Page 17 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

“Who’s that?” Ross asked.

“A guest at the inn. He’s here for work, and I offered to show him around today.”

“Juni, I was wondering?—”

“It was good to see you, Ross. Take care.” I rushed off in the direction his grandfather had led Cord.

Mr. Reynolds’ eyes scrunched when I approached, but I didn’t offer an explanation. Whatever had happened between his grandson and me was no one’s business but ours. It wasn’t even all that dramatic. I just wasn’t as interested in him as he appeared to be in me, which meant I felt better about ending it sooner rather than later.

“It was great to see you,” I said, leaning up to kiss Mr. Reynolds’ cheek. “I’ve got to get going but hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.”

The man shook his head slowly, but smiled. “You too, and please give my regards to your parents and Grayson.”

“I will,” I said as he walked away.

Cord leaned closer. “Is everything okay?”

“I’ll explain later.”

He nodded once. “I guess I should check out. If you have somewhere you need to be, don’t let me keep you.”

“I don’t,” I said with a sigh.

“I hear you. Things seemed a little awkward.”

“Sorry.”

Cord shook his head. “Don’t be. If anyone gets it, it’s me.”

We left the five-and-dime a few minutes later, ducked into the bakery next door, ordered a cupcake each, then sat at the table by the window to eat them.

“Mr. Reynolds told me the theater across the street is showing a movie filmed here, in East Aurora. He also said it was a venue I shouldn’t miss seeing if Ihad the chance.”

I glanced over at the marquee to see which one it was because several had been made here, especially those with Christmas themes.

“He said there’s a matinee today,” he added.

“Yeah?”

“Wanna see it with me?”

His tentative expression endeared him to me even more. “Sure. That sounds nice.”

Since the movie was starting soon, we finished our sugary treats and rushed across the street to get tickets.

“Sick of me yet?” he asked on our way into the theater.

“Not yet,” I responded, winking.

He gasped when we walked inside. “Wow!”

The box office and concession stands were both constructed with carved wooden panels and etched glass. Beyond them were two murals that had been painted for the theater’s grand opening in 1925 and restored and remounted a few years ago.

Like at the five-and-dime, I looked around the theater, where I’d seen so many movies, through different eyes—imagining what my reaction would be if I were seeing it for the first time. It was stunning, with plushvelvet-covered seats, art deco sconces, and heavy draperies that hung from ceiling to floor.

“I feel like I’ve stepped back in time,” Cord said after we’d chosen seats in the center of an aisle. “This place—and by that, I mean East Aurora—is really special.”

“I’ve always thought so.”

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