His mouth curved, and it was the smile he wore when he was up to something good. “Trust me.”
She did. She always had.
Cindy stoodbefore the mirror in the cabin, her reflection haloed by the soft glow of a single lamp. She admired the winter-white silk jumpsuit with pearl buttons that was somehow both bridal and festive. She smoothed her hair, the blond locks straightened by a flat iron she only brought out for the most important occasions.
Turning, she slipped into cream boots and glanced at the white faux fur coat she’d planned to wear into town for dinner.
But it was too early for dinner. Was Jack making her stay in this cabin so she didn’t break his rules and try to…work?
She heard some noise outside—the sound of the snowmobile and UTV, some voices, but she’d followed the rules, played her favorite music, sipped the wine MJ had put in the room, and spent the last hour preparing for…whatever Jack had in mind.
“Is my bride in there?” Jack called as he tapped on the cabin door.
“Yes,” she answered on a giddy laugh, opening it to a cold rush of air. “Following my future husband’s orders to…” Her words faded in the evening air as she took in the sight of him.
He filled the doorway in a dark suit and a gray wool overcoat, snow-dusted, with a dark suit underneath, a white shirt, and a thin black tie. His hair was wind-tossed, his smile easy. He looked like every Christmas movie hero she’d ever secretly swooned over.
“Wow.” They said the word in perfect unison, making them laugh.
“You look beautiful,” he said, reaching for her as he stepped inside.
“So do you,” she sighed, taking the hug he offered, and the kiss. When she eased back, she gave him a dubious look. “We’re early.”
“Nope. We’re right on time.” He turned and lifted her coat, holding it for her to slip into.
She snagged her leather gloves and bag, her heart tapping with anticipation as they stepped outside and he offered his arm and led her to the sleigh, where Copper was harnessed and waiting.
“Ready for a ride?”
“Oh? A sleigh ride? I love that idea.”
He helped her up to the front and joined her, the two of them nestling under a few fluffy blankets. Then he lifted the reins and clicked his tongue to set Copper into motion.
“Remember when he didn’t want any part of this sleigh?” Cindy asked, cozying up next to him. “Now he’s a pro.”
“He thought he was done for the night,” Jack said.
“But you want to take me…” She drew back, narrowing her eyes to guess. “To Bluebell Crossing where we had our first kiss.”
He smiled. “I hate to be predictable, but yes.”
“Not predictable.” She slid her hand around the crook of his elbow, suddenly giddy. “Romantic and wonderful and exactly what I need the night before our wedding.”
He leaned in and gave her a whiff of his oaky aftershave and a hint of pine that clung to him. “You smell like you’ve already been up in those wooded trails.”
He just smiled at that as she settled deeper into the leather seats, tearing her attention from him to the woods bathed in yellow as the moon rose, and pinpoints of starlight appeared in the mountain sky.
Copper trotted along proudly, kicking up a little snow that swirled around the lanterns hanging from the sleigh to light their way.
The sleigh bells chimed with each of his steps, the big horse whinnying at the cold.
Cindy couldn’t stop smiling.
When the trees opened onto the wide, snowy hill of Bluebell Crossing, Cindy sat up straighter at the sight of the lanterns—so many of them—that lined the route. And…there were people up here.
MJ and Nicole, Red and Benny, and—oh!
“Jack! The trellis?”
