Chapter 82: Chapter 82: In the Garden

River

Waiting for Ellie to change clothes so he could take her outside seemed to take forever. River was determined to give her at least five minutes. Every time he looked at the clock, he felt like at least a half an hour must’ve passed, but it was usually only about twenty seconds.

“River!”

He heard her voice from across the hall and darted over, ready to fly through the door and help her in any way she might need. But reminding himself that she was changing clothes, he stopped right outside. “Yes, Ellie?”

“I’m ready,” she said.

River took a deep breath and opened the door. She was sitting on the edge of the bed wearing some comfortable looking purple linen pants and a soft white, long-sleeved shirt. She had on white tennis shoes, and her hair was up in a ponytail.

She looked every bit as lovely now as she had at the ball where they’d shared their first dance.

Walking over to the bed, River offered her his hand. “All right then. Let’s go.”