Chapter Twenty #3
They were sitting in the hotel dining room at a small table, one row back from the windows looking out on the canyon.
They’d showered together, delighting in each other’s bodies to the point that it was another hour before they’d dressed for the day.
They were both famished, but as soon as they ordered, Nora brushed her leg against Fallon’s under the table.
Touching her seemed more important than anything else.
When she did, Fallon gave her that wonderful smile, the special look she’d been waiting for.
Nora bit her lip. She knew it meant Fallon was all in, at least at that moment.
She looked away quickly, blinking back tears.
“What’s wrong?” Fallon asked.
“Not a thing. Just a bit of dust,” she said, dabbing at the corner of her eye with her napkin. “I was wondering what you wanted to do first after we eat. Do you want to drive back to where the canyon starts or sightsee from this end first?”
“Let’s look at the map,” Fallon suggested.
They planned a hike, but after eating a huge lunch, a ride along Desert View Drive seemed like the perfect way to digest. At Grandview Point, they fell in with a group who gathered for a ranger talk about the geology of the canyon.
After listening for a few minutes, Fallon whispered, “Is it bad that I’d rather look than learn? ”
“I’m with you,” Nora said, and they made a quiet exit.
They drove on to the Desert View Watchtower, waiting their turn to investigate the magnificent structure itself before taking a short walk to the viewpoint.
For close to an hour, they simply looked, occasionally pointing out particular areas of interest as the sunlight played across the glorious scenery.
They were almost back to the truck when Fallon stopped in her tracks.
Turning to look at Nora, she exclaimed, “You don’t have your camera! ”
Nora laughed. “I might bring it tomorrow. But I wanted to see this amazing place with the panorama my eyes can provide rather than focusing through a tiny viewfinder. Especially since I don’t have the skill or the equipment to capture it all.
I’m not even sure that would be possible, and I don’t want to waste our time here trying.
” She took Fallon’s arm as they moved toward the truck again.
The sunglasses made it hard to tell, but Nora was certain Fallon was looking at her. “Those are some pretty impressive priorities, Ms. Palmer.”
“Why, thank you, Ms. Monroe.”
After two more stops where they were jostled by the crowds at lookouts, Fallon said, “I’m tired of being around all these people. What would you say to dinner at the hotel and watching the sunset from our balcony?”
“I’m with you on the people, but I’m still not particularly hungry. What would you say to a picnic on our balcony? We can pick up some nibbles at the Canyon Village Market.”
“Sold.”
Fallon shopped for munchies while Nora picked out the smallest, least offensive box of wine.
Back in their room, they changed into sweats and fleece tops.
Uncharacteristically, Fallon had half a glass of wine.
Nora offered to top her off, but Fallon declined, so she finished the rest. The sun was almost down, and they were picking over the last of their snacks when Fallon started laughing.
“What?” Nora asked.
“I can’t believe this is my life right now. Staying in a suite with a private balcony overlooking the Grand Canyon.” Her expression turned serious. “With you.”
“Is that last part the most surprising?”
“Surprising. Amazing. Wonderful. Unbelievable. Unforgettable.”
“Good. It’s all those things for me as well.
” Nora opened her mouth to say more, to say she didn’t want it to be over.
But Fallon hadn’t included that idea in her list. She’d said “unforgettable.” Did that mean she’d return to Firecamp when the trip was over, and everything that had happened between them would only be a memory?
If she asked, she knew Fallon would be honest. But she wasn’t sure she was ready for the answer.
Another day and they’d be in Tucson. Maybe Fallon would love it and want to stay.
Nora reclined on the chair and tried to imagine what that would be like.
Fallon getting a job, maybe working in the forest at Mt.
Lemmon. Living together, they’d cook and wash clothes and do all the things couples did, falling asleep in each other’s arms every night.
Tyler could still live there too; he and Fallon got along well.
But would Fallon always want the air conditioner on this high?
“Nora? Nora, baby, I think there’s a storm coming. We need to get inside.” Lips touched her forehead.
Opening her eyes, Nora found she was covered by a blanket. Fallon was kneeling beside her. “What?” she asked faintly.
“You fell asleep. It kept getting colder, so I got an extra layer for you, but now I think we need to go in.”
“Okay.” Nora got to her feet, feeling unsteady as a chill wind penetrated the blanket. Fallon’s arm around her shoulders steadied her as they made their way inside. “Can we go to bed?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Fallon’s sweet voice made her melt. Fallon’s hands were calloused, but her touch was gentle as she lifted Nora’s shirt. A slight brush of fingers across her belly made her shiver. “Do you want to take a shower first?”
Nora shook her head. Damn cheap wine was making everything blurry. Everything except Fallon. When the air hit her bare chest, she caught Fallon’s hand, holding it to her breast. “Yours,” she murmured.
“Mmm. I like the sound of that.” As Fallon unzipped Nora’s pants, Nora leaned forward and bit her neck. “Hey. I’m trying to do precision work here.”
Nora laughed. “I don’t mind messy. In fact, I like it.” Fallon settled her onto the bed. It felt like landing on the softest cloud possible, and she snuggled in, but something was missing. No, someone. “Where are you?”
“I’ll be right there.”
“Promise?” This was important, she knew, but she couldn’t keep her eyes open.
“Always.”
Nora smiled. In this moment, that was exactly what she wanted to hear.