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Long enough to mouth the words I echo back to her.
“I love you too, Natasha,” I say, pecking her forehead gently before settling myself back down opposite her.
Glancing up at her as she sleeps while I go over the images and floor plans of the top houses I’ve found online.
Is Montana too far north?
I don’t want to wake her or ruin any surprises by waking her, so I pencil it in on the growing list in my mind and in my browser.
Narrowing it down to not much more after another hour of searching, I decide to rest my own eyes, wishing we had more space in this tin can on wheels so I could lay down next to my woman.
The slowing of the train and the loud blasts from its horn wake us both just as suddenly as we seem to have slept.
Far from being annoyed at being woken up, we both look over at each other with excitement.
It’s time.
The scenery outside the windows has changed back to the cluttered gray and gleaming silver of the cityscape.
A bright blue, cloudless sky tells me it’s a fine day out before we even set foot in it but Natasha seems to hesitate as she hovers a hand over her bags.
I put one of mine over hers, asking her if she’s sure,
“No dares now. Just the truth,” I tell her. “If you’re sure this is what you want, I’ll make sure you have everything you ever need. Forever,” I remind her.
She smiles and her hand grips mine before she kisses and hugs my neck.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” she whispers.
I hold her close, never tiring of hearing her say it. Never tiring of holding her either.
A familiar voice by the door clears its throat, and I turn to see the steward, smiling for once.
Natasha shoots me a curious look as I return his smile, casually mentioning we can handle our own luggage from here.
“I just stopped by to thank you, Mr. Stapleton,” The steward says, flushing a little.
“Your advice last night? And, well… it worked wonders,” he beams, almost wringing his hands before I extend one of my own.
“Thank you…” he says again, nearly choked with emotion but in the best kind of way.
“What was all that about?” Natasha asks as I hook her bags in between my fingers, hefting my duffle bag over my shoulder.
“I thought that guy had it in for you too,” she says.
“Just did a little truth or dare of my own, I guess,” I admit. “You’ll see,” I add with a smile, pecking her cheek when she gives me a quizzical look.
Making our way to the exit, Natasha spots Suzanna on the railway platform, waiting.
“I’d better go give her the key,” she murmurs absently, fishing in her pocket for her keys and threading one off.
I help her off the train, and before she can reach her friend, we both watch the steward surprising Suzanna from behind by slipping his arm around her waist.
Suzanna turns, smiling now, and kisses the guy.
I can hear Natasha let out a sound of disbelief before she turns to face me.
“What did you do?” she asks, cocking a brow and grinning.
I shrug innocently, whispering in her ear that she might not be the only one who found romance on the train.
“But how?” she asks, letting it go once she sees how happy her friend is.
I urge her with my hand on the small of her back to go give her friend the key so we can go.
Watching Natasha, but giving her some space. She hands over the key to Suzanna and they share a few words, with a formal introduction from the steward, Patrick as he slips off his uniform jacket.
Done for the day, or done for good. Who knows?
Finally, Suze and Natasha embrace, a little teary eyed but smiling.
Friends again before eventually drifting apart with a goodbye as we each head our separate ways. The growing crowd on the platform threatens to separate us if we don’t move along soon.
Natasha rejoins me, and we both feel a little lighter knowing she and Suzanna aren’t parting on bad terms.
Guiding her with my hand on her back, we make our way to the car rental window.
Natasha gasps when she sees the car I rented after we make our way from the platform down to the basement car park.
“No way,” she exclaims when I hit a button on the key fob to unlock the car and open the trunk as we get closer.
“We can’t walk everywhere,” I remind her, glad I opted for a nicer car when I stow away our luggage.
She’s already halfway in the car by the time I can get to her door.
“I got it,” she says with confidence, but I make a point of making sure she’s in before closing the door.
