Page 22 of 40 and Flashing (the Scotsman)
“All rooms are on the upper floors. The suites are coming along nicely. Erin has done a fantastic job keeping us on schedule despite the weather.”
“I like her. She’s been to New York a couple of times.”
“Which is a miracle considering that she’s head of construction, but she keeps everyone on such a tight leash that they all managed to actually get time off. She and Lily are similar that way.”
“And Claire is the creative of the bunch. The three of you are lucky indeed, JD.”
JD beamed. “You don’t have to tell me that. Now all we need to do is get you hitched.”
For once Gavin didn’t remember to protest.
He passed the afternoon finishing up his latest novel from Scarlett, playing some games with Thad and Carter and Linc. As sunset closed in, coming even earlier here in the mountains, he showered and got ready to pick up his date. Anticipation buzzed in his belly, which wouldn’t be surprising if it was completely about the missed opportunity for sex, but he found he missed Scarlett’s presence more than anything. Having her keep him company, knowing she was nearby even when she was working, the sound of her voice and her laughter. He missedher,he realized. Call it odd, considering they had only known each other a few days, but it was true.
And then it was finally time to drive down the mountain.
Scarlett was quick to answer the door after he arrived. “Come on in. I’m not quite ready.”
“Take yer time, lass.” He certainly took his, eyeing the green velvet dress that hugged her curves, the sexy boots she had on. “Ya look stunnin’.”
She ran a brush through her long blonde hair. “Thank you. You’re pretty fine yourself, there, Mr. Blackwood.”
He glanced down at the black wool trousers and thick hunter-green sweater he wore. “We match.” He grinned. “JD warned me ta dress warmly, but he didn’t explain why. Any idea what’s goin’ on?”
She turned to head down the hall, and he followed. “I know the restaurant is the one on top of the mountain at the ski center in Pigeon Forge. We’ll ride a sky carriage to get up there. Maybe that’s why?”
He watched as she rummaged through a makeup bag, then pulled out mascara. The dark brown color made her eyes stand out even more than they did already. Their pretty green color sparkled as she stared at him in the mirror. “Are you enjoying watching me put on makeup?”
“I enjoy watchin’ ya do anythin’,” he said, meaning it. “Today was a bit lonely without ya.”
Her eyes went wide. “Really?”
“Really.”
Scarlett eyed him intently for a few seconds longer, then seemed to collect herself. Closing the mascara, she traded it for her signature red lipstick. “So what did you do to occupy yourself?”
As he outlined his day, Scarlett smoothed on the rich color, put in some earrings that sparkled in the light, and gathered her things. He waited till he had her in the car before asking, “So, the book. What happened?”
She laughed. “You’re so impatient.”
“I think I’ve been highly patient, especially since last night. Now tell me.”
“Okay, so you know when book one ended, we had the epilogue one year later. In book two, someone has figured out who Levi is, and they’re targeting him, putting Abby in danger.”
“Uh-huh.”
She went through the bare bones of the plot while he drove. A half hour later they met the other couples and Thad, Erin’s parents, and Lily’s parents at a parking lot on the outskirts of Pigeon Forge. Lily explained that the town had a ski company at the top of the mountain that operated different activities year-round and made snow when the temperatures dropped enough to accommodate it. The only way to get there, however, was the trolley. He could see what looked like cable cars descending the mountain above their heads, and when they stepped into the nearby station, one of the cars waited for them to board.
As they lifted into the air, Scarlett took a seat on one of the benches and stared out into the night. Below them, in the dark, light sparkled as the towns of Pigeon Forge and, farther afield, Gatlinburg spread out below them. “It’s always so pretty,” Scarlett said. “It doesn’t matter the season or whether it’s day or night, this view is always gorgeous.”
“I agree,” Gavin said. But when Scarlett turned her head, he wasn’t staring at the view. He was staring at her.
Despite his sincerity, he winked, hoping to lighten the moment for both of them. “It’s the truth.”
It most certainly was.
Faint pink color bled into Scarlett’s cheeks. “Thank you, Gavin.”
He wanted to kiss her. Hereallywanted to kiss her, but he was uncertain how she would feel about it in this crowd of her friends. So he waited.
