Page 1 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

Chapter One

Did I really agree to this?

Holly St. Ives shielded her eyes from the August sun and glared at the uphill dirt trail in front of her, half tempted to fake a sudden illness so she could go home and hide under the covers. She’d prefer her nice, warm, cozy bed to a thin sleeping bag on a cold, bumpy tent floor anyway.

Nick Mason, her devoted boyfriend for eight months and counting, closed the SUV’s trunk and roped his arms through the straps of the oversized backpack. “You ready for this?”

Nick’s Alaskan Malamute, Cupid, wagged his tail eagerly, waiting for the green light to charge up the hill.

Holly eyed the steep climb and raised her brow. “Would you be upset if I changed my mind?”

Nick handed Holly her rucksack, which was considerably smaller than his. “I thought you said seeing the Northern Lights is at the top of your bucket list.”

Holly squirmed as she slung the pack over her thin jacket. “I could just watch them online.” She yanked her chestnut brown waves out from the purple, pashmina scarf encompassing her neck, hoping Nick might agree with her.

Nick smirked, rubbing a hand over the scruff on his chiseled jawline. “That’s not the same thing.”

“I know.” Holly shifted, kicking a rock with her hiking boots. “But when you invited me on this trip, I didn’t realize how much we’d be … roughing it.”

Nick placed his hands on her hips and tugged her close. “Look, once we get up there and have everything set up, you’ll love it. I booked a premium spot, one the park assured me was a perfect place to experience the aurora borealis. And if that’s not enough to tempt you, I’ve brought hot chocolate and marshmallows.”

Holly swayed, adjusting the weight she carried. “Like mini marshmallows that go in the hot chocolate or big ones for roasting over a fire?”

“Both.”

Holly squinted at him with a half-smile. “Fine. But only because I’m a sucker for cocoa.”And the company’s not so bad either.

Cupid barked, reminding them he was still waiting for permission to start their adventure. The black and white bundle of fur sniffed at the air and paced around Nick.

“Yeah, go on, boy.” Nick grasped the tent bag handles as Cupid took off and then gave Holly a quick peck before pulling a cap over his short-cropped, dark hair.

With a sigh of defeat, Holly gathered her waves into a quick, messy bun.You can do this. It’ll be worth it. Just think of those magical lights.

Holly marveled at Nick’s prowess as he effortlessly maneuvered through the challenging terrain. His sinewy frame flexed with every step, the ripple of well-defined muscles subtly evident beneath the fabric of his plaid shirt. With each confident stride, Nick expertly balanced the heavy backpack on his broad shoulders and held the gear in his grip, the weight seemingly inconsequential to his hardy physique. His movements were graceful and purposeful, a testament to his physical and mental strength.

The national park enveloped the young couple in a breathtaking tapestry of natural beauty. Towering evergreens reached toward the sky, their branches swaying gently in the late summer breeze, creating a soothing symphony of rustling leaves. Sunlight filtered through the thick foliage, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor.

The air was warm but invigorating, scented with the earthy pine perfume and wildflowers’ delicate fragrance. A chorus of chirping birds provided a melodic soundtrack, their songs echoing through the tranquil wilderness. The occasional flutter of wings and the rustle of small animals in the underbrush added a touch of lively energy to the scene’s serenity.

A few minutes into their ascent, Holly’s city-girl nature became apparent. The path twisted and turned, leading them through dense foliage and steep inclines. Her backpack weighed heavier as the day grew hotter. Was it necessary to lug all the extra layers of clothes up the mountain in the summer heat when all she wanted to do was fall into a pool and cool off? She huffed and puffed, trying to keep up with Nick’s confident strides. It wasn’t as if she’d never hiked before. In the quaint, snow-covered mountain town of Silverwood, which Holly officially called home for the last year, she would often follow the trail near her cabin for a hike. But this trek proved more challenging, especially with the equipment she carried, and she lagged behind.

“Are you sure this is the right way?” Holly struggled to get the words out between her labored breath. She wiped the sweat from her temples and then rubbed her damp palms on her jeans. She may have mastered the art of strutting through New York in heels, but this rugged terrain turned out to be more difficult than she’d anticipated. “We couldn’t drive uphill somehow?”

“The spot I booked isn’t designated for a vehicle.” Nick glanced at her over his shoulder, a coy grin on his lips. “You’re doing great. It’s not far now.”

Holly swatted at a mosquito. “I have a feeling your definition of ‘far’ is very different from mine. And why do I feel like these mosquitoes are only attackingme?”

“They probably smell your fear,” Nick joked.

Holly smacked her neck, hoping she’d eliminated at least one of the flying miscreants. “That’s not fear they smell. It’s sw—” Before she could finish her sentence, her eyes landed on something long, thin, and slithery in the underbrush.

Panic seized her heart, and she released a loud shriek that frightened nearby birds from the trees. She stumbled backward, her arms flailing. Her palm grazed a prickly bush, and its thorns sliced into her skin. A sharp cry escaped her throat when she lost her footing and slid into a patch of mud. She gasped as warm wetness seeped into her jeans.

Cupid’s barks filled the air as he charged to her aid.

Nick quickly doubled back and rushed to her side. “Holly! What happened?”

Wide-eyed, Holly pointed to where she’d seen the horrid creature. “A snake! There’s a snake.”

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