Single Wide Female in Love Complete Bundle: Books 1-4

by Blake, Lillianna

Just when I was about to open my mouth to complain, I was struck by the sight before me. The ridge overlooked the vast valley below. I thought the view from the helicopter was unbelievable but the view from the ridge was even better. A flock of brightly colored birds emerged in a wave from the tree line below.

  Max wrapped his arm around my waist and held me close to him. “Wow. It’s better than I thought it would be.”

  “It’s gorgeous, Max.”

  For a few minutes we stood in silence. I did my best to catch my breath. Then I noticed that we’d reached the end of the path. There was certainly no room for a helicopter. My heart sunk as I wondered if he expected me to walk all the way back down to where the helicopter dropped us off.

  “Where do we go from here?”

  “Well, for that, we’re going to need a little help from a friend.” Max winked at me and pulled out his cell phone.

  I braced myself for whatever amazing surprise he might have in store for me.

  “Hey, Marco, we’re ready when you are.”

  “Marco?” I raised an eyebrow.

  Max hung up the phone. He turned to look at me.

  “Remember, this is an adventure.” He held his hand out to me. “Ready to take the next leap?”

  “You’re making me nervous.” I grinned and took his hand.

  Chapter 8

  Max led me through some thick trees and brush. On the other side of it was more of the ridge, along with a zipline. A man stood not far off from the zipline. He turned as we approached.

  “Are you two ready to go?” Marco smiled.

  A zipline? I peered past the ridge. The depths of the valley stared up at me. I followed the zipline with my eyes in an attempt to see where it ended. In the distance, I could see another ridge that I guessed was where we would land—or more accurately, where I would never land.

  “Max.” I looked at him and shook my head firmly. “I’m not doing this.”

  “Sammy, it’s safe. I made sure that Marco was one of the best. Right, Marco?”

  “Yes. The line is checked three times a day for integrity. There are emergency brakes if there are any issues, but I’ve never had to use them. I have helped thousands of people do this. In fact, if you’d like, I’ll do it myself first—just to prove to you that it’s safe.”

  “See?” Max smiled. “Nothing to worry about.”

  “That is something to worry about.” I pointed to the deep valley before us.

  Max nodded. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Alright, alright. If you really don’t want to do it, then I’m not going to make you. I’ll see if I can get us a ride back down.”

  “Aren’t you going to take the zipline?”

  “Not if you’re not going to.” Max shook his head. “Sorry, Marco. Can you get someone up here to help us out?”

  “No worries, it happens.” He pulled his radio off his belt.

  “Wait.” I took a deep breath. “Why don’t I just put on the harness and see how it feels. Maybe once it’s on, I’ll feel more secure.”

  “That’s my girl.” Max grinned.

  “I didn’t say yes. I said I’d try it out.”

  “Sure.” Max gestured to Marco, who nodded.

  Marco carefully fitted us both with the harnesses. It was lighter than I expected it to be and rather snug. The material seemed very strong.

  “So how does the latch work?” I looked from the cable to the hook. “How do you make sure it doesn’t wiggle around or get stuck?”

  “I’ll show you.” Marco hooked the latch up to the cable. “See, this mechanism here will not release until it’s unlocked by me or Ron, who is on the other side of the zipline. Both the cable and the latch have been tested to withstand ten thousand pounds of weight.”

  “And it rolls smoothly?” I walked backward a few steps to see how the movement was on the cable.

  “Miss, wait!” Marco reached for me.

  I didn’t understand why until my heel slipped off the edge of the ridge. In the next moment there was no ground beneath my feet.

  “Max!” I shrieked.

  “Sammy! Hit the brakes on it, hit the brakes on it!” I could hear Max shouting at Marco.

  As I whizzed over the valley my screams echoed back at me. When I managed to get my eyes to open, I did see the beauty around me. My screams faded off as I realized that I was not falling. In fact, the sensation of the wind whipping across my skin and the weightlessness that the harness provided almost had me convinced that I could fly.

