Serenity didn’t have a comeback for that one, so she leaned against the seat and made herself comfortable. India Arie singing about a steady love flowed through the speakers from one of the satellite radio stations. Of all songs. A few minutes later, Gabriel turned onto a road leading out of town, and her curiosity mounted. “Are we going to the Bay?”

He slanted her a brief glance. “Nope.”

She eyed him, but just like the text, he offered no other information. She had never ventured out this way before, and as they drove, she began to see fewer houses and more hills and trees. Where is this man taking me? After another fifteen minutes or so, they came upon a sign that read CRYSTALWOOD LAKE. Gabriel turned into the small lot and parked at the far end. He came around and helped her out of the car. Only two other vehicles were there, and Serenity saw maybe four or five people milling around. In the distance, the water shimmered like crystals beneath the sun, and she wondered if that had anything to do with the name. “I’ve lived here for six years and never knew this place existed. How in the world did you find it?”

Gabriel leaned against the side of the car and folded his arms. “When Brent and Darius were here, we found it while exploring the town. I thought it would be a beautiful place for a picnic.”

“It’s gorgeous, but you need food for a picnic, and I didn’t see anything other than a gas station a few miles back.”

He straightened and, using the remote, popped the trunk. When he closed it again, he held a large picnic basket and a blanket. “I do have food.”

Serenity didn’t know what to make of a man who planned a private picnic for a first date. He entwined their fingers and led them down a concrete path. He passed several good shaded spots, but he kept going until he stopped at an archway.

“Be careful going through here. The first couple of steps are a little uneven.”

She peered through the opening before fully stepping onto the cobblestone entry. A few feet in, the rocks gave way to a paved path. She didn’t see any place for them to sit.

“We’re going to a spot just beyond the other archway ahead,” Gabriel said, gesturing in that direction.

When they finally made it to their destination, Serenity froze and could only stare. She walked across the golden sand closer to the clear blue-green water just to be sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her. It looked like they’d stumbled on some private tropical island for two.

“What do you think?”

“I don’t believe it. This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.” She whirled around to face him. Emotions she shouldn’t be feeling engulfed her. “Thank you for this.”