If not, she was sunk.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Jack loved driving a sleigh.
With the wind on his cheeks and the slushing of the runners through the snow, he felt free in a way he didn’t feel at any other time in his life. It was like he was meant for this, had been created to be a wrangler. He didn’t know if his brothers felt the same way he did; he’d never asked because he didn’t want them to tease him about this. The feeling was too close to the center of his being to be trifled with—even by his twin.
Inviting Natasha on aprivatesleigh ride after dark for a first date meant something to him. It meant he was sharing a part of his soul with the woman. This also meant this wasn’t just any sleigh ride to him. Tonight had to be remarkable.
He’d been able to get out of filming early. Raelynn had taken the day off and held up with her nanny in the trailer, going over lines and recovering from her fright. Everyone knew she was okay because she’d bounded out of the trailer for breakfast and talked the ear off of a sound tech about the amazing, incredible, awesome Dunder. The day off was precautionary for the studio. They wanted to protect themselves against getting sued by Raelynn’s family.
With his extra time, he’d gone out to the lake and set up for a bonfire. The family had a favorite spot where they used to go every February to roast marshmallows, drink hot cocoa, and have a giant snowball fight. When did they stop doing that? Oh yeah, when Pax graduated high school. Somehow, it felt childish, and they’d all grown into their responsibilities, feeling the weight of the ranch in a way they didn’t when they were kids. How did Mom and Dad do that on their own when the boys were younger? He’d never know. The herd was smaller back then, but they’d had five boys underfoot. He might not have given them enough credit over the years.
He brought the sleigh to the front of the house, where he’d arranged to pick up Natasha. Her eyes were clear and bright tonight, and she’d dressed for the weather. He’d set a heater on the porch by the swing in case she got there before he did, and she’d made good use of it.
Strange, but he appreciated her good sense in clothing. Out here, being aware of the temperatures and how to protect yourself mattered.
“I hope you brought some of those heated bricks.” Natasha climbed in next to him, her stocking hat pulled low and a scarf muffling her words. She looked downright adorable. Most men wanted to see skin, but Jack enjoyed the look of a woman all layered up with pink cheeks and her eyes reflecting the stars.
“I packed extra just for you.” He’d sat on the inside of his half of the seat, which meant they were as snug as birds in a nest. “On Bogart!” he called, and the reindeer started off.
“Bogart?” Nat laughed. “What kind of name is that for a reindeer?”
Jack leaned back and eyed her playfully. “He’s the reindeer the ladies want, and the guys want to be. Look at him!”
Bogart lifted his head higher, showing off his perfect lines. Had he been able to fly, he would have rivaled Dunder. Alas, he couldn’t get more than two feet off the ground with a running start.
“I chose him because I thought you would appreciate the reference to a movie star.” He checked her reaction.
“I do,” she said in all seriousness. Scooting closer, she tucked partially behind him and leaned in.
Another thing Jack could appreciate about her, she knew how to ride in a sleigh. Some girls would grip the side and hold on for dear life. Other women seized him and made it difficult to manage the reins. Natasha was just right.
At first, they watched the scenery scoot by, but once they were away from the lights and the buildings, a hush covered the snow, and the feeling of being alone together in a great big world enveloped them. Soon, the sun had fully set, and they were riding along in a night full of stars. Out here, without the city or barn lights, the stars lit up the night, and he had no trouble seeing where they were going.
“I really shouldn’t be here,” she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, “with you.”
Jack knew what she was getting at. They worked together, sort of, and mixing a professional relationship, and a personal one, was a bad idea. “Yeah, me neither.” He scooted an inch away from her. The air rushed between them and gave him goosebumps.
Natasha laughed. “What? No “Baby, it’s Cold Outside” routine where you try to talk me into staying just a little bit longer?”
He shrugged. “I’ve already got you in the sleigh. I thought that would be the hard part.” He scooted back over and leaned down toward her ear. “You want me to talk you into it?” he said, huskily.
She fluttered her lashes at him. “A woman likes to play coy once in a while.”
“Oh, does she now? In that case, ” He put his arm around her, “I recommend you get in here real close to stay warm.”
She giggled and pushed against him half-heartedly. “Fine! Gosh, you’re so persistent.”
He laughed. “I don’t think you understand how to play coy.”
“I got your arm around me, didn’t I?” She lifted an eyebrow in challenge.
“Touché.” They crested a hill, and he pulled up on the reins. Below them lay a frozen pond, the moonlight reflecting off the ice. Trees circled it like nutcrackers in uniform, and off to the right was their makeshift camp for the evening. A fire crackled, the kettle next to it lightly steaming. There was a bench, which he’d covered in blankets and a couple of throw pillows to make it look more comfortable than it was. Under the bench were some heated brinks. More warmed by the fire so he could trade them out for the ones in the sleigh’s seat for the ride home. He’d left several flashlights pointing upward like candles to show the way and hung Christmas baubles in the trees to reflect the light.
“Jack,” she whispered. “Did you do all this?”
“Guilty.” He slapped the reins, and they were off at a leisurely clip. The sleigh stopped a few feet from the wooden bench. Jack stepped out and offered Natasha a hand. He grabbed the blankets they’d used on the way here, and they made their way across the snow, crunching loudly because the top had frozen over.