  I spread my arms and soared. It was such a light and airy sensation that I didn’t want it to end. My body felt free from all of the constraints of society—of my expectations and the expectations of others. It was great, until I saw the ridge that approached.

  I started to kick my feet. I had no idea how I would stop, or if I would land correctly. The closer I got to the ridge, the more I panicked. I closed my eyes tight. Just when I thought I would crash, I landed in the arms of a muscular man. He held me so tight that I thought I might burst. Considering that I’d nearly lost the contents of my bladder when I stepped off the edge of the upper ridge, that was a very real possibility.

  “Miss, are you alright?” He breathed the question in my ear as he settled me to my feet. “Marco told me what happened. If he had used the brakes, you’d have been stuck over the valley until we could get a helicopter out to you. I’m so sorry. That must have been very frightening for you.”

  I smoothed the hair back from my face and took a deep breath. “To be honest, it was awesome. I mean, I was terrified at first, but once I realized I wasn’t going to crash, the entire experience was phenomenal.”

  I had just gotten my balance when I heard Max’s voice from a distance.

  “Sammy, I’m coming!”

  Max’s shout carried through the valley as he zipped toward the edge of the cliff. I tried not to laugh as I took a step back to give him room to land. Max’s arms and legs were flailing through the air as if he was trying to make the zipline go faster. When he landed in Ron’s arms he looked right at me.

  “Are you okay? Did you get hurt? Are you going to divorce me?”

  I burst out laughing at the look in his eyes. “No, silly, I’m not going to divorce you.”

  “Are you sure?” Max stumbled out of his harness. “I tried to catch you but you stepped right off the edge of the ridge!”

  “I know, how crazy was that? I didn’t know it was so close. But I have to say, if I hadn’t been so clumsy, I never would have had the most amazing experience of my life. I mean, other than marrying you, of course.”

  Max’s eyes widened. “You liked it?”

  “Sure. It’s gorgeous and fun, and I can’t believe I didn’t want to try it.”

  “Wow. I think I missed everything because I was so worried about you.”

  “Well, then maybe we should go again.” I laughed.

  “Uh no, I think once was enough for today.” Max hugged me so tight that I think he was afraid I might step off the ridge again with no harness. “Let’s get to our campground for the night. We have a flight in the morning.”

  “The helicopter again?”

  “Not this time.” Max nodded to the guy who was helping us with our harnesses. “Thanks, buddy, it was great.”

  “My pleasure.” He nodded to us both.

  Chapter 9

  As Max and I walked down the path, neither of us seemed very steady on our feet. Sailing through the air across a valley could make a person a little dizzy. We leaned on each other as we made our way toward a clearing. I expected to find a tiny droopy tent—or maybe a run-down cabin at best. Instead, I saw what had to be the mansion of all tents—if it could even be called a tent.

  “What is this?” I looked around the large circular structure.

  “It’s called a yurt.” Max nodded. “I looked it up.”

  I had to laugh at the pride in his voice. Max had certainly gone to quite some lengths to make our experience as adventurous and inventive as
possible.

  “I think that if we try, we might just enjoy this.” I grinned at Max.

  “We’d better.” He tugged me toward the entrance.

  The interior was as surprising as the exterior. It had a full living room, a large bed, and even a small kitchen and dining room. It was as luxurious as any hotel room, but somehow cozier and still integrated with nature.

  “I tried to make sure we had some nice places to rest in between our adventures.” Max patted the edge of the bed. “And after this last one, I’m really looking forward to getting my arms around you.”

  I sat down on the bed beside him and smiled as he wrapped his arms around me. “Max, I never thought I would enjoy that zipline, but I really did.”

  “See, I can still surprise you.” He kissed the side of my neck. “Are you hungry? I can get something for us.”

  “Not now. Now I just want to lie down with you. If that’s okay?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” He sighed and collapsed back against the bed. “I’m exhausted.”

  I grinned and crawled up beside him.

  It wasn’t long before we were both asleep in each other’s arms.

