His eyes turn mischievous as the sound of rocks hitting the bottom of the truck fills the space. “We’ll run it through thecarwash after we get done. It’ll be good as new.” As we near the crest of the hill, he whispers, “Close your eyes, Sunshine.”
I comply without hesitation. “I hope you realize how much trust it takes for me to go along with this.”
I can hear the smile in his voice as I willingly plunge myself into darkness. “It’ll be worth it.”
The truck rocks back and forth on the uneven ground before I feel us level out and finally come to a stop.
The engine shuts off and plunges us into silence as he says with a gentle voice, “We’re here, but don’t open your eyes.”
His door opening and closing rocks the truck as he leaves me alone, surrounded by the darkness of my own making.
A cool breeze washes over me as he opens my door. The sounds of birds in the surrounding trees is like a balm to my overstimulated soul.
I jump as Kam’s warm hand envelopes mine. His chuckle vibrates through me as his fingers tighten around mine. “Sorry. Probably should have warned you.”
My foot slides along the floor mat until I find the drop off that might as well be fifty feet. “This is way more terrifying than it should be.”
Strong hands wrap around my waist and pluck me from the car like I weigh nothing. An involuntary squeak sneaks from my lips as I become airborne.
My feet land on solid ground as his fingers intertwine with mine as his laughter flows through the air. “Just take slow steps. Yes, just like that.”
He guides me over the uneven terrain as I cling to him. “Don’t let me fall.”
“Never.” I can hear the hint of a smile in his voice as he brings me to a stop. His breath tickles my ear as he bends down to whisper, “Open your eyes.”
I suck in a quick breath as I open my eyes to a vast expanse of rolling hills. The thick trees are bathed in various shades of pinks and oranges from the setting sun.
Patches of grass and scattered barns dot the horizon as small black shapes move along the open fields. I struggle to catch my breath as the beauty of the land around us overwhelms me. “Oh, Kam. This is beautiful.”
“Yeah. It really is.”
The strange undertone of his voice has me looking his way to find him with his eyes on me instead of the view in front of us. “Don’t look at me. You’ll miss the sunset.”
A grin takes over his face. “I don’t need to look at the sunset when I have something more breathtaking standing right in front of me.” His smile only grows with my confusion. “You’re not just my sunshine. You’re my sunset.”
My voice is barely a whisper. “And why is that?”
“Because you’re my favorite time of day.” His voice is quiet as he admits, “Sunset used to be my favorite time of day. Now my favorite is anytime I’m with you.”
The vulnerability shining bright in his eyes pours new life into me.
He clears his throat as he uses his thumb to point to the back of the truck that's facing the view. “Want to see the rest of your surprise?”
My eyebrows rise as my eyes roam over the covering over the back of the truck. “There’s more?”
The sunset reflecting in his eyes adds to his beauty. “So much more.”
CHAPTER 32
SECRET PLACE
KAM
I hold my breath as I fold the cargo cover back to reveal a mound of mismatched blankets and pillows that definitely took a tumble during our drive.
My eyes scan her face as her eyes widen before flicking to me. The disbelief in her voice and the grin on her face pulls a reluctant smile from me. “Did you take the comforters off everyone’s beds?”
I rub the back of my neck as my eyes scan over the mess I’ve made in the back of Wyatt’s truck. “Maybe?”
