Project Love (Cascade Brides Series) (12 page)

When they arrived at the falls after splashing through
shallows in the creek, Charity paused and took in the sight before
Daniel tugged on her hand. Once they were close enough to feel a bit
of the mist, he stopped. The falls, framed by the delicate tracery of
ferns and twisting trees, were small, especially compared to the
Multnomah Falls. And the delicate spray did look something like a
bridal veil.

“
Beautiful, isn't it?”

“
Very,” she agreed. “But do you really think some
grizzled settler saw these falls and thought 'bridal veil'?”

“
Even the most manly men can have poetry in their
souls, Charity.”

“
Including you?” she asked, squinting up at him
through a bright sunbeam.

He grinned. “Of course.”

“
Still, I think the
settler's wife made him name the falls what
she
wanted.”

“
That's more likely, I admit.”

“
She was probably like 'no more kisses until you let
me name the falls'.”

Daniel drew her to a large boulder they could both fit
on. “Speaking of kissing,” he said when they were settled.

Charity blinked up at him. “What about it?”

“
This seems like a pretty good place for the
activity.”

She had to resist the impulse to laugh out loud. “And
you ascertained those facts how?”

His mouth quirked. “Location, as in privacy. It has
natural beauty, not forced as in say, some theme park attraction.
Bridal themes make one think of pairing off...”

“
Tell me that was off the cuff.”

“
Why?”

“
I mean, if you sat down and made a list of places for
kissing based on their features—”

“
I tend to be deliberate and thorough in my dealings,
Charity.”

Goodness, the way her brain twisted those words...

“
So you don't mind?”

“
Mind?” she said stupidly.

“
If I kissed you?”

While she floundered
for a response, Daniel dipped his head and brushed his lips against
hers. The contact was softer and sweeter than anything she'd ever
experienced. When he pulled away slightly, she caught the front of
his jacket and urged him closer instead. The next kiss brought to
mind the terms
deliberate
and
thorough
...and
then some.

The bark of a dog in the distance was followed by the
shriek of children. Daniel lifted his lips, his eyes shining softly
as he regarded her. Charity lowered her hands to rest against his
chest, disappointed that the stolen moments had to end, but also
needing a reprieve from her tumult of emotions.

A nearby splash alerted them that others were coming
down the trail. Daniel took her hand and got to his feet. “Ready to
head to Multnomah Falls?”

She nodded and followed
him along the rocky path. A golden lab streaked past, barking and
splashing in the water. A young boy and his parents were close
behind. They waved in passing. During the short hike back to the car,
Charity struggled to make sense of her feelings. The fact that she'd
been overwhelmed by his kisses had nothing to do with skill, but
everything to do with the knowledge that he'd held nothing in his
heart back. He'd made himself vulnerable to her and that was a
precious thing.
The problem is I don't know if I can
reciprocate the sentiment
.

***

Daniel kept his eyes on the road, but was tempted to
scrutinize Charity for a hint of her feelings. While she sat,
apparently relaxed, her quiet manner made him wonder if he'd made a
misstep.

No, she'd kissed him back, and with a certain amount of
enthusiasm.

Since he was hoping for a repeat soon, he needed to be
confident of her state of mind. She didn't say much as he pulled in
to one of the few empty spots at Multnomah Falls. As it was, they had
a bit of a walk ahead of them. The nice weather had brought people
out in droves.

“
I came here once before with my sisters,” Charity
said, taking his hand. “We noticed the license plates on the cars
were from all over the country, same as now. So we had a competition
to see who could get the most states.”

“
Who won?” Daniel asked, leading her around a
misplaced rock.

“
Nobody. We ended up having a huge argument over it
and just gave up.”

“
Sounds like the usual sibling rivalry.”

Charity looked up at him. “Maybe.”

It was obvious she didn't think so.

They threaded their way past families and caregivers
pushing tourists in wheelchairs. As they approached the falls
viewpoint, they met a large cluster of people taking pictures.

“
Wow,” he said. “It's prettier than I remember.”

The majestic falls plunged from a butte down into a
small pond below. Cutting across the center of the vista was an
arched bridge—right now, crammed with people—making a perfect
composition of art and nature.

“
Let's go up on the bridge.”

Charity easily acquiesced and they headed up another
winding path—this one more level—and came out at a landing area
adjacent to the falls. Several people stood posing in front of the
falls while friends and family took pictures.

“
I never came here with my mom,” Charity said.
“Faith brought us here. Presumably to give Mom some peace and quiet
as she convalesced after another surgery. But Faith had dreams of
becoming a photographer, and naturally she had her camera. We spent
the whole time posturing and arguing that Faith said we'd ruined any
chance for a decent shot.”

“
You sound like you were a group of high-spirited
young ladies.”

Charity sent him a reproving look. “When we got back
to the car, Hope slammed my fingers in the car door and Faith had to
take me to the nearest hospital. We drove home with her crying
because she was worried how we'd cover the bill.”

“
Yikes.”

“
Yep. Good times.”

He put his arm around her. “People change. They
mature.”

“
They also hang onto hopes that might never come
true.”

Daniel sighed. “I get the message.”

She put a hand on his chest. “I'm sorry, Daniel. I
guess I'm not gung-ho to reconnect with my sisters just yet. Okay?”

