She stepped onto the platform that didn’t even squeak at her weight. “Oh, this is perfect. We’ll be able to fit at least six extra tables up here. We’ll need a railing built to code. And another chandelier to cozy it up. But the view is great, isn’t it? They’ll be able to see all the action from up here, and the photographer will have a wonderful vantage point.”
Jonah cleared the ladder, then stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I love your passion for this place. Have I mentioned that?” He pressed a kiss to the crook of her neck.
Smiling, she tilted her head to give him greater access. “You just love my passion, period.”
“You’re not wrong.”
She closed her eyes and sank into the moment—something new to her. She still had to remind herself to stop and savor the moments. Not to be in such a rush to do more, climb higher, get ahead. Oh, she still wanted to do all those things.
But the tranquil moments were also nice. Very nice.
His lips had worked their way up her neck and jaw, and then he was turning her in his arms, his eyes hooded with want.
“You have that look on your face again,” she said.
And then his lips were on hers. She never tired of his kisses. He somehow hit the mark between commanding and reverent with expert precision. His touch and taste were familiar by now, equally soothing and stirring—and she craved both with an addict’s obsession.
His hands roved over her back as hers worked into his short brown hair, displacing his cap. She barely heard it thunk to the ground. Her hands followed the line of his shoulders and down to his arms. She lovedhis arms. Adored how secure she felt within their confines. Her heart was so full. She didn’t know love could feel this way. But now that she knew, she was greedy for more.
From below, Graham’s impatient bark brought her back to planet Earth.
Jonah decelerated the kiss, reluctance in the slow steps of his withdrawal. In the way he set his forehead against hers, as if not quite ready to let go of her. Their breaths came heavily, mingling together. “Reservations.”
She took delight in the ragged edge of his voice. “I know.” And now that her brain was starting to function again, she remembered she’d planned to wash her hair, blow-dry and curl it, the whole deal. Not to mention her nails. They were in terrible shape.
“I can’t wait to have you all to myself tonight,” he said.
“Me too—also the black-and-blue filet, if I’m honest.”
He chuckled, pressed a kiss to her forehead before he drew away. “That’s my girl.”
He glanced back at the window. “I’m gonna clean that window before I head home to shower. Ran out of time yesterday.”
“All right. I’ll meet you in the lot a little before seven?”
“No way. I’m coming to your door like a proper gentleman.”
“Have it your way,” she said, secretly delighted. She gave him a peck on the lips and tossed him a smile before she stepped onto the ladder and began her descent. Her gaze took in the spaciousness of the barn from above. She would almost hate filling those cracks where the sunlight sneaked through. It would be such a beautiful place for a wedding. Perhaps someday, in the not-too-distant future, she and Jonah would—
Her weight-bearing foot slipped. She grasped the sides. Too late.
Gravity took her. Panic stole her breath. A startled cry ripped from her throat.
And then there was nothing.
Chapter 2
Jonah paced the length of the hospital hallway, the past thirty minutes replaying in his head like a horror film. He couldn’t erase the terrible thud of Lauren’s body hitting the floor. The clatter of the ladder’s fall reverberated in his head. The sight of her unmoving body on the ground below him flashed in his mind on repeat. She’d looked as if she were—
Stop it. Stop. It. She’sgonnabe fine. Shehas tobe.
His mind returned to his panicked 911 call. To the long, helpless minutes of waiting, when all he could do was call her name. Hold her hand. Let the steady pulse in her neck give him hope.
Graham whined mournfully, tail tucked, licking her other hand.
What had seemed like an hour later but was probably only minutes, the EMTs stabilized Lauren’s neck with a brace. They put her on a board and carried her through the woods to the parking lot, where they loaded her into the ambulance. Jonah insisted on riding along, and since he’d gone to school with one of the EMTs, he’d gotten his way.
Upon arrival at the hospital they’d swept her through the ER and into a room for a CT scan. He wasn’t allowed in.
