Page 89 of A Cozy Christmas Blizzard
Shelly hadn’t thought of that. “I’m not sure. I’ll call.”
“Although... it’s Christmas Eve.” He sounded hesitant, so different from the man she’d overheard on the phone yesterday, the man who hadn’t cared about setting up a meeting for Christmas Eve.
“They’re good people,” she said, reaching for the phone. Slade paced nearby while she talked to Connie Wilkens.
“Well?” He studied her expectantly as she hung up the phone.
“Ted’s out helping someone else, but Connie thinks he’ll be back before dark. She suggested that we head their way, and by the time we arrive, Ted should be home.”
“You’re sure he won’t mind?”
“Positive. Ted and Connie are always happy to help out their friends.”
“They really are good people—like you and your dad,” he murmured softly.
She laced her fingers together in front of her. “We’re neighbors, although they’re a good four miles from here. And friends.” She scooted down in front of Ol’ Dan and petted him in long, soothing strokes. “I told Connie that we’d start out soon.”
Slade’s brow furrowed as her words sank in. “But how? The tractor?”
“I couldn’t run that thing if my life depended on it.”
“Shelly, we can’t trek that distance on foot.”
“I wasn’t thinking of walking.”
“What other way is there?”
A smile graced her soft features until it touched her eyes, which sparkled with mischief. “We can always take the horses.”
Seven
“You have to be kidding!” Slade gave her a look of pure disbelief.
“No,” Shelly insisted, swallowing a laugh. “It’s the only possible way I know to get there. We can go up through the woods, where the snow isn’t as deep.”
Rubbing a hand over his eyes, Slade stalked to the far side of the room, made an abrupt about-face and returned to his former position. “I don’t know. You seem to view life as one big adventure after another. I’m not used to...”
“Pokey’s as gentle as a lamb,” she murmured coaxingly.
“Pokey?”
“Unless you’d rather ride Midnight.”
“Good grief, no. Pokey sounds more my speed.”
Doing her best to hold back a devilish grin, she led the way into the kitchen.
“What are you doing now?”
“Making us a thermos of hot chocolate.”
“Why?”
“I thought we’d stop and have a picnic along the way.”
“You’re doing it again,” he murmured, but she noticed that an indulgent smile lurked just behind his intense dark eyes. He was a man who needed a little fun in his life, and she was determined to provide it. If she was only allowed to touch his life briefly, then she wanted to bring laughter and sunshine with her. Margaret would have him forever. But these few hours were hers, and she was determined to make the most of them.
“It’ll be fun,” she declared enthusiastically.
