“We’re just arriving at Nags Head, a beach town on the Outer Banks. I found us a last-minute rental near here for the next week, and it wasn't even that expensive due to a cancellation,” Spade tells me while he taps the steering wheel to the beat of the music playing on a low volume. He must have lowered it when I fell asleep. How sweet.
I finally realize that we're off the coast of North Carolina. “No way! I had no idea we were heading here,” I squeak with excitement and surprise evident in my voice.
“I can tell. Where did you think I was taking you?”
“Well, no idea, but not somewhere so cool!” I gush over his surprise.
Spade chuckles, and a fond smile fills his face. “We used to come here when I was a kid. Our cousins lived close to Raleigh in the 90s, and their parents, my aunt and her husband, would rent a beach house for a month every summer. Those are some of the best memories from my childhood.”
“I love that you’re taking me somewhere that means that much to you.”
He nods knowingly while he cuts across three lanes of traffic. “When you told me you haven’t seen the ocean, I knew we had to come here. I couldn’t stop thinking about anything else after I remembered those summers in Nags Head. The beaches here are stunning, especially during sunrises and sunsets.”
“It all feels like a dream,” I admit and sigh dreamily. “I can’t believe I get to do all this on this spur-of-the-moment trip.”
“I hope it’s a good dream.”
“It definitely is.Gooddoesn't even cover it.”
“Just wait until you hear what I have planned for us. There’s a lot to see around the area—lighthouses, beaches, and wild horses.”
That last thing catches my attention. “Did you say wild horses?”
“I did. There are free-roaming horses among the dunes of Corolla and Carova, north from here, close to the Virginia border.”
“No way!”
Spade chuckles in that deep way that I enjoy so much. “I can’t promise we’ll see them, but let’s try. But first, let’s get to our home for the next five nights.”
I love how he calls our rental beach househome. “So, tell me more about the house we are staying at.”
“There’s a private pool and access to the beach via a wooden path. A few bedrooms. Lots of space. Light colors. The rental could be between the covers of a home decor magazine, and it wouldn’t surprise me.”
“It sounds too good to be true!”
“I really hoped you would say that. After all, it’s your dream vacation, so it better be everything you want and more.”
His sweet comment makes my eyes water, but I blink rapidly behind my sunglasses, trying to keep my emotions in check for now. Somehow I have a feeling that my eyes won’t stay dry much longer.
The truck turns to the left, and we drive along the beach, past all the beautiful large houses with ocean views and wrap-around porches.
“It’s nothing like I have experienced before,” I say, awe evident in my voice.
“We’re staying only three houses down that way,” he points over to the light yellow house that looks perfect.
I squeal in happiness. “This is the best surpriseever!”
I lean over the center console, giving him a peck on the cheek. My lips linger there momentarily while my mind replays last night.
Before I can make a fool of myself, I lean back to my spot. All the while Spade keeps smiling, not saying a word.
“What?” I ask him.
“I’m happy we’re here.”
“Me too.”
* * *
