“No, Grandma, Adam and Destiny are getting married right on Valentine’s Day in a couple of weeks. At the Moon Ranch.”
“That’s right. Oh, my, so many weddings you’d think it was June instead of January.” The older woman gave a wink and all Caitlin could think of was her own permanently canceled wedding. Her smile felt plastered on as she tried not to let her emotions show.
“Here’s my aunt,” Ivy said, gesturing at a woman coming toward the refreshment tables with a plate of cookies. “Tillie Cooper, meet Caitlin Webster. She’s at the B&B with Rayna.”
“Pleased to meet you. I hope you’re enjoying our wintry little town.”
Caitlin nodded. “Very much, thank you. Does everybody really know everybody else? It seems so odd to me, but very nice, too.”
“It is odd—and very nice,” Tillie agreed. “You should try a run down the hill before it gets dark though.”
“Will it burn off a few calories?” Caitlin asked with a laugh. “I confess that I’ve never lived in snow, or gone sledding—but I’ve eaten too many cookies.”
“You’ll scream your head off, especially if you get a slick, balanced sled,” Ivy said. “One of the kids will let you borrow theirs, I’m sure.”
“No need to borrow a sled,” a deep male voice said behind Caitlin. “I have one right here that needs a rider.”
11
“Quentin, how lovely to see you,” Grandma Ilene said, parting the sea of women to make room for him and giving him a peck on the cheek. “Please take Caitlin with you and show her the ropes.”
Quentin’s eyes rose to Caitlin’s. His hesitation lasted a fraction of a second, but only Caitlin noticed. The other ladies were busy handing out scones and cookies and more cocoa to a fresh group of hungry teens. The air grew louder with voices and shouts as more townsfolk arrived.
“Mr. Hudson,” Caitlin said quietly.
“I’ll bet you two are getting to know each other quite well with the nursery addition going on every day,” Cora, the pastor’s wife said.
“That’s true,” Quentin said, not missing a beat. He held out his arm for Caitlin to take. “I’ll show you how to steer.”
Caitlin bit at her cold lips, self-conscious. “I can walk on my own.”
“You’d better hang on to him while you have the chance,” Tillie interjected. “Those boots look slippery and a bit bulky for trudging through the deep snow on the hill.”
Grandma Ilene added, “You’ll find yourself up to your waist if you don’t watch your step.”
Caitlin’s face burned. “I suppose I’m not very savvy when it comes to snow boot shopping.”
“Next time, take me,” Quentin offered. “I’ll help you.”
It would have been rude to protest in front of the other women so Caitlin took his arm and they walked toward the hill without speaking. She could feel the warmth of his body radiating against her.
“Oh, look, George and Kellen are hitching up two sleighs for rides.”
Caitlin watched two chestnut horses being led to the top of the hill. “Beautiful horses,” she murmured. “I did get to go riding a few times while growing up. At my uncle’s property in the East Bay Area where he had a few acres.”
Quentin sent her a sly grin. “So you’re not a complete small town newbie.”
“Not totally,” Caitlin said drily, looking up at him through messy bangs while she pulled her knit cap down lower over her freezing ears.
They trudged up to the top of the hill, Quentin dragging his sled. He whistled to Kellen. “Save us a ride.”
Kellen nodded, waving a big gloved hand.
“Us?” Caitlin echoed.
“Why not us?” he gazed at her straight on, almost daring her to say something negative.
“I’m not worried,” she said flippantly.
“I never said you were. Now sit down on the sled. Here’s a rope to steer, but be warned, it doesn’t do much. If you need to, just drag your feet and you’ll stop.”
Caitlin clambered onto the sled, nerves shooting up her throat. What if she tumbled off into a snow drift and looked like a total fool?
“Everyone else falls and goes head first into the snow,” Quentin said, as if reading her mind once more. “Don’t worry about what you look like. The point is to scream and have fun.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
His expression was amused. “The look on your face.”
Before Caitlin could say another word, Quentin shoved the sled off the crest of the hill. The next instant, she was flying. Literally. Bumping over small rocks, feeling air underneath her, and then bumping down to the snow again.
