“I loved this and I…” The rest of that sentence stuck in her throat.
He raised a brow before they piled into the van. The crew whisked them back to the old farmhouse.
“We had a great time,” Ash said as he palmed Kevin’s hand with a tip.
“My pleasure.” Kevin stashed the cash in his pocket. “So, you’re all set up on the far side of the building overlooking the mountains. I’m here for the afternoon helping my crew get their balloons airborne if you need anything.” The two men shook hands. “Enjoy yourselves.”
As they headed toward the farmhouse, she caressed his back and he flashed her that panty-melting grin. “Time to talk, Carly girl.”
Energized by the awesome balloon ride, Maverick was done playing things safe. Time to break past his barriers, put it all out there, and tell Carly how he felt.
They walked around the brick red farmhouse.
She stopped short. “Oh, wow.”
Before them was a breathtaking vista of farmland and rolling hills, a stunning portrait of autumnal glory provided by Mother Nature. In the foreground, a red-checkered cloth adorned a table with place settings for two. Linen slipcovers wrapped the folding chairs. Awaiting them was a platter of cheeses and an assortment of crackers, sliced pears and apples framed in a heart of plump blueberries. A bottle of champagne chilled in an ice bucket.
The quaint setting was the perfect romantic backdrop for him to profess his love. She strolled past the table and admired the countryside. As he caressed her back, she tucked her hair behind her ears and turned toward him.
“It’s so peaceful here,” she said. “We’ve been so busy with work and with everything going on—”
Touching his lips to hers, he released the last remaining tension. He inhaled her beautiful scent, reveled in her soft pecks and quiet murmurs. “I’ve been holding back, withholding the truth.” His voice was hushed, his tone serious. “I love you so damn much, Carly.”
To his utter surprise, she broke away, fixed her gaze on the vista. “I can’t lose you.”
What the hell? “Why would you say that?”
Kevin jogged around the farmhouse. “Hey, guys. Just checking in. Everything good?”
“We’re doing great,” Maverick replied.
“Need help uncorking the bottle?”
“No, thanks. Just admiring the view.”
“Doesn’t get any better than that.” With a wave, Kevin left.
When Maverick turned back, Carly had removed the foil on the champagne bottle and was untwisting the wire. She popped the cork, sending it skyward, and, with a shaky hand, poured two flutes. Though she offered him one, she didn’t look at him.
They sat, staring into the valley. Unnerved but undeterred by her reaction, he forged forward. “Why did you say that?”
“I have everything to lose if we don’t work out.”
“We both do, babe.”
“It’s not the same,” she said, shifting toward him. “If we broke up, I would lose my best friend and his family. I would lose all of the people I love the most.” The sadness in her eyes wrecked him.
Holy hell.
He set down the bubbly, held out his hands. A long moment passed. When she placed her hands in his, she was trembling.
“My family adores you. Nothing will ever change that.”
“Losing you could.”
Tell her.
“Carly, my job is all about taking risks, but when it comes to love, I’ve taken none. When my mom died, everything changed. Over time, I learned to hide my sadness, but you saw past all that. You always see the real me.”
