* * *
The air was vibratingwith excitement at The Horseshoe Adventure Camp’s opening day. From the nature walks to the climbing wall, there was a sense of accomplishment and community spirit wherever Daniella went.
For most of the morning, she’d been helping Jackie hand out cold drinks and pre-packed lunches full of muffins, fruit, and a yummy sandwich.
The only person she hadn’t seen much of was Harrison. With a quiet word to Jackie, she left the kitchen and walked across to the zip line. Seeing him created a tangle of emotions inside her—admiration, affection, and a whisper of something deeper, something she hadn’t fully admitted to anyone until now.
As she watched him, she saw his natural ease with the children. He was helping them into their harnesses, his movements gentle but assured, giving them confidence even when they looked terrified.
His calm and encouraging words seemed to transform their nervous glances into eager anticipation. When a young boy hesitated at the edge of the platform, Harrison knelt beside him, speaking softly. Although Daniella couldn’t hear what he said, she saw the effect.
The boy’s posture relaxed and a tentative smile appeared on his face. He took a brave leap into the air, and zipped down the line with a whoop of delight.
A look of pride appeared on Harrison’s face. In that moment, Daniella saw more than the man she’d come to know and care about; she saw the counselor he used to be, the person who’d once made a profession out of helping others find their courage.
She stood there for a few more minutes, watching Harrison talk to other children. His genuine enthusiasm for their success, his high-fives, and encouraging nods weren’t just gestures—they were affirmations, the kind that could stay with a child long after the day was over.
Her heart swelled with a mix of pride and sadness. The opportunity in Nashville was more than just a job for Harrison; it was a return to a vocation where he could make a real difference.
When another volunteer joined him on the platform, she walked closer to where the children were lining up.
Harrison smiled when he saw her. “I was about to look for you. Are you surviving the number of people here?”
“There are a lot more guests than I thought there’d be.” She took a deep breath. “Do you have a few minutes? There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
Harrison glanced at the zip line, then back at her, his expression softening. “Sure, I can take as much time as you need.”
Daniella steered him to a quieter part of the ranch. She pressed her hand to her chest, hoping he didn’t realize how nervous she was. “I wanted to talk to you about what you said. About Nashville,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
Harrison looked at her with a guarded expression.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” she continued, her gaze locked with his. “And I’ve realized I really like you, Harrison. More than I thought. I might even be falling in love with you.”
His expression shifted, surprise and something close to regret passing over his features.
Daniella pressed on, the words tumbling out in a rush. “When you asked whether I’d move to Nashville, I didn’t take it lightly. And I want you to know I’m willing to give it more thought. I don’t want to lose what we have, even if it means considering a big change.”
Harrison was silent for a moment, his eyes searching hers. “Daniella, that’s a huge decision. I don’t want you to feel like you have to change your life for me.”
“But that’s just it,” she insisted. “It’s not just about changing my life for you. It’s about considering a future that might include you. I care about you, Harrison, and I don’t want to let that go without exploring what it could mean.”
He reached out, his hand gently brushing hers, a gesture that sent a jolt of warmth through her. “I care about you too, Daniella. More than I thought possible. But I don’t want to be the reason you leave everything behind.”
Daniella shook her head, a determined look in her eyes. “Let me worry about that. Right now, I just wanted you to know how I feel. We can figure out the rest together, if that’s what you want.”
As she stood in front of Harrison, she watched him carefully, trying to work out how he was feeling. His eyes shone brightly and the air between them was thick with unspoken words.
Then, in a move that took her breath away, he stepped closer, his gaze deep and unwavering. He cradled her face in his hands, sending a cascade of butterflies swirling in her stomach.
Daniella’s eyes widened. “Harrison,” she whispered, but he silenced her with a look, a soft intensity burning in his eyes.
In that heartbeat of a moment, Harrison’s lips met hers in a kiss that was gentle, but charged with emotion. It was a kiss that bridged the gap between them and whispered of new beginnings and shared journeys.
Daniella melted into the kiss, her arms wrapping around Harrison’s neck, drawing him closer. Every wall she’d built around her heart seemed to crumble under the tenderness of his touch. The kiss deepened, fueled by the raw honesty of their feelings, the shared understanding of loss, and the tentative hope for the future.
When they finally broke apart, gasping for air, Daniella’s heart was pounding. She looked into Harrison’s eyes and saw a reflection of her own emotions—a mixture of wonder, fear, and a dawning realization of the depth of their newfound love.
“I didn’t plan for this,” Harrison confessed, his voice husky with emotion. “But I love you, Daniella. More than I thought was possible.”
