Page 34 of Captured Heart

Oh, the game is definitely on. Thatcall me soonmeans he’s going to time it to see how long it takes me to figure it out.

I set my phone down, replaying my dad’s words in my head. Okay, where were the pauses?Water bill and light bill. Spectacular view and...did he say sunsets?He did. And the last one was: Tall palm trees and fresh air.

What in the world does that even mean? I pace the kitchen, trying to recall every detail of the conversation. There was also that deliberate emphasis on the wordalmostwhen he said they were together foralmosttwenty-five years.

Then it clicks. He mentioned my mom nagging him about not being romantic, so he must be planning something for her.

I grab my phone and call him back. He answers on the second ring, this time without Mom.

He cuts straight to the chase. “That was six minutes. What do you have?”

“You’re planning something for your twenty-fifth wedding anniversary,” I blurt because it feels like the timer is still running.

“Good.”

“Um...water and light bill? Uh...that means water and light, obviously, so I’m guessing a sunny beach somewhere with spectacular sunsets.”

“Yes.” I can hear the excitement in his voice, and it pumps me up more. “But you have to be more specific than that.”

I feel like I’m on a game show now, and I only have ten seconds left on the clock. “Okay, palm trees...palm trees? This is just a wild guess, but I’m going with Miami because it’s on the flag.”

“You’re locking it in?”

I think about it one last time. “I’m locking it in.”

“Well...” He pauses for dramatic effect, as if it is indeed a game show. “You got it.”

“Yes!” I throw a fist in the air, doing an excited little happy dance in the kitchen. “I am undefeatable.”

I’ve won nothing, but if anyone had to see me, they’d probably think I wonWho Wants to be a Millionaire.

“I honestly thought I had you with that one.” He sounds slightly disappointed in himself. “I didn’t think you’d figure it out. And in six minutes, no less.”

“Don’t underestimate me, old man. You’ve been training me since I could talk. Besides, give yourself some credit. I didn’t even know the game was on until the very end.”

“I’m going to get you next time,” he promises.

“Try your best.”

He chuckles. “Alright. I’ll call you in the week. I love you, Kate.”

“Love you, too, Dad.”

As I hang up, I shake my head, still grinning from my victorious high. I check on the fish, then do some light tidying up.

At exactly two p.m., there’s a knock at the door. The sound instantly kicks my heart rate up, and I take a few deep breaths tocalm down. I smooth my hands over my hair, then my sweater before opening the door.

Alex stands there, his dark gray eyes sweeping over me briefly before settling on my face.

I’m noticing that he has a habit of getting better looking every time I see him. Even in his casual jeans and jacket, he exudes strength, a quiet confidence. There’s an energy about him, restrained but intense. He doesn’t say a word, just stares at me until the air crackles between us.

“Hi,” I greet.

“Hi.”

His voice is low and gravelly, and something about it sends a small shiver down my spine. He doesn’t smile, so I can’t tell if he’s as excited to see me as I am to see him. I step aside and allow him to enter.

“Right on time,” I say, trying to keep my voice light to mask my nerves.

---