CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The Dalles
Saturday afternoon couldn’t have been more perfect.
The sky was bright blue, the temperature hovered in the upper seventies, and not a cloud could be found anywhere over Oregon.
Luke tossed a small cooler into the bed of his pickup.
Emily stepped out of the house carrying two folding chairs.
“Ready?” she asked.
Luke smiled.
“I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”
Emily loaded the chairs into the truck.
“So have I.”
She climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up.
“Just one thing.”
Luke laughed before she could even finish.
“You have to pee?”
Emily looked at him, pretending to be offended.
“I wasn’t going to say that.”
“You were thinking it.”
“…Maybe.”
Luke looked at the dashboard clock.
“We haven’t even backed out of the driveway.”
Emily burst into laughter.
“Okay, okay. I’m fine.”
“For now.”
? ? ?
The drive east along Interstate 84 was beautiful.
The Columbia River shimmered beside the highway while cliffs rose high above the water.
Emily rested her arm on the open window.
“I’ll never get tired of this drive.”
Luke nodded.
“Me neither.”
A few miles later…
Emily quietly cleared her throat.
Luke looked over.
“No.”
She smiled innocently.
“What?”
“We’ve been driving twenty-seven minutes.”
“I know.”
“You promised.”
“I tried.”
Luke laughed so hard he nearly missed the exit.
“Rest area ahead.”
Emily clapped her hands.
“You know me too well.”
“I’ve had practice.”
? ? ?
By early evening they rolled into The Dalles.
Main Street was full of people enjoying the holiday festivities.
Food vendors lined the sidewalks.
Children waved little American flags.
Live music drifted through the warm summer air.
Emily smiled.
“I love small-town celebrations.”
Luke reached over and took her hand.
“They just feel… real.”
They wandered from booth to booth, sharing roasted corn, fresh lemonade, and a giant basket of kettle corn.
Luke bought a bag of saltwater taffy.
Emily laughed.
“You have the sweet tooth of a twelve-year-old.”
“I consider that a compliment.”
? ? ?
As the sun began to set, they found a spot overlooking the river.
Families spread out blankets.
Children chased glow sticks through the grass.
Boats floated quietly on the Columbia waiting for the fireworks to begin.
Emily leaned against Luke.
“This is perfect.”
Luke wrapped an arm around her.
“It really is.”
She smiled.
“Promise me something.”
“What?”
“No phones.”
Luke slipped his into his pocket.
“Done.”
“I just want to enjoy tonight.”
“We will.”
? ? ?
A group of people nearby had obviously started celebrating a little too early.
Their laughter grew louder by the minute.
Luke glanced in their direction but quickly looked away.
Emily noticed.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah.”
“They’ve had a few too many.”
Emily nodded.
“Let’s just focus on us.”
Luke smiled.
“Best idea you’ve had all day.”
She nudged him with her shoulder.
“I’ve had lots of good ideas.”
“You did convince me to come.”
“And?”
Luke looked around at the families, the music, and the sun beginning to disappear behind the cliffs.
“I’m really glad you did.”
Emily rested her head against his shoulder.
The first firework launcher was wheeled into position near the river.
The crowd began to cheer.
Neither of them knew that before the night was over, they would be helping complete strangers—and walking away with a story they’d be telling for years.
The fireworks hadn’t even started.
And already…
It was becoming a night they would never forget.