by Faye Sonja
Bridgette followed. “Where are we going?”
“To the dining hall. I’m hungry and can’t think on an empty stomach.”
Bridgette caught up and smiled. “You don’t have to do anything for me. You and your friends have done enough.”
June shook her head. “Don’t worry about it.”
The hallway downstairs had cleared out. Singing came from the sitting room again, but this time, they were singing in harmony. June looked in and smiled. Austin was at the piano again. A group of people were singing a Christmas carol around the flames from the fireplace. June turned, walked through the dining room, and entered the kitchen. Mary and Clarence were there. They both turned and smiled.
Clarence had a spoon in his hand. “June, you must try this.”
June smiled, walked over to stand by the stove and let Clarence feed her the spoon. Her eyes fluttered closed as the taste of chocolate, hazelnut, and cinnamon danced in her mouth. “That’s so good.” She opened her eyes and smiled. She picked up a spoon from the counter, dipped it into the pot, and offered it to Bridgette. “Here, try this.”
Bridgette laughed, but took the spoon just as June had done with Clarence. “Oh wow. That’s amazing. What are you going to do with that?” She asked Clarence.
Clarence smiled. “When I found out that the train would not be leaving, I had the conductor bring all of my cooking ingredients into the inn. I’m going to make something festive for Christmas.”
“You think we’ll be here that long?” June asked.
He turned his pretty light brown eyes to June. “Better to be prepared than not. For now, I’m experimenting with different ingredients. Be prepared to indulge your sweet tooth.”
June smiled. “Oh, dear. We’ll all be plump before this trip is over.”
Clarence frowned. “There’s nothing wrong with a plump woman.”
Bridgette laughed. “I would have loved for my sister to have heard that. Though, she’ll never believe you.”
June fluttered her eyes at Bridgette. “Oh, I’m sure she’ll believe it if the right man said it.”
Bridgette shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
June tilted her head. “Is Clarence not good looking enough to convince her that the statement is true?”
Bridgette laughed. “No one gets through to Glorious.”
Clarence lifted a dark brow. “Is that so? Well, when your sister is well, you must introduce her to me.”
Bridgette shrugged. “I most certainly will.”
The back door swung open. Peter came in with wood logs under his arms. He had to duck in order to fit into the room. His eyes swept the room and stopped at Bridgette. He looked away. “Something smells good.”
Mary beamed. “Mr. Cardosi is making dessert for tomorrow.”
Peter shook his head and looked at Clarence. “You saw a kitchen and just couldn’t resist, could you?”
Clarence shrugged, but there was a smile on his face.
Peter sighed. “Well, it finally stopped snowing, but it’s probably going to start again.”
Bridgette asked, “How do you know that?” She crossed her arms.
He shrugged. “I’ve lived here in Colorado long enough. I know.”
Bridgette frowned. “So, you just know?”
Peter nodded. “That’s what I said.”
Bridgette sighed. “I hope you’re wrong.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time.”
Bridgette and Peter stared at one another.
June smiled and wondered if that was the giant’s way of apologizing for earlier.
Mary asked. “What’s wrong?”
“My dog is in the barn.”
Peter shook his head. “Don’t count on him seeing spring. It’ll make losing him easier.”
Everyone gasped. Bridgette’s hands flew to her chest. Water built in her eyes.
Peter frowned. “That wasn’t helpful. Was it?” He ducked his head. He really did lack social skills.
June narrowed her eyes and turned to Mary. “Mrs. Norman—”
“Call me Mary.”
June smiled. “Mary, would it be too much trouble to borrow your car?”
Bridgette gasped. “June, this could not be your plan.”
June shrugged. “Well, we can’t let your dog die.”
Bridgette shook her head. “You said you’d eat first. Eat and then brainstorm.”
June sighed. “But Mr. Cain just said—”
“Peter,” Peter said.
June nodded. “Peter just said that it stopped snowing. This is our chance.”
Bridgette frowned. “I don’t think your friend would allow you to do such a thing.”
Mary said, “And neither will I.”
June crossed her hands. “Well, perhaps if you had a truck and a man who knew snow and was willing to take Bridgette to town—”
Peter said, “If you’ve got the right truck, I’ll take her.”
Mary turned to him. “Really?”
Peter put the lumber down. “Let me see the truck. If it’s the right truck, then yes.”
Bridgette’s blue eyes went wide. “Really?”
Peter nodded. “It’s only half a mile.”
Bridgette smiled. She went over and placed a hand on Peter’s arm. “Thank you.”
Peter’s jaw swept to the right. A grin was hidden under his beard. “It’s the least I could do after making you sad.”
Bridgette blushed.
Mary clapped her hands together. “Splendid. I’ll take you to see the truck.” Mary and Bridgette went back through the house for their coats. Peter went outside to get more logs. Clarence and June were alone in the kitchen. June turned to look at him and realized how intimate the setting was. The lanterns were scattered through the kitchen, giving off soft light.
Clarence said. “If only they had a truck and a man who knew the snow and was willing to take her to town?” He asked, saying June’s words back to her.
