Calling Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance (Modern Conveniences Book 2) by Leah Atwood

time he took her hand and then slid the ring on her finger. “Fits like a glove.”
    Wild drums beat in her heart, pounding harder with each lingering moment Archer left his hand on hers. If she had this reaction over a faux proposal, what would it be like if a man every truly asked her to marry him?
    “I’m the happiest girl on earth,” she said in an exaggerated singsong voice.
    Releasing her hand, Archer stood and chuckled. “I could vie for a broken record, but I honestly do appreciate what you’re doing for me.”
    She hugged herself against a breeze. “It’s been fun so far. I’ve enjoyed tonight.”
    “Me too.”
    “Plus, I’ve gotten new jewelry from the deal.” She had a strange reluctance to remove the ring although there was no reason to wear it until Saturday.
    Archer scratched his brow, smiling wryly. “Just don’t try to pawn it or you’ll be sorely disappointed.” 
    “I’ll probably keep it as a reminder of our craziness. Unless you want it back,” she added quickly.
    His hands flew up to resist the idea. “It’s yours to keep and do whatever with.”
    They left the gazebo and continued along the path. The music to “At Last” drifting through the tree branches created a romantic backdrop, and Madison reminded herself this was all pretend. She wasn’t on a real date, and nothing existed between her and Archer except a verbal understanding to help each other.
    Her head knew that as truth, but her heart told a different story. Until Archer she’d never experienced such a visceral reaction to a man. She should have been scared, told him then and there the agreement was off before they dove any deeper. But she didn’t, and she wouldn’t.
    Another shiver sent tremors from her head to feet, and she rubbed her arms. “The wind is picking up,” she said to disguise the real reason her shoulders shook.
    “There’s supposed to be a storm coming later—could be starting to blow in.” He looked to the sky, then her. “Are you cold?”
    “A little bit.”
    He moved closer to her and slid an arm around her shoulder, offering warmth from his body. “Is this okay?”
    More than okay . At a loss for words that wouldn’t embarrass her, she nodded.
    “I can see clouds moving this way.” The last word hung in the air, with an implied note they should leave, but he didn’t want to.
    “Can we get to the car in time?” Her fear of being caught in a lightning storm broke through her daydreams. As if to answer her question, a loud clap of thunder boomed in the distance. Unwittingly, she burrowed into the curve of Archer’s arm.
    “This path circles back to the parking lot, so we’re actually a lot closer than it seems.”
    She’d known that, but wasn’t thinking straight. Her mind was fuzzy with memories of their evening, and her fright at the approaching storm. Caught up in the moment with Archer, she hadn’t noticed its advance until he’d pointed out the clouds.
    Two jagged bolts of lightning shot like daggers from the sky. Tearing away from Archer, she broke into a sprint, barely noticing that he kept up with her. Several minutes later she reached his car, breathing heavily from her impromptu run.
    Archer jogged up to her. “Are you okay?”
    Embarrassment colored her face when she realized what she’d done. “I hate storms, rather being outside during them.”
    “I figured it was something like that.”
    She pulled on the door handle, but it was locked. Her gaze drifted to where another bolt of lightning flashed. “Would you mind unlocking the door?”
    In a matter of seconds, Archer had the door open for her, then closed it behind her once she sat.
    Leaning against the headrest, she took a deep breath. And another. Flashbacks of sirens and a helicopter exploded in her mind. It had been years since she’d been caught outside in a storm, even if this one hadn’t quite made it to her yet. She was always so careful to check the weather before leaving, and this was why she lived