A Heart's Desire

Chapter 13

Before Declan left the Inn, Cindy had a little surprise for him. She gave him a blanket to take, her map of instructions and a thermos of hot chocolate. The directions were perfect and he found the park with no problems. Pulling into the parking lot he rested the car in a spot just shortly after 7:30pm. He reached for the blanket that was sitting in the passenger seat, grabbed Cindy's map and got out of the SUV. Could he find what secret cut off he was supposed to take?

Cindy said he should walk down the path around seven feet and then see a rose bush on his right. Beside that will be the secret path way but it won't look like one. Weeds and grass grew all over which made the path hard to find. Which was also good in helping to keep unwanted guests out.

He walked in the seven feet and found a rose bush on his right with little buds starting to form. Glancing over he could see some of the grass had been stepped on and figured this was the right way. He walked along the secret path for another 12-15 feet when all of a sudden it opened up and he was at the top of a hill overlooking the river.

"This must be the place."

He walked near the edge and stood there for a few minutes taking in the view. There were hills and trees on both sides of the river where wild flowers grew between adding some colour. It really was a beautiful and perfect site.

Declan took a few steps back and turned around to lay out the blanket. He took a seat and pulled out the script. He was almost half way through it and had to finish before his manager called again so he brought it with him.

It was funny that the whole time he was reading the script he kept thinking of Samantha as his leading lady. They had talked about working together again. The first time did not really count because even though they were in the same movie, they only had three scenes together. They talked about how much fun it would be to do a movie where not only did they both like the script but they could play leading roles together. Maybe he could make that part of his deal? But then what would happen if they said no and told him to get lost? Could he live with that?
He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialled Roger's number. Roger picked up on the third ring.

"Hey Declan, is everything ok?"

"Yeah, I was just sitting here reading the script and..."

"Oh good, how much do you have done?"

"Almost half."

"And what do you think so far?"

"Well that's part of why I'm calling. I love what I have read so far and I'm wondering if you could ask them to consider Samantha for the leading lady."

"You want to do the movie with Samantha?"

"Yeah, the whole time I'm reading this I keep picturing her. I think she would do a fantastic job. Do you think this is a bad idea?"

"Is it a make it or break it kind of deal you want to make?"

"No, I don't think so." Declan paused for a moment, "I would just like for them to seriously consider it."

"Ok, well you finish reading and I will put some feelers out there and let's see what we get back. How is Samantha by the way?"

"Oh she is fantastic." Declan did not want to lie to Roger but he was not ready to go into detail until he knew what was happening. "Listen, I better go so I can finish this up for you."

"That's what I like to hear. Ok you have a good night and I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Bye."

Declan hung up and realized that before he made the call he didn't even think what would happen if he got the job for Samantha and then she decided to be with Brett. How could he work on a movie in such an intimate setting with her after that? No, he could not let himself think like that. He had to be positive. He had this beautiful spot and it was going to be so romantic. He would get down on one knee and tell her all the wonderful things he loved about her. How he wanted to spend the rest of his life waking up beside her.

He picked the script backup and continued reading until it got too dark to see the words anymore. He put it down and laid across the blanket on his side with his head in his hand watching the sun start to set.

For the next half hour he did not move until he had watched every single second of the sunset. The sky started out in a hue of orange and then shades of pink and purple began to swirl in. At first the colours were bright and vibrant but as the seconds turned into minutes the sky darkened as the browns, greys and then blacks took over.

If he wasn't convinced before he was now that this will be the perfect place to propose. He was so excited just thinking about it. Samantha loved him. Of course she will want to marry him. He had nothing to worry about. Everything was falling into place.

However, he did have to worry about how he was going to get back to his car. Maybe he should not have stayed for the whole sunset because now he could not see two feet in front of him.
He did have the flashlight on his phone he could use. Not perfect but it should do. Declan grabbed his phone and turned the light on. He made sure it was as bright as it could go and quickly picked the blanket up off the ground. Wrapping it up in his arms he slowly made his way back to the path.

It took him a little longer this time when he finally made his way out of the path. With only a small light from his phone he had to take his time to make sure he didn't trip over anything. That's all he needed was to fall and smash his head or twist his ankle. Then he would be stuck out here for who knows how long.

As he stepped out back in the park, he let out a long breath. He turned the light off from his phone and headed back to his SUV. He tossed the blanket into the backseat and the script on the passenger seat next to him.

He sat for a few moments in the truck scrolling through the radio stations finding one that interested him. He stopped on one that was taking requests and playing love songs. As 'Bless the Broken Road' by Rascal Flatts played over the car speakers he thought of Samantha. She was the one that got him into country music. They would put different albums on and dance in the living room together for hours at a time.

Declan was heading back to the Inn, listening to the music and picturing Samantha in his arms as they danced at their wedding. Which is probably why he didn't see the truck. The black truck that did not care that the stoplight had turned red. The Dodge Ram with a driver who was drunk and decided it was a good idea to drive home. The Dodge Ram who ran the red light and t-boned Declan right in the middle of the intersection causing him to spin around until finally the truck came to a stop.