He’d figured she would tell him but she might have come over when he was especially busy and had decided not to bother him. Or in all the excitement she’d forgotten.
That was fine. Tonight was one of the biggest events she’d experienced since she’d arrived here. He’d done his best to minimize the bad news about Lani so she’d have fun instead of worrying about him.
As if his thoughts had conjured her up, there she was, hurrying toward him, cheeks rosy and a bounce in her step.
Climbing up on a bar stool, she leaned forward and motioned him closer. “Come ta have a word with ya, I have.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Leavin’? I’m just getting’ started, I am! They all want me ta ride in the sleigh with ’em! Made at least twenty trips, I have. Tis pure craic!”
That inspired his first real grin of the night. “Awesome.”
“Next year I’m dressin’ up as Mrs. Santa. Some oul fella says he’ll dress as Santa.”
“Who’s that?”
“Didn’t catch his name, but he fancies me.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
She lowered her voice. “Lani’s here, lad.”
“I know.”
“Maybe not fer long.” She spoke faster. “Take yer sleigh ride break now. Ask her ta go with ya.”
“She’ll say no.”
“She won’t. She wants ta go.”
“She told you?” A customer waved at him and he held up a hand in acknowledgment but kept his attention on Granny.
“No. Saw the look on her face, I did. Just do it and don’t speak a word about yer troubles. Just put yer arm around her and be quiet. Let her feel the luv between ya.”
His throat tightened.
“It’ll be alright, boyo.” Reaching over, she squeezed his arm, got off the barstool and scurried back to one of the tables.
Peering through the crowd, he caught a brief glimpse of a pudgy older man with white hair and a beard who stood and pulled out a chair for Granny. Well, then.
Next he located Lani in a far corner with Lucky, Oksana, Sara and Kieran. He fetched a drink for the customer who’d waved at him and told Clint he was taking his sleigh ride break. Grabbing his jacket, he made tracks for Lani’s table.
She looked wary as he approached and conversation at the table abruptly ended. Granny could be mistaken about this, but he soldiered on, not wasting time on preliminaries. “I’m on a quick sleigh ride break. Would you please go with me?”
She hesitated for what seemed like forever. “Yes, I will.”
The collective sigh of relief was almost funny enough to make him smile. Almost.
When she came out from behind the table holding her coat, he helped her on with it in front of their very silent audience of four. Then he held out his hand and she took it. The contact sent arrows straight to his heart.
“Have fun!” Sara called after them as they walked away.
“There’s a line.” Lani’s voice sounded breathy, like she might be short of air, too. “I don’t know how long a break you have, but?—”
“The Buffalo’s staff members get to jump the line. It’s our perk for working Christmas Eve.”
“That helps.”
