Love In A Heartbeat: Mini Love Stories
Love In A Heartbeat: Mini Love Stories
Love In A Heartbeat is a collection of sweet, bite-sized romances. Each story is no more than 2,500 words, yet they manage to capture the essence of love in all its forms.
“A Sky-High Romance”
CurtissLynn Publishing presents, A Sky-High Romance, a Love in a Heartbeat Mini Story by Mina Beckett.
No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations, reviews, and articles.
Copyright © 2024 by Mina Beckett
Maggie Warner brushed a stubborn lock of hair behind her ear as she scanned the festive crowd. The hot air balloons swayed gently in the evening breeze, their colorful envelopes glowing like giant lanterns against the setting sun. Children with glow sticks and sparklers darted between groups of adults holding paper plates heavy with barbecue and baked beans, while couples strolled hand-in-hand along the grassy field where the rides were set up.
Her gaze flitted from balloon to balloon, searching for her mysterious date – or at least someone looking equally lost and possibly searching for her. She felt a pang of embarrassment; it was one thing to agree to a blind date, quite another to be scanning hot air balloon baskets for a man she only knew existed through her sister Sara’s emphatic assurances.
Maggie shot out a quick text to her. “I think the guy’s a no-show”.
“Are you by the hot air balloons?”
“I am.”
“I’m sure Luke will be there. Nick and I have known him for years. He’s a real stand-up guy.”
Maggie sighed and shoved her iPhone back into her purse. Swept up in the show of it all, she turned to watch a balloon descending to the ground. She’d always wanted to go for a ride, but thought of them as romantic and being alone in one didn’t seem romantic at all. The balloon landed with a soft thump and a happy couple jumped out. The woman’s face was aglow with love and adoration as the man she was with, pulled her to him for a quick kiss on the cheek.
Oh, to be in love, she thought swinging around to look for her missing date.
Just as she was about to give up and retreat to the safety of the lemonade stand, she bumped into someone. Her apology died on her lips as she looked up into blue eyes that sparkled like the Catherine wheels soon to be spinning in the sky above them.
"Um, hi," said the man, a sheepish grin spreading across his features. His hair was a tousled sandy blonde that spoke of a day spent outdoors and his T-shirt hugged his frame in all the right places, highlighting a physique that was neither bulky nor frail, but perfectly in between – like an adventurer who respected the balance of strength and agility. Maggie's heart fluttered before she could instruct it otherwise. She chastised herself mentally. First impressions were fragile, especially when they seemed to be too good.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Maggie stammered, her hands fluttering in front of her like startled doves. "I was just... lost in thought."
The man chuckled, the sound warm and easy, blending seamlessly with the soft murmur of the festival around them. "No harm done. I'm actually a bit relieved to have literally bumped into someone. I was starting to feel like a bit of a loner amongst all these lovebirds." He gestured toward the couple that had just disembarked from the balloon.
A shy smile tugged at Maggie's lips as she took a step back, regaining her balance and composure. "You and me both," she confessed. "My date appears to have stood me up."
"Ah, that’s rough," he said sympathetically, his eyes creasing in what seemed to be genuine empathy.
“Not really,” she said, feeling a bit relieved she didn’t have to endure talking to a stranger half the night. “I’m kind of glad Luke ditched me.”
His eyebrows shot up.
“It was a blind date,” she explained.
He shoved his hands into the pocket of his shorts and rocked back on his heels as he nodded. “Oh, I see.”
“They can be so awkward,” she said.
“True,” he said, looking oddly amused. “But since your here, you might as well make the most of the evening. Why not go for a ride.”
“Oh, I couldn’t…”
“Don’t like heights?” he teased.
“It’s not that,” she answered, a rush of excitement running through her veins with the thought. “In fact, I’ve always wanted to go up in a balloon.”
“Then it’s settled,” he said, motioning her towards the empty basket.
“What if the guy shows up and I’m not here?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Luke's loss. My gain.”
What was it about this man that put her at ease? "Are you certain..." she glanced at the handwritten name on the badge pinned to his chest. "Grant?"
He grinned and held out his hand for a cordial shake. “I’m positive, Miss…?”
“Warner.” She placed her hand in his. “But you can call me Maggie.”
Still holding her hand, he led her to the basket, waited for her to get in and followed behind her.
The wicker creaked gently as Grant stepped in after Maggie, a chorus of tiny groans that spoke of many trips skyward. He moved with practiced ease, his motions fluid and confident. With a quick check to ensure they were both safely inside, he released the ropes that tethered them to the earth. The enormous balloon above them bloomed with color, a vibrant patchwork that seemed to capture fragments of the sunset itself.
Maggie stood at the base of the towering structure, her eyes fixed on the flames as they began their ascent. Her breath caught in her throat as they rose higher and higher, their figures shrinking against the vastness of the sky. The vibrant energy of the festival below faded into a distant hum, replaced by the gentle rustle of fabric against wind as they soared upwards, leaving behind the safety of solid ground. Maggie couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement wash over her as she watched them disappear into the unknown expanse above.
