Page 19 of Coming Home

They would sneak back into town on Sunday night and spend Monday doing some volunteering before going home to spend Christmas eve and Christmas day snuggled up together in their own house.

Beside him, Emily stirred, and he dragged a hand down her hair lovingly. “Hey sleepyhead. We’re just about to land. Have a nice nap?”

She gave him a sleepy nod and nuzzled her head against his shoulder. He pressed a kiss to her crown. “We’ll get checked in at the Glenview and then see if anyone is awake at Solitaire,” he said.

“Sounds good,” she murmured.

The plane touched down with a bounce along the runway and flew along the asphalt until it came to a stop.

“Aww, it looks like Hunter came to meet us,” Emily said, looking out the window.

David frowned. They hadn’t talked about him being the one to pick them up. He’d just asked his friend to arrange a car to the Glenview since Hunter owned the local hotel.

They stepped off the plane a few minutes later and Hunter stepped forward.

“Evening, you three. Welcome to Colorado.”

“I meant for you to send a driver,” David said.

Hunter shrugged. “Pretty sure my license is still valid. Besides, any driver from the Glenview wouldn’t be able to get you onto Solitaire property.”

David frowned. What was he talking about?

Hunter laughed. “Did you really think we were going to let you stay in town? Matthew is still in London with his family, dealing with his grandfather’s estate. You’re staying in his suite and if Tamara doesn’t mind bunking with Dakota, she can stay on site too. Why you didn’t designate a suite for yourself when you opened this place is beyond me.”

David laughed. “I wasn’t exactly sure I would be alive long enough to use it. Plus, I didn’t want it to be my place. I wanted it to be everyone’s.”

Emily smacked his shoulder. “Don’t joke about you almost dying.”

David turned his attention to his wife and scowled. “Did you just hit me little girl? We’re in Colorado now, not at home.”

She giggled, and he shook his head. “No respect. I clearly have a lot of work to do reminding you who you belong to this weekend.”

Emily bit her lip and gave an eager nod. He just laughed and slung an arm around her. “Alright then. I guess we’re going to Solitaire. Thanks Hunter.”

“No problem. Besides, there’s a snow storm threatening to come this way. If you had stayed at the Glenview, you might not have been able to get up the hill to the club. We couldn’t risk not getting to see you after we worked so hard to talk you into coming.”

Hunter tossed their bags in the back of the SUV and David slid in the back with Emily. Tamara who had stayed quiet since stepping off the plane slid into the front seat.

“How bad of a storm and when is it going to roll in?” She asked Hunter as she tugged her seatbelt on.

David felt like an idiot for not checking the weather.

Hunter shrugged as he started the engine. “According to the weatherman it could either be snowpacolypse or it could just be a minor thing and it might be hitting us right now or maybe not until next Thursday.” Hunter rolled his eyes. “There’s a reason I live in Vegas. None of this weather that might kill you nonsense.”

Emily laughed. “California isn’t so bad.”

“No. California just has earthquakes and the ground might swallow you. Oh and forest fires. Nope. Vegas still wins.”

Emily nodded. “Good point. Maybe we should move to Vegas, Sir.”

David just shook his head and laughed.

“Well Emily and I still need to do some Christmas shopping so I hope it at least waits until after we get done with that tomorrow.”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine. Just take one of the SUVs when you go. Good tires just in case.”

The rest of the ride was mostly quiet as they made their way to the club. It had been several months since he and Emily had made the time to show up and attend a party. He felt bad for neglecting the place. It was his baby after all. But they’d let life get in the way. Hopefully that was behind them, and he could put Elijah’s advice into motion. Having dedicated weekends at Solitaire to reconnect seemed perfect.

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