Willow by Donna Lynn Hope Page A

was dark, her long blonde hair looked like it had been spun from light. Her lips were curved, forming a soft but striking smile. It was a beautiful photo, one my dad kept in a frame on his dresser. I couldn’t imagine why it would seem to bother Haven, if that’s what his reaction was telling me. His eyes were fixated on the portrait like he was burning it to memory.
    “Haven?” I quietly prodded.
    My voice seemed to draw him from his thoughts and he drew his hands back from the photo album and placed them on his knees.
    “Excuse me,” he stated apologetically. Then, considerately looking from Anne’s face to mine he asked, “Are you ready?”
    “Yes…” I replied, still wondering what was wrong.
    He rose from the seat and turned to Anne, “It was nice meeting you.”
    She grinned sweetly and replied, “My pleasure.” When his head was turned she looked at me drawing in her lips as if she were whistling. I tried not to laugh.
    Once outside I noticed our ride: Haven’s black motorcycle, and then I saw that Reece had been right…the snow was already gone. Haven took my white gloved hand in his and led me to the bike.
    “We can walk to the coffee shop,” I said.
    “I thought you might like to go for a ride,” he answered as he began unfastening a helmet.
    “Is it safe?” I asked as I observed the sleek lines of the bike. “I’ve never ridden a motorcycle before.”
    He paused and glanced down at me. “It’s safe. You’re with me.”
    He offered me the helmet. I took the clip out of hair and shook my head until my hair fell down in dark waves. Haven helped me adjust it but the helmet felt awkward and heavy. I was hoping Anne wasn’t watching because I wasn’t sure if she would approve.
    Haven fastened his own helmet, pulled on his gloves and mounted the bike. He pulled me on after him, securing my hands around his waist and into the pockets of his jacket where he told me to hang on. As he did my heart jumped. I leaned into him because I had no choice and my chest rested on his rock-solid back. I could only hope he didn’t hear the shudder of my heart as it surged with excitement. He pulled away from the curb and I began to smile.
    I was absorbed in the moment as I felt his every movement, no matter how slight. At the end of the street he made a left hand turn and began driving out of town. I felt my thighs flex and gripped him even tighter as the speed increased and when I did, I was certain I felt him chuckle as I felt the vibrations rippling through his back.
    Minutes passed and I began to relax. I lifted my head from his back and looked at our surroundings. Almost all of the leaves had fallen from their branches and a light fog had drifted across the mountains. Cows were grazing and there were a couple of horses standing still with their heads inclined towards each other. We passed a few ranches and then we were on an open road with nothing but woods and mountains surrounding us. Haven increased the speed and I looked into the trees, which were part of a vast forest and watched them merge together as we sped by. When he slowed down I very carefully peeked over his arm and looked at his strong gloved hands as they gripped the handles. Ever so slightly he turned his head until he caught a glimpse of me in his peripheral vision. I adjusted my arms around his waist and went back to watching the view, which wasn’t possible at the times that he sped up, and when he went fast enough to make me nervous I closed my eyes, but even then I couldn’t stop smiling.
    By the time we reached a bridge near roaring waters, he turned around and we headed back to Crested Butte. The cold was beginning to bother me, but Haven was sensitive to this and drew me into him again, shielding me from the bitter wind as we rode into it. Cold or not, I loved every exhilarating minute.
    He parked on Elk Avenue, close to a charming little coffee shop. I giggled as I slid off the motorcycle. My legs were shaking and my toes were