Grant worked the burners, sending roaring jets of flame upward into the belly of the balloon. Every burst illuminated his face in shades of orange and red, casting him as some ancient god of fire in that fleeting moment. His eyes remained focused on the dance between inferno and air, ensuring their climb was steady and safe.
As they reached their cruising altitude, everything fell silent but for the occasional hiss of the burner. The horizon stretched out endlessly around them, a panoramic view that made Maggie's breath catch in her chest. To one side, the mountains rose like slumbering giants, their jagged peaks cutting silhouettes against the dimming sky. As the sun dipped lower, its fiery orb kissing the mountain tops goodbye, shafts of light pierced through the valleys, illuminating rivers and lakes below that shimmered like molten gold. Clouds above them basked in a warm glow, edges highlighted in brilliant oranges and pinks while their centers remained a moody purple-gray, bulging with the promise of another spectacular evening.
Maggie leaned against the sturdy edge of the basket, her gaze transfixed by the spectacle before her. "Grant," she whispered, her voice tinged with awe, "it's like nothing I've ever seen. The colors... they're alive."
He watched her expression with a soft smile playing at his lips. “I never tire of it. Each sunset is unique," he said quietly, "a fleeting beauty that exists only for an instant before it fades into memory."
Maggie found his gaze something akin to the magic playing out across the sky. She realized then that Grant was a poet, not of words but of moments; he understood the artistry of experience and seemed to weave it effortlessly into the fabric of the mundane. The balloon ride wasn't just a trip through the air; it was an ascension into a realm where beauty reigned supreme, guided by this man who spoke with flames and painted with the wind. It was all so romantic, and she was in awe of the man before her.
He checked the time on his wristwatch. “I hate for this to end, but the fireworks will be starting soon.”
“I’m glad the guy ditched me,” she confessed. “If he hadn’t, I would have never met you and had this wonderful balloon ride.”
Grant rubbed his jaw, looking a bit tense. “There’s something I need to tell you, Maggie.”
Her heart raced at his serious tone. “What is it?”
With a deep breath, he revealed the truth. “I’m your blind date.”
Maggie’s jaw dropped in shock. “You’re Luke?”
He winced. “All my friends call me by my last name.”
“Grant,” she deduced.
He nodded.
The man standing beside her was her blind date all along? A wave of disbelief and betrayal washed over her. “Why did you lie?”
“It was more of a deception than a lie,” he said, wincing as he scratched the back of his head. “You were so nervous and dead-set against going on blind date. I wanted to make it easier for you. I didn’t mean to deceive you, but when you called me by my last name, I thought a balloon ride would be a great way to break the ice.”
As they descended, Maggie leaned against the basket and crossed her arms, processing the situation. On one hand, she had just spent a lovely evening with a charming man who intrigued her. But on the other hand, Grant had misled her from the start. Was she willing to overlook his deception for the potential blossoming relationship between them? She couldn’t decide if she was angry or grateful for his actions.
He moved closer, taking her hand in his. “I really like you, Maggie. I hope you can forgive me and allow us to have a second chance.”
The wicker of the basket sighed as it settled upon the grass, the flames that had danced above them now quieting to a mere whisper. She felt the warmth of his hand enveloping hers – rough, yet sincere. She stood there, still processing the tangle of emotions that twisted inside her.
She looked up at him, seeing the earnest hope that flickered in his eyes like the first stars piercing through the twilight. Her heart softened; after all, their entire flight had been an unspoken dance of connection and discovery. How could she fault Grant – no, Luke – for wanting to create a perfect beginning for them? He had crafted an experience that soared far beyond any conventional date, he’d given her memories painted in sunset hues and whispered through warm breezes.
The rumble of distant fireworks began, a deep timbre that rolled across the horizon and beckoned onlookers to turn their gazes skyward. Children squealed with delight somewhere nearby, their voices buoyant with anticipation. The promise of another display of color and light, this one wrought by human hands, hung in the balance.
In that moment, Maggie decided that life was too short for grudges or what-ifs. She squeezed his hand back and smiled. "I guess you really took my breath away with this whole experience,” she said, a lightness in her voice. “And while I can't say I appreciate being kept in the dark, I can see why you did it."
Relief washed over Luke’s face, replacing the tension that had been there a moment ago. His smile grew. “Then you forgive me?”
“Yes. I don't usually go for grand gestures," she said softly, her voice lost amidst the gentle roar of the cooling burners. "But today...today was something special." The hem of her skirt fluttered against her ankles as a breeze swept through the field where they landed.
Grant let out a breath he seemed to have been holding, relief washing over his features as the last rays of sunlight surrendered to twilight. "I'm sorry for not being straightforward," he murmured. His thumb stroked the back of her hand in gentle apology.
Explosions of vibrant colors erupted above them, painting the night sky with brilliant hues of cobalt blue, fiery red, and shimmering gold. Maggie's heart swelled with an unplaceable emotion, a sweet mixture of pure joy, deep contentment, and the exhilarating anticipation of a new beginning. She could feel the warmth of the fireworks on her skin, like tiny bursts of happiness filling her from within. The sound of crackling sparks and whistling rockets echoed through the air, creating a musical of celebration that seemed to encapsulate all of life's possibilities in one fleeting moment.
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