At one point she started to sink in powder and leaned forward to keep her momentum.
People all around her were screaming with thrills as they flew by. Then Caitlin realized she was the one screaming—with excitement and a touch of primal fear. Of being out of control. Sledding was more thrilling than she thought, even though her heart was in her throat.
When she reached the bottom of the hill, Quentin waved down at her. He cupped his hands around his mouth. “Bring it on up.”
Puffing her way up the steep incline, Caitlin dragged the heavy sled back. “Now my turn. Behind you. You ready?”
She widened her eyes. “What will happen with both of us on it?”
He gave her a mischievous look. “We might go even faster.”
“Alright, I’m game. You’re not going to get the chance to call me a scaredy-cat when we get back home.”
“Deal.”
The second time was even more frightening. With the weight of both of them and the sleek design of Quentin’s sled, wind whistled in Caitlin’s ears. She couldn’t feel her nose any longer. She was in front, his arms wrapped around hers, his legs on either side of hers, but that just made it even more terrifying. Because she couldn’t stick her feet into the snow and stop them from careening out of control.
Near the end, another sled veered into them. Quentin tried to adjust their trajectory, but the sleds sideswiped and Caitlin found herself face down in the snow before she could catch her next breath.
She let out a small shriek, but tried to keep her cool. Her face was frozen. “I can’t feel anything. Do I still have a nose?”
“It’s a weird sensation, huh?” He bent down, brushing snow off her cheeks and then her nose, his eyes riveted to hers.
Caitlin tried to swallow while Quentin next brushed the snow off her coat and legs and arms and shoulders. She tried not to act awkward, but it was difficult when he was so close, so personal, despite all the layers of clothing between them.
“You’re a champ, Just Caitlin.”
She growled in her throat, but he was pressing a fresh cup of hot chocolate in her hands to warm up. The steam was heavenly on her freezing face.
Quentin held up a brown paper sack.
“Booze?” Caitlin questioned, lifting an eyebrow, trying to give him a hard time, but not quite succeeding at teasing.
“I don’t drink,” he said matter-of-factly. “But this bag holds the golden ticket to a sleigh ride. Hot scones while we sit back and relax in our own personal sleigh ride. Come on, we’re up next.”
Dusk was settling and some of the dads were lighting bonfires to stand around while folks chatted and ate. Below the hill, through patches of dark, shadowy trees, Caitlin could see the town of Snow Valley in the distance. Its lights were glittering and welcoming.
Quentin helped her into the narrow sleigh and then climbed in next to her, his body pressed tight against hers. Lightly, he slapped the reins and they were off before she could speak again.
The horses’ bells jangled. It felt like Christmas. A white Christmas she’d never had in her life.
To make the ride a bit more comfortable, Quentin put his arm around Caitlin, pulling her closer than he actually needed to. There were still at least two inches on her right side, but she didn’t point that out. His closeness was intimate and warm. But having him clos
e took away the shivers and the melted snow that had slipped underneath her scarf.
He handed her a warm scone and she ate the buttery goodness, suddenly starving. They didn’t talk much, just enjoyed the night as it fell over the valley.
“Look at that,” he pointed on their return trip back to the Thomas house.
A silver of moon rose on the horizon, just above the dark trees. “It’s breath-taking,” Caitlin said.
“This is a great view, I love it up here. I love the Thomas’ new house, too.”
Caitlin turned her head to face him. He was suddenly very close, watching her. “You built their house, didn’t you?”
“Part of it. Mostly the cabinetry throughout plus the fireplace and all the wood trim.”
“After admiring the Starry Skies, I can tell you are very talented with a saw and router.”
“Among other things.”
Caitlin let out a tiny gasp at his good opinion of himself. “And what is that supposed to imply?”
He shook his head, shushing her, and then, before she could speak again, Quentin’s head bent down and he was brushing his lips against hers. Caitlin’s mind spun. This wasn’t happening. She was kissing someone besides Stefan. For the first time in years.
