Over the next stretch of land, massive black and brown cows dotted the area.
“Here at The Homestead,” Emmitt continued, “we organically farm and produce a lot of the foods we serve, including eggs from free range chickens. You see them down there?”
Sloane shifted her gaze until she spotted the area he was referring to. A chicken coop sat in the center of an open field. Chickens, looking smaller than ants from such a height, weaved about the area in a mad dash.
A chuckle spilled from her lips. “They look so happy.”
Emmitt laughed too. “Ihopethey are. They keep us pretty happy with all those scrambled eggs, crepes, and my favorite—crème brûlée.”
She looked over at him. “Most Americans seem to not realize that it takes many yolks to make a good crème brûlée,” she said, surprise coating the words.
“Mable, the head chef here—she made sure I knew it. She takes a lot of pride in her work.”
“I cannot blame her,” Sloane said, considering the incredible room service she’d been living off of since she arrived.
They veered a little closer to the two mounded hills, each partially covered in snow. Tall pines created dimension on those hills, their snow-covered branches reminding Sloane of just how close it was to Christmastime. Warm stirs of appreciation bloomed in her chest. This truly was beautiful. What a great idea it had been, to do tours like this. The sight truly was magical.
The helicopter glided smoothly higher, giving a new view to the clear blue sky against those hills.
“Let’s take a look at the neighboring town,” he said. “What do you say?”
The childlike excitement in his voice made her grin. “I say yes.”
At once, Emmitt shifted direction until they were facing east. The quick pull shot another warm thrill through her body. She looked down as they flew over the Homestead Inn. The big, beautiful structure, with its huge outdoor deck and wraparound porch, was even more impressive from up there.
“Mon Dieu,” she said as she spotted something else. “Are they making an ice-skating rink?”
“They sure are,” Emmitt said proudly. “I’m supposed to help them finish it up tomorrow after my workout.”
After his workout…was he trying to impress her? Not that she was surprised; Emmitt Duran’s muscular physique said he was quite disciplined in that area of his life.
As they flew over the long road leading into town, Emmitt talked about the weekend parties they hosted, featuring large buffets, live music, and dancing too. “This weekend we’ll be testing out that ice rink you saw. You should come. I mean, you’ll be here anyway, might as well.”
A dash of heat fluttered around her heart. Sloane bit her lip. “I will consider. It is just that…” She died off there.
“What?” Emmitt asked, stepping right into her trap.
“That I am not here with anyone. Going by myself may feel uncomfortable.”
Emmitt let out atsk.“Who said you’d be going by yourself? I’m sort of asking you as my date. I’m not great on the ice or anything, but we can lean on each other until we’re ready to tear it up.”
Hmm. She’d wondered earlier if Emmitt was perhaps dating Anna; his invitation said that probably wasn’t the case. This should have been disappointing news—it meant she was one step further from cracking the case. But for some reason, Sloane didn’t feel at all disappointed to hear that he was available.
“What do you say?” Emmitt added in her quiet pause.
“I say yes,” she said. “That would be nice.”
“Then it’s a date.”
And there went the tummy flutters again. Feigning interest in Emmitt was much easier than she imagined. Though she couldn’t exactly take credit for the internal reactions he sparked.
Gabe’s annoying comment trickled back through her mind.
You’re not putty, Sloane. Keep your wits about you.
But the truth was, Emmitt had impressed her with the pride he took in The Homestead and its employees. She liked how he gave credit to the head chef and horse experts, mentioning them by name. He may be one of the owners, but it seemed that hadn’t kept Emmitt from getting to know those who worked there on a personal level.
Did that mean he knew Anna Fielding on a personal level too? Assuming she’d done accounting work for them like the lead suggested.
