Tempting Love (Cowboys & Angels 3)

With a slow nod, she chewed on her lip. “Yeah, we should.”

After I loaded up the car with our suitcases, I turned to see Corina and her mother hugging.

Stepping back, Corina took her mother’s hands. “I’m so sorry I’m leaving you.”

Lori wore a brave grin. “Corina, I’m not crying tears of sadness. These are happy tears. I’m so happy that both of my kids found love and happiness. That is all I ever wanted. Stop worrying about me, sweetheart. I’ll be fine. Now I want you to stop feeling sad.”

When she glanced at me, Lori’s grin grew even bigger. “You take care of my little girl.”

I nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I will.”

Turning her attention back to Corina, Lori kissed her on the cheek. “I love you, my sweet girl. Now go on before you miss your plane.”

Corina hugged her mother again. “I love you too. I’ll call you when we land.”

Lori walked over to me and opened her arms for a hug. “It was so nice to meet you, Mitchell.”

“The pleasure was all mine, Lori.” As we hugged, I whispered in her ear, “Thank you for your blessing.”

She squeezed me harder and whispered back, “You make her happy.”

We stepped apart and looked at each other. I wanted to tell her I would do everything in my power to make sure her daughter was always happy. Instead, I nodded and smiled.

I opened the door for Corina and held her hand while she got into the car. My heart raced along with my mind.

This was it.

In the next few days I would be asking Corina to marry me.

Holy shit.

Panic started to take root in my gut—not because I was afraid of asking her to marry me. Far from that. It was because I so desperately wanted to make it special for Corina. A memory that would last us a lifetime.

As we drove down the streets of Chicago, I took in all the trees that were beginning to change colors. Glancing to my right, I noticed Corina doing the same.

“You okay?” I asked, taking her hand in mine.

She nodded. “I will be once we get back home and settled. Work will take my mind off things.

Little did she know we were not heading back to Texas. We were going to Banff.

Gripping the steering wheel, I took in a deep breath.

This was it.

Time to fill Corina in on the change of plans.

“Canada? We’re going to Canada?”

I stood there staring at Mitchell. I felt sure I had a dumbfounded look on my face.

He was holding out my passport as we stood in line to check in.

“We’re staying outside of Banff at a place called The Post Hotel. Hopefully the weather stays nice and no crazy storms roll in.”

My mouth opened slightly as I tried to form the words.

Canada. Banff. The one place I’ve always dreamed of going and Mitchell is making that dream come true.

“How? What about my work?”

He reached for my hand. “I already worked it out with Paxton for you to take more time off. I was pretty sure she was going to ruin the surprise. I’m glad she didn’t.”

I shook my head. “She didn’t utter a word! Banff? Oh, my gosh! Are you serious?” Excitement bubbled inside of me, and I nearly screamed. People were starting to stare, but I didn’t care. I’d never been so excited.

“I’ve never been more serious.”

I jumped into his arms while I cried out, “Oh Mitchell!”

He laughed as he picked me up off the ground and kissed me. When he set me back down, I wasn’t only dizzy from the idea of going to Banff, but from Mitchell’s kiss as well.

“You little sneak. How in the world did you manage to find somewhere to stay? I figured a room would need to be booked way in advance.”

A crooked smile appeared on his face, and my knees grew weak.

“When I was in college a group of friends and I went on a ski trip near Banff. Actually, we went every year. The place we stayed was amazing. One of the guy’s parents knew the owners of the hotel. They met through business or something. Each time we stayed they upgraded us. Anyway, I gave him a call to see if he might be able to hook us up. He contacted the owners’ daughter and she got us a cabin.”

“A cabin! Oh, my gosh! Are you serious?”

Mitchell nodded. “Lenny said there was a catch, not sure what it is just yet. He told me I’d find out when we got there.”

“Who cares what the catch is! We’re staying in a cabin in Banff!”

“Well, it’s about forty minutes or so from the town.”

I did a weird little jig in line and let out a squeal. “This is going to be so amazing! I hope it snows just a little!”

“Do you know hard it was to pack your winter jacket in my suitcase? I was scared to death you would see it.”