Page 47 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
“You hesitated.” Her hand flew to the hair comb. “Is it coming out? I had a—”
Kade took her hand and gently lowered it. “Only because ‘beautiful’ doesn’t seem like enough. Nice pin, by the way.”
“Thank you.” She touched it, remembering when he’d given it to her. First hot chocolate, then the pin. Flowers too. If she wasn’t careful she could very easily fall for this man. And he had to stop looking at her like she was the only person in the room or it might happen any minute.
“I was just about to find some appetizers.” She nodded toward one of the waitstaff who passed them with an empty tray, anxious to draw Kade’s attention away.
“I’m game.” Kade laid a hand against his middle. “Though I think I’ve been given my allotment of the beef Wellington puffs. I swear the server almost smacked my hand away when I stopped her for the fourth time to load my plate.”
“I haven’t had any yet so I’ve got you covered.”
After stalking the white-clad staff holding silver trays to fill their plates, she and Kade stood in line at the bar.
“Are you staying here tonight?” Kade asked.
“No. The inn was filled months ago for this weekend I was told.” The group ahead of them moved away, drinks in hand. Kade gazed at her, not noticing they were next in line.
The bartender wiped the counter then smiled. “What can I get you two?”
Fallon read the little sign propped on the counter with the night’s featured drinks. “A Kringle Cranberry seltzer for me.”
“The same, Bret,” said Kade.
“Dressed the same, drinking the same. You two win the Cutest Couple Award tonight,” teased Bret.
Fallon pretended not to hear the comment, turning away to preoccupy herself with studying the crowd. Kade and Bret must have known each other. She couldn’t imagine making that comment to a stranger.
“We’re not together,” Kade said to the guy in a low voice.
“That’s unfortunate for you,” said Bret.
“Tell me about it,” answered Kade in a whisper.
The only reason Fallon caught his response was because the music had stopped while the quartet transitioned to another song.
They waited in silence for Bret to prep their drinks. A minute later, Kade passed Fallon her drink and pointed to an empty spot at a nearby table.
Across the room, someone waved. Fallon smiled and waved back, surprised to see Elaine and Fred Behar.
“Your parents are here. Your dad is feeling better?”
Kade lifted his chin in their direction. He looked amused and embarrassed at the same time.
“He is. We’ve taken over the workload for him until after the holidays, just to be safe,” he said, rolling the corner of his paper napkin. “Trying to keep him occupied with non-farm related business, though, will be the challenge.”
“You’re lucky.”
Kade looked at her. His brow wrinkled. “Why do you say that?”
She shrugged. “You have great parents. I imagine they were perfect guideposts.”
He shifted in his chair to look at her full-on. “Thank you. Except they couldn’t do anything with me for awhile.” He snorted. “But not for a lack of effort.”
She hadn’t meant to make such a personal remark. Keeping Kade at arm’s length this weekend would keep things simple, especially now that she’d caught him hinting he’d like something more. But Elaine and Fred were dears. She’d felt a kinship with them almost from the beginning, especially with Elaine.
“I think it’s pretty rare having the kind of family you have. Where everyone gets along.”
He laughed. “Again, keep in mind what a terror I was twenty years ago.”
