Page 90 of Merry Mended Hearts

“You’re welcome.”

My elation faded, replaced my confusion. How had the notebook made its way to his table when I’d put it in my bag? I didn’t want to think it.

He hadn’t rummaged through my bag, had he? Why would he? The thought was too ludicrous to voice it.

There was another thought, however; one that I had to know the answer to.

“Did you read it?”

He contemplated his answer for several seconds. His gaze roamed over me. “You look cold,” he said in that way he had of not answering my questions.

“I am. But you aren’t going to distract me from this question. Did you read my notebook?”

“Let’s go inside.”

He wasn’t getting out of this. I’d written some extremely personal and super mortifying things about him in there. Had he seen any of it?

“Boone.”

He placed the helmet on the snowmobile’s dark seat and stepped closer, resting his hand on my arm. “I will tell you the answer to that because I think we should talk. But I don’t think we should do it out here. Okay?”

Sure enough, my jaw was starting to judder again. Man, I was glad I hadn’t gone on the sleigh ride to the bonfire. Snow was pretty to look at, but extended time in its company was asking too much of me.

Then again, getting frostbite could incite another snuggle session…

With equal parts reservation and anticipation, I nodded. “Okay.”

Boone walked me up the porch steps. He smelled like snowmobile exhaust and exhilaration. Reaching the inn’s entrance first, he held the door for me so I could step through.

The heat was a welcome friend. It seeped into my skin, relaxing my muscles and making me want to nestle in near the fire and stay a good long while. A woman I didn’t recognize manned the reception desk. Her dark hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she had thick eyeliner. She smiled and Boone greeted her.

“Hey, Angelica,” he said.

She lifted a hand in greeting and then turned back to her phone.

To our left, the room’s only glow came from the fire beneath the mantle and the pinches of light glittering on the Christmas tree, but it was more than enough. I meandered closer to the fire, hands at the ready for warmth.

Boone removed his coat and placed it on one of the coat rack’s vacant arms before following me in. He didn’t once glance at the Christmas tree, but kept his attention on me.

I slipped out of my coat as well, draping it over my arm, and I stayed close to the hearth. The fire’s warmth thawed me a little at a time until eventually, I sat on the squashy armchair beside the fireplace.

Boone paced back and forth, wearing down the carpet in front of the radio.

“This is dangerous territory,” I said, quirking a brow at the radio and at his previous reactions to it. “Are you sure you want to be in here?”

What if it plays again?

“Is there somewhere else you’d rather go?” he asked.

My room was an option, but I wasn’t sure that was the best idea. Once he was there, I wasn’t sure I’d let him leave again.

I thought it over. “You said you grew up here. In that room I slept in my first night?”

He stared at me for so long, I wasn’t sure if he was going to speak. Was there a reason he didn’t want me in there?

After winning whatever mental battle was taking place, he grabbed my hand. “Let’s go.”

GRACE

---