Hair is soft against my skin as it falls around my shoulders, and I must be in love, because I’m not annoyed. “Sure. If you don’t think we need to work, I’m good with that.” We already spent our morning skiing together and really shouldn’t be goofing off. “Where are we going?”
“Somewhere that requires you change your clothes.”
I smirk, thinking about us naked.
Neal leans in close and whispers, “Get your mind out of the gutter, or should I say, my bed.”
“It’s not in your bed; it’s in your pants.” I glance down and see he’s not concentrating on numbers either. “Hmm, I believe you’re right there with me.”
Neal’s mouth lands on my mine, and I reach over to flick the door to my office shut. It slams, and I’m glad Loren is working instead of Mandy, because she’d be out on the street, crowing about the wild sex that happens in my store.
When we reach the point I’m ready to forget how thin the walls are, I break away. “Let’s go. Financials can wait.”
Neal takes a deep breath and combs his hair with his fingers. Adjusting his pants as he stands, he says, “Good idea.” He reaches for my coat. “You’ll need all the snow clothes except the helmet. Did you bring boots and a hat?”
“Yeah, I did. It’s all in the bag at your apartment.” Living twenty minutes out of town I’ve learned to be prepared for most situations. “Where are we going?”
“Snowshoeing near Spruce Creek. I want to show you something.”
I pull my hair out of the back of my jacket as we leave the office. “Loren, I’m gone until later tonight. Text if you need me.”
“I’ll be fine. Lori will be here soon.”
I smile, thinking about Lori as the door thuds behind us. Nika let me steal her away, and I’m going to offer her a job as a manager soon. She’s great at selling, and I know she’d run things well, too. I only hope she’ll be willing to quit her ski instructor job.
Fifteen minutes later we’re on our way to a wooded area of Breck. I haven’t been snowshoeing in years and am looking forward to the silence and beauty of the forest. The car is moving slowly as we bounce down a snow-covered road I guess is dirt underneath. Soft classical music is playing, and I’m content to just listen instead of making conversation.
A split-log fence lines the edge of the road and separates us from a pasture that leads the eye to a barn. I search for horses but don’t find any before we pass, and I notice a large mountain-lodge-style home. The road narrows to one lane and the trees crowd out the sun. “I’m surprised this road gets plowed. Does anyone live down here?”
“Yes, just one more house and then we’ll be hiking.”
Up ahead I see the last home, and as we approach the clear road stops, but you can tell it continues on by the parting of the trees. Neal shifts into park, and silence settles as he turns off the car.
I step out into the cold. “It’s beautiful here.” Sun is glistening off the smooth blanket of snow, and evergreens are frosted with white powder.
“Just wait until you see where we’re going.” Neal hands me snowshoes he’s pulled out of the back of his car.
“How long is the hike?” I squat down to get my feet set, and the trunk slams shut.
“It’ll be quick. Maybe fifteen minutes.”
Leather is taut when I pull the heel strap of my snowshoe tight. I stand and clomp into deep snow to wander toward the path while Neal finishes getting ready. He has a backpack, and I would bet money he brought us a picnic.
Neal catches up, and we plod through the powder down the uncleared road. The chill I felt when we first started is chased away quickly as my muscles warm up and I begin to perspire. It isn’t long before the road opens up to a large clearing. The brightness of the sun reflecting off so much white makes me squint.
I turn slowly to take everything in. We’re on top of a hill, and the view leads down into a valley with the mountain range as a backdrop. “Wow. This place is incredible.”
“Isn’t it? Come over here.”
Neal leads us farther up the hill and stops to turn back to the view. “Imagine waking up in this spot and looking at this every morning.”
“I am. It would make me very happy.”
Neal tips my chin up with a fleece-covered hand that is soft on my skin. “Stick with me and you could.” He kisses me before I can say what I’m thinking.
I break away. “This is where you plan to build your house, right?”
“Yup. Don’t you love it?”
“I do.” I twirl around slowly. “Oh, Neal, I can’t wait to see what you build here. I just know it’ll be awesome.”
“I hope so. I plan to break ground this spring.” He drops the backpack, and it thuds softly in the deep snow.
“So soon? How exciting.” I recall a conversation we had before dating when he told me he would build on his land when he was ready to settle down.
A zipper grinds as Neal opens the pack and hands me a flannel-lined vinyl tablecloth. “Spread that out for us. I brought our dinner.”
Stomping, I flatten a square section to make it firm before laying out the cloth for us to have our meal.
I’m relieved when Neal doesn’t pull out a salad but sandwiches instead. He says, “I brought your favorite chicken salad on a baguette.”
“Thank you, I was afraid you were going to force vegetables on me again.” The plastic wrapped package is slippery, and I drag a nail along it to find the end.
“You didn’t lift the bread. There’s lettuce and tomato on there.”
“Oh. Do I have to eat it?” I’ve pulled the wrapper off, and I splay the bread.
Neal grins at me. “Only one bite, and if you hate it I’ll let you pick them off.”
“Deal.” Squashing the sandwich flat I sink my teeth into it. The curried mayonnaise makes my mouth happy, and I manage to chew without the vegetables being overpowering.
