Page 66 of My Greatest Joy

He barks several times.

“Okay, let’s go impress Little Miss Seattle.”

Before we make our way to the gift shop, I park at the barn. When I get out, I see Darrell has secured the harnesses on the horses. I go inside to let him know we’re here, and he helps me hook them to the sleigh. Dasher jumps onto the front bench seat, and I load everything I brought for our trip.

“This for a date?” Darrell asks with a knowing grin.

I shrug, not wanting to say either way.

He lifts a brow and nods as if he knows better.

“Thanks for everything. Probably be back in a couple of hours.” I step up, plug in the heating blanket, and set our thermoses in the cup holders.

“Sounds good. I’ll be here,” he says.

I wave, then grab the reins, and we take off.

The horses jolt forward, the sleigh sliding across the blanket of white as Dasher sits upright next to me, looking around for rabbits. I pet him as we continue forward.

When I see the gift shop in the distance, I text my sister, letting her know I’m close. Five minutes later, I come to a haltbeside the building and Fallon walks out. Her eyes meet mine and I smile, but she looks shocked.

“Hop on,” I say, patting the seat next to me.

She glances at the horses and then meets my gaze again. “You went through all this trouble for me?”

“Trouble?” I chuckle. “It was nothing.”

When Fallon comes close, I stand, offering her my hand. She takes it, then steps up, and I pull with a little too much force, causing her to crash into me.

“Sorry,” I say, our faces mere inches apart.

She’s breathless.

As she sits, I grab the blanket and place it on her legs.

Her mouth falls open. “Oh my God. It’s so warm.”

“Couldn’t have you freezing out here.” I settle down beside her. “Having portable battery tanks has been a game changer.”

She glances back at it and smiles. “Thank you. This is already perfect.”

As people start to crowd around the horses, I take that as my cue to leave. “You ready?”

She nods with enthusiasm as I guide the horses behind the gift shop and away from the people.

Once we’re on the trail, I hand her a thermos. “Hot cocoa. And be careful. It’sveryhot.”

She unscrews the top with her gloved hand and steam rises from inside. “Mm. Smells amazing.”

Reaching down, I pick up and hand her the bottle of Irish cream liquor. “In case you’d like to add some spice.”

Her brow pops up. “Don’t mind if I do.”

Fallon pours several shots inside, then takes a sip. When she moans, I silently convince my cock to calm down.

“It’s the perfect temperature now.” She looks down at my thermos. “Want me to add some to yours?”

“Sure.”

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