June’s eyes went wide. “What?”
“I saw what you did there.”
June swallowed. “I’ve no idea what you mean.”
“You’re playing matchmaker.”
June waved Clarence off. “Am not.”
Clarence laughed. “Oh, June, you’re too funny.”
June laughed.
The party came back into the kitchen and then left again.
Clarence frowned. “You set me up too.”
June blinked her eyes. “I’ve no idea what you mean.”
Clarence narrowed his eyes. “Am I not good looking enough to convince Glorious of her beauty?”
June looked away. “All I did was stand here and engage in conversation.”
Clarence laughed. “And I skipped breakfast for fear of being in the room with Cupid. Men become convinced to marry when he’s in town. But June, you are much worse.”
June gasped. “Whatever do you mean?”
Clarence narrowed his eyes. “Now, I have a standing date with this Glorious woman, and I’ve never even met her.”
June sighed and leaned over the island in the middle of the kitchen. “Neither have I.”
Clarence shook his head. “You’re devious.” He turned to the stove. “You and Cupid make a good couple.”
“We’re not a couple.”
“If you say so.”
She looked down at her hands. “I do.”
Clarence shrugged. He turned to June and slid a bowl of ice cream over to her. He drizzled the chocolate concoction on top. “Here,” he handed her the spoon. “Chocolate makes everything better.”
“Who said I need to feel better?”
Clarence said, “Your sad eyes.”
June sighed, took the spoon, and ate the cold and warm treat. “This is so good. We had enough food for you to be making ice cream?”
“Ice cream? It barely takes anything to make the treat. Milk, ice, salt, spice, and extract. Since the Norman’s have a cow, we could have ice cream every day.”
“Yes, well—”
The kitchen door swung open.
June sat up from her leaned position. “Orlando.” She took a steadying breath.
Orlando’s eyes swept the room. They moved from the many lanterns to Clarence and June, standing in the room alone. He walked over to June. “What’s happening in here?”
June shrugged. “Just talking over ice cream.”
Clarence smiled. “Yes, one of the world’s most tempting treats.”
June narrowed her eyes at Clarence, but turned back to Orlando. “Mary went out to her truck. She’ll be back.”
Orlando nodded, but his eyes were staring at Clarence. “Perhaps ice cream is not something one should be having before dinner. You might spoil your dinner. It’s best to do things in order.”
Clarence gave a low chuckle. “But order is so... boring. This way is much more satisfying.”
Orlando frowned. He placed a hand on June’s arm.
June frowned. “Orlando, what are you doing?”
Orland was still looking at Clarence. “I think we should leave Clarence to his… desserts.”
June sighed. “Orlando—”
Clarence said. “But June and I were having so much fun here.” He turned to June. “Weren’t we?”
June’s eyes went wide. “Clarence!”
Orlando swung June to face him. He looked at Clarence. “Did you touch her?”
June’s mouth dropped. “What?”
Clarence stopped smiling. “And if I did?”
Orlando took a step towards him, but June was in his way.
June pushed against Orlando’s chest. “Orlando, calm down.”
Clarence smirked. “Yes, Orlando, you should calm down. After all, she’s not your wife.”
Orlando swallowed. “But she’s my responsibility. If you touched her—”
“Then I’ll marry her,” Clarence said.
June gasped. She turned to Clarence while keeping a hand on Orlando. “What are you doing?”
Orlando went very still under June’s hand.
Clarence was looking at Orlando. “It’s the only reason Cupid would be travelling with a judge’s daughter, correct? You’re trying to marry her off, are you not?”
Orlando frowned. “Yes.”
“Well, I have money and stature. I’m sure Judge Boone would approve. You can give us some space to get to know one another,” Clarence said with no emotion.
June shook her head at Clarence. She had no idea what he was doing. She turned to Orlando, grabbing his arm. He looked down at her. June said, “He didn’t touch me, Orlando. We were just talking.”
Orlando turned June away from Clarence. He backed her a few feet away and leaned over to whisper to her. “Are you sure you want to speak with him?”
June leaned back and looked into his eyes. They looked browner in the dark. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”
Orlando stared at her. He frowned. “Yes.”
June narrowed her eyes. “Orlando, do you want me to talk to this man or not?”
Orlando sighed. “Maybe, you’re right. Maybe it’s too soon. He’s the first guy you’ve shown interest in since we met.”
“That’s not true.”
Orlando’s eyes widened. “Was there someone else?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
June just stared at him. “You figure it out.” She started to go past Orlando, but he grabbed her arm.
He leaned over her ear again. The warmth of his breath spread down her neck. “What does that mean?”
June closed her eyes. “Nothing.”
“No, tell me.”
“Let me go.”
Orlando’s hold tightened on her. “Tell me who you were attracted to before him?”
June narrowed her eyes at him. “You. I’m attracted to you. Alright?”
Orlando frowned. “But we don’t even know each other?”
June smiled. “Yes, well, my mind knows that, but my heart doesn’t seem to care.”
