16. Trevor
Chapter sixteen
Trevor
I double-checked my mental checklist, ensuring every detail was in place for Amelia's surprise. Train tickets–securely in my wallet. The dinner reservation in the dining car—is confirmed. I patted my pocket, feeling the small velvet box containing the delicate silver bracelet I'd picked out for her. It wasn't much, but I hoped it would symbolize my commitment to our relationship.
Susan had graciously agreed to dog-sit so I could whisk Amelia away for some much-needed quality time. Her distant behavior lately gnawed at me like an unsolved puzzle.
When I arrived at Susan's, Hero practically vibrated with excitement, recognizing where we were. Susan opened the door, smiling at us both.
"Hi, Trevor! And hello, Hero," she giggled as Hero nearly bowled her over in his enthusiasm. I could hear Baxter howl in the background.
Hero looked up at me with his head cocked. "You be good for Aunt Susan today, okay, buddy?" He yipped in agreement as I handed over his leash.
After dropping Hero off, I headed to pick up Amelia. I was determined to get to the bottom of whatever was bothering her and remind her how much she meant to me. I barely knocked before the door opened.
"Ready for an adventure?" I grinned at Amelia, the silk scarf dangling from my hand like a colorful invitation.
Amelia hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. "Trevor, I'm not sure I'm up for surprises right now."
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "I know things have been... off between us lately. But please, give me a chance to make it right."
She sighed, then nodded reluctantly. "Okay."
As I tied the scarf over her eyes, I couldn't help but notice the tension in her shoulders. I gently took her hand, leading her to the car. The silence between us felt heavy, starkly contrasting our usual easy banter.
In the car, Amelia sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap. I glanced at her profile, wishing I could read her thoughts.
"Are you going to give me any hints about the surprise?" she asked, her voice lacking its usual playful curiosity.
"It wouldn't be a surprise if I did," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. "But I promise, it's something special. I think you’re going to love it."
The rest of the drive passed in relative silence, the anticipation building in my chest with every mile. When we finally arrived, I helped Amelia out of the car, positioning her in front of the vintage train.
"Okay, you can look now," I said, my heart racing.
Amelia removed the blindfold, blinking as she took in the magnificent locomotive. Her eyes widened a genuine surprise flicking through her reserved demeanor.
"Trevor, what... how did you..." she trailed off, her gaze moving from the train to me.
"Your chariot awaits," I said, extending my arm. "Welcome aboard the Rivermint Express."
As we boarded the train, I couldn't resist launching into tour guide mode. The hours spent poring over the Rivermint Express's history were about to pay off.
"Did you know this beauty was built in 1927? She's one of the last remaining examples of the Pullman Standard 28-series parlor cars."
"I had no idea you were such a train aficionado." Her expression was neutral, but I saw a flicker of interest in her eyes.
"Well, I couldn't let you be the only one with hidden depths, now could I?"
I took her hand, hoping to build on this small moment of connection. "Shall we find our seats?"
She nodded, a small smile crossing her lips.
As we stepped into the dining car, the soft glow of pendant lamps danced off the polished mahogany tables. I pulled out a chair for Amelia, ceremoniously helping her sit before sliding into the seat opposite her.
I steeled myself to address the elephant in the room. "Amelia, I-"
"Good evening, folks!" Our waiter interrupted his cheerfulness a stark contrast to the tension between us. "Can I interest you in our award-winning meatloaf?"
I nodded, suppressing a sigh. I caught Amelia's eye, silently promising that we'd talk soon. Whatever was bothering her, I was determined to get to the bottom of it and find our way back to each other.
The waiter bustled off, leaving me to regroup. I reached for Amelia's hand across the table.
"As I was saying,” I started again, my voice steady despite the nerves thrumming through my veins. "I couldn't help but notice you've been a bit... distant lately."
She fidgeted with the silverware on the table. "I don't know what you're talking about, Trevor."
I leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, my gaze never leaving hers. "I think you do. And I want you to know you can talk to me about anything. I'm here for you, no matter what."
Amelia's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She took a shaky breath, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I overheard you talking to Donovan during the paintball game the other day. About... about moving on."
Realization dawned like a lightning bolt—the conversation about my transition from military to civilian life, the challenges of leaving the past behind. But Amelia had only caught a snippet, jumping to conclusions that left her doubting us.
I reached for her hand, my thumb tracing soothing circles across her knuckles. "Amelia, that conversation wasn't about you. It was about my struggles, finding my place after the military and moving on with life."
A watery laugh escaped her lips. "I feel so foolish. I thought you were saying you were moving on from us."
"No, don't." I squeezed her hand. "I just wish I would have realized."
