CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Lock Up the Gummy Bears
Vacation finally arrived.
Luke loaded the last suitcase into the bed of the pickup while Emily locked the front door.
She took one look at the packed truck and smiled.
“We’re really doing this.”
Luke grinned.
“A whole week.”
Emily walked over and hugged him.
“I’ve been counting down for months.”
“I know.”
“You have?”
“You reminded me every single day.”
She laughed.
“I probably did.”
? ? ?
The drive north was beautiful.
Mountains rose in the distance while evergreen forests lined the highway.
They crossed into Washington just before lunchtime.
Emily looked out the window.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this.”
Luke smiled.
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
After a couple of planned restroom stops—and one unplanned one that made Luke laugh—they finally turned onto the winding road leading to Snoqualmie Falls.
Emily gasped.
“Oh, wow.”
The waterfall thundered into the valley below, sending mist high into the air.
“It looks even better than the pictures,” she whispered.
Luke nodded.
“It really does.”
? ? ?
A few minutes later they pulled into the parking area of the beautiful lodge overlooking the falls.
The lobby was elegant, with polished wood, a massive stone fireplace, and windows that framed the waterfall.
Emily looked around in amazement.
“I feel underdressed.”
Luke chuckled.
“You look perfect.”
After checking in, they followed the bellhop to their room.
The room overlooked the forest, with a king-size bed, a cozy fireplace, and a balcony.
Emily slowly turned in a circle.
“This place is incredible.”
Luke set their bags down.
“It was worth saving for.”
She walked over and kissed him.
“Thank you.”
? ? ?
After unpacking, Emily grabbed her purse.
“Ready to explore?”
Luke zipped up his jacket and looked around the room one last time.
“Yep.”
They stepped into the hallway.
Luke reached into the shopping bag he’d carried upstairs and pulled out a large bag of gummy bears.
Emily looked at him.
“What are you doing?”
Luke looked around dramatically before whispering,
“Better lock these up in the room safe.”
Emily blinked.
“What?”
He held the bag closer.
“If housekeeping finds them, they’ll know we’re having too much fun.”
Emily stared at him for one second.
Then another.
Suddenly she doubled over laughing.
She had to grab the hallway wall to keep from falling.
“Oh… my… goodness…”
She laughed so hard she couldn’t breathe.
Luke couldn’t keep a straight face any longer.
“I’m serious.”
“No, you’re not!”
“What if someone steals them?”
Emily laughed even harder.
“Nobody is stealing your gummy bears!”
“They’re premium gummy bears.”
She wiped tears from her eyes.
“I cannot believe you.”
Luke shrugged.
“You can never be too careful.”
Emily was still laughing as they walked toward the elevator.
Every time she looked at him, she started laughing all over again.
By the time they reached the lobby, she had to stop walking to catch her breath.
A couple standing nearby smiled, wondering what could possibly be so funny.
Luke leaned over and whispered,
“I still think the safe is the smartest place.”
Emily burst into another fit of laughter.
“You are absolutely ridiculous.”
Luke slipped his arm around her shoulders.
“And yet…”
She smiled through the tears.
“…you’re my favorite person.”
Hand in hand, still laughing, they stepped outside toward the overlook.
The roar of Snoqualmie Falls echoed through the valley.
The week had only just begun.
Already, it was becoming one of the happiest adventures of their lives.