Not gonna lie. I’ve never done anything like this before. Pulled out all the stops. Nerves jump around in my chest when we reach the parking lot for The Sleigh Bell Special.
She said she liked trains. But will she likethis?
Here’s hoping. We walk into the tiny depot, where a life-size wooden Santa opens his jaw and mechanically greets us with a: “Ho, ho, ho.”
Lights wrap around the old-timey departures board, flickering in pinks, purples and blues for the holiday.
Isla looks up at the board. “We’re leaving in five minutes,” she announces, then spins around, scanning the empty depot with curiosity. The only person here is the woman working the ticket counter. “I’d have expected more people,” Isla says in a whisper, like we’re in a library. It’s quiet like one.
My lips twitch, but I keep a straight face. “Yeah, me too.”
“Maybe they’ll all show up in a few minutes,” she says.
“Maybe,” I say, but I doubt it.
“Are these the train tickets you bid on at the auction?”
Damn. Her memory is good. “Nope. I actually took Mia earlier today with those.”
“Oh! Did she love it?”
“She sure did,” I say, then tell her about our adventure as the train wound up the snowy hill, offering a stunning view of the snow-capped mountains and evergreen trees. I don’t tell Isla that when Mia and I got off the train, I made plans for our date tonight.
I peer out the doors to the platform as the train pulls in with a long whistle. “We should go outside,” I say, keeping my tone even, giving nothing away.
Isla peers behind us, surveying the empty depot once more, then shrugs and strides outside with me.
The train is three cars long. They’re all red and decked out with icicle lights and garlands. The wordsThe Sleigh Bell Specialare written on the side in a white scripted font.
A conductor with salt and pepper hair and crinkled eyes steps off the train and onto the platform, then strides over to us.
“You must be Mr. Bishop and the special guest,” he says, his tone filled with a certain elegance.
“Yes, we are,” I say, gesturing to the gorgeous brunette by my side. “My guest is Isla.”
“Lovely to meet you, Isla. We’re pleased to have you two all aboard tonight,” he says, then sweeps out his arm toward the train.
With something like wonder in her blue eyes, Isla steps onto the train then whirls around. “Rowan?” She’s looking up and down the empty cars. “Did you…?”
Pride fills me. “I did.”
When the conductor steps onto the next car, Isla closes the distance between us, wraps her arms around my neck, and licks her lips. “You arranged for a private Christmas train.”
She sounds enchanted, and I’m thrilled. This is exactly why I did it—to give her the best dates ever. She deserves that, especially after her ex. But then I flash back to what she shared about him. How he took her to off-the-beaten-path spots, like he was hiding her, since he turned out to be married to someone else at the time.
Shit. I don’t want her to think I’m hiding. That’s not the reason for this private train ride.
“But just so you know, I’d take you on a train in public too,” I say, cupping her cheek. “I’d take you on a train inprivate. I’d kiss you in front of everyone. I’d kiss you when we’re all alone.”
Her smile is bright, and…naughty. “Then you should really start.”
I give the woman what she wants—a kiss as the doors slide shut. We’re all alone as the car pulls smoothly away from the station. I keep a hand on the back of a train seat to steady us though. This kiss is soft, and slow, and it goes to my head. If I’m not careful, I could get addicted to her kisses.
Or maybe I already am, since we don’t stop for a few delirious minutes. She kisses me harder, till we’re both breathing hard, and trying to get closer.
Breaking the kiss, I take her hand and lead her to a pair of high-backed red seats, catching a glimpse of the inky night sky out the window, stars flickering above us as the train chugs up the hill.
“We’ve got twenty-five minutes,” I say in a low husky voice.
