Lost in Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance (Modern Conveniences Book 3)

by Leah Atwood

  “I love you.” She circled her arms around him for a hug, wishing for a second that she could be a young girl again, with her mom still alive, and not a worry in the world.

  But time marched on, and she was powerless to stop the future. All she could do was embrace it.

  “Come on, baby girl, let’s get you married.” Her dad crooked his elbow and Sunny slipped her arm through.

  The walk to the bridge went too fast. Despite her assurance she was on the path God set out for her, her nerves flickered. Marriage was an enormous commitment, regardless of the reason for entering into it.

  They came to the bridge’s entrance. Someone—Raina, maybe, Sean’s mom, perhaps—had decorated the rails and overhead beams with chains of white and yellow daffodils. Vivid green leaves made their first showing of the year on the surrounding trees.

  The hired photographer snapped a picture of her.

  Sunny gulped and wrapped her arm tighter around her father’s for support. The hundred-foot walk to the other side passed in a blur. Raina stood on one side, Sean’s parents next to her. With so few guests, they had chosen to forego chairs and traditional sides for the families.

  Her gaze met Sean’s. From this distance, with the sun shining through the bridge, his eyes lightened from brown to a dark amber. His hair had been trimmed since she’d last seen him yesterday, and his jaw neatly shaved. He wore an expensive suit—one she’d venture to guess cost even more than her dress.

  As she walked, she couldn’t tear her eyes from Sean. His remained locked on hers as well, and the way he looked at her sent warm shivers through her. She could almost pretend…

  Several feet before they reached Sean, Sunny’s dad brought them to a stop. He kissed her cheek, then directed her to Sean, who now stood in front of them.

  Taking her hand, her dad placed it in Sean’s. “Take good care of my girl.”

  Sean nodded. “I will.”

  Chapter Six

  The titanium band was an anchor on his finger. Sean glimpsed at the ring, a symbol of his married status. He’d adjust to the weight eventually. Weddings rings for men wouldn’t maintain tradition otherwise. It was a small price to pay, anyway.

  He’d been married a grand total of two minutes, hadn’t even kissed his bride yet, but he’d already decided he liked marriage. When he said “I do” contentment flooded him. His wife captivated him, and there was decidedly more at work between him and Sunny than an arrangement. It would take time, but he planned to dig, to discover what lay beneath the surface.

  “You may now kiss the bride.” Pastor Bentley’s directive brought him back to the ceremony.

  Sunny averted his gaze, a demure blush dotted her cheeks.

  If this was a normal wedding, he’d take her in his arms, dip her slightly backward, and claim their first married kiss. But this wasn’t a typical wedding, and he had no right to kiss her with passion.

  It was for the best anyway. When they had their first real kiss—and he was confident they would have one—he didn’t want an audience.

  Out of respect for her, and her obvious wishes demonstrated by her sudden shyness, he leaned forward and laid a soft kiss on her lips, not allowing his mouth to linger. The feel of her satiny smooth lips engrained itself in his memory, and that would have to last. For now.

  Their families surrounded them, sending congratulations. All earlier protests withstanding, everyone appeared genuinely happy for them, laying aside their opposition to his and Sunny’s marriage of convenience.

  After an appropriate time had passed, and the photographer had finished, he pulled Sunny aside. “Ready to break out of here?”

  Her eyes squinted. “That eager to get back to Crosswinds?”

  He shook his head. “We’re not going there tonight.”

  “I can’t leave it alone.”

  So much for her being eager to spend time with him, but he wouldn’t let it get him down. Baby steps. “It won’t be. I’ve already arranged for your dad and sister to stay there tonight, and it will save them both the drive back to your father’s tonight. Plus, Raina volunteered to take your bouquet home and save it.”

  A hint of a smile appeared. “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise.” He’d had the idea earlier in the week and had been planning it since.

  “You’re lucky I’m a fan of those.”

  “Duly noted.” He winked then gestured toward their family. “Let’s say our goodbyes then get out of here.”

