Read The Bridesmaid's Hero for Free Online Page B

want to go out for coffee and catch up with everyone?” A group from church met up after the service at the only Snowgum Creek café open late on Sundays.
    “Yes, and I also have a surprise for you.”
    “What is it?”
    He smiled. “Thursday is still your day off, right?”
    “Wednesday and Thursday are my new weekend. Why?”
    “Pencil in our trip to Jindabyne for Thursday in two and a half weeks. The ladies staying at your B&B have booked a one-way trip. We’ll have the rest of the day together.”
    “Are you asking me out on a date?”
    His eyes sparkled. “If that’s what you want call it.”
    Her heart sprinted to a different beat. “A date in the mountains sounds fun.”
    “I plan on making it an unforgettable day.”
    “Oh, you are raising my expectations.”
    He laced his fingers through hers. “I think I’ve seen you nearly every day since you arrived in Snowgum Creek, and we’ve talked for hours.”
    “Yes.” She looked forward to their regular afternoon conversations while they went riding together and he took care of the horses. They’d talked about a wide range of topics, and she’d discovered they shared a number of common interests.
    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