Page 62 of Two Tickets to Paradise

"No, no worries. I think everyone was dealing with things in their own ways."

He lifted a hand and brushed her hair back from her face. "I think it did everyone good. Things between us," his gaze dipped down to her mouth and then back to her eyes again, "we’re going so fast."

She swallowed at the knot that formed in her throat. "We were moving quickly and..." She looked away from him at the wall, struggling to pull her thoughts together and not look as worried as she was feeling. "I guess we shouldn't've-"

"Hey," Vince caught her chin with his fingers, and held her still as he moved to fill her vision, "if you're going to go there, do it because that's how you feel. Don't say it if you think that's where my thoughts are going, because I wasn't. Let me explain this, okay?"

"Okay." She licked at her lips and met his gaze with more courage than she actually felt. "I'm listening."

He smiled and her heart melted. How could he have such an effect on her with just a smile?

"I think that we were going there because there's something between us. Something that I hope will keep growing over time. I just think that there's something to be said for getting to know each other better before we get there." His fingers trailed gentlyalong her jaw, teasing her with tenderness. "We're going to get there, Cora. And when we do-"

"It's going to be amazing, isn't it?"

He nodded, agreeing with her. "We are."

Cora couldn't quite explain what it meant to her to have this conversation.

To say it took a weight off of her shoulders was an understatement.

Incredibly, it was a concern she didn't even know she'd had weighing her down!

Looking into Vince's eyes and knowing that they were somehow on the same page made her feel like she wanted to jump for joy.

Well, jump if her back wasn't sore from all of the furniture moving she'd done that morning.

"So," Vince gave her a quick peck of a kiss on her forehead, "what can I help you with?"

Grinning from ear to ear, Cora slid off of the stool and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "I need a hug first."

"I'm all for any excuse to hug you." He wrapped her up in his embrace and moved his hands over her back. "Is it wrong to say I missed waking up beside you?"

"I missed waking up with you, too." She looked up at him with a wide grin. "Now that you're here. Can I put you to work?"

"Absolutely."

She looked across the room at the stack of fabric on top of a bowling ball rack. "We have to take those tablecloths and put them on these tables." She gestured at the massive table that she'd put together. "Apparently, the Phillips family is as big as an army." She clapped her hand over her mouth. "When my brother gets here, don't tell him I said Army."

Vince laughed. "Careful," he joked, "he's already here. He's the one who picked me up at the Navy Lodge and brought me today."

Her jaw dropped. "Cam brought you here?"

Vince nodded. "He came to see me last night at the lodge and we had a good talk."

Cora was stunned.

Shocked.

"I... I don't understand."

"Come on," he took her hand and started to walk over to the pile of tablecloths, "I'll explain while we help set up."

Smiling, Cora followed him across the room knowing that her Thanksgiving was going to be a wonderful day.

By the timethey started bowling, Vince was regretting his choice of clothing. Not just for the day but for the trip.

His mother and grandmother put out a fantastic spread for any holiday meal, but the celebration with Cameron's Marine team and the Phillips family was on another level.

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