The Bridesmaid's Hero (5 page)

He held her gaze. “I think I’ve gained some insights into how I can impress you.”

“Now I’m curious.”

“I’ll take care of all the details. Make sure you wear hiking shoes and bring a warm jacket.”

“Any more clues?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see.” He let go of her hand, his voice softening. “I promise I won’t disappoint you.”

“I’ll be counting down the days.” She picked up her purse and waved to one of her new friends across the aisle. The church members had welcomed her, and she looked forward to their weekly coffee outings after church.

Harry cupped her elbow and she walked ahead into the aisle. He reached for her hand again. A couple of people nearby shot speculative looks in their direction. She couldn’t wait for their surprise date, and she’d try to squeeze a few more clues out of him before the big day arrived.

Chapter Five

Serena waved goodbye to the sweet elderly ladies who had been their passengers from Snowgum Creek to Jindabyne. Harry walked behind the ladies, carrying their luggage into the lobby of an art deco-style hotel.

She waited in the front seat of the minibus on the drive outside the hotel, typing a reply in her phone to a recent message from Gina. They’d left Snowgum Creek at six-thirty this morning, and she’d sat beside Harry during their three-hour drive through the Snowy Mountains. Their passengers had dozed for most of the journey.

Harry returned to the driver’s seat. “Our next stop is your surprise.”

“Yay.” She plugged her phone into the car charger. “It’s about time you told me where we’re going. Gina thinks you’re taking me hiking in the snowfields.”

“A good guess. How’s Gina?”

“She’s fine, and says hi.”

“Okay. You’ll soon find out where we’re going. But first, I have exciting news.”

“What is it?”

He grinned. “I’ve just received the email.”

She gasped. “From the university.”

“I’ve been accepted into the course in Melbourne.”

“Wow, that’s excellent!” She reached over and hugged him. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks.” He drew back, his hands lingering on her shoulders. “After being rejected last year, I didn’t want to get my hopes up.”

“We have to celebrate today because you’re a step closer to achieving your goal.”

“Yeah, and we should get moving because I’d prefer to be home by dark.”

She reattached her seat belt. “That works for me. It’s distance education, right?”

He nodded and switched on the engine.

“Which means you won’t have to move to Melbourne.”

“I may leave Snowgum Creek if I can pick up a new job with more permanent hours.” He shot her a sideways glance. “You don’t like the idea of me moving to Melbourne.”

She scrunched her nose. “It’s a long drive from Canberra.”

“Only five hours from Snowgum Creek.”

“True. I usually fly to Melbourne when I visit my sister.”

He drove out of Jindabyne and turned onto Alpine Way. “Have you thought about moving closer to one of your sisters?”

She shook her head. “I’m content with my life in Canberra. I’m not as ambitious as my father, and I’ve finally found my niche in the industry.”

“Do you think being ambitious is a bad thing?”

“Not exactly, but I do believe there’s an element of truth in the old saying. The grass usually isn’t greener somewhere else.”

“You’re speaking from experience.”

“I used to change jobs all the time, and I didn’t necessarily move to a better position.” She sucked in a big breath. “I’m happy where I am. I grew up in the Canberra region and it’s home.”

“Okay.” He stared straight ahead, his attention glued to the winding mountain road.

She scraped her teeth over her lower lip. Why was he perplexed by her answer? She hadn’t given him any indication that she wanted to leave Canberra.

Their lives had intersected for a short time, but their close proximity was temporary. In seven weeks she’d return to her old life in Canberra, and he’d continue on with his life in Snowgum Creek—or elsewhere. He wouldn’t have a lot of free time between work and study.

Serena stretched out in her seat. It was pointless to dwell on what might happen when it was time for her to leave Snowgum Creek in December. She needed to live in the present and make the most of the time they had together.

She stared out the window, the green alpine landscape changing as they climbed higher into the mountain range.

“We’re nearly at Thredbo,” he said.

