Holden swung the vehicle around and backed up to the edge, stopping just a few feet from a drop off that had Rachel’s stomach going weightless.
“Take my hand?” he asked when he met her at her side.
He didn’t need to ask. Of course, she’d wanted to hold his hand for a myriad of reasons. But at the moment, it was to make sure she didn’t lose her footing and tumble down the precarious cliff. He guided her to the truck bed and helped her up onto it, then went back to the front for the basket and blankets.
“Here, put this one down first.” He passed her the top blanket.
She spread it over the cold metal, then lowered to sit. Hiking a leg up, Holden lifted into the back and found his place beside her. He took the corner of the remaining blanket and moved the hefty fabric over her shoulders, then curled next to her beneath it.
“You good?”
She nodded.
“Warm enough?”
“Yes, Holden. Thank you.”
He flipped open the latch on the basket and withdrew a Thermos and two aluminum mugs. The moment he twisted off the lid, she sensed the aroma of rich chocolate, spiced with chili powder and a hint of sea salt. Her tongue watered in anticipation.
He poured her a cup first, then one for himself.
Rachel cradled the mug in her hands. “This really is incredible.”
“It’s a good recipe,” he agreed.
“Yes, it is. But I was referring to this.”
She nudged her chin toward the landscape ahead of them. She’d always known Snowdrift was a special place, but right now she realized it was truly one of a kind. And so was the man sitting beside her.
“You know? I remember now why I thought this place looked familiar.” She took a slow sip of the hot cocoa and let the warmth slide down to her stomach.
“Oh, yeah?”
She lifted her head in a nod. “I came here once, all by myself, and parked pretty close to where we’re parked right now.” She took another drink as the memory came filtering to the forefront of her thoughts. “It was right after I’d turned in my application for the scholarship. Believe it or not, I was still torn about whether I should actually go to the city.”
Holden’s brow furrowed. “Was it ever a question?”
“Not one I ever spoke aloud,” she confessed. “But in my heart, I was pulled in two directions. I came up here one night and made a wish. It seemed appropriate because it was a wish my sister once made that even led me to San Francisco in the first place. But that day, I made my own. On a star. I wished that the decision would be made clear, one way or another.” She blew out a breath that suspended in front of her mouth in a frosty cloud. “And the next day, I found out the scholarship was mine.”
Holden discarded his mug to the rail of the truck and drew his knees to his chest. He wrapped his arms around them, his prominent brow strained as though in pain.
She thought she heard a small groan. “Are you okay?” She settled her own mug in front of her.
“I can’t help but think I’m the reason your wish came true.”
“What do you mean?” The blanket slipped from her shoulder. She tugged it tighter.
“I wasn’t disqualified. I pulled my application.”
“Why would you do that?” Her fingers stiffened on the fabric.
“Because I knew you needed that scholarship. I overheard your parents talking about it once in their store.”
Rachel’s throat felt like she’d swallowed sand. “I don’t understand.”
“I eliminated myself from the competition.”
“Why, Holden?”
