by Kris Jett
“Grab a hat and gloves,” he told her.
She gave him a puzzled look. “I’ll be fine without them.”
“No, really. You’ll need it,” he insisted.
She hesitated but then retreated into the apartment and grabbed her hat, scarf, and gloves. “Where exactly are we going?”
He smiled broadly and took her hand. “You’ll see.”
Cade led Jessie down the stairs and when he pushed the door open to the cold night he heard Jessie gasp.
“No way!” she said, covering her mouth with one hand. “But how? I mean, where did it come from? This is incredible!”
Cade squeezed Jessie’s hand and then helped her into the giant horse-drawn sleigh.
“I just,” she continued, “I don’t know how you got this here. I mean, there’s a giant sled on Main Street.” She looked around. “Oh my God, people are staring at us.”
“Nah,” Cade said. “They’re staring at the sleigh.”
It was true, the sleigh was gorgeous. It was a large brown double-seated open sleigh with luxurious green velvet covered seats. Thick warm blankets lay on the seat waiting for them. In the front sat a driver, cloaked in a long dark coat and wearing an old fashioned black top hat. He held the reigns for the two massive brown horses that would pull them on their ride.
Jessie nestled back into the seat and Cade tucked the soft blanket around her and himself. Jessie’s mouth was still slightly parted like she still couldn’t believe what was happening.
“I hope you don’t mind dessert before dinner,” Cade asked, producing a basket from near his feet.
“Who me? Never,” Jessie said. She peered into the basket as Cade lifted the lid.
He pulled out a plastic container of homemade chocolate chip cookies that he hoped tasted as good as they looked. He hadn’t baked much before today but the recipe had seemed easy enough.
Jessie looked at him in wonder. “You made these?”
“Yep,” he said with a nod. He then pulled out a thermos of hot chocolate and two mugs.
She shook her head slowly. “I can’t believe you really did all of this. I thought we would just grab a cheeseburger or go bowling or something. I didn’t expect something like this. It must have cost a fortune.”
It was harder to get the sleigh here than Cade initially thought. He had to give the guy an extra two hundred dollars on top of his regular fee to get him to come here from two towns away. But once he had the idea in mind he knew he had to make it happen.
He poured the hot chocolate and handed her one. “You’re worth every penny,” he said. “And you deserve something special. I wanted to make you happy.” He paused, examining her face. “Are you?”
Jessie nuzzled in close to Cade, their cheeks touching. “So happy,” she sighed.
The driver started the horses and their sleigh ride began. Cade felt like he’d stepped right into a Christmas card as they passed through the snow blanketed town, enjoying the strings of white lights that outlined all of its quaint features. Cade wrapped his arm tight around Jessie and she laid her head on his shoulder. He leaned softly on the top of her head and knew there was nowhere in the world that he’d rather be and no one he’d rather be with. He was falling in love with Jessie.
Around forty-five minutes or so later their ride was drawing to a close.
“Where are we stopping?” Jessie asked looking around.
“Just up ahead. My truck is parked there and so is the driver’s and his trailer.”
Jessie looked around. They were just at the edge of town which was mostly empty fields and no lights.
The driver slowed the sled and horses to a stop and Cade helped Jessie off. The snow was starting to come down much heavier now and he gave Jessie his keys so she could wait inside while he squared things away with the driver.
After he thanked the man again, Cade clutched the picnic basket in his hand and headed to the truck. The cab was warm from the heat blasting and Jessie was in the passenger seat belting out the latest Adele song along with the radio. He smiled and slid in next to her.
“Where to now?” she said, beaming at him.
He patted the snow off his head with his hands and flipped on the windshield wipers. The snow was fresh enough that it came off easily. “Well, I had planned on us having a picnic dinner under the stars since the weatherman had said today was going to be a bit warmer and clear. I’d set up a table and chairs out in the clearing up ahead. I’m guessing that table and chairs is now under three or four inches of snow though.”