He dropped her arm. “I can’t have you, June.”
“I know.”
Orlando’s eyes stayed steady. “You do?”
June nodded. “Yes, and I completely understand. I’m not what you want.”
“That’s so far from the truth.”
“Then what is the truth?”
Orlando looked away. “You deserve a white house with a picket fence, June.”
She smiled. “It seems that’s what you and my father wish for me, but I still have yet to say what it is that I want.”
Orlando sighed. “What is it that you want?”
“Right now? To finish my ice cream.” June walked away from him then. When she got back to the counter, she didn’t say anything to Clarence. Orlando had let her walk away, but he didn’t leave the kitchen. He took a seat across the room and just stared at them.
June moved her ice cream around. It was more like vanilla soup now.
Clarence said in a low voice, “I see he didn’t get down on bended knee and ask for your hand.”
June shook her head. She looked up at him. “Why’d you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Tease him, as if you were actually interested in me.”
“Who said I’m not interested in you?”
June put her spoon down and looked at him. “Are you interested in me?”
Clarence smiled. “Would it do me any good to say ‘yes’?”
June sighed. “Maybe.”
Clarence laughed. “No, it wouldn’t. You’re in love with Mr. Bakely.”
June frowned. “Keep your voice down.”
“You’re in love with Mr. Bakely,” he whispered.
“So?”
“And he’s in love with you.”
June shook her head. “I can’t speak for him.”
“I can.” Clarence peaked over at Orlando.
June glanced over as well.
Orlando had his head propped up on a closed fist. His elbow rested on the arm of the chair. His legs were stretched far out in front of him. All he needed was a crown to complete the looked of a pouting prince.
June started for the kitchen door. “Thanks for the chat, but I’m no longer hungry.”
“Good evening, June.”
“Good evening.”
June was at the door when Orlando stood. He walked behind her like a shadow all the way back to her room. “Good night, Orlando.” She opened her door.
“June.”
She turned around.
Orlando grabbed her, dragged her across the hall, and kissed her. June placed her hands on his shoulders as she brought herself closer to him.
June sighed when he broke the kiss. “What was that?”
“Mistletoe.”
She smiled and then frowned. She opened her eyes and looked at him. “Why’d you kiss me?”
Orlando frowned. “Because, I wanted to, even if it would only be this once.”
June narrowed her eyes. “You’re no better than your brother.”
He drew his brows together. “How so?”
“You lead me on only to leave me stranded.”
“But, I’ve made you no promises. In fact, I told you that we could never be together.”
June shook her head. “Then I’ll never marry.”
Orlando frowned. “What?”
June shrugged. “I’ll just continue to travel the U.S. with you, all the while we’ll simply never marry.”
Orlando shook his head. “That’s insane. People will eventually suspect. The judge—”
“Wants us to marry.”
“What?”
June rolled her eyes. “My father wants you to marry me, Orlando.”
Orlando frowned. “You don’t know that for sure.”
June laughed. “He told me so.”
Orlando scoffed. “What?”
June shook her hands in front her face, as if waving the con
versation away. “Why did I say that?” She said to herself. “Good night,” she told Orlando and turned to leave.
Orlando spun her back around. He was angry. “Did your father truly say that he wanted us to marry?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
June shrugged. “Why does it matter? The answer would have been no, yet still you would have taken me, because of the money. But don’t worry, Orlando. I’ll get over you, I’ll marry, and your life will return to the way it once was.” She looked down at her arm. “Can I go to bed now?”
Mary’s voice called for dinner. People could be heard through the house making their way to the dining room. Austin came out of his room. He looked at them and then ducked around them, not saying a word.
Orlando let go of June’s arm.
June said, “Thank you.” She turned for her door again.
“You can’t just keep travelling the U.S. at my side. It doesn’t make any sense.”
June let out a loud breath. She turned back to him. Her chest ached. “You’re right.” She shook her head. “I didn’t even mean it when I said it. You just… drive me crazy.”
He frowned. “You do the same for me.”
June shook her head. “But you’re right. You’ve played this game longer than I have, Orlando, and I’m not up to it.”
“What do you mean?”
June looked up at him. “Don’t worry about me anymore, Orlando. I’ll be fine.”
“How?”
“I’m going back home.”
The hallway was quiet. June leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor. Orlando came and sat by her. June wrapped her arms around her legs. Orlando placed his arms on top of his bent knees. They sighed together.
Orlando said, “You’re too… everything to be single.”
June drew her brows together. “What?”
Orlando smiled. “You’re beautiful, smart, funny.” He looked at her. “I don’t know anything about your sisters, but I can’t see how any man turns you down.”
June laughed. “Except for the one sitting by me, you mean?”
Orlando looked at his hands. “The difference is, that I know I will never meet another woman like you, June.” He shook his head. “Ever.”
June frowned. “I hate you.”
Orlando sighed and turned back towards the other wall. “Yes, I hate me too.”
June laughed, despite the pain. “No one turned anyone down.” She dropped her knees and placed her hands on her lap.
