“Sure.” Elise turned her chair to face him. “What’s going on?”
Nicole squeezed Elise’s arm. “I’m going to say goodbye to my mom and dad. I’ll be right back.” She kissed Cameron quickly and darted away.
Cameron stayed beside Elise, rubbing his gloved hands together for warmth. “So…I’ve been watching you tonight.”
“Creepy,” she teased.
“I mean it. I haven’t seen you like this in—” He exhaled as he straightened. “—a long time. Maybe ever.”
“Like what?”
“Happy is kind of an understatement,” he said simply. “Actually, my little sister is radiant.”
Her eyes stung instantly at the tone, which was bittersweet and hopeful. “Cam…”
“And I’ve also been watchinghim.” He jutted his chin toward Wade. “Man of the hour.”
She snorted. “Is that what he is?”
“You tell me what he is, E. Other than a good guy and a decent vet—I can see all that.”
“He’s…” Warmth bloomed deep in her chest. “He’s certainly got my attention,” she finished, getting the expected look of uncertainty from Cam.
“So what does that mean?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I like it. And him.”
“So do I,” Cameron said, the three words lifting her heart. “He seems solid. He watches out for you, makes room for you, includes you without making a big show of it. The good kind of protective. Of course, he lives in Alabama.”
“He does,” she conceded.
“I mean, there’s letting you be independent in Eagle Mountain and there’s…impossible.”
She blew out a breath. “You, oh great patrolman of the slopes, are officially in front of your skis. We’ve…barely kissed.”
His eyes flickered at the wordbarely, but he nodded. “I’d say be careful, but that’s just dumb. What I will say is this—you deserve everything in the world, Elise. The best guy, the truest love, the greatest life. You never need to compromise on that, or not realize your worth.”
There was no way to stop the tear, so she just wiped it away. “I adore you, you know that?”
“Obviously.” Cameron smirked, but his smile grew genuine. “I love you, too, E.”
Her heart folded as she reached for his hand and squeezed. “Same, Camelot.”
Nicole drifted back and they said goodbye with more hugs. Elise promised to be at the lodge with Mom and Dad after she got a little extra sleep on Christmas morning.
After that, Elise went back into the barn where she spotted Wade with Shambles, dragging a bale of hay into her stall, talking softly to his favorite patient.
“Look at her,” she said as she wheeled into the stall. “She was perfect tonight and she could see all her adoring fans, thanks to you.”
Wade dusted hay off his jacket. “Thanks to us,” he corrected. “Are you done here or do you stay until the last four-legged actor is asleep?”
“I’m just about done. The set gets broken down next week sometime. My parents have the van and I’m going back to Heber City with them after I finish closing up this place.”
“I’ll help you,” he said.
Together, they passed every stall while the last of the visitors left. They stopped together and talked to each animal, giving some treats and attention. He talked to each creature with love, remembering their role in the play, checking hooves and hay bales.
That alone made her chest feel full.
