“I haven’t been this way in years,” she says, staring out the window at the passing landscape. "I came here a couple of times as a kid. Dad took me to get ballet shoes when I was younger so we made a day of it. He took me to this awesome lookout just out of town and we ate a picnic Ma packed for us. I bet it’s a lot different now though."
I chuckle and reach out for her hand, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles. “It’s definitely a lot bigger. There’s been a bit of a population boom so now it’s like a mini city in the middle of a forest. It’s closer than Anchorage for us, so when we need anythin’ we can’t get at Spring Haven, we venture this way.”
“And what made you decide on this little impromptu getaway? I thought we were havin’ a date in town. Maybe the diner for dinner then the Cow for a drink and a dance?”
“Nah.” I shake my head. “Been waitin’ a long time to take you on a first date, Char. I wanted to make it memorable and special so that it’s the first of many.”
“It will be,” she says softly, sending me a smile that warms me up from the inside out.
“Well, I can’t have you lookin’ forward to a life of yet another dinner at the diner and the same ol’ people at the bar. Not yet, anyway,” I say with a wink.
Her brows knit together at that. “I appreciate the sentiment, Austin, don’t get me wrong. I’m just curious that’s all. You seem to have gone to a lot of trouble.”
I squeeze her hand and grin. “You’re worth it, Char. I just wanted you to know that.”
“OK.”
“Good, because I want this trip to be perfect for you.”
She smiles at that. “I’m with you, of course it will be.”
“Tell me about one ofyourtrips. I want to hear what you got up to. You said you traveled in Europe?”
“Hmm,” she says, rubbing her chin. “There was the time I was drivin’ in a tiny two-seater car through the South of France. I spent the night at the cutest Bed and Breakfast, but I was so tired the night before that I didn’t take much notice of the place, just that it was like a little homestead with little cottages scattered amongst the fields. Anyway, the next mornin’, I wake up to adonkeystickin’ his head through the open window. There he was just standin’ there, starin’ at me.”
“Damn.” I chuckle. “What did you do?”
“As soon as I realized I wasn’t dreamin', I screamed to high hell, which ended up scarin’ him. He jumped, stomped a few times, whiffled, then blew a raspberry so loud it made me laugh and him growl. Next thing I know, he’s snortin’, turnin’ his nose up at me, and hee-hawin’ his way to the next cottage. When I asked the hosts about it, they said he came with the property when they bought it and that was just his way of bein’ friendly.”
“A donkey?” I chuckle. “Sounds like Doofus.”
She turns in her seat and quirks a brow. “That’s the duck, right?”
“That’s the one. Just as bad as Nelly, the shin-buttin’ goat you met.”
Char giggles. “Not about to forgetherin a hurry. She delayed our first kiss. Well not ourfirst-first kiss, but?—”
"I know what you mean," I say, lifting her hand to press a kiss on her knuckles. "But yes. Doofus has a habit of interruptin' things too. Or puttin’ his beak where it’s not wanted. He’s a bit of a peepin’ duck too. Turnin’ up in bathrooms and bedrooms when you least expect it. Dee and Toby knowallabout that.”
“Hmm,” she laughs. “You sure Doofus and that French donkey aren’t related They both sound like they don’t know the meanin’ of boundaries.”
A snort escapes me. “Did the donkey have crossed eyes and one foot?”
Char’s eyes bug out. “Umno.”
“Then I think they’re just soul-animals. Doofus isn’t too bad if you give him time and attention. He doesn’t bother me none or cause me any problems, so I keep doin’ it.”
“Well, he better not wake us up when I sleep over. I’mnota mornin’ person,” she replies.I’ll lock the damn duck out if Char is in my bed.
"I thought for sure all those early shifts of yours would've fixed that."
Her lips quirk up. "You sayin' I was a grouch back in the day?" I make a gesture to zip my lips shut, shaking my head and then changing it to a nod, earning the snicker I was aiming for.
She laughs to herself before we fall into a comfortable silence. I concentrate on the road ahead. It may be late February now but there can still be ice on the road in places, and I’ve got special cargo in my truck which means I’ve got to be extra careful because of that.
I called and made plans for today a few days ago. I wanted to give Char a day–and night–to remember. A chance to show her that Alaska may not be as flashy and as cool as Europe, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still spoil her. I want to show her I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep her happy. She’s my One, it’s my job after all.
Mid-afternoon, we drive into the middle of town and find a parking spot right outside our first destination. After searching for places online, I found a niche furniture shop that’s very popular and caters to a range of different decor styles. It’s big too, filled to the brim with everything Char could need for her newly painted home.
