Kendall giggled as Zach practically dragged her through the kitchen, enjoying the surprised looks of the kitchen staff at the Valley Inn. After reaching the rear door Zach stopped for a moment to let Kendall catch her breath although he never relinquished her hand. Once again, neither of them chose to question how comfortable it felt to hold hands as they made their escape, or just how much they enjoyed the continued contact. As soon as she was ready, she nodded her head sharply and they exited the building to find Zach's SUV parked and running, the bellhop just finishing loading Kendall's new luggage in the rear. Zach opened the passenger door and assisted Kendall in leaping into the tall vehicle before taking his own seat behind the wheel. As soon as the way was clear, he pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the Pine Valley Airport.
"Any sign of them?" she asked with a smile.
He quickly glanced at her before replying, "No one pulled out just as we did, and I'm not noticing anyone following – but someone could always be stationed at the airport. I suggest that you have whatever you're going to say already planned before we're caught."
"You make it sound as if we're doing something wrong – not eloping," she said with a pout.
"That was not my intent. You're the one who doesn't want to see anyone, not me. I'm perfectly content to wait and marry right here in Pine Valley. Although…" he paused briefly.
She looked at his profile and saw the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "What is it? I know you've got another surprise up your sleeve… I can see it on your face."
He laughed aloud, "You're not supposed to be able to read it… I've been perfecting this poker face for years. But thanks for the warning."
She laughed and answered, "Who better to see through that mask of yours than your wife – almost wife. Now… tell me what the surprise is!"
He was enjoying her excitement and found it to be contagious. If this were any indication of the life that they could share with each other, it might be a successful marriage indeed. Maybe the secret to a successful marriage was not to be in love but head over heels in like – and Zach found that he could admit to liking Kendall Hart very much, if only to himself. After a few moments and a growl of frustration from the passenger seat he finally answered, "I've made arrangements for flights, rooms, shopping, pampering, a wedding and a honeymoon – all subject to your approval, of course. I hope you don't mind that I took over all the arrangements. I do realize that it's the bride's prerogative to plan the wedding, but since I know the town so well…"
She laughed and answered, "I told you to do that… I draw the line at being married by an Elvis impersonator, but other than that…"
He laughed lightly, "On that point we are in complete agreement. Besides, I would prefer a more memorable experience."
"Please tell me that we're not going to be skydiving as we take our vows," she said with laughter… she felt like laughter was bubbling up from her toes. She always enjoyed a good adventure, and Zach seemed to match her in that sentiment.
"I can promise you that we are being married on dry land, with our feet planted firmly. I have booked a chapel at the hotel for tomorrow afternoon – it will be an intimate, and very tasteful, ceremony," he replied.
"Thank you. Although… maybe we should be doing this in Reno or Tahoe?" she asked suddenly with a slight frown on her face.
"Cold feet? Kendall… I told you that you could stop this any time you want. We can turn around right now and I'll take you home. No harm, no foul," Zach said seriously, but with a twinge of disappointment in his voice.
"No, it's not that. I want to get married tomorrow… it's just… well… the last time I was…" Kendall faltered.
"Oh… are you worried about the fact that you faked a wedding to my brother in Vegas? Is it because of what other people will say? Or bad memories for you?" he said directly. "…Because I'd like to know the real reason."
"It's probably everything you said… but more because of what my mother and the others will say. 'There goes Kendall – marrying another Cambias in Vegas.' Honestly, it's hard not to have bad memories, even about a wedding that never happened," she answered with equal candor. "But… I really don't have the best memories of that place – the last two times I was there, my family was falling apart. First, I went to fake a marriage to your brother, to protect my sister and mother, and the last time Erica… well, you know…"
"Then you deserve a spectacular visit to make up for those sad times. I promise to give you the five-star treatment and banish all those bad memories. Why don't we see how you feel about it when we get there – if you still have misgivings it's just a short trip to Tahoe. Will that work for you?" he said as he smoothly pulled his car into the queue for airport valet service.
Kendall looked around, not having realized that they had driven all the way to the airport during the conversation. She looked at him with apprehension until he took her hand in his own and squeezed gently. She smiled in response and said, "Okay! Let's get this show on the road."
Kendall waited as Zach supervised the removal of her luggage from the vehicle and completed paperwork for long-term parking. As they walked to the airline ticket counter he mentioned casually, "Our return flights aren't until next week. It's up to you, but I think you might want to let Erica know that you're doing this of your own free will. I really don't think you want them to send Martin or Devane after us… or file a missing person's report."
Kendall giggled, "That would be just my luck, spend my wedding night with the groom in jail."
Zach frowned at her, but his eyes were filled with laughter, "Don't even joke about that."
To which comment they both roared with laughter, attracting the attention of several passengers in the waiting area. Kendall noticed one in particular and commented, "Uh-oh… we're busted."
Zach turned to see the person she was referring to and was surprised to see Adam Chandler approaching with a beatific grin. He was even more surprised to see his fiancée enveloped in a bear hug by the normally acerbic gentleman. However, his confusion was quickly allayed by Kendall's words, "Stuart! What are you doing here?"
"I'm going to a convention in Las Vegas… a horti… um… hortcul… a flower grower's meeting," he said still grinning broadly.
"Stuart, have you met my fiancé, Zach Slater?" Kendall asked, placing a hand on Zach's arm.
"No… but I've heard an awful lot about you," Stuart answered. He lowered his voice and continued, "None of it good, I'm afraid. Adam and JR… they don't like you very much... which probably means that you're an alright fellow."
Zach shook hands with the man and answered, "It's very nice to meet you. I've heard nothing but good things about you… but since it wasn't from Adam or Junior, I'm sure that you're alright, too."
"Are you going to Las Vegas with Kendall?" Stuart asked.
Kendall interrupted before Zach could answer, "It's a secret, Stuart… you can't tell anyone… but… we're eloping."
Zach wouldn't have thought it possible, but Stuart's grin got even larger and his face beamed even more as he grabbed his hand to shake it again, "Congratulations, Mr. Slater. You've got a really great girl in Kendall… a lot of people thinks she's trouble… but… oh, I probably shouldn't have said that… but…"
"It's alright, Mr. Chandler… I'll tell you another secret," Zach said smiling conspiratorially. "I'm trouble, too."
"Oh, ho, ho…" Stuart laughed. "Then it's probably a match made in heaven… But call me Stuart… Mr. Chandler is my brother Adam. Are you… are you on this flight?" He indicated the flight information on some papers in his hand. "I'm flying coach – that way I can get those little packets of peanuts that Marion loves so much."
"I'm afraid we won't be seated with you then… I wanted to spoil Kendall in first-class. Perhaps you can join us for dinner while we're in Vegas?" Zach answered pleasantly.
"No… no… I don't want to disturb your… your… honeymoon," Stuart giggled. He made a gesture as if he was locking his lips and throwing away the key. "But don't worry… your secret's safe with me."
"Thank you, Stuart," Kendall whispered, giving the man another hug before he returned to his seat. She looked at Zach and said, "That was a close one."
He smiled, "I'd heard that Chandler had a twin brother… but I never imagined."
"No one ever does, Zach," she answered softly. Just then the airline attendant announced boarding for the flight and with a quick glance at each other, they presented their boarding passes and entered the plane hand-in-hand.