“This is just temporary, remember?”She’d wanted to sound light, amused, but her voice was low, husky.
She fidgeted with the seatbelt, so that she didn’t have to look at him “My mom has phoned already, they’re waiting for us at Miracle Lake.I have to warn you about her.I love her to bits, but she can be overwhelming, to say the least.She’s going to want dates and details.Under no circumstance do we give that to her, understand?”
“Understood.”
“When did you get the ring?”she asked.
“I was in Bozeman early this morning when the shops opened.”
“How did you know what size to buy?”
Cupping her face, he turned her head to him.“I’ve held your hand.I’ve touched your body.I know.”
“You can’t say things like that to me.”
Flashing her one of his killer smiles, he fastened his seatbelt.“You’re wearing my ring.”
“It’s fake, remember?”
Lifting her hand, he kissed it before he settled both their hands on his leg and started his truck.“If you say so.Tell me about Miracle Lake.I’ve never been there before.”
She struggled to think clearly with all the strange vibrations in the truck.Miracle Lake.Okay, she could talk about the lake, she’d been skating on it as long as she could remember.“You’ve never been?I haven’t been for a while, but it’s a beautiful spot.It’s basically a frozen pond with a fancy name.You’ll find it in the middle of the woods ten minutes outside town.During the evening kids sometimes light a bonfire and roast marshmallows and during the day you can rent skates from the shack at the lake.There is also a small chocolate shop.It’s not the same as Sage Carrigan’s, but seeing as I owe you one, I’ll buy you a hot chocolate this morning.”
“Sounds nice.I’ve been reading about Marietta’s history.The initial forefathers who arrived here thought what they’d discovered was copper?”
“Yep, I like to think when the copper turned out to be nothing more than fool’s gold, everyone with the wrong attitude to life left, leaving only people who really wanted to stay here.Those were the ones who put down roots, raised cattle, and worked the land.We’re very proud of our history and of the people who settled here way back when.”
As they drove into town, she forgot her hand was happily lying in Hunter’s big one.She only remembered the ring as they parked next to Becket’s truck at the lake.
“I’m not sure about the ring, maybe it’s not a good idea,” she said, trying to take it off.But for some strange reason, the ring that had slipped on so easily before, wouldn’t budge.
Hunter grabbed her hand.“It’s for another few days.I’m sure you’ll survive.Come on, your mother is on her way here.”
And lo and behold, as she looked up, it was to see her mother with her friend Janice Miller in tow, heading their way.
“Come on, let’s do this.By the way, I don’t think I’ve ever told you, but you’re beautiful.You very nearly brought me to my knees the first time I saw you.”
Before she could catch her breath, he was out of the truck, leaving his words swirling in the small space and warming every nook and cranny of her being.
As she opened the door of the truck, her mom was there, holding out her arms.“My dear girl, I can’t begin to tell you how happy you and Hunter have made me.”
Before she could move, Hunter was there, picking her up and putting her down on the ground again as if she weighed nothing.He was clearly enjoying the situation, his eyes filled with mirth.
Well, two could play this game.“Oh, Hunter,” she crooned, slipping her arms around his neck.“You’re so strong, kiss me, it’s been too long.”
She just had time to see the flash in his eyes before he obliged.Thoroughly.When he finally lifted his head, the mirth was gone, replaced by something exciting she’d glimpsed the night before.
Out of breath, she tried to smile before she turned to her mother.“Well, come on, let’s go skating, I’ve promised Hunter hot chocolate afterward.”
Chapter Seven
Her mother was,of course, the one who first noticed the ring.After the skating they were all huddling close, drinking hot chocolate.Mitch Miller, whose two sisters, Vivian and Anna were married to Aiden and Craig O’Sullivan, his wife Riley, also a cousin of the O’Sullivan’s and her son Dylan were all there.They’d all become good friends over the past year.
Willow took off her gloves to warm her hands around the mug without thinking about the ring.
“Willow, you have a ring!”her mom shrieked, grabbing her hand.
Collective gasps sounded up and all the women made a circle around Willow.
