“You two together?” Walter asked.
“Yes, I’ll get Reese home safe,” Roan said, ignoring Walter’s pointed look.
“All right then. See you next week.” Walter clapped Roan on the shoulder, then leaned in and whispered, “I’m old, but not blind. Go for it. Youcanget her back.”
Minutes later, it was just Roan and Reese, walking out to his SUV in the December cold, buttoning up their coats.
“That was so fun,” Reese said. “Your aunt is truly a wonder.”
“A force of nature. Like a happy hurricane.”
Reese laughed as he held her door and she slid into the seat.
He hurried about to his side, glancing over at her as he started the engine. “You ready to go home or do you want to get a night cap someplace?”
“It does feel early.” She turned to face him directly. “Would you like to come to my place? We could put some music on. Have a warm drink?”
“I’m in,” Roan said, a little too quickly.
The drive to her house took ten minutes. They talked about Grace and Walter and all they’d contributed to the community over the years. Reese told him a little more about Pastor David. Apparently, he’d lost his wife to cancer before he moved to Sugarville Grove to take the pastor position at the church. “There’s a sadness in his eyes,” Reese said.
“He’s not seeing anyone?” Roan asked.
“Not that I know of. As far as I can tell, he spends all of his time at church.”
He pulled into her driveway and put the SUV in park, noticing how dark the house was.
“You need a light on your porch,” Roan said. “This isn’t safe.”
“The bulb needs replacing. I keep forgetting about it.”
“I’ll come by tomorrow and take care of it for you.”
She glanced over at him. “That’s kind, but I can do it.”
“I’d like to.”
“Okay, fine. Thank you.”
Roan climbed out and came around to open Reese’s door, offering his hand to help her down, and then escorted her into the house.
“Tea or something stronger?” she asked, once they’d shed their coats. “I could make us a hot buttered rum.”
“Can’t turn that down.”
He followed her into the kitchen. She pulled a container from the fridge, holding it up with a smile. “I always grab a tub from Trader Joe’s at the beginning of the holiday season, hoping to have someone to share it with.”
“I’m happy to be that person.”
He leaned against the counter as she worked, scooping batter into mugs, adding rum and hot water. The air became scented with butter and cinnamon as she stirred. When she handed him a mug, their fingers touched briefly, sending a spark all the way up his arm.
He took a sip. “Perfection.”
“Come into the living room. I’ll turn on the fireplace and put some music on.”
He did as she asked, only too happy to oblige. They settled on the couch in front of the fire, music playing softly in the background.
“Tell me about your house,” Roan said. “How long have you been here?”
