Page 26 of There’s Trouble Brewing

Emily nodded, but the hesitation was there.

He tried to keep his voice light. “Sure you don’t want to bail on this place after what happened today?”

“Are you kidding? And miss all the fun?” Emily teased.

Mark almost smiled, almost crossed the room, almost broke every rule he’d set not to kiss her again. But the tension held, thick and tight and unbearable. “Glad to hear you’re not leaving.”

“I don’t scare that easy,” she told him with a weary smile.

“Good, because in that case, I have somewhere I want to take you.”

Chapter Nine

Emily hesitated when Mark asked her to go with him, even though she could already taste the freedom that would come from getting on the back of his bike and speeding out of town. She needed to work, but she needed to breathe too, and when he smiled at her, everything felt like maybe it could be okay for a few hours. She wanted to go with him and enjoy herself without having to worry.

He held the helmet out to her, and it was like holding out his hand and asking her to trust him. She took it, knowing this was exactly what she needed.

As they exited the cozy warmth of the coffee shop, the crisp breeze embraced them, tenderly sweeping away the last remnants of her doubt. It was as if the wind itself had taken her uncertainties and cast them into the ether. Together, they soared along the highway, the world blurring past as their bodies intertwined with each mile. The road unfolded before them like a roll of ribbon, leading them ever closer to the shimmering expanse of the lake. There, the water danced under the setting sun’s gentle caress.

Mark slowed down when they reached the lake’s edge, and she felt the reluctance in his movements like he wanted to keep going forever. She knew the feeling. He parked the bike and swung his leg off in one fluid motion, leaving Emily breathless and grinning like a fool. She’d never let herself enjoy a moment like this before, and it felt dangerous in a way that had nothing to do with speed.

He nodded toward the water. “I used to spend every day here,” he said, his voice turning low, almost lost in the sound of the wind and the waves. “After the injury…it’s what got me through, and it still does when times are hard.”

Emily felt the weight of his words, the depth of what he wasn’t saying. She moved a little closer, careful not to rush him but wanting him to know she was listening. “It must be tough having to give up what you loved.”

He took a breath and admitted something she didn’t expect. “I miss the rush of saving people. That feeling. Nothing else compares to it.”

Emily nodded. “I can only imagine.” She felt the honesty between them, raw and real. “But sometimes God has other plans that can be just as fulfilling as what we had planned for ourselves. It may not be the same, but it can matter just as much. Just think of all the people you’re going to help with the Brave Badge.”

He seemed to think about that for a while, letting her words settle. Then he looked at her, curiosity and something else flickering in his eyes. “Is that why you left Hero? To find a different path than the one you were on?”

Emily hesitated, wondering if she was ready to tell him everything. She knew, though, if she couldn’t be open with him now, she never would. “In a way. I needed a change. An escape. Dave didn’t really get the message when I told him it was over, so I figured some distance would make thedifference.” Her voice was strong, but she felt a familiar shiver at the memory of Dave’s relentless presence. “I guess I miscalculated how determined he was to keep things going.”

“Is he always so…aggressive?” Mark asked; concern etched in his features.

“Yeah, he got crazy jealous when any guy talked to me, and I’m not into that,” she clarified, forcing a smile to lighten the mood.

Mark’s expression softened, understanding mingled with something protective. He reached for her hand, and the touch was electric, drawing her in closer and closer. When they kissed, it was even better than the first time, like everything they’d gone through today intensified their connection.

Then there was a noise, loud and jarring, pulling them out of their special moment.

A group of hikers appeared from nowhere, their chatter and clumsy footfalls breaking the stillness like a misplaced punchline. Emily and Mark jumped apart, their faces mixed with surprise and amusement.

“Didn’t see that coming,” Emily said, catching Mark’s eye and laughing despite herself.

“We can’t seem to catch a break,” Mark chuckled with a shake of his head.

They exchanged a look, half embarrassed and half entertained, like they were in on a joke that no one else could understand.

As the hikers moved on, Mark turned back to Emily, his expression thoughtful and a little impish. “Want to come over for dinner? Less chance of interruption.”

Emily raised an eyebrow, pretending to consider. The idea thrilled her more than she wanted to admit. It felt big, this next step, but right. “You cooking?”

“If you’re brave enough to try what I make,” he teased, and she loved the way it sounded like a challenge.

“Sure. Why not? Brave is my middle name,” Emily shot back.

An hour later, Mark was in the thick of cooking them spaghetti. The first thing Emily noticed was the smell, the aroma of the Italian herbs tickling her nose. She could tell he’d gone out of his way to make her feel at home. More intimate. She liked that it was just the two of them. No one to interrupt, to judge, to make her feel like she was making a mistake. Just Mark and that look on his face like he was as curious as she was to see where this would lead.

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