Emma’s POV
THE NEXT DAY
He keeps his promise before the sun is even fully up.
A duffel bag is already packed; blankets, food, wine, things I don’t get to see. He just kisses me quiet when I try to peek. Then he’s bundling me into the truck, my hand tucked in his the whole drive, windows down, mountain air whipping my hair wild.
Twenty minutes later, we pull up to a small cedar cabin tucked against the tree line, smoke curling lazily from the chimney even though no one’s been here in weeks. He carries me over the threshold like we’re newlyweds, grinning when I squeal.
We unpack in ten minutes; mostly him tossing clothes onto chairs while I laugh. Then he produces a strip of black silk from his pocket.
“Revealing the surprise early?” I asked him.
“No.”
“Then what is this?” I re
