Free Forgiving You: A Bluebell Valley Novel by Ginnie Carmichael Page B

front of a bench overlooking the river.
    “And I guess you won’t tell me anything about it?”
    “You’re right about that.”
    They both sat down as Sam wondered what he could have planned for the rest of the evening. Everything that had happened so far was perfect. She believed that it was going to be the same for whatever came next.
    The sun was already low, barely over the horizon. There was a warm orange glow around them, which made everything more romantic.
    “This is lovely,” Sam said as she leaned her head against Austin’s shoulder, looking at the sunset. She hadn’t appreciated the beauty of Bluebell Valley in a long time. She couldn’t have been more thankful to Austin for showing it to her again. Maybe this part hadn’t been planned―or maybe it had―but she was enjoying it very much. It was like time had stopped all around them.
    Austin put an arm around her shoulders as she watched the magical sunset. This night couldn’t have been more perfect, and it wasn’t even over.

Chapter Eleven
    Austin
     
    “Come on,” Austin said, extending his hand to Sam so she would stand up too. “It’s time for your next surprise.”
    The sun had set a few minutes ago and it was getting dark already. Austin didn’t need more darkness than that for what he had planned.
    Sam grabbed his hand and pulled herself up, laughing at the same time. The sound of her laughter made Austin’s heart skip a beat. To him, that was the most beautiful sound. He had always loved to hear his best friend laugh―and he’d always been looking for a way to make her laugh, too.
    “So, can I ask now where you’re taking me?” she asked as she slid her arm around Austin’s waist. He put his own arm around her shoulders, knowing he wanted to stay in this position forever. He still couldn’t believe how far they’d come in only a few days.
    “I’m sorry, I’m not at liberty to discuss that subject,” Austin said, grinning. As they arrived back to the car, he opened the door for Sam to slide in. Walking around the car, he glanced at her through the windshield, feeling like the luckiest man in the world.
     

     
    “I thought you were taking me back to your house, but now I’m lost,” Sam said, looking around her. After they had left the restaurant parking lot, Austin had driven the car on the country road. They’d been driving for half an hour already and the orchard was far behind them.
    “We’re almost there,” Austin assured her as he leaned forward, not wanting to miss his turn. The dirt road was hard to see and it was now pitch black. The stars had started appearing already.
    “There we go,” he said as he noticed the intersection where he had to turn. Slowly, a white-washed barn appeared and he knew he was in the right spot.
    A minute later, he parked the car behind the old abandoned barn, far from any city lights. The sky was crystal clear and they could see all the stars they wanted.
    “You brought me stargazing?” Sam asked as she looked outside her window.
    “Not exactly,” Austin admitted. “Stay in here.”
    “Why?”
    “You’ll see,” he replied with a smile.
    Opening his door, Austin slid out of the car. He turned the light of his phone on as he walked back to the road. Sam was now alone in the car, and definitely wondering what was happening. He was hoping he wasn’t scaring her too much while he was gone.
    He came back a minute later, opening the passenger door.
    “Now you can come out.”
    Austin gave Sam his hand and she took it as she got out of the car. Still holding her hand, he led her toward the back of the truck. He jumped in and removed the blanket that was hiding a ton of pillows. As he helped Sam inside, he pointed behind her.
    “Look,” he said as her head turned in the right direction. The barn, which had been white a few seconds ago, was now slowly lighting up. She could recognize the first scene of the movie she used to watch over and over again as a teenager: Notting