Page 78 of Wedlocked

Her eyes widened. “We’re going outside?” She tried to peek around me, but I blocked her with my body.

“Hold your horses,” I told her. “Don’t ruin the surprise.”

She bounced on her toes and whined. “Jamie.”

“I love you, Maddie.”

All the impatience drained from her face, replaced by a soft smile. “I love you too, Jamie.”

“Hold my hand,” I said, offering my gloved one up.

The second hers slid into mine, I pushed the doors open. A gust of wintry air blew in, swirling around us. She stepped into my side, and we moved under the large portico.

Clop-clop-clop. Neigh.

Madison’s head snapped up the second she heard the sounds.

You know what happens next, right? Bro, yeah. She let out another one of those dramatic gasps.

“Don’t scare the horse,” I told her.

“Is that for us?” she asked, excitement making her voice high.

I glanced to the curb where a horse-drawn carriage waited. It was grand-looking, all white with two large back wheels. The two wheels at the front were slightly smaller. The roof on the carriage was only partway up, so it offered a view of the snowy landscape. There were twinkling white string lights strung around, and the seats were red velvet. As we stood, the carriage driver jumped down from his perch at the front and walked around.

He was wearing a top hat and jacket. He opened the door and then tipped his hat to Maddie. “Nice afternoon for a ride.”

She squealed under her breath.

“You like?” I mused.

“A horse-drawn carriage!” she exclaimed. “You did this?”

“I’d do anything for you.”

Her lower lip wobbled. “This really is romantic.”

I smiled. Offering my elbow, I said, “Shall we?”

She practically ran to the carriage and launched herself up the stairs to get inside.

“Thanks for doing this,” I told the driver, holding out my hand.

He shook it. “It’s my pleasure.”

“There’s cider!” Maddie exclaimed from inside the carriage. “It’s still hot!”

“Don’t burn yourself,” I called, going in after her.

“Look, J!” she said, handing me a cup. “There’s blankets too!”

“Can’t let my girl get cold.”

She sat down, the half-open roof offering some buffer from the wind. The underside was lined with lights and made everything glow. Her nose was pink, and the cider was clutched in both hands. I covered her with a blanket and then another.

“Sit with me,” she said, lifting the corner.

I slid in right beside her, and she covered us both.

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