“Have you taken a ride yet?”
“I wasn’t sure I would.”
“Worried about sleigh PTSD?”
“You could say that.”
“Sorry.” He silently cursed himself. Granny had specifically told him to keep his mouth shut. But he had to be a smart-aleck, didn’t he?
He paused before taking her past the buffalo. “Look, you don’t have to do this.”
“I want to.”
He met her gaze. “You do? Why?” Then he groaned. “Never mind. Don’t tell me. We’re going.” Was he actively trying to mess this up? Seemed like it. What part ofbe quietdidn’t he understand?
Once they were out the door, Sky motioned them to the head of the line where the sleigh stood waiting, having just let off passengers.
As he helped Lani up and climbed in after her, he checked out the two people up on the box. Then he did a double-take. Harry and Vanessa? And Vanessa was driving?
“Hey, Rance!” Harry turned around and gave him his usual big smile. ”Good for you. Lani was making noises like she wouldn’t be going on this ride.”
Lani adjusted the green lap robe. “It didn’t seem fair to take a turn since I’d had the experience the other day and a lot of people haven’t had the chance.”
“Yes, but you’ve never had the experience of me driving the sleigh.” Vanessa said over her shoulder. “Buckle up, you two.”
“Are you taking us on a wild ride, Vanessa?”
She laughed. “No, but it’s fun to say that to people. Some look at me and get nervous.”
“And the truth is,” Harry said, “she’s better at this than I am. Buck says she has a gift.”
“Thor and I get along.” Vanessa made a soft noise with her tongue and the Belgian pulled away from the curb, sending the sleigh bells into motion.
Rance settled back and looked over at Lani, who was gazing straight ahead. He’d made sure to sit down next to her, thigh to thigh, and she hadn’t moved away. When he slid his arm around her shoulders, her breath hitched but she didn’t glance his way.
Let her feel the luv between ya.He faced forward, too, and concentrated on the good times they’d shared, both in bed and out of it. He relived their first kiss, the phone call after she’d finished the book, dinner with Granny, making love for the first time.
The warmth of her body called to him. He glanced over and her cheeks were pink. Maybe it was the cold, but he didn’t think so. She still wanted him. Granny was right about that.
He couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting to charm the woman he loved. The shops on Main Street had outdone themselves this year with garlands, bows and glowing lights.
Last night’s gentle snow, gathered in the corners of windows and doorways, sparkled like clusters of diamonds. Even the street glittered as Thor trotted steadily along, his hoofs keeping time with the cheerful jingle of the bells.
At the end of town, where the Christmas tree lot had been until yesterday, Thor made the turn and headed back. Rance didn’t want to go back. He could feel the tension slipping away as Lani relaxed against him.
If they could just stay in this sleigh, if he could only kiss her, she’d remember how good they were together. She’d understand why he’d made this decision, why it was the only one to make.
And she’d say yes to a life with him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Lani had never been so conflicted in her life. She knew what Rance was throwing away but he didn’t. He’d watched his mother’s career unfold, but Desiree hadn’t been able to fully embrace her stardom. Hiding behind a male persona had meant no in-person accolades, no media presence, no personal contact with adoring fans.
Rance’s talent combine with his dashing cowboy image would captivate readers. He’d end up on a video billboard in Times Square and sell books with his sexy smile. Because those books would deliver on quality, he’d shoot straight to the top.
But none of that would happen because he’d fixated on having her as his editor and couldn’t let go of the idea. Irving had capitalized on it to concoct this current scheme.
God help her, she was selfishly tempted to accept the job offer. Working with Desiree, Andy, Oksana, Lucky, Trent and the Wenches would be a blast. She’d be living near her parents and her siblings.
