There weren't all that many moving parts, but the parts it did have were... important.
He turned when he heard the sliding glass door open and his heart stopped beating for a moment.
Even in her T-shirt and shorts, Ruth looked amazing.
It might have something to do with the sleep mussed hair half up and half down.
It might also be the way her eyes were half-closed.
She looked... amazing.
"So..." Katie looked at them both, a secretive smile on her face. "This is your first trip to the cabin with us."
Ruth nodded. "Your dad had them remodeling so we couldn't come up on your Spring Break."
Katie snapped her fingers. "That's right!"
She brought Ruth over to the swing that they'd installed during the renovation.
Nick looked toward the lake where they'd already had a swing for years, but that had also been replaced.
Before, the swings fit two, but now, they comfortably fit three... maybe four.
Katie had Ruth sit down beside her and Nick sat on the other side. Bookends for the woman they both loved.
The light over the lake was a magic mix of everything from shades of purple to darker blues.
He wrapped his arm around Ruth and leaned in to give her a kiss on her cheek.
"We wanted to bring you up here for a few reasons."
RUTH
She felt completely at ease.
Her two favorite people sitting beside her.
Katie held her hand and Nick had his arm around her back.
She listened as Nick continued to explain.
"You've seen the stars through our cameras, but this time you get to see it for yourself."
She relaxed and enjoyed the gentle rocking of the swing.
"We also have a couple of questions to ask you."
Ruth melted at Katie's expectant smile.
She always did when it came to the teen.
"If I can help, you know I will."
That was how they got to this point. Helping Katie wholeheartedly.
Something she would always treasure and never regret.
"Great! My dad's gonna go first."
