He rolled forward through the intersection, headed for his parents’ home.
“Remember,” Jenna said, “act surprised.”
“You too.”
She chuckled. “You know I’m in on this too, right?”
* * *
Cody rarely felt nervous about making an announcement, but tonight, his pulse wouldn’t stop racing. He’d socialized at the backyard party for well over two hours. It was when the last piece of cake disappeared that his palms began to sweat. Soon, people would start leaving. If he was going to tell everyone his decision, he needed to do it soon.
But first, he needed some air.
Several short trails snaked through the wooded area behind his parents’ property, and he took one of them that led to a small clearing with a spectacular view of the star-filled sky.
It wasn’t the announcement about staying that had him so worked up. He’d decided Sunset Ridge was where he wanted to be. Maybe it wasn’t some sandy beach. Yes, he’d have to endure winter in the arctic without a clue how to spend it. But time with the people who mattered most—no adrenaline rush or seven-figure paycheck could give that back to him.
It was the second part of that announcement that had him feeling like a nervous teenager.
The part that involved Jenna.
Because if he was going to change his entire life, he wasn’t going to do it halfway. He was going to lay it all on the line and confess he’d fallen in love with her, even if such a strong admission to a woman he’d hardly known a week sent her running. Jenna had the power to crush his heart, whether she realized it or not. Deep down, he didn’t believe she would.
He was no longer some young lovestruck teenager who was incapable of realizing the girl he was crazy about wasn’t crazy about him.
Jenna wasn’t Ginny.
“Hiding from your fan club?” Jenna’s teasing voice startled him, but only for a moment before it soothed him. Yes, he could definitely handle hearing that sweet voice for a long time to come.
“Stalking me?”
“What if I am?”
He reached for her hand automatically, reveling in the way her soft skin felt against his rough palms. His gaze dropped to her lips, tempting him to steal a kiss while they still had some privacy. Once he made his announcement, he’d be bombarded with excitement and questions. He took a step closer and lowered his head.
“Cody, look!” Jenna pointed behind him, her eyes wide and excited. “I don’t believe it. It’s Ed!”
Slowly, as to not startle the elusive beast, Cody turned to follow her finger. Only through the faint glow from the outdoor party lights could he make out the moose and his goofy head tilt. “What do you know.”
“Number five.”
“Number five indeed.” As he reached for his phone, sloth-like and cautious, Cody felt a pang of mourning. He wished as he had dozens of times earlier in the week, that the list was longer. It shouldn’t matter, considering his change in plans. But the excitement he expected to feel when they finally completed the list didn’t come.
“Cody, there’s another moose.”
“What?”
“Back in the trees.” She slowly raised her arm and pointed. “It doesn’t have antlers, though.”
“Ed, you sly devil,” Cody said, unable to quiet his laugh. “No wonder you keep running off. You have a girlfriend.”
“Moose date? C’mon.Thatis a stretch for me.”
“It’s rutting season. Turn around. We need that picture before he runs off after his new love.” Cody lifted his phone, positioning them in the photo to capture Ed before his animal instincts sent him running after the cow. He snapped three pictures before Ed pivoted and trotted toward the female moose.
“What is rutting season?” Jenna asked when he lowered the phone.
“Moose mating season.”
