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"Well, don't you look pretty as a wildflower," I say, taking her hand and twirling her playfully.
Laughing, she smacks me lightly on the arm. "Such a charmer. Now come on, I wanna know what this big surprise of yours is."
I drive us out past the edge of town then turn down an overgrown dirt road. Mariah peers out curiously as we bump along. "Are you taking me out to the woods to murder me?"
"Darn, you figured out my plan." I snap my fingers in mock disappointment. "Nah, it's something you'll like a lot more, promise."
We pull up outside a weathered building with a sign reading,Star Custom Bikes. Inside, the smell of oil and metal fills the air. My friend Harper looks up from where she's tuning up an engine, wiping greasy hands on her coveralls.
"Hey Clark! Is this the girl you've been mooning over?" she asks when Mariah steps in, holding my hand.
"Mooning is an understatement. I happen to be obsessing over this woman," I say with a grin as I pull Mariah to my side. "Harper, meet my girl Mariah. Mariah, this is Harper. She's married to my boss, Austin, but what really makes her special is the fact she's thebestbike mechanic for miles around."
"You're just trying to sweet talk me so I don't change my mind," Harper says with a roll of her eyes.
"Is it workin'?" I say with a chuckle.
"You know I'm a sucker for a polite country boy." Harper grins and tosses me the keys to her pride and joy—a cherry red Harley-Davidson. "Have fun, you two!"
"Thanks. I owe you one."
"Mmm-hmm. Just bring her back unscathed and you'll keep your balls," Harper says as Mariah and I head back outside.
With a hearty laugh, I promise to take good care of both the bike and Mariah. As we approach the motorcycle, it gleams brightly under the summer sun, its chrome shining like a beacon.
"Oh, my God! Are we going for a ride on this?" Mariah's eyes widen with excitement.
"Ever ridden one before?" I ask, straddling the bike.
"No, but it looks like fun!" She hops on behind me, arms circling my waist.
"Just hold on tight." I shoot her a reassuring smile, my hand patting hers. With a swift kick, I start the engine, the roar reverberating through the air, causing Mariah to cling even closer.
The bike rumbles beneath us as I guide us out onto the open highway, wind whipping through our hair as Mariah whoops excitedly.
We ride through valleys and over rolling hills, eventually winding our way deep into the mountains. I take us through Whisper Valley, where towering pines muffle all sound, and finally pull up to a place I know Mariah will love—Valentine's Bar and Grill.
A hidden gem with rustic charm nestled between the mountains, this roadside joint is famous amongst the locals for its delicious grub and cocktails. I turn off the engine, the roaring beast between our thighs finally silent. Mariah takes a moment to find her footing as she steps off the bike, her eyes taking in the surroundings.
"This place looks and smells amazing!" Mariah exclaims, her eyes sparkling with delight. She's wearing that infectious smile of hers, the one that could brighten the darkest of days. "I didn't realize how hungry I was."
"I thought you might like it," I say, helping her take off her helmet and setting it on the bike. "Wait till you taste their burgers—they're phenomenal. Known all over the state, actually."
Her eyes light up at the mention of food, and we make our way toward the quaint little establishment.
As we enter, the smell of sizzling beef and fries hits us. The air is filled with chatter and laughter, alive in a way that cities can't match. The wooden floor creaks under our weight, a testament to years of wear and tear. Beneath the hum of conversation, an old country song plays on a jukebox in the corner, the familiar twang adding another layer of warmth to the ambiance. Underneath strings of fairy lights, patrons sit on mismatched wooden chairs around chipped tables.
"Can I grab a booth for two?" I ask when a blonde woman with a bright smile and the name tag, Jade, greets us.
"Sure thing, honey." She leads us to a cozy booth by the window overlooking the mountain vista—she even lights an amazing-smelling candle.
After ordering, we dig into juicy burgers and milkshakes while talking a little about everything and anything. I'm really loving this more open version of Mariah after seeing how closed off she was barely a week ago now. Her laughter rings out, a melody more beautiful than any song the jukebox could play.
As Mariah giggles at one of my awful puns, a blush paints her cheeks under the warm glow of the candlelight. It's a sight I could get used to—her face lit up with happiness, her eyes sparkling like stars in the night sky. She pauses mid-bite, her gaze fixated outside the window.
"What is it?" I ask, turning to see what has captured her attention. And there it is—a doe and her fawn.
"It's like something straight out of a fairytale," she breathes.
