Page 74 of Merry Mended Hearts

By this time, Boone had plates set out onto the table. He hadn’t mentioned our kisses since the night before. In fact, he was acting too distant for my liking.

Did he regret what happened?

He wasn’t bringing it up. I didn’t know how to. So I crossed to the table to sit down instead.

The lacy curtains behind the dining table were parted, revealing glass that had a slightly distressed look along the edges as though it weren’t completely flat or smooth. This house must really be old.

I peered out at the breathtaking view. Snow spread itself on everything it could, dusting every surface like icing. Icicles dripped from branches like silver thread.

The sheer whiteness at every angle hinted at innocence and purity, the sparkling magic of untouchable things. It was spectacular.

“It’s so pretty outside,” I said. “No more storm.”

Interesting, that something so rough and dangerous had resulted in something so lovely and mesmerizing.

“It’s clear enough for me to take you back.”

His words got my back up. I frowned.

Where did this come from? His comment was colder than my bones had been last night. I didn’t want him to go back to being wintry. I wanted the summer Boone, the one who melted me with a single glance.

“I don’t want to head back,” I said.

At least, not right away. Not only did I want as much time with him as I could get, we needed to work through a few things first.

“I need to take you back, Grace.”

His admission stabbed me with a pang of discomfort. This SO did not measure up with the delight that had coursed through me last night and this morning.

“Are you saying you regret what happened?” I asked.

I didn’t want to ask. I dreaded the answer, but I had to know.

He glared at me. “No.”

“No, you don’t regret kissing me?”

“No.”

It was a good thing Boone didn’t work in the traffic industry. He gave horrible directions.

I folded my arms. “Then what’s wrong? I can’t fly home thinking I did something wrong or took advantage of your hospitality. That’s the last thing I want.”

“What does that mean?”

I gestured to the window. The view outside was no longer beauty and splendor. Now, it was frost and menace.

“I’m the reason we’re stuck out here because I asked you for a sleigh ride. With emotions high last night, I just don’t want you to…It sounds like…”

Like he regrets me. Because it totally sounded like he did.

Boone grimaced and grumbled under his breath, and when he looked at me again, his eyes shouted with sadness, with something unspeakable burning in the centers.

He was fighting a serious battle. One I didn’t fully understand. Was this about his wife?

“Grace,” he said. “I don’t regret you. I thought about you all night long. You made me feel things I haven’t in a long time.That’swhy I’m trying to keep my distance from you this morning, you beautiful, aggravating woman. I’m trying to be good.”

Oh, come all ye faithful. He gave me a smirk that could melt the snow.

---