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They were all turned in her direction.
I had to get out of here.
Without waiting, I guided my horse back out into the snowy morning. Which didn’t help either because even the snow made me think of Grace.
I couldn’t escape her. The strange thing was, I wasn’t sure I wanted to.
All the more reason to get back to my cottage. What would Junie think if I suddenly started interacting now? What good would it do anyway when Grace was leaving? She was the only one I wanted to see right now.
The sights around me were newer somehow, as though I was seeing snow for the first time—which was ridiculous. I’d seen this white stuff every year of my life.
But I couldn’t help hearing Grace’s admiration for it with every glance. She was right—the trees, the sequestered inn, the spread of white blanketing the ground. It really was beautiful.
“Boone!”
I went rigid in the saddle. Apparently, I’d paused too long because Junie ran out as I passed the front of the inn.
“I knew you wouldn’t let me down!” Her hands splayed in the air as though she’d just finished one of those cheerleader spread-eagle moves.
I pressed my eyes closed. Why? Why did I stop here, right where she could see me?
Two more minutes. If only I’d left two minutes earlier, I could have avoided this.
“I’m not here to help.”
Hugging her arms around her chest, she tiptoed across the cleared porch to the top step.
She was outside without her coat. Air puffed out of her mouth with every breath. “Come on. Please? I need you.”
“No, you don’t. I was just in the barn. The replacement driver made it here before the pass closed. You’re all set.”
“Then come with us. You haven’t come since you first started working here.”
Her plea struck that same part of me that thoughts of Grace had been doing all morning long. But it wasn’t enough to make me change my mind.
I’d sworn off everything Christmas, and thus far, I’d stuck to it like Gorilla Glue.
Being around guests? Hearing them sing Christmas carols while Junie retold the story of Santa’s visit to Harper’s Inn? I couldn’t.
Junie had to know how high on the list mycouldn’twas.
“I can’t be here, Junie. I’m sorry. You know I can’t.”
Just delivering Grace back had unraveled me. A small voice inside, the same one that had been hounding me all morning, gave a hard jab into my ribs with its elbow.
But what if you could?
I elbowed it right back.
Junie released a heavy breath, emitting more smoky air from her mouth. Her features sagged along with her shoulders.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I never should have asked.”
The disappointment in her tone was nothing new. I’d heard it dozens of times before. Now, though, it struck me like an arrow making it through the chinks in a knight’s armor.
Could I make an exception this year?
Grace had given me a new perspective. In fact, a handful of times since last night, I’d flirted with the idea of moving on. Of finding happiness with someone again.