A ghost of a smile appeared on her face, and she squeezed my hand in return. "I should have just talked to you."
Our waiter chose that moment to return with our meals. He beamed at us, completely oblivious to the heaviness of our conversation. "Enjoy your meal, folks, and let me know if you need anything else!"
The meatloaf he set before me smelled divine, but I couldn't take my eyes off Amelia. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the words I'd longed to say. "Amelia, there's something I need to tell you."
Her dark eyes still glistened with unshed tears. "What is it, Trevor?"
My heart hammered in my chest, but I refused to let my nerves get the best of me. "I love you, and I can't imagine my life without you in it."
Her eyes widened, and a mixture of emotions played across her face. Surprise, joy, and a hint of vulnerability. "Trevor, I..."
I gently cupped her cheek, my thumb brushing away a stray tear. "You don't have to say anything. I just needed you to know how I feel, how much you mean to me."
She leaned into my touch, a watery smile gracing her lips. "I love you too, Trevor. I think I have for a while now, but I was afraid to admit it, even to myself."
Relief and elation flooded me, and I jumped up from the table, pulling her into a tight embrace. We stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other's arms while passengers stared at us.
When we finally pulled apart, Amelia's eyes sparkled with a newfound determination. "I've decided not to sell the shop to Liam."
I blinked, surprised by the sudden change in topic. "Really? What made you change your mind?"
She shrugged, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I guess I realized that some things are worth fighting for. The shop, my dreams..." She paused, her gaze locking with mine. "Us."
I chuckled. "Well, I certainly can't argue with that."
We sat back down and dug into our plates, and then the conversation turned lighter as we brainstormed ideas for 'Petals & Blooms.'
"I've been thinking about ways to bring in more customers," she mused, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the table. I could host workshops or classes and teach people about flower arranging or gardening.
I nodded, my mind already whirring with possibilities. "That's a great idea. You could even partner with local businesses to offer special discounts or promotions."
Amelia's eyes lit up, her enthusiasm infectious. "Ooh, what about a loyalty program? Or themed events for holidays?"
We bounced ideas back and forth, our excitement growing with each new suggestion. I couldn't help but marvel at how well we worked together, our strengths complementing each other perfectly.
And just when the meal seemed to be winding down, I leaned back and gave her a devious look. "You know, I almost forgot. I got you something. I pulled the small black box out of my pocket."
Her dark-brown eyes widened with anticipation, a spoonful of dessert frozen midway to her lips. "What is it?" she gasped.
“Before you freak out, it’s not what you think it is.” A sly smile crossed my features as I opened the box, revealing a delicate silver bracelet studded with tiny flowers. Each flower was etched meticulously with such detail, and a tiny pearl was in the center of each one. It reminded me of the rows of flowers at Petals & Bloom, vibrant and full of life, just like Amelia herself.
“Trevor,” she breathed out my name, her fingers trembling as she reached to touch the bracelet. “This is... it’s beautiful.”
"You're beautiful," I countered, taking her hand in mine and brushing my lips across her knuckles. "I mean it, Amelia. Inside and out. And I want everyone to know how much I love you."
Seeing her eyes well up with tears, I quickly added, "Don't cry. I didn't mean to make you emotional."
With a shaky laugh, she wiped at her eyes. "No, it's just...no one's ever done something this special for me." Her gaze met mine, love and gratitude clear in her eyes.
I felt a warmth spread through me, like I'd swallowed sunshine. "Well, get used to it, Carter. You're stuck with me."
She chuckled, dabbing at her eyes. “Is that a threat, Phillips?”
"More like a promise." I reached over to clasp the bracelet around her dainty wrist. It looked even more stunning on.
We finished the last bit of our dessert, and I realized the train was already heading back to the station. "You know, there's one more part of this surprise that I think you'll love."
She looked at me curiously, her eyes full of questions. "Oh really? And what's that?"
I grinned, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "You’ll see."
Leading her towards the end of the dining car, I pulled open the door leading to another car—one largely unoccupied save for a handful of passengers sitting by themselves, murmuring quietly as they admired the view.
The observation car.
A breathtaking sunset view greeted us as we sat on one of the comfortable seats. The sky was ablaze with colors, orange, pink, and red hues blending together in a captivating display of nature's artistry.
"Wow..." Amelia breathed, leaning against my shoulder as she took in the sight.
I followed her gaze, lost in the fiery depths of the changing sky. It seemed to mirror what I felt for Amelia—passionate, intense, and ever-changing.
Spellbound by the moment's beauty, I turned to look at Amelia. Our eyes met and locked, and I knew as surely as the sun sets and rises that I was utterly, irrevocably in love with her.