Neal is watching me, and I have the urge to please him, so I say, “Not bad. I can probably manage a couple more bites before the tomato has to go.”
He winks. “That’s my love. But if you eat it all, I’ll let you have a cookie.”
Love? My heart skips a beat. “I think I can find a way to make you give me that cookie if I don’t.”
“I’m sure you can. But you’re going to thank me when we’re old and have to watch what we eat. Vegetables will be our friends.”
“However will I survive?” I take a big bite, well aware of the tomato in my mouth.
“I’ll just keep making them taste good for you.”
Neal will be cooking for me when I’m old? I’m trying not to read too much into his words, but along with the love comment I’m feeling quite secure in our relationship right now.
We eat in silence for a while, and when I find I’m on my last bite, I realize I never took the vegetables off my sandwich. I take a sip of my water to clear my mouth. “I ate them all. Now where’s my cookie?”
Neal leans over and kisses me quickly. “You’re such a star I’ll even let you have hot chocolate to go with your cookie.”
“Hot chocolate? Like the amazing melted candy bar kind you made me the other day?” I reach for the backpack to look inside, but he pulls it out of my reach.
Neal snorts. “Candy bar? No, no, no. Belgian chocolate is not a candy bar.”
“Oh, then is it the amazing finest European melted chocolate with local organic heavy cream kind?”
“Why, yes, it is.” His smirk makes me smack his arm.
“I’d say you’re too good to me, but you make me work for it.”
Neal hands me two plastic mugs, and they’re smooth in my hand while I wait for him to open an insulated container. He pours thick brown liquid into them, and steam rises into the air.
I hand him a mug and take a large sip, letting the sugary goodness bring me joy. There’s a hint of mint flavor. “Oh, is this yummy, and so festive with Christmas coming. You are too good to me.”
“Never. You deserve
it all, Ruby. And if I’m lucky, you’ll let me give it to you forever.”
I’m not imagining things. “Forever?” A warm sensation that isn’t from my hot drink floods my veins. “I’d like that.”
Neal’s warm hand cups my chin. “Good, because I’m in love with you.”
I’m afraid water is welling up in my eyes, and my voice cracks when I reply. “I’m in love with you, too.” Fortunately, the tears get lost when our kiss takes over.
Chapter 35
Scissors snip as I cut the last thread. Snapping out the heavy silk pants, I inspect my work. For Christmas I really wanted to sew something for Neal, and I decided on a dress shirt in the last of the vintage purple silk and a charcoal black pair of slacks. I couldn’t measure him without giving away the surprise, so I managed to sneak some of his clothes home instead.
My phone buzzes, and I’m thankful I finished just in time. Neal texted he’s on his way, and I have twenty minutes to wrap his gift and get my things together for our overnight trip. We’re spending Christmas Eve with my mother in Vail.
I’m excited to spend the holiday with my two favorite people. Even though they haven’t met yet, I know my mother will like Neal. I think Neal will enjoy my mother too, since people say we have the same humor.
Tape screeches out of the dispenser as I cut off a piece. My mother is making my favorite foods. Roast tenderloin, mashed potatoes, winter squash, and peas are probably going to bore my boyfriend, but Mom promised to add an interesting vegetable to the mix.
I have no doubt the wine and dessert Neal is bringing will round out the meal nicely. I plan to enjoy every bit of our dinner at a relaxed pace and bask in the love. Sliding the green Christmas print packages into a big canvas bag, I discover I’m humming “Jingle Bells.”
I let myself break out into song as I carry everything to the door. I imagine the look on my mom’s face when she opens her gift. I made her a dress out of magenta raw silk with velvet piping and a sheer antique lace jacket. I’m so excited about it I can’t wait for her to put it on and wish we were opening gifts tonight instead of tomorrow morning.
Stepping into the bathroom to make sure I packed my toothbrush, I don’t hear the door open and come back out to a grinning Neal. I stop singing and snort. “Figures you’d hear me. But I’m in such a good mood, I don’t care.”
“I love that you’re singing Christmas songs. This is going to be fun.” He picks up the bag of gifts. “Which one is mine?”
“You’ll find out tomorrow.” My door slams shut, and the icy metal knob stings my hand when I yank to make sure it locked. “I’m so glad you think tonight will be fun.”
“Why wouldn’t I? I’ve got great wine, food, and company on Christmas Eve. Last year all I got was phone calls.”
“Oh, Neal, that’s so sad. I’m sorry.” He must have left the keys in the ignition because the car dings when he opens the door for me.
“Don’t be. It’s been my life for years now. That’s the nature of restaurant and retail businesses.”
My seatbelt clicks into place. “Well, I’m glad we both found a way to sneak off for part of the holiday this year.” I scheduled Ruby Raines to close at five tonight, and I’ll open at noon tomorrow.
“The people that work for me are in shock.” Neal places a hand on my thigh, and I thread my fingers through his. “They think you’re good for me.”
“You’re pretty good for me, too.” I think about Trevor. Casey told me he’s dating another instructor and still partying almost every night. I have to wonder if Neal hadn’t been tempting me if I would’ve continued to try to make things with Trevor work. If I had, I suspect I wouldn’t be as giddy as I am right now.