He nodded while inwardly he knew there'd be no
reconciliation without connecting. “Let's go on the bridge.”

They slipped past the other people and found an empty
spot along the railing. Charity closed her eyes for a moment,
apparently enjoying the feel of the fine mist from the powerful
falls.

Unable to help himself, he slipped his arms around her
waist from behind, and was gratified when she leaned back against
him. He relished her trust in him, relished the way she fit just
right in his arms.

Daniel dipped his head next to her ear. “We should
kiss again.”

She opened her eyes and twisted around. “As a matter
of form?”

“
As a matter of form.”

Her gaze went to his lips as if she were considering the
idea. But before he could take action, he heard his name.

“
Are you sure it's Daniel Tabor?”

“
Yes, I swear he looks just like the guy on TV!”

Charity's eyes widened. Apparently she heard it, too. “I
think some of your fans found you,” she said in a low voice.

“
Excuse me, sir?”

Daniel stifled a groan and turned to face the speaker.

Wide blue eyes stared
back at him—in a girl of about sixteen, standing next to a tall,
giggling brunette. “Omigosh, it's
you!
”

“
Uh, thanks for watching.” Ugh. That was the best he
could do? He tried again. “Nice to meet you...we were just
leaving.”

“
Oh, please, can you
take a picture with us? We're Facebook fans. This is so cool! You
would make our whole
day!
”

Daniel looked at Charity for guidance.

She shrugged. “Might help with the PR thing.”

“
Are you his wife?”

Her dark eyes went to the blonde who addressed her.

“
Um, you said something about a picture?” Daniel
interrupted. “We have to make it quick.”

Suddenly he had a teenager on either side. Poor Charity
was edged out completely. Then there was a flash as the blonde held
up her phone over their heads.

“
Thanks so much! You rock!”

He took that as his cue to exit. Grabbing Charity's
hand, he led her back through the throng, down the trail, and back to
the car. He only allowed himself to relax when they were inside the
car with the doors locked.

Charity watched him with a mischievous expression. “You
looked like a deer caught in the headlights.”

Daniel started the car.
“I
felt
like a deer
caught in the headlights.”

She laughed. “I suppose I should pity your celebrity,
but I don't know having a fan club might go right to your head.”

“
I'm just going to say life was more controlled before
the advent of social media.”

“
Poor, poor man.”

He grunted and headed home.

When they arrived at her apartment and walked to her
door, Daniel was tempted to ask if he could come in. Despite the
awkward moments, he was loathe to leave her company. But on the
drive, he'd noticed new lines of strain around her eyes and mouth. If
he had any hope of an honest answer as to how she was doing, he'd
ask. But despite her eyes that revealed more than she probably
realized, he knew she was still playing some things close to her
chest.

She regarded him for a moment before speaking. “I had
a nice time today. Thank you, Daniel.”

“
It was my pleasure. Are we on for tomorrow?”

She nodded.

He reached up and touched her cheek. When she didn't
stiffen or turn away, he lowered his head and made up for a lost
opportunity.

***

Work was a challenge when Charity's mind kept drifting
to her weekend with Daniel. She struggled to maintain her usual
cheerful persona so Jessie wouldn't begin teasing her—because she
sensed him watching her. If anyone could sniff out an office romance,
it was her boss.

Working alongside Amy, she chatted with her customers,
feeling like she was trapped in a bubble of unreality. How had things
progressed so quickly with Daniel? How did she really feel about it?
About him?

He's good looking and great to be with.

But he'll also have high expectations for me.
Expectations I'm not sure I can meet
.

Fighting a sliver of depression at the thought, she
redoubled her efforts to make sure the coffee shop customers were
well-served.

When the morning rush passed by, anticipation began to
thrum in her veins. Daniel might pop in. Or he might not. She
wondered how his PR job was going. Wondered how many new Facebook
fans he had. Charity glowered.

Jill ambled in the door just then, a poster in her hand.
“Hey, everyone. How's it going?”

“
What now?” Jessie asked, as if beleaguered by her
presence.

“
Just one,” she said, leaning against the counter.
“This one's right up your alley, Charity. That food drive you
helped with last year.”

“
Ah,” she said non-commitally.

“
I'm going to do it, too,” Jill said. “It'll be
fun to work together.”

Charity examined the date on the poster. “Uh, I'm
pretty sure I'm busy that weekend.”

“
Doing what?” Jessie asked, his voice tinged with
disbelief.

Charity rubbed at a spot on the bar. “I'm involved
with a fund-raiser for a nursing home.”

“
Oh,” he said, deflating a little. “I thought you
were going to shock us by saying you planned on spending time with
family or friends.”

“
You're a laugh a minute,” she retorted.

“
Well, I'm still gonna do it,” Jill said. “Anyone
else with me?”

“
Sure,” Amy chimed in. “I bet there'll be some
cute guys there, too.”

“
Probably more senior citizens than cute guys,”
Jessie said, “but whatever gets you there.”

Jill raised her brows. “So can I put up the poster?”

“
Yeah, yeah,” Jessie said with a sigh. “Make sure
it's straight this time.”

After she left, Charity's boss gave her the eye. “What's
this nursing home thing you're up to?”

“
Just what it sounds like.”

“
I don't remember seeing that event in the window.”

“
It wasn't.”

“
Then how did you hear about it? Last time I checked
your social life was dictated by the weekly poster.”