Jessie looked at the time on the dashboard clock and turned to Cade, grinning. “I know the perfect place we can have your dinner.”
Roughly twenty minutes later Jessie was unlocking the front door of Starlight and flipping on the lights. “See? It’s closed right now so we’ll have the place to ourselves. Pick anywhere you want to sit and I’ll go make us some drinks,” she said, walking away from him.
Cade slipped off his jacket and hung it on a chair as he looked around. They could sit at any of the tables but they could do that any time. “Hey, Jessie,” he said.
She glanced up from behind the bar. “Yeah?”
“Do you have a blanket we could use?”
She gave him a sly grin. “For what?”
“I was just thinking we could make a picnic in front of the fireplace,” he said.
She smiled. “Great idea. Let me grab one from the office.” She hurried in back and returned a moment later with a thick red and black flannel blanket in her arms. “Here you go. Go ahead and set up and I’ll be right back with our drinks.”
Cade flipped a switch that started the fireplace and then spread out the blanket and placed a candle he had brought with him in the center and lit it. He pulled out a small oval platter of cubes of cheddar cheese, crackers, and a bunch of green grapes from the basket and removed the cellophane before placing it on the blanket. He’d also packed cold chicken and a salad for the main meal to take out when the time came. He placed two sets of dishes and silverware out on the blanket and pulled the bottle of wine out of the basket and put it near the candle. They could open it after they finished the drinks Jessie was making. There. It looked just like he’d hoped it would. Boy would his brothers give him a hard time if they could see him now, he thought to himself with a chuckle.
A few minutes later Jessie headed toward Cade carrying a beer for him and a mixed drink of some sort for herself. “Wow,” she said, her eyes growing as she surveyed the spread. “You really do think of everything.”
Cade shrugged, suddenly feeling a bit nervous.
Jessie took a seat next to him and handed him his drink. They both sipped quietly for a moment, staring at the fire.
Cade turned to watch Jessie. She was so beautiful. Her skin glowed in the light of the fire and her brown her fell down her back in perfect waves. She caught him looking at her and grinned.
Cade took her left hand and placed it in his on his lap. He gently rubbed her fingers and reached out with his other hand to move a piece of her hair behind her ear. She looked down at her lap shyly but then returned her eyes to his.
“Do you go to this much trouble for all of your dates?” she asked.
“Never,” he returned in a gravely voice. He cleared his throat and continued. “I guess no one has ever inspired me the way you do.”
Jessie moved even closer to Cade and took his other hand in hers. She pulled his arms toward her and he got the hint and quickly wrapped them around her back and held her tight. He leaned in and kissed her gently at first but when he felt her hands wrap around his neck and the back of his head he began kissing her with more intensity.
They made out for several minutes, abandoning the food and drinks. Cade laid back on the blanket, pushing the dishes out of the way and Jessie laid on top of him. He had no intention of pushing things past any more than some light petting but Jessie suddenly sat up and pulled her shirt over her head, revealing a lacy black bra. She bent toward him and began u
nbuttoning his shirt one button at a time using her mouth.
His heart was beating fast. He could feel himself getting excited and was trying to resist. To think of anything else. Work…baseball…the last presidential address…Jessie’s hips. Ah, it wasn’t working.
She pulled his shirt off and tossed it out of the way. They resumed kissing, with more urgency and Cade’s brain kept trying to interrupt and tell him to hold on. Go slow. If things went too far, would Jessie think he was just using her? How could he show her that she meant more to him than some one-night stand; that he truly cared about her and wanted a relationship?
Jessie stood up and wiggled out of her jeans. Cade knew he was in trouble. He pushed himself up to a seated position and took her all in. Jessie straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Cade was breathing hard and his voice came out low and husky when he whispered in her ear, “Are you sure?”
