by Dani Pettrey
He laughed beside the fire with Cole as they joked about something. It was such a treat to see him smiling. She was glad that was the last mental picture she’d have of him. So when she prayed for him or he invaded her thoughts, as she feared he would, she could picture him full of laughter and mischief.
She hated to leave, but it was time to return home. Christmas was the day after tomorrow, and she wanted to spend it in California with her family. But leaving this family was proving much harder than she imagined.
Gage seemed to sense her preparing for departure. He looked up, and his gaze held hers. “You going?”
“Yeah. I’ve got an eight-o’clock flight.”
“Okay, I’ll walk you out.”
Everyone hugged her so kindly and offered such heartfelt well-wishes, her reluctance to leave only grew.
“We’ll expect you back here for both weddings,” Piper said.
“Absolutely,” Bailey chimed in.
Darcy smiled. “Wouldn’t miss them for the world.”
Gage rested a hand on her back and guided her down the hall toward Cole’s front door. “So what now, Darcy St. James? What story will you be chasing after?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps an exposé about Alaskan adventure outfitters.”
“I hear they’ve got some smoking hot ones.”
“I’ll bet.” She laughed.
“I’m just saying, if you decide to go that direction, I might be able to help you out.”
“You’d do that for a leech reporter?”
“No, but I’d do it for you.” He tugged the end of her ponytail. “And I wish you the very best.”
She smoothed the collar of his shirt. “And I’ll keep you in prayer.”
“Of course you will.”
“What can I say? I’ve been told I’m a tenacious spitfire.”
“You can say that again. I’ve never heard anyone call Meredith a shrew before.” His charming smile spread. “But it suits her perfectly.”
Darcy bit her lip. “You heard that?” What else had he heard? The part where she’d called him amazing?
“Yep, you’ve got some pretty stout lungs in that little body.”
“I’m so embarrassed.” Heat rushed her cheeks.
“Don’t be. I’m impressed.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. You’ve got, as my grandma used to say, hutzpah.”
Darcy smiled.
“Thanks for what you said.” He brushed the bangs from her eyes. “About me.”
“You heard that too?” Just as she feared.
“Yep.”
She glanced down but then, gathering her courage, looked at him, into his gorgeous soulful eyes. “Well, it’s the truth.”
“Thank you for believing so.”
“You’re welcome.”
He held her gaze a moment; then his charming grin returned. “So . . .” He play-punched her shoulder. “I’ll see you around?”
“Wouldn’t surprise me. Turns out Alaska holds a lot of possibility.”
He lifted his chin. “I liked the look of California too.”
“Then, I’ll see you . . . one of these days.”
He smiled. “One of these days.”
She stepped outside, the warmth of the house quickly vanquished by the cold Alaskan air, and she wondered just how much she was leaving behind.
“You’re not peeking, are you?” Landon asked, his hands gripping her shoulders, guiding her along.
“You’ve got me blindfolded; I couldn’t peek if I wanted to.” She couldn’t see a thing, yet she felt so safe.
“Exactly why I have you blindfolded—because otherwise you’d peek.”
“That’s not true.” He knew her well.
“Come on, Piper; it’s me. I know you.”
She bit her bottom lip. “Fine. I might have peeked.”
He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his throat nuzzled against her neck. He was so close and smelled so good and . . .“How much longer?”
“You’re awfully impatient. I thought you loved surprises.”
“I do.”
“Good. Just a few more steps.”
She continued to let him guide her. She could tell they were in the forest, surrounded by the scent of evergreens but not far from the shore. She could hear the lap of waves against the beach.
“Okay. I’m going to have to take your blindfold off for this part, but your Christmas present is up top.”
“Okay.” Curiosity flowed through her as the cloth slipped from her eyes.
A tree trunk. Not what she’d been expecting.
“Up.”
She followed the line of his outstretched hand to a tree house nestled high in the branches.
She looked back at him, catching a glimpse of his cabin in the distance. “You built me a tree house?” It was so cool. Just like the one she’d had as a kid. “But when did you . . . ?”
“Your brothers helped me when you went Christmas shopping with Kayden.”
