“What does that mean?”
“After our conversation last night, I realized all throughout undergrad, I wanted nothing more than to marry you, but you never asked. Obviously, that wasn’t in your plans. I finally meet a man who wants to marry me, and I don’t have that same assurance. Maybe it’s just too early. We’ve known each other for such a brief period, and yet Jake is so sure I’m the one. I believe I feel the same way, but I’m not positive.”
Max’s nervous expression worried me. To my surprise, he pulled me off the couch and told me to get dressed. “Let’s go have breakfast, Em.”
Chapter 9 A Second Proposal
We went downstairs and enjoyed each other’s company like old times. I had missed his friendship during our time apart.
“How is it that you can eat so much?”
“I know, Jake wonders the same thing. I think I eat as much most men, huh?” After polishing off a breakfast burrito, it was time to dive into my chocolate croissant. “Do you know what we’re all doing today?”
“No. I heard some talk about outlet shopping and some want to gamble again. What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. You know I don’t like this city. There’s not much here for me to do. We should have all gotten tickets to go watch a show or gone out to a nice meal.”
“Em, I don’t think I’ve ever taken you anywhere special in all the years we’ve dated, huh?”
“Of course you have. You’ve done lots of nice things for me.” I was hoping he wouldn’t ask me to list them because none came to mind at this instant.
“There’s something I’ve always wanted to do for you. Would you mind spending the day with me?”
This was not the Max I had lunch with a week ago, nor the Max I went to the football game with last night. This was the Max I’d dated all through college. The same boy I had loved with all my heart, wanted to spend time with me today. This was my desire as well.
“OK,” I answered with a smile. “What do you want to do today?”
“If you’re done, let’s go. I think the first flight leaves at 7:00.”
He grabbed my hand and rushed me out to the strip and into a taxi. Not far from the Palazzo sat dozens of helicopters ready to take off.
“You haven’t been to the Grand Canyon yet, have you?”
“No. It’s still on my to-do list. Is that what we’re doing? We’re flying over the Grand Canyon?”
“Get in. This should be fun.”
Max was absolutely right. We took off from Vegas and saw an unobstructed view of Boulder City, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Colorado River. During this time, headsets provided interesting facts and stories on these places. Next, we flew over the breathtaking grandeur of one of the Seven Wonders of the World—The Grand Canyon. Words could not describe the awe of taking in the sights of this geographic amazement carved out by the Colorado River.
“Are we also going to walk on the Skywalk?”
“Uh huh,” he answered smiling at me.
If our ride wasn’t cool enough, the helicopter descended four thousand feet below the canyon along the Colorado River. We were able to land and explore the canyon where the Haulapai Indians guard. The touring company gave us four hours to have lunch and enjoy the surroundings. Max and I decided to take a mule ride during this time.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Max put his jacket around my shoulders as he noticed me shivering.
“Yeah. This is really cool. Thank you. It was sweet of you to remember all this.”
“This mule ride is supposed to take us to a ranch where we can have lunch. I’m sure you’re hungry again. Some things don’t ever change no matter how much time goes by.”
“Hey. We didn’t tell anyone where we were going. Can you call Sarah and let her know what we’re up to? We left in such a rush I didn’t bring anything.”
Max took out his cell phone, but realized we didn’t get reception. We would call from a payphone when we got to the ranch.
The mule ride wasn’t as enjoyable as I’d imagined. We rode on the edge of the canyon overlooking what could be death if the mule took one misstep. I feared for my life while Max laughed at me the whole way.
“You’re still such a chicken. There’s not one daring bone in that body of yours.”
“Knowing this, you shouldn’t have suggested a mule ride. It’s frightening. What if we die?” The last four words needed to be whispered in order to not freak out the other riders.
“Em, you can be so ridiculous at times.”
“I don’t consider this being ridiculous!”
We argued, we laughed. It was just like old times. We were both very happy.
“Hey, Em?”
“Yeah?”
“Never mind.” Max just shook his head.
“You know I hate it when you do that. Tell me.”
“It’s nothing.”