  Five minutes later, everyone else left in the directions of their cars.

  “Where to?” Sunny craned her head, presumably looking for his vehicle.

  “Riding off into the sunset.” He offered a hand to her.

  To his delight, she accepted—her hands fit perfectly in his.

  “No straight answers, I assume?”

  He flashed a wink. “Patience, my dear.”

  Her sheepish smile revealed a sliver of her teeth. “You may as well know now, that’s not one of my best virtues.”

  “I’ve already figured that one out.” He led her off the bridge, onto the dirt path. Looking down, he saw a strapping, high heel sandal peeking out from under her dress. He hadn’t considered that aspect. “Are you able to walk in those shoes? We have about a quarter mile to go.”

  “No, but there’s a solution to that.” She hitched her dress and removed her shoes.

  No wonder she’d almost reached his shoulders today. How anybody could walk in shoes with heels that tall was beyond him. “Sure? I should have thought his through all the way. You’ll get the bottom of your dress all dusty.”

  She nudged his arm. “What’s life without a little dirt and adventure.”

  He lost another piece of his heart. Sunny was no Laurena, that was certain. Even Madison wasn’t so flexible with surprises and not having control.

  Stop those thoughts. Even in a positive light, he shouldn’t compare Sunny to other women, especially not ones for whom he’d previously had feelings. Sunny was an individual and his wife. As such, she deserved that respect, which included not giving space in his mind to other females.

  They strolled along the road, a sleepy country lane rarely used. Because they took their time, they didn’t reach their first destination for fifteen minutes.

  Two horses and their caretaker awaited them.

  “What’s going on?” Sunny’s lips curled, and she glanced from him to the horses and back again.

  “We’re riding into the sunset. What else?” He offered his best charming grin.

  “Do you even know how to ride?”

  “I didn’t, but I’ve been taking lessons this week.” The movies had it all wrong. Riding a horse wasn’t nearly as easy as it seemed. He considered himself a fit man, but ached after each lesson.

  “You’re kidding me, aren’t you?” Her eyes were wide and curious, but she gazed at the horses with longing.

  “No. Those meetings I had all week were really lessons.” He shrugged. “Your dad mentioned how much you love riding but never get the chance, so I set this up. Doesn’t every girl fantasize about riding off into the sunset with their knight in shining armor?”

  “I don’t know about every girl, but this girl did.”

  “Here’s your opportunity.” He took her to Calvin, a friend of a friend of a friend. “This is Calvin, and these are his horses we’ll be riding today. Calvin, this is my wife, Sunny.”

  “Congratulations.” Calvin switched the reins to one hand in order to shake hands with Sean, then Sunny. “I have the horses ready to go, my two calmest mares.”

  “Thanks, Cal. I appreciate it.” He made a note again to thank his friend for giving him the connection to Calvin.

  Sunny mounted her horse first. She positioned herself next to the animal, hiked up her dress, and grabbed the reins. Stepped into the stirrup and swung her right leg over the horse like a pro. Her contented sigh as soon as she settled into the saddle made it all worthwhile for Sean.

  Even if his hear
t pounded out of his chest. Few things in life made him nervous or scared, and he’d not readily admit it to anyone, but riding horses terrified him. The lessons helped abate the fear, but only by a small margin. He’d second-guessed his plan several times over the course of the last week, but he’d committed to it, and he’d follow through.

  He tried to disguise his rapid breathing while he mounted his horse. Which foot went in the stirrup? He focused on all he’d learned in the lessons. Left foot. I’m positive it’s that one. Within seconds, he sat on the saddle, ready to ride.

  Sunny shot him a teasing glance. “Can I trust you not to get us lost?”

  Sending her back a wry grin, he nudged his mare forward. “I’ve got this. I’ve mapped out the path and traveled it several times to make sure there’d be no problems.”

  “All right.” She heaved an exaggerated sigh, letting him know she had her doubts, but softened it with a smile.

