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forward to kiss her cheek and handed her the bouquet.

“I’d have handpicked some wildflowers for you, but it’s too early

for them.”

Admiring the cheerful bouquet, Juliana said, “I’ll hold you to that

in April. Leah, unless you need me for something else, I’m out of

here.”

“Have fun, boss.”

Ash walked her out to her car and followed her home. She put the

flowers in a water-filled vase and changed clothes as he requested.

Coming out of her bedroom clad in jeans and her boots, she said,



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“Okay, Mister ‘Man with the Plan. ’ What do you have up your

sleeve?”

Ash smiled and pulled her to him. “I thought you’d like a picnic at

Bowie Lake. The weather is perfect for it. From there you’ll just have

to wait and see what happens.” The twinkle in his bright, blue-green

eyes told her that his “wait and see” would be worth the wait.

Once they arrived, she helped him spread a blanket and they

unpacked the picnic basket he’d brought. They sat on a spot that

looked out over the lake, and ate as they watched the sunset.

Conversation was minimal as the sky changed colors, and after they

were finished eating, he pulled her back against his chest. She laid

there enjoying the sound of the breeze blowing and the birds calling

to each other. Ash stroked her with a touch that was almost hypnotic.

It startled her slightly when she felt a metallic coolness against her

neck.

“What—”

“Happy Valentine’s, darlin’.”

Lifting the gold pendant that rested at the hollow of her throat to

look at it, she gasped in surprise. The heart-shaped pendant was

encrusted with sparkling diamonds.

“Ash!” She sat up so she could look at him. He smiled up at her

from his reclined position.

“Want me to put it on you?”

“Yes! It’s beautiful.”

After the gold chain was fastened around her neck, she threw

herself at Ash, drawing a chuckle from him. She climbed on top of

him and peppered his face with kisses.

“So this means you liked it, I guess.”

“I do. I love it.”

He reached out and captured her face in his hands and she stopped

what she was doing to gaze into his eyes.

“Juliana.”

“Ash?”



158

Heather Rainier

“I love you.” Juliana’s lips popped open in surprise. She was

about to speak, when he placed his fingers over her lips. “Before you

say anything else, I want you to know something. I love you, but I

don’t want you to say it back until you’re sure. Don’t say it because

you think I want to hear it right now.” She would have said it right

then, but he changed the subject. “While we have a little light left,

why don’t we load up and move on to the next Valentine’s Day

surprise?”

“There’s more?”

“Yup.”

She grilled him once they were in the truck, but he just chortled

and told her to wait and see.

Following Bowie Lake road around until they arrived at a turn-off,

he drove down the driveway until they pulled up to a small log cabin

that sat on a low cliff, overlooking the water. He walked her to the

front door and opened it for her. Warm light flooded the cabin, and

she detected the scent of a fragrant wood burning in the fireplace.

“How did you do all this?”

“I know some people.”

She stepped in and looked around the small structure. It was

probably once a weekend home and someone had renovated and

updated it into a romantic little getaway, perfect for two people in

love. There was a large, stone fireplace on one wall and a cozy, little,

tiled kitchen in one corner. The enormous bed sat against the wall

opposite the fireplace, under an imposing wrought-iron canopy which

was festooned with gauzy drapes. Plush, upholstered chairs sat beside

the fireplace. A small butcher block table occupied another corner and

a doorway led to what looked like a bathroom. The floors were

hardwood with festive, colorful rugs scattered about.

“Get naked, darlin’.”

Ash’s voice was deep and rumbling, making her heart do the

jitterbug in her chest, but she started stripping as fast as she could.

She recognized her overnight case and her makeup bag on a bench



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near the bed and glanced at him in surprise. He’d planned this out

thoroughly because if they were spending the night, she’d need her

stuff.

“Oh, shoot.” That brought her responsibilities to her mind.

“Nope. You have no worries. I already cleared your morning off

with Evelyn.”

“You did?”