She looked up at him, lost for a moment. Utterly and completelylost.
“It’s not Copper I’m worried about.” Not by a long shot.
He leaned a millimeter closer, his mouth lifting in a sly smile. “I’ll behave.”
Her heart tumbled as he picked up the reins and clicked at Copper, sharp and sure, proving the horse really had been tamed by the sleigh rides.
Copper set off, clip-clopping over the snowy path that would take them past the cabins and deeper into the property trails.
As they glided along, Jack reached into the back for a red plaid blanket, draping it over their legs. Once they were tucked in, he lifted a shoulder as he adjusted the reins and kept Copper to an uncharacteristically slow pace.
“I’m not used to this speed from Flying Jack,” she joked.
“I read the mood of my passengers,” he said. “You look like a lady who likes to take her time.”
“At certain things,” she said, leaning back as she felt tension in her shoulders and neck melt away. “And, wow, this is a good way to end a busy day.”
He threw her a smile. “I’m glad you’re with me.”
“Me, too.” Cindy admitted, sneaking a long peek at his profile, another thing she always loved about Jack.
The thought jolted her—always loved? Did she still? Of course, they’d been married for twenty years, raised a beautiful daughter together, and had history.
Was that love?
Right now, in this dark, snowy, magical moment? It felt like it could be.
As if he read her mind, he slipped his hand over hers, their gloves pressing together between them.
“That okay?” he whispered as Copper took the next bend a little faster at the last cabin, making her wonder if he meant the handholding or the turning.
“Yes.” She squeezed his hand. “It’s okay.”
“Not terrified?” he teased.
Only of the fact that she couldn’t remember a single reason why she’d ever filed those divorce papers. Not one.
The runners shushed through the snow as Copper kept up an easy trot. They followed the wide, rolling trail that climbed gently toward the higher hills. The pine trees stood tall andfrosted, all accompanied by the jingle of sleigh bells, and the steady rhythm of Copper’s hooves.
“This never gets old,” Jack said quietly.
Cindy turned her face toward the chilly wind, but the sleigh’s blanket and Jack’s warmth beside her kept the cold at bay. “No. It doesn’t.”
They passed the entrance to the creek, the lantern light catching a glimpse of something between the tree line, near the icy water.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, Benny and Red built a fort for…some Christmas surprise they’re working on.”
“A Christmas surprise? What is it?”
Laughing, he put his arm around her. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise, would it?”
She shrugged, deciding he was right. She leaned into Jack, looking out toward the resort. The lift lights glittered, closed for the night but swaying like stars hanging over the mountain.
“It’s beautiful out here,” she said.
Jack glanced sideways. “Speaking of beautiful…so are you.”