  His ego got the better of him. “For the record, the one and only time in my life I’ve gotten lost was trying to find my grandfather’s cabin. I’ve been to foreign countries and found my way without incident.”

  “I’m just giving you a hard time.” She faced forward again, staring at the horizon. “Tonight’s sunset is perfect, breathtaking.”

  You’re breathtaking. Tearing his gaze away from her proved difficult. The vision of her atop the horse, dressed in a gown billowing around her, while evening’s soft light cast gentle glows upon her produced an image straight from Hollywood. It took effort, but he shifted his eyes to see the sunset.

  A pallet of canary yellow, dandelion, and butterscotch surrounded the sun, feathering out into shades of fire, honey, and bronze. Soft rays of marigold penetrated the woods to their sides, filling the space between trees with subdued and tranquil color.

  “It’s beautiful. I’ve spent a lot of time in desert regions. Until now, I’ve always said they had the best displays of sunsets, but this one is perfect.”

  They rode along the street for several more minutes.

  Sean recognized a landmark ahead. “Right past that stone pillar on the left is an off-the-road path. We’ll turn there.”

  “Are you going to tell me where me where we’re going yet?”

  “Not yet.” He wagged his brows. “Aren’t you the resident map expert? Use your skill to guess.”

  Sunny laughed, clearly enjoying herself despite not knowing their destination. “I’ve only been here nine months. I don’t know every road.”

  Entering the woods, Sean took a moment to appreciate the simplicity of the moment. For one of the rare times in his life, he found pleasure by being in the presence of someone. He enjoyed spending time with Sunny, appreciated her sense of humor and ability to joke around, but also have a meaningful conversation.

  Unlike the people to whom he’d become accustomed, Sunny didn’t require the fanciest belongings, latest technologies, or expensive outings for happiness.

  “We’ll follow this path all the way to the end.” He pointed far in the distance. “Once it comes to an end, we’ll be near our destination.”

  “I’m sure it will be great, but I admit, I could ride in the woods all night.” She slowed down until they were side by side. “It’s been so long since I’ve been on a horse, I’d forgotten how completely relaxing an activity it is.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” Truth be told, his fears of being on a horse had calmed as they rode, and his loosened muscles reflected his relaxed state. He doubted it was the horseback ride, rather the company he had, that brought his enjoyment.

  The sun closed on the horizon faster than he expected. Getting stuck in the woods at night, though many might consider it romantic, wasn’t an option. Just because he felt comfortable on the horse at the moment, didn’t mean that would continue after dark. The part of him that needed control had to be on his own two feet in unknown territory, not in the fate of a wild creature. So maybe his mare was mild, but who knew what could spook her in the dark, and he wouldn’t know until too late.

  They rode for several more minutes when he saw the next mark, the end of that path. If he guessed right, they had about ten minutes left of viable light before they’d have to go in the dark or use artificial sources. They should make it if they didn’t dawdle.

  “At the end of this trail, cut across the meadow, and you’ll see the trail pick up again on the other side. We’ll follow that and then we’ll hit our destination.” He noticed Sunny shiver and adjusted the reins in his hands to remove his suit jacket. “Here you go.”

  She leaned into the stirrup to grab the jacket. “Thank you. I can’t believe how quickly the temperature dropped after the beautiful day we had.”

  “That’s springtime in Pennsylvania for you.”

  Conversation between them fell dry for the final leg of the horse ride. Sean led her across the opening, through the next area of woods—shorter than the first—and into another opening. A two-story log cabin appeared several hundred feet away.

  “Welcome to your home for the night.”

  Sunny eyed the cabin and land with an impressed eye. “This is a gorgeous property.”

  “It’s my grandfather’s, the one I was looking for on the day we met.” He’d stayed there the last two weeks, cleaning it from months of vacancy plus the mess his cousins had left after a New Year’s party.

  “When you said it was a good place to think, I pictured it as a small shack, not something this elaborate.”