“Can we play Christmas music? I think we need to sing our way to Vail.”
Neal chuckles and clicks on the radio. We both join in on a version of “Let It Snow.”
***
When we arrive at my mother’s house, it’s been snowing for a while. I get out of the car and lift my face to the sky to feel, the tiny bits of frozen moisture melt on my warm skin. “I love snow on Christmas. Don’t you?”
Neal kisses the tip of my nose. “I love you, and the way simple things like this make you happy.”
I kiss him back in a way I know makes him want more. “I love you, too.”
When I pull away, my mother is standing behind the glass storm door and smiling. I race to her as she steps out. “It’s about time you stopped making out and greeted me.”
I hug her tight and inhale her familiar scent. “Mom, it’s so great to see you.” I step back and touch Neal’s arm. “This is Neal. Neal, this is my mother.”
He steps forward and extends a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Raines.” I grin at his polite way but know my mother will have a fit being called Mrs.
“Oh, no, you don’t. I’ve never been a Mrs., and I’m not about to start. Call me Rachael.”
She ushers us in, and the sound of a fire crackling captures my attention as the odor of roasting beef surrounds us. “It smells so good in here. I can’t wait to eat.”
My mother’s house is a two-story building with the bedrooms on the second floor. The kitchen is off to the right, and Neal heads that way to put a bag on the counter. When he comes out my mom leads us upstairs. “You’ll be staying here.”
We enter a small bedroom with pale pink walls and Laura Ashley bedding on a queen-sized bed. It’s smaller than we’re used to, but I’m sure we’ll manage just fine. Especially since I plan on doing nothing more than sleeping under my mother’s roof.
We set our bags down and follow my mom back to the main floor. She says, “Neal, why don’t you open the wine? Everything you need is on the counter.”
He goes to the kitchen, and my mother whispers to me, “So cute. And quite charming.”
“You’re going to love him, I just know it. Thanks for having us.” We move toward the navy brushed-suede couch and I sit.
Mom sets herself next to me with a leg tucked under her, and I think I might take my boots off too. She says, “Baby girl, thanks for coming. I was afraid you might not with your business and new man.”
“I can’t imagine not being with you on Christmas, Mom. It wouldn’t be the same.” I tug a boot off and let it thud to the floor before working on the second one.
“Thanks for that, but one day you’ll have your own family, and it may not work out. I’ll just do my best to enjoy you until then.” She reaches up for the glass Neal holds out to her. “Thank you.”
I’m tempted to tell her I plan on my children’s grandmother being present every Christmas but decide to keep that thought to myself as Neal hands me my wine and picks up my boots. He says, “This is a Zinfandel that should be wonderful with tenderloin.”
When he walks away, my mother glances at my feet and nods toward him to indicate she noticed he took my boots to the front door where she keeps hers. I grin and say, “He’s always doing little things like that. It’s pretty awesome.”
She takes a sip of her wine as Neal returns to sit in the chair by us. “Oh, yum, this is good, Neal.”
I’ve tasted it too and recognize the flavor. “Is this the Earthquake?”
Neal nods. “It is, and I have two more bottles in case you ladies decide to get crazy.”
“Careful, I’ll start twirling.”
His eyes dance at my words, and my mother giggles. She proceeds to launch into stories of me as a little girl. We spend the next half hour learning about little Ruby, much to my embarrassment and Neal’s delight.
Mom says, “All right, enough with the stories, I need to work on dinner.” She gets up, and I go join her in the kitchen.
“Tell me what to do.”
She puts me to work, and Neal stands in the doorway watching, because my mom won’t let him help. When dinner is ready, I hand him two bowls to carry to the dining room. Mom says, “Matches are on the table. Could you light the candles please, Neal?”
“I sure will.”
We all drink, and Neal says, “Thank you, Rachael, for inviting me. I feel quite blessed myself.” He tips his glass toward us, and we do the same back.
I swallow another mouthful and say, “At the risk of getting everyone drunk, I’m going to toast too. To an evening with the two people I love most.” This time I take a sip and savor it while I make a silent wish that this is the first of many Christmas Eves with my mother and Neal.
Silverware clinks on dishes as we serve ourselves. My knife slices easily through the beef, and the moment it hits my tongue, I close my eyes in appreciation. “Oh, my, this is delicious, Mom.”
Neal says, “It really is. You cooked it to perfection.”
Mom grins. “You two are easy to please.” But I know our compliments mean something to her.
She says, “Neal, tell me about your family and how you ended up here.”
My mother peppers him with questions, and I learn more about the man I love. It makes me think I should have brought him here sooner, and I don’t bother to rescue him. Not that I need to, because he seems to be enjoying the give and take of sharing and learning more about me.
After dinner we sit with dessert and coffee by the fire and continue to tell stories. I recall Christmas Eves in my past where my mom and I would retell tales and laugh as we’re doing now. A piece of me believes it’s possible that Neal could be part of my family one day and that next year we could be closer to it.
Later that night, I cuddle into Neal under the covers of my mother’s guest room bed and say, “You fit right in with my mom. She likes you.”
Exposed: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 5) Page 17