“Oh, yes. I got it.” Hannah glanced at the house. “I’ve always wanted to see the inside of this place.”
“It’s more cozy than I first expected,” Merry said as they walked up to the porch.
Carlisle opened the front door with a welcoming smile. Standing in a tux, he looked hot enough to melt the surrounding snow. What would it be like to dance with him, to be held in his arms again?
Her mother’s words echoed in Merry’s mind. She mustn’t think of it now. It was something she and Carlisle would have to discuss in the future. She meant tonight to be one of those moments to cherish.
Grace came around her father and reached for Alex. The two children ran inside.
“You must be Hannah.” Carlisle extended his hand, and the girl shook it. “Please come in.”
From behind him, Hannah met Merry’s gaze, her eyes wide. She fanned herself and mouthedwow. The girl spun around and went inside the house. Merry almost burst out laughing.
Then she met Carlisle’s gaze. Something intense seemed to flow between them. It set her heart racing. She wanted to slide her hand into his, but her earlier reticence kept it at her side. They needed to talk first.
“I appreciate your willingness to do all the extra driving,” he said, waiting for Merry to step inside before closing the door. “Shall we give Hannah a tour?” Something in his tone made Merry finish the sentence withof our home.
Maybe. Maybe not.
* * *
Carlisle might only be thirty-one,but losing Cressy had made him feel old. So very old, as though his life had ended with no possibility of ever feeling joy again. Had it not been for Grace and the need to care for her, he’d not have risen every morning.
Merry had wakened him to life again. Then she’d pulled back. At first, he’d meant to accept her decision. Nia’s prodding had changed it.
The phone call he’d had with his uncle and grandfather a few hours ago had turned it around. Carlisle had done a quick search online for rings but decided it might be presumptuous without discussing it with Merry first.
Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and Grace’s birthday. If everything went well, he’d have the best present for her. If he’d been reading Merry right.
That accounted for the sense of satisfaction he felt when, with Merry at his side, they showed Hannah where to locate anything the girl might need. She asked smart questions, showing she’d be prepared to handle an emergency.
Carlisle glanced at Merry, and he found her watching him. Something had changed in the way she was holding herself and the shine in her eyes. Was he imagining the hope there? A rush of adrenaline flooded through him. If not for the ball, he’d ask her. But, responsibilities first.
“You two have fun at the ball,” Hannah said as they entered the entryway again. “I’m crossing my fingers for Cleo.”
“Bye, Mama,” Alex called but didn’t glance up.
“Bye.” Grace, her cheeks flushed, waved and immediately went back to the toys she was playing with.
“I’ll take that as our cue then,” Carlisle said and chuckled softly.
Later, as they were driving to town, he asked, “Who’s Cleo?”
Merry told him about the Huckleberry Falls Royalty Pageant. “She’s the nicest girl ever. I really hope she wins. They’re making the announcement at the ball.”
“What a perfect night for this,” Carlisle said, glancing at lights as they approached the community center. Huckleberry Falls truly resembled a winter wonderland as snow fell amidst the colored lights. The forecast called for heavy snowfall later, but the main part of the storm wasn’t due to reach them until early the next day. They should have time to clear the roads for people needing to travel on Christmas Eve.
“This is the culminating event for our Christmas season activities,” Merry said as they entered the building. Her voice held an unexpected tightness which reminded him that the last time she had attended a Christmas ball in Huckleberry Falls she had done so with her late husband.
Carlisle helped her take off her white, full-length white faux fur coat and sucked in his breath. The deep wine color of the gown, along with the shimmer of the fabric, suited Merry’s coloring perfectly.
“You look smashing.”
“And who is this?” a familiar voice said from behind him.
Carlisle turned to face Gretchen, her husband, and mother. He put his left hand lightly on the small of Merry’s back while extending his right hand. “It’s good to see you again, Phillipe. And you’re lookingtidyas ever, Helen.”
The older woman grinned and shot him a flirty glance as he kissed her hand. She looked at her daughter, and Gretchen said, “It means gorgeous to these Brits.”
