Page 87 of Mr. February

“Blueberry compote.”

Jenny grabbed his hand and pretended to tug him towards the door.

“Then we’d better go burn off some of that breakfast and make room for brunch. Cinnamon rolls and pancakes with blueberry compote on the same day? You’re setting the bar pretty high for future Valentine’s Days, Wade.”

Wade’s laughter echoed around them.

“We have to wait just a little bit longer for the second part of this surprise.”

“What?”

Before he responded, a hotel clerk approached their group.

“If you’ll follow me, we have your gear ready.”

Jenny shot Wade a questioning look, but he winked at her instead of explaining. Curious and excited, Jenny followed the group as they were led through the atrium and into a smaller, less glamorous mudroom.

“This is awesome!” “So cool.” “I haven’t done this in years.”

Jenny gasped when Wade led her to a toboggan.

“Oh my gosh, a sled. I can’t wait,” she exclaimed.

“Everyone will have to fill out a waiver and sign this form before you can check out a sled or toboggan,” the hotel employee said in a voice loud enough to be heard over the excited babble. “Be sure to have your room number ready.”

A few minutes later, the sound of sled runners mixed with delight as they followed the employees’ directions for a clear hill without trees.

Two hours, dozens of minor spills, a massive snowball fight, and a full bladder later, Jenny, Wade, and the group trudged back towards the hotel. Wade halted unexpectedly. Since they were holding hands, Jenny stopped with him. She glanced at him to find his lips set in an uncompromising line.

“What’s the matter?” she asked.

“Suzanne.”

He nodded ahead of them, and Jenny looked towards the hotel. Her eyes had been focused on the ground while they walked after a few near accidents. As a result, she was entirely surprised by Suzanne’s presence.

“Ignore her,” she suggested. “We won’t let her ruin today for us.”

Jenny hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. But when they approached the hotel, Suzanne called out.

“Looks like you guys had fun. I was wrong about you. My group is sledding next, so I guess I’ll see you at the next conference or something. Be happy.”

Then she walked away without another word. Jenny and Wade exchange surprised looks before they clasped their hands tighter and walked into the hotel.

Chapter 26: It’s a Terrible Idea to Take You out in Public

WADE

Since their coats were slightly damp, Wade hung them up on the coat hooks inside the door once they reached their suite. He and Jenny toed off their winter boots, and then he pounced.

“I’ve wanted to have you to myself for hours,” he mock-growled at her.

Jenny laughed, and her face glowed with happiness.

“Don’t be silly. We haven’t been gone that long. Besides, playing outside was your idea.”

“It was a stupid idea. Next time remind me that it’s a terrible idea to take you out in public”—he yanked her to him as her face fell—“when all I want to do is ravish you. Instead, I had to nurse a spiked hot chocolate and watch everyone else hang on your every word.”

Her smile was now a little brittle, her eyes a little shinier, and he wanted to kick his own ass for making her doubt herself.

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