Jessie sat back a bit so she could look deep into Cade’s eyes. “I’m so sure.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Jessie’s skin tingled and her cheeks grew warm every time she thought about the night before. Did that really happen? It was sweet and romantic and just so perfect she could pinch herself. She couldn’t believe Cade had planned that whole night just for her. And the way it had ended blew her mind. She could feel her face flush again and wondered if either of her sisters or co-workers could tell what was on her mind that morning as they prepped for the lunch crowd. Or sense what they did on that very table Luci was setting. Or that spot on the floor right in front of the fire place. Or up against the bar where Linda was filling the napkin dispensers. Jessie closed her eyes and shivered, smiling to herself.
“You’re certainly in a good mood this morning,” Wynn said.
Jessie opened her eyes and turned toward her sister. “That I am. It’s a beautiful day.”
“Mmmhmm,” Wynn said in a knowing voice.
“What?” Jessie asked. She reached up and touched her cheek. Was it that obvious? Could her sister tell she had spent last night with Cade? No, she was being silly.
“You’re smiling to yourself again,” Wynn said, interrupting her thoughts.
“Hmm?” Jessie said. She didn’t quite catch what Wynn had said.
“What going on?” Luci asked, joining them.
“Jessie had sex last night,” Wynn answered matter-of-factly.
“She did?” Luci said with a huge grin.
“What?” Jessie stammered. “Wynn! Shh! Why would you say that?” She looked around to see if anyone else had heard.
“Seriously? That’s the same after-sex face you had as a teenager. You’re so darn cute. And transparent,” she added.
“With who?” Luci asked. “Hot guy?”
“He has a name you know,” Jessie said. “It’s Cade. And even if something did happen it’s none of your guys’ business so stop talking about it.”
“You’re right Wynn, she totally did it,” Luci said. She held her hand up for a high-five from Jessie.
“Oh my God, guys!” Jessie said, ignoring Luci’s waiting hand. She turned on her heel and went back in the kitchen to cool off and get away from her sisters. She smiled to herself when she was safely behind the door. She wasn’t really irritated with her sisters’ teasing. It actually reminded her of old times. They used to do the same thing to her each time she returned from a date in high school. It was sharing a memory with her sisters after being out of each other’s lives for so long.
But now they did have Jessie wondering, does she really have an after-sex face?
Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she pulled it out and clicked on her messages. It was a text from April.
Okay girl. Spill. Need details.
Jessie smiled to herself again. She felt like she would be smiling all day long. She quickly typed a message back to April.
Working now so full details later. But omg April, it was AMAZING. Times ten.
April sent back:
You had sex, didn’t you?
Jessie sent back a devil emoji with the word LATER and slipped her phone back into her pocket.
She was putting together a tray of water glasses when she heard a deep voice out in the dining area. He was going on and on about something and it didn’t sound like he was just a regular diner. More like a salesman of some sort. Jessie peered out the kitchen door and saw a built, tall man, maybe 6’2” or so, in a fancy dark suit and bright red tie. Definitely not one of their regulars. Ugh. She guessed she’d have to be the one to go get rid of him before he pestered any actual paying customers.
Jessie set the tray down and walked out into the dining room, ready to help the handsome man find the door.
“Sorry, we’re not looking to change our alcohol provider and our paper goods are just fine. Whatever you’re here to sell we don’t need,” she said as she reached him.
The man blinked a few times and then gave her a wide grin. He put out his hand toward her, waiting for a handshake. “My name is Evan, Evan Monroe. And I’m not here to sell you paper goods.”
Jessie hesitantly accepted his handshake. “Well, Mr. Monroe, we’ve got a lot going on right now and just aren’t interested in making any new purchases. Whatever it is you’re here to sell.”
“I’m not looking to take your money, only make you money, Miss Foster.”
Jessie quickly pulled her hand back. Oh God, was he one of those pyramid scheme people? Was he here looking for people to make their own fortunes selling magic hand cream or candles?
Jessie put both hands up now and shook them. “We really don’t need anything so if you don’t mind…wait. Did you say your last name was Monroe? Are you related to Bets Monroe?”
