Page 5 of One Golden Ring
The navy blue of the sky has deepened into black. And I guess it isn’t going to snow tonight because I think I can see every single star in the universe.
“You okay?” he asks, and I realize I’m holding him up.
“Yes, sorry,” I say. “I was just looking at the sky.”
He nods and we keep on walking, but I notice him stealing glances at the night sky here and there. Which is a good thing. It definitely wouldn’t hurt for him to stop and smell the roses once in a while.
“I used to love it out here in the summer,” he says, not even a little bit winded from our trek up the hill. “We would fish at the lake and sleep under the stars.”
He goes silent again, leaving me a little thunderstruck. Derek Lockwood doesn’t talk about his personal life.
“That sounds like a great way to grow up,” I tell him. I want to say so much more, and ask questions too. Butinstinct tells me the best way to get him to keep going is to keep my mouth shut.
Unfortunately, it looks like that’s all I’m going to get. We’re already in view of the lodge, and he’s as silent as usual.
The big building in front of us has all the warm glowing windows and smoke swirling out of the chimney that I imagined for the cabin. It’s an enormous cedar shake structure that looks like it will be full of delightful nooks and crannies and I’m dying to get inside.
“Lot of cars,” Mr. Lockwood says darkly, eyeing the parking area.
I’m not really sure how he thinks the guests could get here without cars, but I decide not to state the obvious and just follow him up the steps.
It looks like the whole porch has been redone recently. The shutters are glossy with fresh paint and the swings and outside furniture aren’t a bit faded, though some have a dusting of snow on them.
The door swings open before we can touch it, revealing a bustling lounge with a roaring fire and a sharply dressed older man in a crisply pressed suit with shiny buttons and a name tag that saysMichael.
He’s on the thin side and, the suit looks like it probably fit better when he was a little heavier. But he’s got the most beautiful blue eyes that suddenly grow moist as he gazes at my boss.
“Derek,” he breathes.
“Hey, Grandpa,” Derek says, his deep voice a little rusty with emotion.
The two men embrace and suddenly I’ve got an unexpected lump in my throat.
“This is the best Christmas present,” the man murmurs.
As soon as they break apart, Michael pulls us both inside.
“What am I thinking?” he says with a smile. “It’s freezing out there. Come in, come in. And you must be Darcy. I’ve heard so much about you, sweetheart.”
He takes my hands and squeezes them and his welcoming smile is so warm and happy that I can’t help smiling back, even though my mind is reeling.
I’ve heard so much about you…
I had no idea Mr. Lockwood would mention me to anyone at all. Let alone tell anyoneso muchabout me.
And when he said that his grandfather worked at the lodge, I expected he owned it or was managing it. But it looks like he’s… a doorman?
“It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Lockwood,” I manage.
“Just Michael, my dear,” he tells me. “I’m truly sorry you two are stuck in the honeymoon cabin. Though you’re young, so I’m sure you won’t mind sharing a snug little space.”
He winks at me while I stare silently back at him, and Mr. Lockwood clears his throat loudly.
“We’ll be fine,” my always eloquent boss chokes out.
“This place has become very popular ever since Mr. Stone bought it last year,” Michael says. “It’s mainly due to his new wife.”
He glances to the corner, where a young woman withcute freckles and a baby bump is tapping intently away on her laptop. She doesn’t seem to notice us.
