Page 69 of When We Are Falling

Falling together now, it’s the high point of what’s been an amazing ride, and I can’t imagine how things could get any better. The world below us, the woman I love in my arms, and the feeling of absolute freedom—it’s all more than I could ever ask for.

The parachute deploys and one second we’re falling, the next we’re gliding, drifting gently toward the earth, and I hold her a little tighter. The vibrant autumn leaves create a breathtaking tapestry below, the cliffs and beaches of Harbor’s Edge looking more beautiful than ever from this height.

I’m soaring with the sheer joy of the moment and the love I feel for the perfect woman in my arms. She looks back at me, her whole face lit up.

“How was that?” I shout.

“Amazing!” she shouts back. “I can’t believe we just jumped out of a plane!”

The ground approaches, and I guide us toward the usual landing zone on a field just outside of town, our descent smooth and controlled. Blake lifts her legs when I tell her too, and I take the impact of our touchdown, then unclip her and pull her into atight embrace, before she pulls back, fist pumping in the air, red hair in wild strands around her beautiful face.

“That was incredible. I’ve never felt so alive!” She high fives the other jumpers and hugs Liam, before coming back to me, kissing me deeply. Suddenly anything and everything feels possible.

We say goodbye to the other jumpers, and Liam claps me on the back. “You two looked like pros up there! Maybe you should start a couples’ skydiving team.”

Blake laughs, combing out her hair with her fingers. “Yeah, and we can call ourselvesThe Love Birds.”

“Sounds about right,” he replies, aiming a wink in my direction.

We finish packing up our gear, stowing the parachutes and harnesses in the back of my truck, which was left in the field before we boarded the plane.

Liam pauses to take a drink, his gaze fixed on me: “So, are you going to serenade Blake at the party tonight?”

The mayor is hosting a party to thank all the volunteers for their help with the oil-spill cleanup. She’s always been a woman who cares about the community, celebrating both the big and small things.

Blake looks at me, her rosebud mouth pursed. “Yeah, have you got any secret musical talents I should know about?”

Shaking my head. “I think I’ll stick to what I know. No one wants to hear me sing.”

“Or dance,” adds Liam.

“Actually, Ethan’s learned a couple of new moves.” Blake grins at me. “He can show you tonight.”

Liam gives her a disbelieving look. “Trust me. Ethan does not dance.”

“You’ll see,” she replies.

We climb into my truck and I drop Liam at the airfield to get his car, then drive to Blake’s place. Once we arrive, I lean over and kiss her, loving how just the feel of her lips on mine gets my heart racing. “Do you want me to pick you up? I’m just going to shower and get Bandit.”

“That’s fine, I’ll see you there.”

I head home, still riding high after our jump together. After a quick shower, Bandit and I head to the lighthouse. The place is buzzing, with thirty or so people already here and more arriving. I wave to friends and neighbors, making my way through the space.

Tables and chairs have been set up around the grassy area beside the parking lot, strings of fairy lights creating a warm, inviting glow, while the scent of grilling food wafts through the air. Bandit immediately heads for the grills, where Sheriff Donovan obliges him with a piece of sausage.

Blake turns up in a green dress and a knitted cardigan, and it’s like there’s a spotlight shining on her. She’s knock-out beautiful, and I can’t take my eyes off her as she moves through the crowd, greeting everyone with that radiant smile of hers.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the mayor calls out, her voice carrying over the chatter. Everyone quiets down, turning to face the mayor, who stands beside Patrick, the lighthouse rising up behind them, tall and white against the bright blue sky.

“I just want to take a moment to thank you all for your incredible hard work. There’s only a small portion of the cleanup left, which the Valiant Hearts boys are going to take care of, and that should be done soon. We did what we do best this last couple of months: we came together and fought back. Because that's how we do things: Harbor’s Edge strong!”

“Harbor’s Edge strong!” Everyone chants in return.

When the voices die down, the mayor gives us all a beaming smile. “Please, enjoy yourselves! You’ve earned it.”

The crowd erupts in applause and cheers. Someone cranks up the music, and lively beats fill the air. Blake walks toward me, weaving through the crowd, her dress swaying with each step. She’s a vision, and she stops in front of me, her arms going around my neck. A few people I know are openly gawking—they obviously aren’t in Dot McLellan’s gossip circles.

“You look amazing.” I pull her close, my hand resting just above the delicious curve of her ass. “Did you wear that just to make the rest of us look bad?”

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