  “C’mon. Calvin should be around front with the horse trailer waiting for the mares. We’ll give them back, and then I’ll show you around.”

  Once they were alone and back on two feet, Sean took Sunny’s hand, as though it were the natural course of events. “This cabin was built twenty-five years ago. The original is one that was more along the lines of what you’d picture, and had been built in the early nineteen-hundreds, but burned down when struck by lightning.”

  “How tragic.” She frowned, her eyes affixed to the more modern structure. “Was anybody hurt?”

  “No. Fortunately, my grandparents were at a friend’s house when it happened.” Memories surfaced. “I was only five when it happened, and don’t remember much about the original house, but to this day, I still remember my awe at seeing this one for the first time.”

  “I love log cabins. And farmhouses. And old Victorian homes. Really, any house with personality.”

  “What’s your favorite part of a house?” he asked as they ascended the porch steps.

  “Hmm.” She twisted her lips while thinking. “The roofline.”

  “The roofline?”

  “They always catch my attention first, and they can make all the difference in a home’s appearance.” When she looked at him, he could see she was completely serious about her answer. “Too steep and it throws the entire dynamic off. Too flat and it diminishes the aesthetic value. Oddly shaped will affect the resale value.”

  Amused by her unique answer, he smiled. “I’ve never thought about it that way, but you’re right.”

  “What’s your favorite part?”

  He released her hand and spread his arms wide. “This. I love porches.”

  “I wouldn’t have picked that for you.”

  Walking to the porch swing, he invited her to sit next to him. “I spent too many years chasing money and success, rarely slowing down, but occasionally I’d get homesick and remember sitting here with my grandmother shelling peas or shucking corn. I hated it at the time—told her it was a girl’s job to do that—but now those are treasured memories.”

  She laughed and sat next to him. “I can picture it now. I bet you sat on the top step with a pout on your face the entire time.”

  “Can I plead the fifth?” He pushed his feet against the porch boards to move the swing. “Granny was the best. I wish I would have appreciated her more while she was still alive.”

  “I think parents and grandparents know.” In last vestiges of daylight, her face clouded over. “My mom and
I were always very close, but we still had our issues. Normal mother and daughter things. We had a scrape the day before her terminal cancer diagnosis. When I heard the news, I couldn’t even remember why we’d argued, but I stood by her chair, clasping her hand for dear life. I tried to tell her how much I loved her and all that she meant to me, but I was too choked up.” Sunny paused, her eyes brimming with tears. “Mom squeezed my hand, looked at me and said ‘I know.’”

  He slipped an arm around her shoulders, for no other reason than to show support and offer comfort. “Losing Granny was hard enough. I can’t imagine losing a parent.”

  “It was, by far, the worst experience of my life.” She changed positions on the swing, putting her closer to him. “Some days I miss her so much I want to scream and hit something until the pain goes away. The only thing that helps is knowing I’ll see her again one day in Heaven.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She lifted an arm and rested it on his. “Look at me being a poor guest. You went through all this trouble to make this day special, and I’m ruining it with sad talk.”

  Moonlight replaced daylight, its silver light the perfect setting for a kiss. Their faces were close enough to have their mouths meet with little movement. Sunny’s lips parted, offering an invitation.

  He wanted to accept, more than almost anything. But most importantly, he wanted her respect. While her eyes reflected her desire to be kissed, they also exposed her vulnerability. She was emotionally raw, from the day’s events, from discussing her mom.

  To take anything from her now, would be to take advantage of her.

  In the morning, after they’d awakened in separate rooms and met in the kitchen for breakfast, he wanted her to look him in the eyes and know that she was safe with him.

  Standing from the swing took every ounce of self-restraint he possessed. “Want to see the inside of the house?”

  Chapter Seven

  Sunny didn’t understand what had happened on the porch minutes ago. For that matter, she didn’t know what had been going on all day. All she knew for certain was that Sean wanted to kiss her while on the swing, but for whatever reason, had gotten up instead.