Valentine Vacation--Chapter Three--Missy Tippens

Valentine Vacation--Chapter Three

By Missy Tippens

Amelia stood at the end of the boardwalk waiting for her “date.” Her boldness had morphed into anxiety. She’d never been so nervous in her entire life. Not even on her wedding day. Would her children be proud that she was meeting a man—a stranger—to walk on the beach? Or would they think she’d really lost it this time?

She smoothed a hand over her skirt. Tugged at her sweater. Finger combed her wind-tossed hair. Maybe she should—

“Amelia.” His voice carried on the wind, strong and sure. It helped calm her raging nerves as he approached.

“Hi, Colin.” The strength of her own voice surprised her.

He held out his hand. “Shall we?”

The gesture held promise of more than a mere invitation for a walk, and for a moment, she hesitated. Was she ready for this? “You know, I can’t help but wonder if God’s giving me an opportunity to move on with a new phase of my life.”

His blue eyes sparkled in the sun with humor…and warmth. “I think so. God definitely led me here.” His hand remained suspended, waiting for her to take it. He nodded, indicating she should grab on. But then she noticed his wedding ring. And thought of hers, still securely in place on her left ring finger.

Gnawing on the inside of her cheek, she could almost hear her children’s voices, fussing at her, nudging . So she took the leap—took his hand and let him lead her into the powdery white sand.

As they walked, they talked. About life back home, about their families. By the time they reached the pier a mile or so down the beach and turned around to head back to the hotel, she felt as if they’d been friends for ages.

When they reached the boardwalk, and neither of them seemed inclined to end the date, he said, “How about sitting for a while? Then maybe join me for dinner?”

Something flashed in the sand, drawing her attention away. “What’s that?”

He gave her a crooked smile. “You know, you can just tell me no, if you don’t care to join me.”

“I’m serious.” She stepped off the path and carefully picked her way between the sea oats. “It looks almost like a…no, it couldn’t be.”

He came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, stopping her. “Careful. There are also briers. Show me where it is.”

His warm hands on her shoulders, his sturdy chest behind her, and his fresh, spicy scent all drew her, making her lean into him. It had been so long since she’d craved a man’s strength like she craved his now. She couldn’t even answer him.

“Do you still see it?” His breath ticked the hair on the back of her neck.

Forcing some starch back into her spine, she leaned forward, away from him. “Right there. A ring.”

He dodged the plants and reached down to pick it up. “Well, whaday know? It is a ring.”

She gazed into his hand. “It’s a diamond solitaire. And a valuable one at that.”

“Yeah, you better appreciate it. I went to a lot of trouble to plan this surprise engagement.”

Her eyes snapped to his face. When he laughed, she let her breath out on a rush of air. “Oh, good. For a second there, I was afraid you were crazy.”

Still chuckling at her reaction, he took her right hand, placed the ring on her ring finger, for safekeeping, he said. Then he helped her out of the dunes. “Come on. Let’s have dinner together and figure out how we’re going to locate the owner of this ring.”

Her heart thrilled at the idea of dinner together. And at the fact he was honest, wanting to do the right thing. The extremely large diamond on her finger flashed in the sun, winking at her. “I can’t think of any way I’d rather spend my evening.”