“It was you. I’m sorry I was so slow and stupid. I figured it out last night. I always thought it was Hope. That’s the reason I kept dating her and hoping that we were a match. That kiss. I’ve never felt one like it before or since.”
She smiled. “I hope you felt one like it last night and today.”
He chuckled and leaned in. “Let me try again and see.”
“Oh, you.” She pushed at his chest.
He laughed. “Later?”
“For sure.”
“It’s driven me crazy throughout the years, wondering why Hope kissed me so beautifully that first time. The other times we kissed weren’t anywhere close to that kiss. Hope’s great, but she’s just not right for me.”
“That’s good to know.” She tilted her head. “Who is right for you?”
“Only you, beautiful Meredith. But now we must get back to how and why you earn time to google me.”
“Oh, my goodness! We’re never going to get past this.” She drew in and pushed out a huffy breath. “Like I said, I’ve always loved you, and when you left, it was hard on me. Men asked me out, and I dated, but no one was as good as you.”
He liked that. What was he thinking? He loved it.
“I went through a phase where I googled you any free time I had.”
His eyebrows raised. That was a little extreme, though a huge confidence boost to him.
“My mom found out and told me that was too obsessive, especially as she didn’t think you’d ever come back. So, I prayed about it and tried to find ways to cut back. I came up with the chart. If I keep certain good habits or accomplish hard tasks, I get check marks. Ten check marks earns me half an hour of ‘Google Cruz’ time.” She ducked her head.
Cruz hugged her tight. “I love you.”
She glanced up at him. “I love you too. And you understand what I’m saying about all of us having our own issues we have to deal with.”
He guessed she was right. Most people hid their issues, but everybody had them. “That’s what makes the world interesting,” he said.
“True. Do you think I could help you overcome your mom’s voice in your head?”
His stomach warmed. “By complimenting me nonstop?”
She laughed. “Some of that, and partially just being with you and showing you how great I think you are, and of course, praying for you and praying together.”
“Is kissing going to play into the equation?”
“Definitely.”
She reached up and kissed him. He thought all of her ideas would help, but as he kissed her, there wasn’t room for anything else in his brain, so it definitely had the most potential to shut his mom’s voice out. He smiled against her lips and said, “This is the magic potion. More kissing please.”
She laughed and said, “I’m not too pretty for that.”
“Yes, you are, but let’s kiss nonstop anyway.”
She giggled and complied.
Chapter Fourteen
Cruz and Meredith spent every moment they could together over the next ten days. They’d usually start their day with a walk, hike, or bike ride, and then he’d help his dad or deal with whatever marketing or emails Taylee sent his way while Meredith went to work. He’d come take her to lunch and often stay to help her at the ice cream parlor in the afternoons. They spent every evening together boating, being with their families, cooking together or going out, or doing something fun at the resort. She made him her “famous rolls” a few more times, and he always moaned as he ate them. It was really cute of him.
Her favorite time was each night as they’d snuggle and kiss before they’d pray together. Then he’d go to his dad’s house to sleep. They talked more about his mom’s treatment of him and how he could forgive her and put it behind him. They hadn’t talked much about what would happen when they had to separate, and sadly, today was that day.
Meredith stood on her porch, clinging tightly to Cruz. It was almost nine at night, and he had a four hour drive to Flathead Lake where he’d start teaching at their wakeboarding academy in the morning. She didn’t want him navigating the canyon roads after dark, but she couldn’t force herself to let him go. His schedule would be busy, and she wouldn’t see him for a while.
Bravely, she stared up at him. “I hate that I don’t know when I’ll see you again.”
He nodded, more serious than usual as he kissed her forehead. “I’ll have a week break in six weeks, and I’ll be here, I promise. Plus, we’ll spend Thanksgiving and Christmas together.”
“Six weeks sounds like an eternity.”
“True. You can come see me anytime if you can work it out with your shop.”
She nodded. He’d said the same many times, but she’d never left her shop for more than a couple of days. Her parents and employees would be happy to man it, but it still wasn’t a permanent solution to how to be together.
“We’ll make it work, Mer. I promise you we will.”
“You’re not too pretty to make it work?”
He laughed. “You’re too pretty, but thank the good Lord, you’re giving me a chance.”
“I do thank Him.” She smiled tremulously up at him, and he gave her a tender, lingering kiss. Then she forced herself to step back and said, “You’d better go. I worry about you driving at night.”
He smiled. “You do realize half of my career is in the winter time driving over icy roads to isolated ski resorts.”
“Are you trying to make me more nervous?”
“No. Just trying to prove what a fabulous driver I am.”
“Oh, of course, you are.” She laughed.
He kissed her again, and then slowly backed away. “I love you. See you soon.”
“Love you.” She blew him a kiss and watched from her porch as he walked to his truck and climbed in, raising one last hand in farewell.
His truck lights disappeared amongst the trees. She stood on her porch as the sun disappeared and darkness crept over her beautiful valley. She didn’t see the beauty of nature. She didn’t see anything but Cruz’s bright smile and blue eyes. The next six weeks were going to be rough.
Meredith focused on “fake it till you make it” the next couple of weeks. Cruz constantly impressed her, but the fact that he’d stayed positive in the face of his mom’s constant belittlement was one of the most amazing things to her. If he could keep a smile on his face despite being harped on at home for years, she could keep a smile on her face while aching for him for six weeks. They talked and texted every chance they got, but it wasn’t enough for her. She missed him.
If only she could find a way to be with him on a permanent basis. She glanced around her ice cream parlor. She loved it here. Baking and serving and loving people was what she did best. She’d built this business by herself and didn’t want to give it up.
She looked out the window at the incredible view of the lake and mountains. She loved this valley and being near her parents. Yet … Cruz. If he’d asked, she would’ve given it all up to be with him, but she knew he wouldn’t ask. He loved her too much to take away what she enjoyed doing and had worked so hard for.