“It’s tough these days, as you know.”
“I should have…” He sighed and looked away. “You know, I’m just going to say this, okay? I want to get it out there.”
Her heart stuttered at the serious tone. “What’s that?”
“I’m sorry for leaving,” he said, turning back to meet her gaze. “I’m sorry I put work over you and Nic and…us. I know why I did it, but that doesn’t make it right. I don’t know. I just want you to know I regret it every day and I believe I owe you an apology now that ten years has passed.”
Cindy searched his face, a little breathless, but so touched by the apology, remembering MJ’s words. He’d never made an official apology before, but then, they hadn’t had an acrimonious divorce. Just a painful one.
“We made the best decisions we could at the time,” she said, lowering her voice to a meaningful whisper. “Jack, I promise, I forgave you a long time ago.”
His dark eyes flickered. “You did?”
She nodded. “And the apology should go both ways. I’m sorry I threw in the towel so easily. I should have…waited it out. You did retire from ESPN eventually. I maybe should have…tried harder. And not put this place at the top of my priority list.”
His eyes shuttered. “God knows I’ve forgiven you for that long ago.”
God might know that, but Cindy hadn’t. The words were like a balm on her heart. “Obviously, since you gave up your Christmas to come here.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Not much to give up. I’m…alone.”
She was more surprised by the tone than the love-life update.
“Unless you count Bertie,” he added with a chuckle. “But my mother has little time for me these days. She’s the most popular octogenarian at the retirement community. Now,shehas a social life. I have…skiing in winter, hiking in summer, and…not a whole lot else.”
Her heart dipped. “Are you lonely, Jack?”
She expected a joke but got a sad smile. “I’m fine, Cindy. It’s just not the life I pictured at sixty. I travel, I do some consulting work and lessons, and I keep an eye on Bertie when she lets me. But…” He swallowed. “Let’s just say, it’s nice to be back here and have a purpose. And it’s really nice to see you looking so good and happy.”
Did she look good and happy? “More like overworked and worried.”
He put his hand over hers, the touch warm and unexpectedly nice. “Then why don’t you take a sleigh ride with me today? I need to practice the trails. Is the creek running or frozen? Is the path to Aspen View open? I need to relearn my way around…Snowberry.”
Or around her?
The thought made her heart flip, or maybe that was the familiar and wonderful feeling of her husband’s touch.
“Well,” she finally said. “We need a horse.”
Jack looked surprised. “We have a horse. Nic took me to see Copper yesterday and he’s still a beauty. A little finicky, but he’s still got it. Probably.”
Cindy arched a dubious brow as she took a deep drink of coffee. “You want to test that theory? Nic is blinded by her love for the horse, but Copper is a total diva. He doesnotwant to pull a sleigh.”
“He’s a horse. He was born for this.” Jack grinned, finishing up the plate of waffles and popping a few grapes in his mouth. “Come on, I’m ready to roll. Well, glide.”
“I’ll take your tray back while you dress. Meet you at the stable in ten minutes.”
MJ was not in the kitchen when Cindy dropped the tray off, so she headed straight back to the stable, meeting Jack coming from his cabin as she got to the oversized door. He wore jeans and boots, and a black puffer vest that was a stark contrast to the silver in his hair.
Smiling at her, he pushed the door open, and they stepped onto the hay-covered wooden floor, instantly greeted by Copper’s familiar neigh.
“Hey, boy,” Jack said softly as he approached the stall and met the horse’s big brown eyes.
“He’s a sweet guy,” Cindy said, watching Jack’s strong hands stroke Copper’s head. “Until he’s a drama king, which does happen.”
Jack smiled. “You going to let her call you a drama king, Copper-man?”
Copper flicked his ears and whinnied.
