Snowbound with Mr. Right

by Judy Christenberry

  “There’s your answer.”

  “Are you going to let me stay here until it eases up, as the man said?” Hunter asked.

  “Of course. There’s not much else that we can do,” Sally said, but secretly she wished she wasn’t snowbound with this particular man right now.

  They finished their breakfast in silence. After cleaning the kitchen, they both stared at each other.

  “What do we do now?” Hunter asked.

  “We just have to wait. Do you like to read? I’ve got some murder mysteries, some romance novels, some true crime books. Or we have some movies we could watch.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to look at the mysteries. I enjoy those.”

  “Of course. Come this way.” She led him into the living room where one end of the area was bookshelves. She pointed out the mysteries, her dad’s favorites, and told him to choose any of them to read. Once he found one of his favorite authors on the shelf, he settled down with the newest book.

  “I’ll be back in a minute,” she said and slipped from the room. She went upstairs to her room and took out fresh clothes to change into. She looked longingly at her shower, but she didn’t think that would be wise. Once she’d changed into fresh clothes she felt much better.

  Then she walked into her parents’ room and found some old jeans her dad had owned when he was young. He’d kept one pair, saying he intended to lose weight one day and he wanted to be sure he reached the right size. She thought that pair of jeans would fit Hunter. Then she unwrapped a shirt she’d bought her dad the last time she had been in Denver. She held it for a moment in her hands and thought about how her dad would have looked in it. Fortunately no one in Bailey would’ve seen her dad wearing it so there wouldn’t be any questions asked when Hunter was suddenly spotted in it. She took both items downstairs to Hunter and told him to take the clothes to the bathroom and see if they fit.

  A few minutes later, he came back into the room, looking like the clothes had been made for him. The only problem now was his feet. The loafers he was wearing weren’t appropriate for the snowstorm outside and he would definitely need some sturdier shoes. “What size shoe do you wear?” Sally asked.

  “Elevens,” Hunter said with a shrug.

  “Just a minute.” Her dad wore eleven-and-a-halfs, so he should be able to wear her dad’s boots. They were actually hiking boots, but her father always wore them in the winter. Sally brought a pair into the room with clean socks. And soon he was fully outfitted. “Sally, this is great. Thanks. I was feeling a little grubby this morning.”

  “Dad has—had an electric shaver if you want to use it. I believe it’s still upstairs. I’ll go get it.”

  Once he had shaved, Hunter felt much better and he again settled down with the mystery, perfectly happy.

  About one o’clock, the storm was just beginning to subside. Sally went into the kitchen and made some turkey sandwiches and called Hunter to lunch. He put aside his book, which he’d read halfway through, and came into the kitchen.

  “This looks good, Sally. Thanks.”

  “No problem. We’ll be able to get out soon. I didn’t want you starving for lunch.”

  “This book is really good. I’d read some of this guy’s earlier books, but I think this is the best one I’ve read.”

  “Yes, my dad really liked him. He always said the more he wrote the better he’d be.”

  “So your dad read a lot?”

  “Yes. He always preferred reading to movies.”

  “Hmm, which do you prefer?”

  “Both. I used to watch movies with my mom, but then got my love of reading from my dad.”

  “Watching movies is something to be shared, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. Mom and I would start crying at almost the same time and Dad would always tease us about watching the weepies as he called them.”

  “Yeah. I try not to watch those kinds of movies. I’d rather people not see me cry.”

  Sally just smiled and took a bite of sandwich. A few minutes later, after they’d cleaned up the lunch dishes, Sally decided she could make it across to the store.

  “I’m going to the store. You can go to your place, if you want. I won’t expect you to work today.”

  “Don’t be silly. I don’t think it’s safe for you to be there alone. I’m ready to help you.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “No. I’ll come with you. After all, I’m dressed in different clothes. No one will realize I spent the night here.”

  “I hope not.”

  She put on her coat and wrapped a scarf around her hair and her neck, pulled on gloves and opened the door. The wind was still blowing, but not as hard as before. Only a few snowflakes were dashing around.

  They walked in snow about six inches deep across the street to the store. Sally unlocked the back door and stepped inside, making room for Hunter. Then she relocked the back door.

  “I have to straighten the store first of all, in case we have any customers,” she explained.

  Hunter nodded and followed her into the main store. “I’ll take the men’s departments and you take the ladies’,” he suggested and went to the area he’d chosen and began to work.

  Sally watched him go. He was certainly being cooperative and she thought back to the conversation they’d had last night about her selling the store. Although they’d overcome their argument Sally still felt a little nervous at the thought of Hunter only being nice to her to get his hands on her store. The thought made her shudder.

  Moving to the ladies’ departments, she hurriedly straightened the goods, making them look neat and ready for customers.

