Part
Three
As they exited
the tunnel and pulled into the overlook, Tyne drew in a sharp breath, awestruck
by the incredible vista before them. Snow glazed every inch of Yosemite Valley
in crystalline splendor as the last of the daylight glimmered through a
temporary break in the clouds to shine on the trees below. From the towering
bulk of El Capitan’s sheer face to the shimmering beauty of Bridalveil Falls,
she could only stare in wonder.
“That view alone
was worth the torturous drive.”
She tore her
gaze away from the breathtaking panorama to face Aaron. “And it only took us
ten hours to get here.”
“Not what we
were expecting, that’s for sure.”
He disengaged
the brake, and they wound slowly down into the valley on the slippery road.
Every time the tires slid, he gently corrected, maneuvering with precision and
confidence. Strangely, Tyne wasn’t the least bit nervous.
“Wow, that was
crazy.” He let out a long breath when they reached the bottom of the treacherous
descent. “I wasn’t sure we were going to make it.”
“You were
nervous?”
“Hell yeah?
Weren’t you?”
She frowned.
“No, I trust you implicitly.”
“Maybe that’s
the problem.”
Tyne stared at
his profile in the lengthening shadows, all stark angles and tight lips.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” He
slowed a little as they approached a tight curve. “I’m just tense.”
“Pull over.
There’s a turnout just ahead.”
He turned to
stare. “Why?”
“Just do it.”
He stopped where
she directed, parked the SUV, and turned off the engine. “We should be at the
hotel shortly, but if you have to go that bad—”
Tyne grinned. “I
don’t need to use the bushes. I thought we’d take a walk in the snow. You know,
just chill for a bit.”
“We’ll chill, all
right. It’s probably twenty degrees out. A far cry from winter temps in L.A.”
He opened the door and stepped out. “But, I’m game.”
She reached into
the back to grab their coats. After sliding off the seat to land in knee-deep
powder, she handed him his down jacket and shrugged on her parka. “I sure hope
I remembered to pack gloves.” She blew into her hands. “For now, my pockets
will have to suffice.”
He took one of
her hands in his warm palm and held it. “I’ll keep one hand warm for you. Let’s
walk.”
They plowed
through the snow, side-by-side, leaving a ragged trail behind them. When they
were both out of breath, they stopped. Above them, fat snowflakes drifted
lazily downward as the storm picked up strength again. Tyne dropped into the
snow with a whoop and waved her arms and legs.
“You’re going to
get soaked.”
“Probably, but
I’m an angel.” When he reached down a hand, she grabbed it, then gave a hard
tug to pull him to the snow beside her.
The air left him
with a whoosh. “That does it.” Rolling over, he pinned her wrists while she
squealed in protest, then straddled her. Bending near, he met her gaze. “You,
Tyne Darling, are no angel.”
Her light-hearted
laughter echoed through the trees. “Maybe not. What are you going to do to me?”
His eyes
darkened. “I know what I should do, but instead…” He scooped up a handful of
snow and slid it beneath the collar of her jacket into her sweater.
The shock of icy
cold, wet snow on her warm skin stole her breath. “Oh, I’ll get you for that.”
She jerked down the coat zipper and dug the melting clump out from under the
soft knit fabric, but a trickle of ice water soaked into the waistband of her
leggings. Her teeth chattered. “You’re mean.”
“Not always a
sweet, trustworthy guy? Imagine that?”
Tyne stopped
squirming and narrowed her eyes. “Okay, spit it out, Aaron. Something is
bugging you.”
With a snort, he
climbed to his feet and grabbed her wrist to pull her up. He brushed off the
snow stuck to her hair, and his fingers lingered to wipe away a snowflake on
her cheek. “Maybe I’m tired of always being the nice guy who finishes last. Did
you ever think of that?”
Confusion swirled
in her gut, twisting into a knot. His disappointment was clear enough,
shadowing his eyes as he looked for something in her he couldn’t seem to find.
“You certainly
don’t finish last. You’re so far ahead of the game in every way that matters, I
can’t even begin to catch up. You have strength and integrity and kindness
going for you.” She smiled, hoping to ease the tension tightening his lips.
“And you’re ruggedly handsome to boot. Rarrrr…”
“A hug-worthy
Teddy Bear.” He rolled his eyes. “Isn’t that special?”
“Maybe not a
ferocious grizzly…”
“You could be
wrong about that.” With a swift move, he scooped her off her feet and carried
her toward the base of a massive pine tree.
“Aaron, what the
heck?” She clung to his neck. “If you drop me—”
“I’m not going
to drop you. I’m going to do something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time
now. I’m going to take a risk and just go for it.”
She stared into glittering
green eyes as his warm breath touched her cheek. Her voice was slightly raspy
when she spoke. “Tie me to a tree and leave me as a snack for the bears?”
“Not exactly.
Look up.”
Leaning back
with her head against his arm, she stared into the branches high overhead.
“See that big
dark ball up there.”
She nodded.
“Looks like some sort of strange growth.”
“It’s mistletoe,
and you know what that means…”
He bent and
kissed her…and kept kissing her, his firm lips exploring hers until her head
spun and she gasped for breath. Her heart pounded out a frantic rhythm when he
finally lifted his face a few inches.
Amazed delight
filled her. “Wow, I guess you really do have all the right moves.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. Just
me, realizing how wrong I was.” She touched his cheek. “Why’d you kiss me?”
“Because I don’t
want to finish last. Not ever again.”
She smiled as
she gazed into familiar eyes that held so much more than simple friendship. “Do
you know what? I think we’re both finally going to be winners. Aaron?”
“Hmm?” He
dropped another kiss on her upturned lips before letting her slide down to the
ground.
“What took you
so long?”
* *
* *
I hope you enjoyed All The Right Moves! For information and buy links for my books, check out my WEBSITE. Up next is the incomparable Vonnie Davis. You won't want to miss her story beginning tomorrow. Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Funny how in twenty degree temperatures, everything feels so warm and right! Nice job.
ReplyDeleteVery nice ending, Jannine. So glad she finally wised up. And good for him to take the initiative. That story left me feeling warm and content inside.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I warmed up your morning, ladies!
ReplyDeleteNatural mistletoe...brilliant! Yes, friendship comes first...and always. Way to tie up the package, Jannine!
ReplyDeleteGreat ending. And loved the setting. I've been there and it's obvious you know the terrain and weather. Authenticity!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rolynn!
ReplyDeleteI've been to Yosemite quite a few times but not in years, Brenda. The most beautiful place I've ever seen! But, the no dogs on the hiking trails rule makes it tough with Ginger.
Awesome ending, Jannine. You have such a knack for describing scenery in a few powerful words. Sigh...I loved this story, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vonnie. What a lovely compliment.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Love the setting and the story. Sooo sweet and heartwarming!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ally!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love! I adore nice guys.
ReplyDeleteWhew! What a day. I finally got a breather and treated myself to the ending of this story. Well, you did it again. I knew you wouldn't disappoint me--you never do. I LOVED this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris and Alison. After an entire day spent Christmas shopping in Reno, your comments soothed my rattled nerves!
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Jannine! I love their playfulness (although I would NOT have been so understanding about the snow stuffed in my clothes!).
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Leah. However, I think Tyne deserved the snow...
ReplyDelete