Evan smiled at Jessie again. “Yes, I am. She’s my aunt. I’m going to be staying here in Snowy Ridge for a while, living with Aunt Bets and working with her in her real estate office.”
Just then Luci appeared at Jessie’s side. “So you’re Evan Monroe? Wow, you sounded cute on the phone but you’re like, unbelievably hot in person.”
Jessie rolled her eyes. Ever the shy one Luci was.
Evan raised his eyebrows. “Um, thanks.”
“Wait a minute,” Jessie interrupted the flirt fest and turned toward her sister. “You called him? For what?”
Luci searched her sister’s face. “Um, uh…”
Jessie suddenly felt really uneasy about what was going on here. “What Luci? Why did you call him?” she demanded.
Wynn joined the group near the door. “What’s going on? You’re getting kind of loud.”
Jessie glanced around the room. There were only a few customers. The lunch crowd hadn’t started yet. “I’m not trying to be loud. I just want to know why Luci called Bets’s nephew here.”
Luci suddenly looked like she’d rather be anywhere else in the world but standing in the middle of this conversation.
Evan stepped in. “She said your family was looking into selling the Starlight Pub here.” He looked around the room. “And I’ve got to tell you, it’s a beautiful place. I’m sure you’d get an offer in no time at all. Businesses are always looking to expand and might snap up the place. Or it could be converted into a yoga studio or a juice bar. Or someone might want to operate it as a pub just like your family did. There’s a lot of potential here.”
Jessie was completely floored. She felt like her heart had come to a crashing halt and blood was pooling in her head. She clenched her fists hard. She wanted to kill Luci.
“What?” she practically screamed, glaring at Luci.
Wynn spoke up. “I’m sorry, Mr. Monroe, this must be some sort of mistake. We’re not selling the pub.”
“Who do you think you are?” Jessie yelled at Luci.
“What?” Luci asked, shrinking back from Jessie. “I’m just thinking about Mom. I’m trying to give her some options. She can’t keep working. And she’ll need money for treatments.”
Jessie wanted to throttle Luci. “Well, that’s for her an
d me to decide. And selling the pub is not an option. You have no say here. No rights. This is my pub!” she added. “You can’t just come back to Snowy Ridge and keep trying to ruin my life.”
“I’m not trying to ruin your life,” Luci said, suddenly sounding defensive.
Which only irritated Jessie even more.
Luci’s eyes darted around the room. People had stopped eating and were watching the sisters fight.
“Bull shit!” Jessie snapped. “That’s all you ever do! Grab your incense, your yoga mat, and the rest of your hippy dippy shit and go back to New York, Luci! We don’t want or need you here,” she spat at her.
To Evan, Jessie said, “sorry we wasted your time. This pub is not for sale. Ever,” she added throwing one more glare at her sister.
With that, she turned and stomped toward the back office. This was the last straw for her with Luci. They were done.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Jessie slammed the door behind her and paced the small room. She felt like her cheeks were on fire, she was so mad. What the hell was Luci thinking? They hadn’t said two words to each other in six years and now she was back home for a few weeks and somehow thought it was her place to try and sell Jessie’s business. Who does that? A deranged lunatic that’s who. Why did Jessie ever let her guard down with Luci? She knew better. She’s no sister. What kind of sister sleeps with her sister’s boyfriend? Jessie should have just trusted her instincts and never forgiven Luci. Luci was pure evil.
Jessie couldn’t calm down. She kept making laps around the room as she glanced at the clock on the wall over the door. Shit, she thought. They were about to get slammed with the lunch crowd. She knew she’d have to leave the office soon to handle the customers but she didn’t trust that she wouldn’t slap Luci right in the face if she had to see her just then.
There was a knock at the door.
Jessie glared at it. It was probably Luci with another sob story to try and excuse away her bad behavior and lack of respect for Jessie. She didn’t care what Luci’s tale was this time, she didn’t want to hear it.