  When they had both finished those jobs, Sally brought out the huge box of holiday decorations for the store. They hadn’t had any customers at all so Sally thought it would be a good idea to make the most of the quiet spell and decorate the store. She told Hunter her idea. “First, we have to trim both windows with these artificial strips of greenery. Then we’ll hang ornaments on them.”

  “How do we attach it to the wall?”

  “Dad put up hooks that we can use. It makes it very easy.” She stepped into the window and began attaching the greenery to the hooks.

  “Nice job. It certainly makes it an easy job, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes. Dad loved efficiency.” She kept her face turned. Thinking about her dad decorating the windows wasn’t easy for her and reminded her that he had really gone. Once she had the greenery in place in her window, she began attaching Christmas balls to hang down.

  “Hunter? Have you—oh, very nice. Well, we both finished that task very quickly. Now we have two wreaths to put on the front door.” She opened the doors and took one wreath and hung it. Hunter did the other one.

  They reclosed the doors, glad to shut out the cold air.

  “What’s next?”

  “Well, we put up an artificial tree. It’s in the storeroom.”

  Hunter volunteered to go fetch it. In the meantime, Sally cleared a space. When Hunter brought it in, they put it up together. It was a prelit tree, which made decorating it easier. They attached the ornaments and put a star on top.

  “Hey, I’m beginning to feel all Christmassy,” Hunter said with a grin.

  “I know. It’s hard not to, with all this.”

  He gave her a quick look. “Does it bring back memories?”

  “Yes. Dad always made it so much fun to decorate for Christmas,” Sally said, sniffing a little.

  “Sorry it’s so hard, Sally. But it will get easier.”

  “Yes, I know. Now I need to go put on the Christmas music that Dad always played.”

  “What was his favorite Christmas music?”

  Sally couldn’t hold back a smile. “Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas.’ It’s appropriate today, isn’t it?”

  “That it is,” he said, a smile on his face.

  Sally was struck again by Hunter’s attractive appearance. As the expression went, he’d be able to sell refrigerators to Eski
mos.

  She hurried to the back room and put on the music they played every Christmas. Just as the music started up, she heard the bell over the front door sound. Rushing back into the store, she discovered a family taking off their outer wraps.

  “Mrs Denton, how are you feeling?” she asked. Sally had heard last week that Mrs Denton had been suffering from a bad cold.

  “I’m fine, but don’t get close to Harry,” she said, motioning to her husband. “He’s not doing so well.”

  “Ah, it’s one of those things you pass around?”

  “I’m afraid so, but he refused to stay at home.”

  “Well, a family shopping trip may be just what he needs. So you want some help, or do you just want to wander?”

  “We’ll just wander. The kids were anxious to come. Lots of pent-up energy from this morning.”

  “Of course. Let us know if you need us.”

  Sally motioned to Hunter and went to the back room. “We need these wreaths hung up at intervals around the store. Wherever there is space.”

  He took the stack of smaller wreaths and went out into the store. Sally looked around, trying to remember what else they did for Christmas. But she couldn’t think of anything.

  Donations for the Christmas Festival had been trickling in slowly and were beginning to pile up in the back room. Sally started going through the clothing articles to see if they were in decent shape. She found some that needed minor repairs and she put them in a separate pile. Others were in beautiful shape. She hung them up on a clothing rack, one for men and one for ladies.

  “Sally? What else do I need to do?”

  “I think that’s everything, Hunter. If you could keep an eye on the store while I sort these donations, I’d appreciate it.”

  “I’ll be glad to.”

  It was a relief for Sally to know that someone else was doing some of the things on her list. Cutting the jobs in half left her a little time to do other things. She found herself singing along to the Christmas music, in a much better mood.

  Hunter kept an eye on the customers, and tidied up the check-out area at the same time. More and more customers arrived, much to his surprise.

  He finally had to disturb Sally and get her to come out and help him. When Mary and Ethel arrived, Sally slipped over to the house to make sandwiches for her and Hunter when they had time to eat, which, unfortunately, wasn’t until after seven.

  They kept the store open until eight and then Sally locked the front door and let the customers out as they finished their shopping.

  When the last shopper had gone, Mary and Ethel had already finished cleaning the dressing rooms and straightening up the store. Sally wearily thanked them and let them out the front door. Then she looked for Hunter. She finally found him straightening the wrapping paper behind the counter.

  “Hunter, it’s time to go home. It’s been a long day.”

  “Yes, it has,” he agreed, standing and stretching. “But you did a lot of business this afternoon.”

  “Yes, we did. Thanks for helping out.”

  “My pleasure, that’s what I’m here for.”