  It was just about dark when I woke up. I looked for Max but the bed beside me was empty. I sat up and blinked in the dim light of the yurt.

  “Max?”

  There was no answer. My heart skipped a beat. I was being paranoid, but I didn’t like the fact that he didn’t answer me. I stood up and walked into the kitchen. Max wasn’t there either. I rubbed my arms and tried to stay calm.

  We were in the middle of nowhere. What could possibly go wrong?

  I heard a strange snapping sound. It drew me out of the yurt and around the side of it. Instead of a wild animal, I came across Max snapping twigs.

  He looked up and smiled at me. “I thought you might be getting up soon.”

  “Are you building a fire? I didn’t know that you could do that.”

  “I was in the Boy Scouts.” Max grinned.

  “You were? I didn’t know that either.”

  “It’s just about ready. Want to sit?” He gestured to a blanket spread out beside the fire.

  “Oh yes.” I plopped down on the blanket. “Do you need any help?”

  “I think I’ve got it.”

  He started the fire and stoked up the flames. Then he sat down beside me. I snuggled up to him.

  We had just settled in to roast some marshmallows when there was a loud growl from the nearby trees.

  “What’s that?” I leaned in closer to Max. My marshmallow fell off my stick and into the flames.

  “I’m sure it’s just the wind. It’s easy to imagine things out here in the wild.”

  I nodded. Then the growl came again. “Max, I’m not imagining that.”

  “No, you’re not.” He sighed. “Stay here. I’ll check it out.”

  “What? Why? We should just go inside.”

  “No way. We have more marshmallows to roast.” He stood up and walked toward the trees. I watched him go.

  Then all at once headlines started to flash through my mind.

  Groom Abducted by Wild Beasts on Honeymoon, Blushing Bride Too Good to Save Her Groom.

  I jumped to my feet. How could I let him go in there alone?

  I crept to the edge of the trees. “Max?”

  All I heard was the creak of the tree branches. There was no other sound. I stepped a little further into the trees. New headlines flashed through my mind.

  Bride and Groom Devoured on Their Honeymoon, Hungry Bear Has a Big Meal.

  “Sammy, I told you to stay there.” Max’s voice made me jump.

  “I couldn’t let you go out here by yourself.”

  “My hero.” He laughed and hugged me. “Don’t worry, whatever it was, is gone.”

  “Maybe we should give up on the marshmallows and head inside.”

  “Sounds good.” Max doused the fire, then we headed back inside.

  We snuggled up on the bed again. I traced a fingertip along the curve of his cheek and down the side of his neck.

  “Mm, that’s nice.” He turned into my touch.

  I met his eyes. “Max, this has been amazing.”

  “There’s more.” He kissed me.

  “You’re all I need.”

  “You have me. But first thing in the morning, we fly to our next destination.”

  “Another one?” I shook my head. “What could be better?”

  “I think you’ll enjoy it.” He pulled me close. “We need to make the most of this time.”

  His words brought me right back down to reality.

  The honeymoon was fantastic, but it would come to an end. Then there would be real life to deal with—my books, Max’s work, settling into a new home. All of that felt like so much to handle. All I really wanted was to stay wrapped up in Max’s arms.

  “Sammy, can I ask you a question?”

  “Hm?”

  “What exactly were you planning to do if you encountered a beast ripping me to shreds?”

  “Oh please, that wild animal would have nothing on me. It would be in pieces before it would have the chance to break your pretty skin.”

  “Pretty skin?” He raised an eyebrow. “That’s a little creepy.”

  “That your skin is pretty or that I would defend it so viciously?”

  “Uh, both?” He laughed. “I love my creepy Sammy.”

  “I love my pretty-skinned Max.”

  Chapter 10

  Early the next morning Max woke me up. “We have to hurry or we’ll miss our flight.”

  I still felt groggy from the odd sleep pattern of the night before. “Okay, I’m moving.” I yawned.

  “Sammy, really.” He gave my shoulder a light shake.

