AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh, Jasper. You shouldn’t have,” she exclaimed.
“Well, then, I’ll take it back,” he retorted, playfully reaching out and tugging at the gift.
Sophie lightly tapped his hand. “Oh, no, you don’t. I can’t wait to see what’s inside.” She ripped open the wrapping paper and tugged off the lid of the box. Inside was a necklace with her name, fashioned in crystals, twinkling back at her.
“Jasper! I know I said you shouldn’t have, but I’m really glad you did.” She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tightly.
He patted her on the back. “Anything for you, darlin’. You better let go of me so I can make my way to town hall. If I don’t show my face over there they may hold a special election to remove me.”
Sophie threw back her head and laughed. “This town would be lost without you, Jasper. Thanks again for the gift.”
The rest of her day went by quickly, with many a friendly face popping in to wish her a happy birthday. At three o’clock Sophie’s shift was over. She couldn’t wait to go home and take a soothing bath before coming back to the Moose Café for her birthday celebration. Hazel and Cameron had joined forces and were throwing her a small shindig. Hazel had been reminding her about it all day.
“Don’t forget we’re meeting back here tonight at seven o’clock for your birthday party,” she said yet again, wagging a finger at her. “Don’t worry, it’s not a huge celebration. Just about half the town,” she teased.
Sophie wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Hazel was telling the truth. Celebrations in the community seemed to multiply in a mysterious way. A dinner party for ten mushroomed into thirty. People sure did enjoy spreading the love, which was one of the reasons she adored this welcoming town.
“Hey, Sophie. Can I grab you for a minute?” Noah asked, coming up behind her as she left the break room with her belongings. If she hurried to the bookstore, she could catch a ride back to the cabins with Lucy.
“Sure thing,” she said with a nod. “I’m hitching a ride home with Lucy so I have to be quick or I’ll miss out.”
“No worries. I’ll take you,” Noah said. He grabbed her by the hand and led her through the kitchen and out the back door.
He stopped in front of his car, which was parked a few feet away in the lot. “Happy Birthday, Sophie. Your chariot awaits.” Noah waved toward the vehicle.
“Are we going somewhere?” she asked. Her heart began to pound in her chest. Was Noah taking her out for her birthday? Was that why he said he would take her home?
“Yes. We’re hitting the open road.” Noah’s grin was infectious. “I’m giving you a driving lesson.”
* * *
“A driving lesson?” Sophie’s mouth hung open. Her eyes had a glazed expression.
Oh, no! Had he miscalculated? Was it possible he’d misread Sophie and what he’d perceived as her desire to learn to drive? Perhaps this little surprise of his was a big old bust. He’d wanted to do something meaningful for her birthday.
Sophie rushed at him, throwing her arms around him and giving him the tightest bear hug of his entire life. When she finally let him go, her beatific smile made him feel a bit loopy. “I can’t believe it! It’s the most thoughtful gift ever. It’s as if you looked deep down inside of me and saw my heart’s desire.”
Whoa! He really had hit the nail on the head. “I’m happy I picked the right gift.”
“It’s just perfect.” Sophie’s face seemed to be lit up from inside. If someone had asked him, Noah wouldn’t have been able to put into words the way he felt at this moment. The intensity scared him. To be able to make Sophie happy gave him a blissful feeling, as if he was walking on air. And he didn’t want anything to bring him down from this euphoric high.
For the next hour and a half, Noah gave Sophie her very first driving lesson. He showed her the inner workings of the vehicle—the clutch, accelerator and brake. He taught her how to start the car and how to put it in Park. Noah also demonstrated the way to hold her hands on the steering wheel, how to adjust her mirrors and signal, and lectured her on the importance of wearing a seat belt at all times.
By the time the lesson was over, he felt confident that Sophie was a serious, attentive driving student. With a few more lessons and some road time, she would get her license in no time flat, he was certain.
“If I had to grade you, I’d give you an A plus. You really paid attention to my instructions and you didn’t let your nerves get the best of you.” It hadn’t escaped Noah’s notice the way Sophie’s hands were trembling at the beginning of the lesson. By the end, she appeared relaxed and confident.
“Thank you, Noah. I can’t tell you how good it felt to be behind the wheel on the open road,” Sophie said. She leaned over and pressed a kiss on his lips, one that lingered as he allowed her to take the lead. She let out a sigh as the kiss ended.
“If that’s the thanks I get, I’ll have to give you more driving lessons,” Noah said in a joking manner.
“I feel so accomplished,” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “I love receiving a gift that doesn’t have a monetary value. It’s priceless.”
“Just like you, Sophie,” Noah murmured, reaching out and grazing his fingertip over her ruby lips. “Coming here to Love wouldn’t have been the same if I hadn’t met you.”
“I feel the same way. Before you arrived I hadn’t really met anyone I fancied,” Sophie confessed in a low voice.
“Are you saying you fancy me, Sophie Miller?” he asked, hoping his words didn’t make her feel self-conscious. He knew Sophie felt something for him, but he wanted some sort of affirmation from her lips. Surely what he felt for her wasn’t one-sided? And if it was reciprocated, Noah knew he would come clean with her and tell her the truth about his PI assignment from Sussex, as well as his real identity. He would move heaven and earth to convince her that his motives had been well-intentioned.
