“I’d like that,” Stephanie said, hugging Sue back.
When they got outside, Stephanie looked over at him. “Do we still have time to meet the horses?” she asked. “I don’t want to be late to dinner, though. I’d like to stay on your grandmother’s good side.”
He laughed. “If we’re quick, it should be fine,” he said. “Grandma isn’t as bad as we made it sound, and she likes you, so I think we’re safe stopping for a few minutes.”
***Stephanie***
Stephanie enjoyed dinner more than she thought she would. She even managed to forget about the incredible things Gilda had told her earlier that afternoon for a little while, but all too soon, the meal was over. She sensed that there was more she needed to learn, and it frightened her, although she couldn’t explain why. It wasn’t long before she was sitting tensely at the table, anticipation making her heart beat a little faster.
“Grandma, that was the best meal I’ve had since I left home,” Cooper said, patting his stomach. “I’ll do the dishes since you cooked.”
“It was an amazing meal, I eat out most of the time, so I really appreciate all the hard work,” she said, getting to her feet. “I’ll help Cooper so you can relax.”
“You two don’t have to do that,” Gilda said, waving her hand at them. “I have a dishwasher for that, just leave them for later.”
“Grandma, we really should get going, it’s going to be a long drive home in this storm,” Cooper said, getting to his feet and beginning to stack the dishes. “I wish we could stay longer, but we both need to be back at school tomorrow.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen, look outside,” Gilda said, getting to her feet and taking the stack of plates out of Cooper’s hands. “Trying to get down the mountain in this would be dangerous. I think the two of you had better stay the night.”
She looked out the window and shivered when she saw the big white flakes blowing around in the wind and pinging against the glass. “I think she’s right, maybe we should stay put,” shesaid, looking over at Cooper. “Kendra can run the site tomorrow, she knows what to do.”
Cooper went to the window and watched the storm for a few minutes. “The road is going to be a slippery mess, I don’t think we should risk it either,” he said, then turned to Stephanie. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get you stranded here. We should have left earlier.”
“It’s okay, you can’t control the weather, Cooper,” she said. “This will just give me more time to get to know your grandmother.”
He let out a relieved sigh. “I’m sure we’ll be able to get back tomorrow,” he said, then began searching his pockets. “I’m just going to check the weather. I’ll help with the dishes when I get back.”
“I’ll just go see to your rooms,” Gilda said, then looked over at her. “Unless you want to share one.”
“No,” she said, feeling her face turning pink. “I mean, no thank you, I think I’ll take my own room, but I don’t want you to go to a lot of trouble.”
“No trouble,” Gilda said, reaching out and squeezing her arm. “I’m happy to have you here. I won’t be gone long, then we’ll have another nice little chat.”
Far too nervous about their little chat, Stephanie started doing the dishes, happy for any distraction. “Well, it looks like we’re stuck here for sure, we’re supposed to get a foot of snow overnight,” Cooper said, walking back into the kitchen. “I think I’ll be able to get us out tomorrow, but no promises. I don’t think anyone will miss us though, they’re supposed to get even more snow there.”
“I guess I’d better call Kendra,” she said, putting the last plate in the dishwasher. “Do you want to finish up here?”
“Sure, looks like you’re almost done,” Cooper said, stepping into her place. “Only the pots and pans left, lucky me.”
She laughed. “You snooze, you lose,” she said, grinning at him. “I won’t be long; your grandma went upstairs to get our rooms ready.”
“Rooms?” he asked, a disappointed look on his face. “Darn, I was hoping…”
“Well, you’re going to have to keep hoping,” she said, shaking her head, hating how tempted she was to ignore her principles when it came to him. “You’re still my intern, so it’s still a bad idea. I’m going to go make my phone call now, so I’m not tempted to do something I shouldn’t.”
His laughter followed her out of the room and all the way into the living room, and she found herself smiling even though her cheeks were flaming. Kendra picked up on the first ring, “Stephanie, where are you?” she demanded. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Cooper and I are still at his grandmother’s. We stayed for dinner, now it looks like we won’t be leaving tonight,” she said. “Can you handle things there until I can get back?”
“Sure, but what are you doing there?” Kendra asked. “It’s not like you to just take off like this.”
“I know, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you,” she said. “I promise I’ll explain when I get back.”
“You’d better, I don’t like worrying about you,” Kendra said, some of the tension gone from her voice. “I don’t think we’ll be able to work tomorrow, there’s a foot of snow on the ground here already. Do you want me to give everyone a snow day tomorrow or open up and see how many people can get there?”
“Let everyone stay home, we don’t want anyone to get hurt trying to come in,” she said. “Those ruins have been there for hundreds of years; one more day won’t make any difference.”
“You got it, boss,” Kendra said, then hesitated. “Stephanie, there is one thing I’d like to know. You don’t have to answer, I mean it’s your private business and all, but I just wondered what’s up with you and Cooper?”