  “I’ll be right there.” I burrowed my head into the pillow. The next thing I knew, the blanket was gone and Max had his hands around my ankles. With one hard tug I slid down to the bottom of the bed.

  “Max!”

  “We can’t miss this flight.”

  “Alright, alright.” I forced myself to get up.

  Within minutes we were on the path again. “Do we have to hike far?”

  “No, not far. It’s only beyond that bend.” He pointed ahead of us. “Sorry for the rush this morning.”

  “It’s okay. Part of the adventure, right?”

  “I guess I didn’t time everything just right.”

  “Max, you worry too much. This is fantastic—it’s all perfect. Let’s hurry.” I grabbed his hand and began to run up the path.

  Max managed to keep up with me. We rounded the bend and ran right onto an airstrip. The smallest plane I’d ever seen appeared to be waiting for us.

  “Oh no.” I looked over at Max. “You’re really going to make me get on that thing?”

  “I could always ask for the helicopter instead.” He grinned.

  “That’s it. Next honeymoon I’m making the travel arrangements.”

  We walked toward the plane.

  “Next honeymoon?” He looked over at me.

  “Sure, we have to do another one every ten years. Isn’t that a rule?”

  “If it isn’t, it should be.” He opened the door to the small plane. “Get in. Paradise awaits us.”

  I took one last look at the wilds that surrounded me. It struck me that were it not for Max, I never would have seen this place.

  As soon as I was settled in the plane I rested my head against Max’s shoulder. Despite all the beauty that I’d witnessed over the past few days, paradise for me was still tucked in the crook of Max’s arm.

  We flew over the wide-open sea. It was an amazing sight, but it was more than just sparkling calm blue. It was expansive, and it left me humbled. It was easy to see myself as small as a grain of sand, when the world was stretched out so wide beneath me. All of the troubles that weighed my mind seemed minuscule when compared to the vastness of the ocean.

  I wound my hand around Max’s and looked into his eyes. “I love you, Max.�
�

  “I love you too, Sammy. I can’t believe our honeymoon is almost over, though.” He frowned. “I have to say I’m a little sad to see it end.”

  “Me too.” I squeezed his hand. “But we have a lot to look forward to.”

  “I promise not to leave my socks lying around.”

  “What?” I laughed.

  “I mean, this is going to be the first time we live together. I just don’t want you to get annoyed with me and my single man habits.”

  “You do realize I have a few single woman habits too, right?”

  “Like what? Dancing around with nothing on?” His eyes widened as if he might be hopeful.

  “Uh, well, maybe every now and then.” I grinned. “Let’s see…there’s eating crackers in bed. Plus, I never ever hang the towel right in the bathroom.”

  “Oh, that’s horrible.” Max shook his head. “I don’t think I can live with that. The crackers in bed are one thing, but the towel hung wrong? Seriously?”

  I laughed. “I guess we’ll both have things to adjust to.”

  “I’m looking forward to adjusting with you.” Max pointed out the window toward a large island. “That’s where we’re landing.”

  I stared at the sand. I blinked a few times and then rubbed my eyes. The way the sun reflected off it gave it a strange tint. A minute later I couldn’t see the sand anymore.

  The plane taxied down the runway and ground to a rather abrupt stop.

  “You okay?” Max looked over at me with a half smile.

  “Yup, just fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  “Then would you mind taking your fingernails out of my skin?” His smile broadened.

  I looked down at his hand and realized that I’d dug my nails into it during the landing.

  “I’m sorry!” I released his hand with a few red semicircles left behind.

  “It’s okay, that was a pretty bumpy landing. But it’s the last one, I promise. Our next flight will be on a nice big smooth airplane.”

  “Ugh, I don’t want to talk about the flight home just yet.”

  Max helped me out of the plane. We thanked the pilot, then walked across the tarmac to a waiting cab.

  “I had all of our things from the first hotel shipped to this one, so everything we need will be there.”

  “You think of everything, Max.”