Page 145 of Where We Bloom

“Breathe, bumble,” Connor says in my cans, and Simon and Miller chuckle.

I have to admit that seeing the mountains this close from above is absolutely spectacular. I forget all about being afraid or having motion sickness and am enamored with the herd of elk I can see through the trees.

“Two o’clock,” Miller says, gesturing to our right, and I gape at the grizzly bear, meandering through a field with two little cubs in tow, romping around and playing.

“It’s so damn beautiful up here,” I murmur, taking in the blue water of rivers and lakes as we fly over the mountains. So green and full of life. But it’s always the mountains that take my breath away.

An hour later, Miller sets us down on another helipad, and a black SUV waits for us.

“How did you get … you know what? Never mind.”

Connor chuckles and presses his hand to my lower back as he guides me to the waiting vehicle.

He changed into dark jeans and a blue T-shirt, showing off his magnificent muscles, broad back, and flat abs. I can’t resist reaching out to drag my hand down his arm.

“Later,” he murmurs against my ear just before I climb into the car and slide over, making room for him. With Miller and Simon up front, we take off.

“Whereare we?”

No one answers me. Connor simply smiles over at me and kisses the back of my hand.

Soon after, I recognize exactly where we are, and my heart fills.

“Are you trying to make me cry all freaking day?” I demand as I feel the tears want to come. Miller parks in front ofThrifty Threads, and I burst out of the vehicle and run inside. Martha offers me a big grin and a tight hug.

“Hey, friend,” she says with a laugh. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you. Oh, my gosh, Connor surprised me.”

“I know.” She backs away and winks over my shoulder, and I follow her gaze. Connor’s standing about ten feet away, hands in his pockets, his happy gaze on me.

This man sees me like no one else ever has.

And I’m so fucking addicted to him.

I hold my hand out for his, and he presses his palm to mine, stepping forward to join me.

“Okay, I have instructions,” Martha says, clearing her throat. “Anything you want, it’s yours. I’ve held some pieces aside for you because you’re going tolose your shitwhen you see what I’ve recently got in.”

I’m jumping up and down by the time she reaches the end of her speech, then proceed to spend two hours hunting for designer gold.

Which I find in spades.

And the whole time, Connor hangs out, giving his opinion, smiling, and chatting with us. Not once does he take his phone out to see to work or to scroll.

I have all his attention, and it’s the best feeling ever.

“This Louis Vuitton cross-body isso cute,” Martha says, showing it to me. I tilt my head to the side, thinking it over.

“The strap is too short for me.” I shake my head. “On a skinny girl, totally cute, but it would sit too high on me. However, that little top handle Gucci bag is adorable. Is that vintage?”

“You have such a good eye,” Martha confirms. “This just came in.”

“I like the red.” I pick it up and pet the soft leather. “Someone loved this bag. I’ll take it.”

“Sold,” Martha says with a grin. “Anything else?”

I eye the small pile of clothes and two bags that I found and shake my head. “This is great, thank you.”

---