“Wow. You work fast.”
“We had a mission.”
“You sound like Gage.”
“You should have seen him. Came with every tool known to man.”
“I can only imagine.”
“Shall we go up? I’m sure you’re dying to know what your present is.”
“Huh? I thought the tree house . . .”
He smirked. “There you go thinking again.”
“Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
Landon grasped the rope ladder and held it steady for her. Once she was on the platform, he followed her up.
The tree house was adorable. Two large rectangular windows were cut on both the north and south sides. A roof hung overhead and a large platform deck wrapped all around. She moved to the south window and stared out at the ocean lapping against Tariuk’s shore. “The view is fabulous.”
“Yes it is,” he said, leaning against the wall, taking in the full sight of her.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
“But that’s not your present.”
“I don’t understand.”
“This window.” He held out his hand, and she followed him to the north-facing window. “We may have to be patient.”
“Okay. Patient for what?”
He shook his head. “Always so curious.” He opened the wooden box built into the wall and pulled out a large comforter. “Take a seat.”
She settled onto the bench. He joined her and wrapped the blanket around them.
Mmm. She could get used to this.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” He reached over and retrieved a thermos. “Cocoa to keep us warm.”
She nuzzled against him. “I don’t think we need any help in that department.”
“Patience,” he murmured, more to himself than her. He poured her a cup and then wrapped his arms back around her. “Now we wait.”
“For what?”
“You’ll see. Keep your eye trained on that copse of trees.”
She took a sip of cocoa, curious what Landon had in store, but as long as she was at his side, she didn’t care.
“There,” he said, straining forward.
She focused on the spot . . . on movement.
A moose entered the small clearing. Her favorite animal.
She smiled.
“Wait for it,” he whispered, his breath tantalizing her ear.
Two calves followed, one after another. The three animals bent, grazing on the foliage protected by the canopy of spruce from winter’s harsh elements.
“How did you know they were here?”
“Harvey startled them a while back. I’ve kept him away from this side of the cabin, hoping they’d return. When they did, I decided to build you a viewing platform.”
She gazed around. “A very elaborate viewing platform.”
“Well, I wanted you to have cover, and then Cole suggested the bench, and Gage . . .”
She smiled. “I can only imagine Gage’s suggestions.”
Landon chuckled. “Most were outlandish, but he had one great one.”
“Oh yeah?”
Landon nodded and stepped from the blanket.
She was about to protest, wanting him near, when she caught sight of the smile curling on his lips. This was going to be good.
He stopped in the center of the room and pulled a cord from overhead. The ceiling split and a flap opened out. “Sunroof.” He grinned.
She stepped over to the hole. “Nice.”
He pulled her back into his arms. “I figured on clear nights we could open the roof, spread out a blanket and lay here gazing up at the night’s sky.”
“And then?”
“And then you’ll be my wife and we can . . .” He didn’t finish his thoughts, just lowered his lips to hers.
Acknowledgments
Jesus, my Lord and Savior: Thank you for your abiding love and grace. I’d be lost without you. May every story be for your glory.
Mike: For always believing, for always being there, for loving me like you do.
Ty: For last-minute plotting sessions, for grammar lessons, Starbucks runs, for everything you do and are. I love you beyond measure.
Dave Long and Karen Schurrer: My amazing editorial team. I am so grateful for you both. It is a joy and an honor to team with you.
My Bethany House family: I am so blessed to be part of such a talented group of believers. Each and every one of you is a privilege to know and work with.
Dee: I thank God upon every remembrance of you, friend.
Lisa, Maria, Kristin, Donna, and Kelli: Thank you for sharing your lives with me. I am the richer for it.
The DEBS: Katie, Beth, Olivia, and Rel, I am so grateful God brought us all together to share this amazing path He’s called us to. I love walking it with all of you.
Katrina Turner and Becca Addington: For your amazing support and for sharing Submerged with so many of your friends.
Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves—the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.
Books by Dani Pettrey
* * *
Submerged
Shattered
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
Website: www.bethanyhouse.com
Facebook: Bethany House
