wanted on this honeymoon was uninterrupted quiet time alone with my groom. This place fit the bill, and it’s met every expectation I had. As has the groom.” Her eyes softened in invitation.
Pulse picking up, he motioned to her lemonade. “Are you going to drink that?”
“I suppose I should. I don’t want to get dehydrated after our hike through the glorious red rocks this morning. And all this sugar may bolster my energy for any other glorious activity we might want to engage in this afternoon.” She arched her eyebrows, then tipped her head back and sipped the frosty drink, giving him a close-up view of her elegant profile.
He lifted his own glass and took several large gulps. The sooner they finished their lemonade, the sooner they could move on to the other activity she’d mentioned.
“Isn’t this weather wonderful?” She leaned back again, raising her face to the rays of the sun. “Mom and I would have loved these cloudless blue skies and balmy temperatures while we were in London last fall on her other bucket list trip.”
“I don’t think the weather dampened your enjoyment.”
“It didn’t—and London was a much better location for me than Vienna would have been. I know Mom was thrilled when I suggested we go together. I think she was afraid that once you and I got involved, she’d be a third wheel.”
“No more so than Cora or Kay are. Family is important.”
“Yes, it is. And I think it’s great that Kay decided to accept Cora’s invitation to move in with her. That beats living alone for both of them. I’m just glad she could break away for the wedding, with the ink hardly dry on her buy-in to the garden center.”
“She wouldn’t have missed our big day for the world.”
“I talked to her at the reception, and she seemed thrilled about her new venture. You really think she’ll be okay this go-round?”
“Yes. She worked there for six months to make sure it was a fit, and the accountant who audited the books gave the operation high marks. She should be fine.” He finished off his lemonade and set the empty tumbler on the table beside him. Enough chitchat. The clock was ticking down on their honeymoon, and he didn’t want to waste one more minute focused on anything but the woman he loved. “Are you going to nurse that all afternoon?” He tapped the glass in her hand.
She peeked over at him with an impish glance that super-charged his libido. “Do we have somewhere to go?”
“Mm-hmm.” He leaned over and nibbled her ear. “It’s not far in terms of distance, but a whole different realm awaits through that portal.” He motioned toward the door in the adobe wall of the casita. “Want to step through with me?”
In response, she drained her glass and stood. “I could be persuaded.” She held out her hand and smiled.
A millisecond later he was on his feet. He twined his fingers with hers, pressure building in his throat as he gazed at her beautiful face. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
She edged closer, until nothing but a whisper separated them. “I believe I’ve only heard that four or five times today. You’re slipping.” An enchanting dimple dented her cheek.
“Maybe I should let actions speak louder than words.”
“Maybe you should.”
When he tugged her toward the door, she followed without protest.
And as he led her inside, his heart overflowed.
For with her sweetness and generous spirit, this special woman had refreshed his soul and illuminated his world—as she would continue to do for all their tomorrows in a tiny seaside town with the appropriate name of Hope Harbor.
A magical place where his heart had healed . . . and love had bloomed.