Page 26 of Conquering the Skies

“You’ve given me even more to think about.” Shifting closer to one side of the branch, she nudged Ash’s arm with the toe of her sneaker. “Plus, I haven’t forgotten how I’m not only making decisions for myself anymore.”

He patted the top of her foot. “I foresee some similar discussions in the future. But, maybe next time, we can hold them on solid ground?”

“If we must,” she said, laughing. “You’ve been rather quiet for a long time, though.”

“As you said, there’s a lot to think about.”

Dahlia stood. At her command, the small chair snapped back into its original position. “Well, I’m sure I’ve already interfered enough this evening,” she said.

“You haven’t—”

She raised one hand to cut off any protests. “Thank you for allowing me to voice my opinions and ideas. We’ve butted heads over the years, but I do try to respect whatever boundaries you establish.”

“I appreciate it.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Thank you for the advice tonight. I promise I’ll give it serious consideration.”

“You’re welcome.” Tucking the collapsed chair under her arm, she turned toward the house. “I should go check on dinner and make sure your father isn’t starving. Come in whenever you’re ready, but you shouldn’t stay out here too long. You know how cold it gets at night.”

“Mm-hmm.” Gripping the worn spots amidst the branches in a pattern she could perform in her sleep, Geneva climbed down from her favorite place and sat beside Ash, wedging herself into the space between the trunk and the solid warmth of his body. “A few more minutes won’t hurt, though,” she said, slipping her arm around his waist and resting her cheek on his shoulder. “I know how much Ash loves to watch the sunset.”

Chapter Ten

Lush green grasses sloped down to the shores of a glassy lake, its tranquil surface reflecting the cotton-like clouds in the cerulean sky overhead. Geneva surveyed the picturesque scene from the second-story window of the renovated farmhouse on the grounds, running her fingers along the wooden sill. In the distance, she could make out the half circle of chairs set up near the water, along with shadowed figures moving about. As she tried to decipher their identities, her mother appeared at her side.

“I spoke with the kitchen staff,” Dahlia said. “Everything is running on schedule on their end.”

She gestured out the window. “Seems like they’re all set out there, too.”

“Excellent.” Stepping backward, she eyed Geneva from head to toe, pressing one finger to her cheek as she studied her. “I think you might be the first bride I’ve ever heard of who’s on time for her wedding ceremony.”

A bubble of laughter burst past her lips. “You know me. I’ve never been late for anything in my entire life, so why start now?”

“True.” She clasped her hands together and sighed as she stared out over the verdant fields. “What beautiful weather. We really lucked out, and you are going to have a magnificent day.”

One side of her mouth curled up. “Visualizing the formal pictures I promised you already?”

“Oh, yes. I admit, part of me had envisioned a grand event, a lavish wedding on Pasurea to put all others to shame—”

“So, basically Marcus’s wedding?” she interrupted.

Dahlia’s eyes narrowed. “Well, notexactlythe same, of course.”

“Mm-hmm.” Geneva fought to hide her amusement. “You were saying?”

“But this, this is just as wonderful, if not more so.” She swept her arm in a wide arc. “The lake, the wildflowers, the sky…you can’t find anything like this on Pasurea. And you, being spectacular at the center of it all…everyone’s going to be talking about it, I’m sure.”

This time, she didn’t try to camouflage her smile. “I know nothing will make you happier. I’m so glad we could reach some sort of compromise.”

On the opposite side of the room, someone knocked on the door. “Yes?” Dahlia called.

Frederick poked his head inside. “Am I allowed to come in?”

“Sure,” Geneva said. “I’m all done getting ready. We’re waiting for everything else to be in place.”

“Sounds about right.” He entered the room, his eyes twinkling as he approached. “You look beautiful, my dear.”

A flush of heat crept into her cheeks. “Thank you.”

He turned to Dahlia. “The last of the invited guests has arrived,” he said in a tone Geneva couldn’t quite interpret.

---