by Leah Atwood
“I’ll have you know I’ve never had a single ticket.” She grimaced, remembering a forgotten one. “Except one parking ticket because I hadn’t seen the sign, and I promptly paid the fine.”
“Actually, I figured you’d rather not put extra miles on the rental.”
“Oh.” She should have known he had an altruistic reason, although she hadn’t minded him driving to begin with.
“How are the wedding plans going?” she asked once they were on the road. To her delight, she hadn’t been bombarded with weddings since arriving. Pell’s Peak had much to offer outside of their wedding destination status, and the amount of entertainment options in and around town surprised her.
“Almost done. Everything is in place, and all reservations, décor, food, and florals have been confirmed.” He turned onto Main Street. “The last of the guests arrive tomorrow, Friday is the rehearsal, then Saturday is the big day.”
“Weddings are a lot of work for one day. I read somewhere that the less a couple spends on their wedding, the higher chance they have of their marriage succeeding.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his doubtful glance, and she expressed her own doubts. “I think it really just depends on the couple and how willing they are to fight for a marriage.”
“Couples give in too easy.” He kept his eyes on the road as he talked. “I have a friend who is on his fourth marriage. All his previous ones ended in divorce, and he asked my opinion before proposing to his current wife.”
“What did you say?”
“That I had never been married, so I probably wasn’t the right person to ask.” He grinned then turned serious. “After that, I told him my own observations, that he can’t keep doing the same thing and expect a different result.”
She understood that concept. Had seen it often enough in her own life under different circumstances. “They say that’s the definition of insanity—doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same results.”
“And that’s exactly what my friend Blaine kept doing. He’d hit a snag in the marriage and cut out.”
“How long has this marriage lasted?”
“Four years, his longest yet.” His lips thinned when he smiled. “Seems he took my advice, and he and his wife go to regular counseling sessions with their pastor to keep their marriage strong.”
“That’s great.” They passed the bakery, and her hands fisted with the memory.
Matt darted a brief glance at her hands. “Don’t let it bother you. Everyone makes mistakes.”
“Yeah, okay, Mr. Perfect.”
“What does that mean?” He didn’t take it as the joke she’d meant it.
Half-joke. Maybe not at all. “From all I’ve heard and seen, you’re a saint. I don’t think you’ve ever made a simple error in judgment.”
He erupted into laughter. A deep, belly-busting, from the depths of his soul laugh. “I wish.”
“Oh really? Do share,” she dared with crossed arms and pointed eyes.
For two miles, he didn’t say a word. They crept up a mountain road, and he pulled off at an overlook. Shifted his body and locked eyes with her. “I’m a recovering alcoholic. Fifteen years of sobriety later, I still fight the urge to end a rough day with an ice-cold beer. I go to weekly recovery meetings at my church and have an accountability partner who I check in with daily. I’m so far from perfect the idea is laughable.”
Stunned into silence, she didn’t know how to respond and took time to process what he’d said. The passion behind his declaration told her he spoke the truth, and the revelation only drew her to him more. She’d seen addictions destroy lives. To overcome one and stick with it fifteen years later showed a level of character non-existent in many people. “I’m sorry for assuming.”
“Most people in my life know, and I don’t try to hide it.” He rubbed a hand over his mouth. “No one is perfect. Some are just better at hiding it than others.”
“I know that in reality, but I tend to overlook other’s flaws because I’m busy magnifying my own.”
“I’ve been there. Still there at times.” He looked out the window. “Want to get out and look since we’re already stopped?”
“Are dogs a man’s best friend?” She left the car before he could respond.
They strolled to the stone barrier. Tree-capped mountains and valleys stretched for miles on end. She blinked her eyes, as a shutter to a camera, and committed the view to heart. No matter the country or range they were in, mountains called to her, beckoned her to come and see.
“Breathtaking,” she murmured, keeping the sight in view.
“I’ll never stop loving this landscape.” He moved a step closer to her. “You described your flatlands beautifully, but my heart belongs to the hills.”
“I can see why.”
A bird soared from east to west then swooped down to the trees. What other wildlife lived in the forest? What secrets did the trees possess of the natives and first settlers? Had they provided shelter from a spring thunderstorm or had their branches been trimmed for kindling? Did a young couple ever share a first kiss under the shade of their limbs?
After five minutes, Matt lightly touched her hand. “We should leave if we want to make the ten o’clock tour.”
She slid her phone from her pocket and snapped a picture, though her phone’s camera could never do the view complete justice. Loath to leave, she reminded herself she still had four days of vacation left to enjoy the mesmerizing views. “Thanks for stopping.”
Ten minutes later they arrived at the caverns to a full parking lot, complete with four school buses.
“I didn’t expect them to be so busy.” Matt bit down on his bottom lip.
Kira spotted a large canvas sign at the entrance. “Wednesdays are half-price. That probably explains it.”
“Interesting. I didn’t see anything about that on the website, but saving money is a plus, right?”
“Absolutely.” A certain amount of spending money had been allotted to her in the form of a Visa gift card, but cheaper activities would allow her to spread that money further.
