Page 65 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
“I need to change first.” She had her hand on the banister to head upstairs, but Kade steered her toward the door.
“You can wear that. No one will see you.”
Kade took her parka from the hall tree and helped her into it. She slipped on her fur-lined boots too.
What was he up to this time?
Over the last year, she’d learned Kade thrived on surprises, though it was hard to pull anything over on her. Hardly a week had gone by when flowers didn’t grace her desk or Kade popped in for a lunch date during a workday. In her always scheming manner, June took a front-row seat to their budding relationship. She and Kade were world-class conspirators, often leaving Fallon out of the loop until it was time for Kade to reveal what he had in store. When June announced her idea for opening a satellite office for Endeavor Publicity in Duluth so Fallon could oversee operations there, Kade knew the details before Fallon. That would cut the travel time in half between Fallon’s new office and Hendricks. And most work could be done remotely, June had said with a twinkle in her eye.
Opening the door, Kade ushered her outside.
She froze midstep and gasped.
“Is that your sleigh?”
Kade made a sweeping gesture with his arm. “The one and only. Just had it delivered this afternoon.”
Fallon walked down the steps and circled the Portland cutter with its glossy coat of fresh black paint. Whoever had restored it deserved major kudos. The gold scroll pattern outlining the open doors on both sides must have taken hours alone.
“It’s absolutely beautiful. You must be thrilled.” She came back to him and threw her arms around his waist.
“Are you going to climb aboard? I don’t think Obie will wait for us much longer. He has a mind of his own,” Kade said, referring to the Behar’s dapple gray Shire who pawed at the gravel with his front hooves. He’d already been fitted with a harness.
She didn’t need to be asked twice.
Kade helped her up, and she sank onto the velvet-covered bench, surprised at how comfortable it was. Draped over the backrest was a heavy shearling blanket. She tucked it around their laps after Kade climbed up to sit beside her. He took up the reins and gave her a look that warmed her instantly.
“Ready?”
She nodded.
Deftly guiding Obie over the snow-covered lawn, Kade headed toward an open field behind the barns. It was so cold Fallon’s breath felt like it froze as soon as it left her nostrils. But under the thick blanket and her parka, she felt warmer than she had in the kitchen a few minutes ago. Kade didn’t seem nearly as affected by the cold as she did. He’d wrapped a thick red scarf around his neck that almost matched the rosiness of his face. The memory of their first meeting washed over her as she remembered the scarf he wore that day. She smiled.
How much had changed since then.
In the waning light, they listened to Obie’s rhythmic exhales and the shush of the sleigh cutting through the snow. To their right, a small flock of turkeys moved at the edge of the field where the forest took over.
Kade turned Obie toward an opening in the trees as they went up a slight incline. Now it was darker since the tree canopy blocked what little light was left in the day. The horse’s breathing grew more rapid as they continued to climb, but the ride was smooth.
“Almost there,” Kade said finally. He glanced at her, and even though the scarf hid most of his face, she could tell he was smiling by the creases near his eyes.
“I didn’t know there was a destination.”
“The journey is the destination,” he teased. “That’s a quote from someone. Can’t remember who.”
Fallon snuggled against him and lay her head on his shoulder, relishing the warmth and the soothing movement of the sleigh. An owl hooted close by.
When she looked up a short time later, Fallon squinted. Either her eyes were playing tricks on her or there were lights up ahead.
“What’s up there?”
Kade was silent.
There was no moon and they were far from the lights of the farmyard and house.
“Is there another house up here?”
“Nope.”
