Page 3 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

She slipped the pack from her shoulders and drew nearer. “Can I help?”

“Sure. Can you hand me that pole there?” Nick jutted his chin and pointedly looked at the spot he meant as he stretched out the canvas.

Holly bent down to retrieve the item he’d requested with her bandana-wrapped hand. “This one?”

“No, the one next to it.”

Holly sighed. “If you think I know what I’m doing, you’re in for a surprise. I never put up a tent when I lived in New York.”

He took the pole she handed him. “What about when you were a kid? You came to Silverwood every year.”

“Yeah, in the winter.” She scoffed. “Not exactly camping season.”

“I don’t know if I agree with that.” Nick aligned the pole with the slot. “It can be cozy.”

“You’ve camped in the winter?”

Nick flashed her a grin. “Cupid loves sleeping in the snow.”

Holly gave Cupid a side-eyed glance. “You would.”

“Well, you’ll just have to face it, Holly. You’re a country girl now. And lucky for you, I can help you adjust. Starting with setting up our shelter for the night.”

Holly smirked. “At least I’ve got a cute teacher.”

“And I’ve got the prettiest teacher’s assistant in the world.”

They smiled at each other as they continued their work. Though Nick, ever the experienced outdoorsman, guided Holly through the process with patient instructions on erecting their shelter for the night, she fumbled with the fabric, tangled the rods, and tied knots in all the wrong places. All the while, her legs were still protesting from the long hike up the mountain.

She carefully positioned one of the final tent poles, attempting to align it with the designated slot, eager to prove her worth in this collaborative endeavor. Her hand slipped, and she was punished by the hot sting of friction on her cut. That momentary lapse in focus caused the post to slip from her fingers. One second, the pole stood vertical; the next, it succumbed to gravity. Aluminum collided with a resoundingthudagainst Nick’s unsuspecting head, jarring the serene atmosphere of their campsite.

Holly’s gasp was quickly followed by a curse. Her hands flew to her cheeks. The rod clattered to the ground, an echo of her embarrassment reverberating through the air.

Nick winced, his narrow gaze shifting from the fallen pole to Holly. His rugged features twisted from momentary pain to amusement. He rubbed his head, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I have the feeling you resent me bringing you here.”

Holly hurried to his side, kneeling beside him and cradling his head. “I’m so sorry, Nick. I didn’t mean … Are you all right? Oh, God, maybe this was a mistake.”

Nick chuckled, turning so they were face to face, the canvas resting on their heads. “No. It’s not a mistake, Holly. It’s going to be totally worth it. Believe me.”

Chapter Two

From the inside of their fully erected canvas shelter, Cupid stretched a paw toward Holly and let out a short whimper.

Holly’s brow lifted. “I don’t know what you’re complaining about. I’m the one freezing while you’re wearing a fur coat.”

Cupid tilted his head, and his tongue bounced as he panted.

“Come on.” Now dressed in the outfit she planned for day two, Holly smoothed out the sleeping bag and stood. The top of her head didn’t quite reach the tent’s ceiling, but Nick would have to hunch over. “Let’s see if he’s got that fire started.”

Cupid whipped through the flap, darting out ahead of Holly. The icy breeze pricked at her cheeks as she emerged.Good thing I packed those extra layers.

With the darkening heavens, nearby frogs and crickets sang their evening songs.

Nick crouched over the firepit and peeked at her over his shoulder. The sides of his mouth tugged upward as he stood. He briskly rubbed his palms together, his nose rosy.

“Are you sure it’s August?” Holly pulled the zipper of her jacket higher. “Shouldn’t it be toasty warm or something?”

Nick closed the distance between them and placed a hand on the small of her back. “If it’s warmth you’re looking for, I think I can help.”

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