Things between the sisters still hadn't healed completely, but they were on the road to it, and if Gabby knew anything about being on the road, it was that--one way or another--you eventually got to where you wanted to go.
Gabby clutched her copy of Pride and Prejudice, chuckling to herself. Their honeymoon reminded her of regency weddings in books like this; weddings followed by long trips from London to "the continent," where the couple would whisk away for months to travel and sightsee. Since she hadn't traveled much before now, Adrian claimed he wanted to give her the world, starting with United States landmarks. They'd visited Mount Rushmore, ventured to Philadelphia for some historical sites, and had spent a romantic night touring Times Square and seeing several Broadway plays.
Bucket list, checked off.
Who knew where Adrian was taking her next? He intended this trip to be a surprise. She wouldn't mind if they made their way down to the Florida Keys, or even the Grand Canyon, though they were both clear across the country, in opposite directions.
But Vermont?
What in the world were they doing in Vermont?
"You still haven't told me what we're doing here," Gabby said, lowering her book just in time to spot the sign off the freeway exit. Westville. What was in Westville?
"We were close by," Adrian said, turning toward the little town. "I thought you might like to see something quirky and off the map."
Her mind raced. Quirky and off the map? Granted, Westville's gorgeous landscape was bursting with trees like much of the east coast. The little colonial homes, the wrought-iron-fenced yards, the tree-lined streets. It was like a hug, welcoming her to town. Making her never want to leave.
"This place is adorable."
"Just wait till you see where we're going." He slid her a smirk.
Oh, but he was a fox in his sunglasses. With one hand on the wheel, his casual posture, his free hand resting on her knee, and his dark hair swirled, she was a goner. Her heart literally throbbed. Was she really his wife?
Sometimes Gabby couldn't believe the turns her life had taken. Pinching herself seemed cliche, but she pressed a hand to her heart to make sure it was truly beating now, this moment.
Adrian was hers. She was here, with him, with his hand on her lap. How could she ever get used to that view--the lines of his face, the gleam in his eyes, the sound of his voice--every day?
As Adrian turned the corner, a theme park sprouted as if from nowhere. Still blocks away, the amusement park had to be huge if she could see it from here.
"What is that?" she asked. "Is that where we're going?"
"Wonderland Theme Park," Adrian said with a laugh, pausing at the stoplight.
Gabby straightened in her seat and clutched her book in one hand. "Wonderland Theme Park? As in..."
"Alice in Wonderland? Yep. Rumor has it, every single ride is based off something Alice encounters in the book. Everyone experiences their own journey down the rabbit hole."
"That sounds...amazing! Why here, though? I never pegged you as an Alice in Wonderland fan."
"I read it once," he admitted, accelerating again when the light turned green. "We were close enough to it. I thought you would like it."
"Quirky," she said, repeating his earlier word. She had to admit, it was intriguing. She beamed at her new husband. "I can't wait to check it out."
Adrian's phone pinged from the dashboard. "New message from Hawk Danielson," the aloof, female voice from Adrian's Hummer announced.
"Who's Hawk Danielson?" Gabby asked.
"An associate of mine," Adrian said. "He owns a chain of candy stores and has done impressively well with them. His corporate office is based not far from here." He tapped the screen, and the computerized voice read the message aloud:
"Since you're in town, why don't you stop by and we can meet to discuss the investment in person?"
Had Adrian told Hawk where they were? Was that the real reason he'd brought her to Westville? She dismissed the suspicion.
As Adrian turned the corner, Wonderland Theme Park came into view once more--closer this time. Staggering, wrought-iron gates created a perimeter around a massive amusement park, with token roller coasters and a Ferris wheel spearing into the sky. At the end of the expansive parking lot, ticket booths wearing top hats set off the park's entry point.
Gabby was immediately transfixed. The park had its own enticing charm, like a siren call to allure people to neglect whatever else they had planned and just go play for a little while. It called to her as well, but her excitement wavered.
Business, on their honeymoon? Granted, Adrian hadn't done much since they'd left Baldwin, though he had been in communication with a few of his clients and associates. She knew it was pouty and childish, but she wanted to explore Wonderland. She'd been to the Mall of America a few times, but never a theme park like this.
"He wants to meet up now?" Gabby asked, trying to mask her disappointment.
Adrian pulled off to the side of the road. For hosting a theme park, Westville was a relatively small town.
"Might as well stop by Hawk's candy store on the way to our hotel. It's not far. We can check in and then hit the park tomorrow. What do you think? Do you want some candy?" He waggled his eyebrows.
Gabby smirked. "You mean besides you?"
Adrian leaned in. The feel of his mouth on hers fizzled all the way into her stomach. He lingered, resting his cheek to hers long enough to add in her ear, "Indulge in me all you want, Mrs. Bear."
Stomach still burning, she nibbled her bottom lip. "I suppose a candy store sounds like fun."
Adrian grinned at her, planted another kiss on her mouth, and then texted a reply to Hawk. "You won't be sorry," he said to Gabby as he did so.
The drive to Ever After Sweet Shoppe on Seventeenth Street didn't take long. The shop was cutesy, marked by a