The ten o’clock tour sold out four groups ahead of them, but they purchased tickets for eleven then browsed the gift shop. She found a light-weight, spun-cotton t-shirt in navy blue that she liked. The difference in regular price admission and today’s special almost paid for the shirt, so she bought it for a souvenir.
Matt sorted through the racks of smaller items. When she joined him, he was counting the number of pencils available. “I thought I’d take my students back something small, but they’re ten pencils short.”
“Ask if they have more. They probably do.”
“Good idea.” He waited at the counter for an available associate who produced an entire box of pencils from under the counter. Matt bought the entire box and left the pencils already out for the other shoppers. He turned to her and held up the bag. “I’m going to run these out to the car. Want me to take your bag, too?”
“Sure. I’ll walk with you.”
Once they dropped off their purchases, they browsed the outside grounds and read the informational signs until the time came to line up for their tour. They had a spot at the front of the line and chatted with their guide while waiting for the tour to begin.
After everyone was gathered, the tour guide, Amos, gave an overview of how the tour would run and issued safety instructions. “Finally, there are spots where the ground will be extremely slippery. I’ll warn you when we arrive at those spots, and I ask that you please hold on to the handrails in these areas. There is absolutely no running allowed anywhere in the caverns. Anyone who violates these rules will be asked to leave, for their own safety.”
The crowd murmured their agreement.
Amos smiled and waved a hand in a wide gesture. “Now that those unpleasantries are done let’s get started.”
He opened a door and led the group down two flights of stairs and then through a second set of doors. Amos pushed a button to the side, and the door
s opened automatically to an underground wonderland.
Matt took hold of Kira’s hand as they walked down the ramp’s decline. She made no move to pull away, finding a surreal comfort in his touch. Her eyes filled with wonder. Stalactites hung down from the ceiling in jarring points, and stalagmites protruded from the floor in whimsical shapes.
They came to a small lake within the caverns. Amos told them the water only ran eighteen to twenty inches deep, and while it appeared to have stalagmites growing in it, they were actually a perfect reflection of the stalactites above.
She took several pictures, then put her phone away. Although she wanted the physical reminders of what she’d seen, she’d rather enjoy the experience without spending it behind a camera.
The tour came to an end entirely too soon. There’s no way an hour passed already. Time had flown for her whole trip. At this rate, she’d leave for home tomorrow—not really, but it felt that way. She ignored the tug of disappointment filling the empty spaces in her. She didn’t want to think about going home. Not yet.
When they resurfaced into daylight, Matt let go of her hand. “What did you think?”
“I loved it. I get the chills when I think how God formed each growth in there over the course of hundreds of generations.”
“Me too.” He blinked, probably adjusting to the light. “Were you able to see all the formations he pointed out?”
“Most of them, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t see the figure of a horse in the final one.”
Matt shook his head. “Me either. I think it looked more like a whale.”
She thought back to the growth. “I can see that.”
“Do you still want to grab lunch before going back to the inn?”
Looking at her phone screen, she saw the tour had been an hour exactly, making the time 12:02. “As long as we’re back by two.”
The truth was, she almost didn’t care if she missed her appointment with the claims adjuster if it meant she got extra time with Matt. She enjoyed his company, and he got her in a way many people didn’t. He intuitively knew when to be quiet and when she wanted to talk. He hadn’t judged her for the mishaps on Monday, and he had more patience than any man she knew.
He was good company and an attractive man at that.
No, no, no, Kira, don’t go there. You’ve stayed single for this long, don’t fall into a spring fling romance that will only lead to hurt.
Too late for that. Against her better judgment, she’d developed a crush on him.
Chapter Eight
His khakis and polo shirt were laid flat over the bed, ready to be worn later that evening. Inside the garment bag hanging in the closet was his tux, fitted to his detailed measurements. Renting one would have been cheaper, except Lisa had found an unbeatable deal for all the groomsmen at a going-out-of-business sale.
This time tomorrow, Lisa and Jon would be married. Matt couldn’t be happier for them, but a part of him couldn’t stop thinking about the changes it would mean. The dynamic would shift between him and his two best friends. It was only natural, and he didn’t begrudge it as much as lamented the fact things had to change.
Then again, the dynamic had changed when Lisa and Jon had dated in college, and then when they reunited last year. Matt hadn’t experienced any sensations of loss then, so why did this time feel different?
The urge to tip a bottle and lose himself in a drink took him by surprise. He hadn’t had one this strong in a long time, not since he’d found out his biological mom, whom he hadn’t seen in decades, had passed away.
He drew in a long breath and let it out slowly, not liking the sullen mood overtaking him. Help me, Lord. Fill me with your joy and give me your strength. He needed to talk to someone—his accountability partner, Tank. The older man, a Vietnam Vet, had been Matt’s lifeline in the battle against alcoholism, but he didn’t answer his phone.
Matt left a message and then went to Jon’s room and knocked on the door. No answer. Is the world against me today? He passed Kira’s door. Instinctively, he knew he could have opened up to her with his struggle today, but she had a zip-lining reservation that she’d left for right after they’d shared lunch. For the third day in a row.
He’d miss her come Sunday, but he couldn’t worry about that now, not with his mind already awry.