“I haven’t been there in ages. We ski at Perisher because a friend from church has free accommodation at her family’s Perisher Valley chalet.”

“That’s a bonus, and a great location. I usually go to Mount Selwyn because it’s closer to Snowgum Creek.”

She tipped her head to the side. “I had wondered if your surprise was a trip back to my hometown.”

“I did consider Canberra, but I like this option better.”

“Okay.”

He slowed at the Thredbo signpost, and within minutes he found a parking spot close to the entrance to the chairlift.

She widened her eyes. “We’re climbing Mount Kosciuszko.”

“We sure are.”

“All the way to the top?”

“Probably not all the way.” He strode around the front of the minibus and opened her door. “There’s a fair bit of snow higher up the mountain, and it’s a four-hour hike in good weather. Have you done the climb before?”

She nodded. “Years ago, with my family, during the summer school holidays. We hiked from Charlottes Pass but didn’t make it as far as the summit.”

“It’s a long hike from Charlottes Pass.”

“I remember the blisters.”

“Ouch.” Harry collected their gear from the back of the minibus and adjusted the straps on his backpack. “I hope the weather will be okay. You brought a hat and scarf?”

“Yes, and I layered sunscreen on my face before we left.”

“Me too. I have wet weather gear for both of us, just in case.”

“Thanks.” Serena slung her backpack over her shoulders and held Harry’s hand as they strolled toward the stairs leading to the chair lift. She turned up the cuff on her collar, the brisk wind a lot cooler than Snowgum Creek. Colorful wildflowers covered ground that would be buried in snow during winter.

They joined the line of tourists waiting to board the chairlift. A bus had arrived not long before them, the loud passengers talking about how they were eager to climb Australia’s tallest mountain.

She sat beside Harry on the chairlift and they left the platform, embarking on the mile-long ride up the side of the mountain.

Her legs dangled high over the lush green hillside. Hiking boots secured by laces clad her feet. The temperature dropped, and her jeans kept her legs warm.

Harry draped his arm around her shoulders and she nestled closer, appreciating the extra protection from the icy alpine breeze.

He whispered in her ear. “What do you think?”

“I love it.” She pulled her woolen hat lower on her head, transfixed by the magnificent scenery.

Patches of snow glimmered like crystals in the morning sunlight, surrounded by clumps of purple, yellow and white wildflowers. Eagles Nest, their destination, came into view, the buildings a stark contrast to the rugged landscape.

Harry helped her off the chairlift and led her to the entrance of a nearby restaurant.

He smiled. “Coffee time.”

“Absolutely. This cold weather has given me an appetite.”

“It doesn’t feel like spring up here.”

A dozen mountain bikes were parked outside the restaurant. She curved her mouth into a bigger smile. “My cycling friends love coming here in summer.”

“You haven’t joined them?”

“I work weekends, and that’s when they go out of town for their long rides.”

“Do you find your work hours limiting?”

“Sometimes, but I love my job and I wouldn’t swap it for a nine-to-five office job.”

“That’s not my ideal job, either.”

She chuckled. “I can’t see you being happy with an office job.”

They walked inside and she followed Harry to a corner table beside two large windows.

The spectacular mountain and valley panorama claimed her full attention. She leaned forward in her seat, her elbows resting on the pine wooden table top. “I can’t get over the stunning view.”

“This restaurant is one of my favorite places to visit.”

“I can understand why.” She snapped a few photos on her phone, mesmerized by the diversity of the pristine terrain.

A waiter appeared and she joined Harry in ordering Devonshire Tea with her latte.

“Harry, you’re right. It looks like there’s plenty of snow further up the mountain where it’s misty.”

He twined his fingers through hers, his gaze tender. “We won’t make it to the summit today. The conditions aren’t looking good.”

“It’s okay. Maybe another time.”

“The weather should improve by summer, and there’ll be less snow in December.”

Her knee brushed his under the table, and she wriggled back in her seat. “A friend of mine climbed to the summit on Australia Day.”