Quentin’s warm lips were soft and tender, his body heat radiating on her face. Her heart went into overdrive, pounding so hard it frightened her. How could this be happening to her? Not now, not here. Not so soon after Stefan. She almost felt like she was being disloyal. It was the strangest feeling. And yet, Stefan had betrayed her in the worst possible way.
Caitlin pulled away, her eyes stinging with emotion.
“Am I coming on too strong, Just Caitlin?”
She nodded, shook her head, and then shrugged her shoulders. “I—I can’t explain.”
Her eyes were full of tears but she held them back. She certainly was not going to cry in front of this man.
When she tried to turn her head away, Quentin took her chin and brought her eyes back to his. He reached out a finger, his glove suddenly off, and wiped at the tear hovering on her eyelashes. “There. Now you’re all better.”
“Am I?” she whispered.
“If you hate me, I’ll back off, Caitlin,” Quentin said softly. “But I think I understand your reluctance.”
“How would you know anything about me?”
“I’m more than just a construction guy. I’m a pretty good sleuth.”
“Has Rayna been gossiping?” Irritation rose up her throat.
“No, Rayna doesn’t gossip. But I can read between the lines.”
“You’re very intuitive.”
“I know when a girl’s been hurt. And I suspect it was very recently.”
“How could you possibly know that?”
He shrugged, not willing to give up his secret. “I watch a lot of soap operas?”
Caitlin laughed. “Right. Tell me another fib. Soap operas are strictly a daytime addiction, Mister Construction Worker Artist.”
He smiled and Caitlin liked how handsome those genuine, happy smiles made him.
“Right now, let’s enjoy the ride back, Just Caitlin, and I’ll make sure you get home safely.”
Within a few minutes, they pulled up to the front of the Thomas home and Quentin pulled on the reins to stop the horse. He took Caitlin’s hand and helped her out. She dropped his hand and stuck her fists inside the deep pockets of her coat.
“I’m afraid you’ve got fresh mud on your coat,” he pointed out.
“Hmm. Funny how that happens every time I’m around you.” Caitlin quirked her mouth. “I have a secret weapon at home though. Mrs. Davies.”
“That woman is her own secret weapon,” Quentin agreed.
Just then, Kellen came up and took the reins, motioning to the next couple and helping them into the sleigh. He’d lit a lantern and it swung off the steering mechanism to provide light.
Before Caitlin and Quentin could walk down the hill, a young woman came running up to Quentin out of the dusk. She threw her arms around his neck. “Where have you been?” she demanded, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “You promised me a sled ride.”
“Serena!” he cried, picking her up in his arms to whirl her around. “I can’t believe you’re here!”
“I wanted to surprise you. So did I, did I?”
The young woman didn’t let him answer. Before Quentin could say a word or introduce Caitlin, the girl he’d called Serena had smothered his face in snow, knocking him down to the ground. She pinned his legs and then he did a quick move and Quentin had her pinned, proceeding to cover the young woman with a hand full of snow in retaliation.
Caitlin stood staring at the two of them, feeling like she’d just fallen into an abyss.
“I—” she stammered.
“I’ll be back,” Quentin said over his shoulder as the woman, who couldn’t have been much more than nineteen, dragged him away, completely ignoring Caitlin. It was getting pretty dark, but still.
“Stay there, Caitlin,” Quentin called out, already twenty feet away. Before Caitlin could move, the two of them boarded his sled and were off down the hill.
Gulping down her shock, she turned her back on them and marched down the hill to her car. Stay and watch him play with another woman? He was crazy if he thought she’d hang around to play second fiddle.
With the sudden descent of darkness, the crowd was breaking up. Families herding their offspring into cars. Waves and goodbye’s filled the air.
“Nice to meet you, Caitlin,” came a chorus of women’s voices in the parking lot, cars askew at all angles. Flashlights snapped on, but she couldn’t recognize anyone very well.
“Thank you,” she called back in a wooden voice.
