Page 36 of There's Only One Sleigh
He’ll keep them distracted. Let’s go touch up the paint on the sleigh.
I lock my phone instantly, hoping nobody else in the room could see my screen. Part of me wants desperately to sneak out the back with Rob for a little private time in the sleigh.
But the other part of me is too busy beating myself up for dropping a work ball to feel anything. I need to focus on my job, and making sure my boss and his family, and I shake my head at him.
He looks at me for a long moment before his gaze flicks to Donovan. Then he gives me what I hope is an understanding smile and goes back to wrapping.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Rob
I wake up after a restless night to a gorgeous winter day. Charming Lake couldn’t have asked for better weather for an outdoor celebration.
I spent the night at the station, staying up late to make sure the engine was polished and gleaming. All the wreaths had to go on it, and the sparkly garland run through the ladders.
When I finally stretched out on the slightly lumpy twin bed, all I could think about was Whitney. I’d seen her face when Donovan walked in—the realization she’d been so caught up in the Christmas spirit she’d forgotten about her job for a few minutes.
She’d been withdrawn after that, despite my efforts to get her to sneak out. And when we’d started decorating the family Christmas tree, she’d excused herself and gone to her room. With all my family around, I couldn’t come up with a good reason to go upstairs to check on her.
I’d tried to convince myself to sleep by telling myself it was for the best because she was leaving soon, anyway. That hadgrossly backfired because all I could think about was how empty my days were going to feel without Whitney in them.
So my mood today isn’t as pleasant as the weather, but I’m determined—if this is the end between Whitney and me—I’m going to make sure she enjoys the hell out of the Christmas fair.
Since it’s not easy to navigate the main street once everybody starts piling in, I drive the engine to the elementary school parking lot, where the parade is being staged. I park it in the general vicinity of its assigned spot, and head on foot toward the General Store.
Of course Whitney beat me to it.
She’s just turning away from the counter when I walk in, and she has a coffee cup in each hand. When she sees me, she stops, her lips curving into a warm smile.
I burst out laughing.
She’s wearing the sweater. And she even hit the button so all the lights attached to it are glowing. She laughs with me, and then shimmies so the bells jingle.
Then I have to step out of the way of another customer, and Whitney joins me so we’re standing off by ourselves. There’s no trace of last night’s reserve, and I want to kiss her so badly, I have to curl both hands around the coffee she hands me to keep from touching her.
“I told you I’d wear it.” She laughs and the bells jingle again. “I actually kind of like it.”
Then I look down and realize she’s wearing jeans. And actual winter boots. “Jeans? How casual of you.”
“Your sisters were very insistent I be dressed properly for today. The jeans are Lyla’s and the boots are Erin’s. And I’m wearing merino wool long underwear, also Erin’s. I tried to tell them it’s not all that cold today, but they said I’d be spending hours outside, not just going from house to car.” She takes asip of her coffee with an appreciative hum that she also makes during sex.
Not that I’m thinking about that. And certainly not today.
“Itiswarm in here, though.” She looks around. “They’re already busy.”
“It’s always a good day for businesses along the main street.” I lead the way toward the door, holding it open for her.
“I already did a quick walk around,” she tells me. “Everything seems to be in place. Even the candy canes.”
“The teens in Charming Lake can get up to no good, like teens anywhere, but I don’t remember anybody ever messing with the Christmas fair.”
“Makes our job easier. So what’s next?”
I snort, hating to pop her festive bubble. “The not so easy part. I hate to say it, but the hour before the parade starts is…intense. You might regret not telling Donovan to shove this particular assignment where the Christmas lights don’t shine.”
She laughs, clearly not believing me. “We set the order and everybody got a copy. It’ll be fine.”