That left Lisa. He hated to disturb her with his problems, but that’s what friends were for, right? He knocked on her door, and Mia answered.
“Is Lisa here?”
“Yes.” She waved him in. “We’re trying different hairstyles for tonight.”
Candace stood at the vanity with a curling iron in hand, twisting Lisa’s hair around the prong.
It’s just the rehearsal, he almost said but caught himself. In a room full of women, he knew better.
“Up-do or down?” Candace asked him.
“Um, whatever you think is best?”
She laughed. “But you’re a guy and can tell us what Jon will prefer.”
“You want my opinion? He’s so in love with Lisa he won’t notice her hair one way or the other.”
The women all made swooning sounds.
“Great answer.” Lisa ducked her head in a failed attempt to hide her blush.
Experiencing the joy in the room, Matt couldn’t bring himself to unpack his burdens on Lisa. He’d fight this alone—well, him and God. Who else did he need?
Lisa turned around in the chair and looked directly at him with twinkling eyes. “Guess what? Remember my co-worker we almost didn’t invite?”
“Yeah. What about her?”
“She never checked in, and I called her last night to make sure she’s okay. Turns out, she broke her ankle and can’t come.” Her smile didn’t fade.
He squinted at her. “You’re not one to rejoice in someone else’s sufferings, even if they cause you trouble, so what gives?”
“I’m not glad she’s hurt, but it means I did the right thing but still win because I don’t have to worry about her creating drama while here.”
“I doubt she would have. That’s why in the end you decided to invite her.” He raised a brow and put a hand on his hip, flashed her an I-know-you’re-up-to-something-so-fess-up smile.
“All right, all right.” Her smile spread wider. “That means there’s an extra seat at the wedding.”
“Okay?” He held up his palms, confused at her thought process.
Candace and Mia giggled, exchanged smirks.
Lisa stood to her feet and marched to stand directly in front of him. “I’m trying to tell you to invite Kira to the wedding. You can even invite her to tonight’s rehearsal. It won’t take much to add another seat at the restaurant, and it would actually make it easier to have an even number.”
His heart thumped, but he played it cool. “Why would I do that?”
“Are you that dense?” She smacked his shoulder. “I know you’ve spent all your spare time with her this week, and I know you. You came in here burdened about something.”
“How do you know?”
“We’ve known each other for twenty-plus years, and your eyes hide very little if a person knows where to look. I suspect you’ve finally met someone but only have two more days together, and you don’t know what to do.”
He drank in her words, considered them carefully. Could that be the true source of his melancholy, not the changing dynamic between him and his friends? The truth hit him. “Say you’re right. What should I do?”
Lisa clapped her hands in delight, and the girls gathered around him.
Mia gave her opinion first. “You make the most of these next two days, which means inviting her to the rehearsal tonight and the wedding tomorrow.”
“Isn’t that a bit much?” He furrowed his brows. “Having lunch together and attending a wedding as dates are on two opposite spectrums.”
“I’ve seen how she looks at you.” Lisa locked eyes with him. “You know I’ve never been afraid to tell you when I feel a woman is wrong for you, but
this is the first time I’ve ever had a she’s the one vibe.”
So had he, and that both scared and thrilled him. “Isn’t that too unlikely?”
“Everyone has to meet their significant other some way. Why not in the mountains after the woman backed into him?” Lisa winked, and they all chuckled.
Candace stepped toward him. “You’ve been an incredible friend to Lisa, Jon, and many others, including me. I’ve seen you at more weddings than I can count. Don’t miss this chance to find your own happiness.”
When Candace the skeptic gave her endorsement, he knew what he had to do. “Okay, I’ll call her and ask, but I can’t promise she’ll say yes.”
“As long as you try.” Lisa swatted him. “Now I’m kicking you out, so we can go back to girl talk.”
He grinned and waved bye. “That’s all you had to say. I’m out of here.”
Back in his room, he fiddled with his phone. Did he call now and leave a message or wait an hour until she might answer? His heart flip-flopped with the anticipation. Until Lisa and the girls had brought it to his attention, he hadn’t realized how much he dreaded Sunday.
It would be his luck to finally meet someone he could see a future with at the most inopportune time. He remembered his discussion with himself at the beginning of the week, how he claimed to not want a long-distance relationship and wouldn’t do anything to detract from the splendor of Lisa and Jon’s big moment.
But that was before he knew Kira and she’d carved her name on a piece of his heart. A long-distance relationship wasn’t ideal, but lots of couples had made them work. If it even came to that. He could be jumping ahead of himself with a wrong impression of Kira’s feelings.
As for taking the limelight away from Lisa and Jon, he realized his thought process was off when Lisa issued the invitation. He had the best friends in the entire world, and they’d be ecstatic if he met his soulmate through their wedding. Their gracious spirits would consider it the greatest gift he could give them—not that he’d dream of not giving them a tangible gift.
Inside the card he had to give them was a high-quality print of the living room set they’d wanted for their new house, a set which would be waiting for them in their home upon returning from their honeymoon. Though not a traditional gift, he knew they’d enjoy it and appreciate it more than a fancy crystal vase or ten-speed blender.