“A good way to escape the January summer heat.”

“One day I’ll climb to the very top.”

“We could come back in December, before you leave Snowgum Creek.”

She squeezed his hand. “I’d like that.”

The scones arrived with their lattes. Serena opened her scone and spread a layer of strawberry jam on one half. She topped it with a dollop of clotted cream and took a bite. “Mm.”

He held her gaze. “It’s good.”

She nodded, her palate pleased by the light texture and sweet favor. “I’m fussy when it comes to scones.”

“Your scones are the best.”

“Thank you. That’s a big compliment.”

“And it’s true.” He sampled one of his scones, smothered in a generous helping of jam and cream. “These are good scones. I packed boxed lunches from your B&B, and bottled water.”

“You’ve thought of everything.”

“I aim to please.”

She sipped her latté. “I could do this every day.”

“Yes, and I believe we’re sitting in Australia’s highest restaurant.”

“Wow. That’s impressive. I’m sure they’re run off their feet here during the ski season.”

He stirred a teaspoon of sugar into his latte. “Are you a good skier?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess I’m average. I struggle at times on the intermediate slopes.”

“Skiing isn’t easy.”

“I prefer snowboarding, but I only make it to Perisher once or twice a season.”

“Snowboarding is fun. My dad was a skiing fanatic. When I was younger, we spent many of our winter weekends at the ski fields.”

“My parents aren’t into skiing, and my mom hates going away and leaving her horses. Our grandparents took us to the beach each summer. They lived on the South Coast and we’d stay with them for part of the school holidays.”

“We mainly went to the beach when we visited family in Sydney. My aunt and uncle live in The Shire, not far from Cronulla Beach.”

“A pretty part of the world. We used to go to church youth camps in the nearby Royal National Park.”

“Port Hacking is a great place to visit.” He drained his latte glass. “Are you ready to go hiking?”

She nodded. “Thanks for a lovely morning tea.”

“You’re very welcome.” He stood, his smile radiating from his eyes. “I’ll settle the bill.”

“Thank you.” She was impressed by his manners and loved everything about their date.

They left the restaurant and commenced their hike up the mountain, the raised steel mesh walkway providing an even path. They passed rocky granite outcrops, and patches of snow became more prevalent the higher they climbed. A heavy mist engulfed the peaks. The air temperature reminded her of a frosty Canberra winter morning.

He paused. “I think we’ll stop for lunch at the next lookout. It could rain soon.”

“I agree, and I’m hungry.”

He shook his head. “The scones didn’t fill you up?”

“Breakfast at five this morning seems like a long time ago.”

“It’s not too cold for you?”

“Nope.” She grinned. “I’m used to cold winters.”

Half an hour later they reached an isolated lookout not far from the main path.

She strode to the edge of the viewing platform, looking out over the ravine. “It feels like we’re walking in the clouds.”

“And most likely snow.”

She wrapped her red woolen scarf tighter around her neck. “Do you think it will snow?”

“Possibly. It’s cold enough.” He laid out a picnic blanket on the mesh platform.

She joined him, sitting cross-legged. “Did my father make our lunches?”

He nodded and pulled two cardboard boxes out of a small cooler bag in his backpack. “I hope that’s okay?”

“Dad knows what I like.” She opened her box and found a large wrapped sandwich, a red apple, and one of her savory cheese muffins. “Looks great.”

He unwrapped his sandwich. “I wonder what’s on it.”

“Turkey, cranberry and brie. My mom’s favorite combo, and a popular menu item in November.”

“Are your parents doing an American Thanksgiving dinner this year?”

“Yes. We’re fully booked over the Thanksgiving weekend. I’ve been rostered to help with housekeeping, and I’m baking all the pies in advance.”

“Is that normal?”

She shook her head. “Bookings normally drop off by late November, and pick up again when we reopen at the end of December.”

“It’s good your parents can take a break before Christmas.”