Page 33 of Merry Mended Hearts

“It’s all good,” I said, wrapping my arms around the box on the counter. “Is this the one?”

“That’s the one. You’ll find my grumpy cousin in the barn, probably. He’s on his break right now, and he usually spends his extra time dishing hay to the horses or cleaning stalls or something boring like that. This is the last shipment we’ll get before Christmas, so he definitely needs this. Or his horses do.”

I squirmed a little inside against the excitement at having an excuse to see Boone again. I’d intended on scheduling a sleigh ride with Junie at the desk, but this was ten times better.

Junie held the door open and closed it behind me as I stepped out into the brisk winter air. Peering around the heavy box the best that I could, I made my way down the steps, praying I wouldn’t hit an unsuspecting patch of ice on the way down, and finally made it to the sidewalk.

Brr. In Scottsdale, the coldest it got was maybe 40 degrees, but this? This was bound to make an ice cube out of me if I spent much more time out in it.

Inwardly, I thanked my dad for insisting I get the more expensive coat, whose sleeves were even lined to block out some of this chill. At least I didn’t have far to go.

The elongated, red barn was situated north of the inn, past the parking lot and up the hill just a ways. A distinct path had already been beaten down in the snow to it, and I followed that path, making my way to the wooden fencing surrounding the barnyard.

A large red sign, positioned across the tall, wooden archway leading into the barnyard, saidSleigh Rides.Old-fashioned wagon wheels were propped up along the entrance’s wooden posts. Large, painted candy canes marked each post as well, and Christmas lights strung along the fence.

I made a mental note to check out the barn at night. Clearly, Harper’s Inn put on quite a show at night for its guests.

The box in my arms grew heavier with every step I took. My biceps began to jiggle.

“What is in this thing?” I grumbled aloud, losing my footing and nearly stumbling.

“Easy there,” came a gruff voice behind me. Its owner’s footsteps crunched on the packed snow.

I squealed at the unexpected sound and reared back, losing my footing. My boot slipped. I went down to the snowy ground, and the heavy box crashed right on top of me.

“Hold up.”

Boone retrieved the box quicker than if it were filled with broken glass. He offered me a hand and swept me up onto my feet with more strength than I anticipated. My backside throbbed. Though he wore gloves, the cool leather covering his hands didn’t do much to stifle the zing of electricity coursing through me from his touch.

His expression, however?

Did.

He looked murderous.

“What?” I asked. “You look like you’re mad at me for falling.”

Disappointment thundered through me like a rockslide. I’d been hoping to talk to him, to tell him I wasn’t sure where the necklace had come from, to ask him if he’d heard anything else from the radio.

He’d been brisk and cold with me after our first meeting, and again when he’d found me in his room, but this was downright rude.

“What are you doing carrying packages around? This is important.” He adjusted the box in his grasp. “You’re aguest. You have no business interfering around the inn, especially not when shipments won’t come up again until after Christmas.”

I just fell…and he waslecturing me?

I brushed snow from my clothes, wishing I could brush away the cold wetness seeping into my backside just as easily. Or maybe stuff some snow down his shirt to cool him off.

“Junie asked me to bring this out to you. I told her I would help.”

Boone’s scowl deepened. “Well, don’t. All Junie had to do was call me in. I would have come to get it.”

“Fine. Get it yourself then.”

I was ready to storm away from the neighing horses inside of the barn and the sight of a parked sleigh, away from the handsome, infuriating man who was no book hero, thank you very much.

At this rate, I was making him the villain.

Plot lines exploded in my mind. It all came together with impeccable clarity. How could I not have seen this coming before?

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