Feeling like a robot, she stuck her frozen key into the ignition. After revving the engine, Caitlin peeled out of the long driveway back to Main Street, spitting snow and mud.
12
A cold sweat came over her. Caitlin was barely aware of her surroundings as she drove back to Starry Skies.
What had just happened?
Her legs were heavy when she walked up the porch. One small lamp was lit in the parlor. The sound of their guest family was on the landing. Caitlin could hear the parents telling their son and daughter to get ready for bed. Then a door closed and their voices disappeared.
The group of friends who had checked in that afternoon were still out. Probably dining somewhere in town. Maybe they had been at the sledding party, too, but Caitlin hadn’t recognized them in the crowd.
Caitlin was grateful tomorrow was Saturday. She wouldn’t have to see Quentin for two more days. And, even on Monday morning, she planned to not be here. She’d make up an excuse for a few hours.
Pulling off the heavy winter clothing, she dropped them on the floor. A hot shower was next. She stood under the steaming water, her mind as numb as her legs.
Afterward she pulled on her pajamas and a sweatshirt, turned up the heat a bit and climbed under a mountain of blankets.
Who was that woman? The familiarity between her and Quentin was unnerving. An old girlfriend? A girl who wanted to be his girlfriend? That was definitely the body language between them. What was worse was that she was so young.
“Robbing the cradle much, Quentin Hudson?” Caitlin said bitterly to the dark bedroom.
He couldn’t be the man for her. He was a redneck and she was a city girl and never the two should meet. Let alone flirt or kiss. Or do anything like unto it.
She buried her head in the pillows, a moan escaping. Covering her mouth, the memory of Quentin’s lips on her own returned full force. The power of that simple, heartfelt kiss had taken her breath away. Nobody had kissed her like that in a long time. Not even Stefan.
Wade was around all weekend so she and Rayna spent quite a bit of time together, nesting, making plans, and practicing their breathing exercises for labor.
Caitlin knew they were just being kind to spend time with her Saturday night watching a movie from t
he Redbox at Dove’s and making popcorn.
The rest of the weekend, she read a cozy mystery, made brownies, and was tempted to go haunt Dove’s for their Snicker minis. Which she resisted, proud of herself for not giving in.
On Sunday morning, Rayna kept hinting that Caitlin should attend church and meet more people. “I feel guilty that you’re cooped up. I’m sure you’re usually dining with friends, going to the theatre or opera, or . . .” her voice trailed away and Caitlin knew she was going to say something about attending Stefan’s gigs.
“Yes, I was his number one fan, but he decided that wasn’t enough,” Caitlin said flippantly.
Rayna made a pouty face. “I wish I could throttle him. You deserve a great guy. A Snow Valley guy. They’re all pretty much made of awesome. This is God’s country, after all.”
“Well, your man is,” Caitlin said while trying to hide her sulking glower.
“The good guys will be at church, so go!”
Caitlin stuck the milk back in the fridge. What if Quentin was at church? She did not want to see him. He was another Stefan. After all the cozying up he’d done in the sleigh, and the kiss, he ran off with some flit of a girl in skinny jeans and long blond hair. He’d hardly noticed that Caitlin had left. And he hadn’t called or texted.
Of course, she hadn’t given him her cell phone number either. But Quentin hadn’t asked. He was too busy panting after the young thing.
Typical man.
“Go, go, I tell you!” Rayna made a shooing motion.
“You go back to bed. Your kitchen vacation is over,” Caitlin added sternly.
“Not until you agree to attend church. Just the sermon. You don’t have to stay for Sunday School or the refreshments afterward.”
Caitlin finally got the hint. Rayna and Wade wanted the house to themselves. Then she blushed, feeling stupid.
“I’m going, I’m going!” she called, swinging out the kitchen door. “Are you satisfied?”
Rayna laughed as she headed to the staircase. A few seconds later, she heard her cousin let out a whoop when Wade picked her up in his arms and carried her up to their room. Which was a good thing. Rayna really shouldn’t be doing stairs at all.
UnBreak My Heart_A Snow Valley Romance Page 8