  Earlier in the day she’d counted out the money she owed Mary and Ethel and had included money for Hunter. “Here’s your pay,” she said.

  “What?” he asked, staring at the envelope she was handing him.

  “I told you I’d pay you what I pay Mary and Ethel. It isn’t a lot but you’ve certainly earned it.”

  “I’m not taking your money, Sally.”

  “Hunter, I insist.”

  “Give it to charity. You’re doing me a favor.”

  “No, I—”

  He bent over and kissed her. “There. I’m going to do that every time you argue with me about it. I’m not taking it.”

  “But—”

  He kissed her again, hoping she continued to argue with him. He was enjoying those kisses.

  “You—you can’t do that, Hunter.”

  “What?”

  “Kiss me. That’s not proper.”

  “It feels pretty proper to me.”

  Sally stood there, saying nothing.

  Hunter waited, hoping she’d argue with him again.

  But she didn’t. “Very well. I’ll contribute it to the funds we take on the night of the Festival, if you insist.”

  “I do,” he said solemnly, wishing she hadn’t caved in so quickly.

  “Then goodnight.”

  “Shall I go out the back door? Then I can be sure you make it to your house okay. It’s quite dark outside.”

  “No. I’ll be fine.”

  “Sally, I think I should go out the back with you. It would be dangerous for you to go alone. I insist.”

  “Why do you get to argue and I don’t?” she demanded.

  A rueful grin appeared on his face. “That’s just the way things work, honey. Though you could kiss me, if you want.”

  “No, thank you.” She put on her coat and scarf and gathered up the keys and some of the garments that needed repair. Then she went to the door, not looking to see if he was following.

  But he was right behind her, holding the door as she walked through.

  She locked the door after he stepped out. The only light was a small light above the store door. The area around them was pitch-black.

  “We should’ve left the front porch light on,” Hunter muttered.

  “No, I never do that. It would burn all day for nothing.”

  “I think that’s okay if it’s on when you come out. It would provide some safety.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “I think you’re arguing with me again,” he said, leaning toward her.

  She turned away. “No, I’m not. Will you be all right making your way to the bed-and-breakfast?”

  “Yes. These boots are great. The snow doesn’t get in.”

  “Okay, well I’ll see you Monday then.”

  “Wait, what are you doing tomorrow?”

  Sally looked at him, a puzzled expression on her face. “What?”

  “What do you do on Sunday?”

  “I usually go to church, but I may not in the morning. I’m very tired. I’ll probably sleep in and then work on these garments to get them ready for the Festival.”

  “Ah. I was just wondering. I’ll see you,” he said and turned to walk away. As soon as he’d convinced her he was leaving, he slowed down until she was in her house. Then he tromped along the snow-covered street until he reached his bed-and-breakfast. But he wished he’d been able to go home with Sally.

  Sally did as she’d told Hunter. She slept in, to recuperate from the hard day on Saturday. Then she got up and ate some oatmeal, her usual fare. After that, with the television on for entertainment, she began repairing the garments that had been donated for the Christmas Festival.

  Though she seemed happy and comfortable, Sally wasn’t really. She kept listening for sounds from her parents. They usually accompanied her wherever she went in the house. But now there were no sounds. No one moving around, no one talking. Just the television.

  She was feeling the loneliness again, as she had since her parents’ deaths. So what was making it so different today? The answer struck her, but she didn’t want to admit it. Finally she had to realize that Hunter being in the house with her yesterday had made a difference.

  Now she was alone again.

  Shifting in her chair, she tried to tell herself she’d get used to being alone. Just be patient.

  She certainly hoped so. She didn’t want to remember Hunter’s voice, his soft kisses because she’d argued with him. Those kisses in particular. They had no place in her memories.

  But they did.

  She was remembering how Hunter had moved around the kitchen, talking, laughing, arguing. And she even thought she could still smell him, a nice masculine smell.

  A loud knock on her front door disturbed her thoughts.

  CHAPTER SIX

  SHE regretted the fact that her father had never put in a peephol
e so she could determine who was at her door. It had never seemed necessary before, but now, by herself, she found she’d like to know who was at her door before she opened it.

  Pausing, she called out, “Who is it?”

  “Sally? It’s me, Hunter.”

  She was at war with her feelings. She wanted desperately to open the door, but her better judgment told her not to. What could Hunter want on a Sunday? She thought that maybe it was something to do with the store; she hoped so and finally, she opened the door.

  “Hi,” she said, offering a tentative smile.

  “May I come in? It’s still cold out here.”

  She moved back. “Yes, of course.”

  “Thanks. How are you doing?”

  “Fine. And you?”

  “I’m a little bored in my room. I wondered if I could come over and read the mystery you loaned me yesterday. I’m really wrapped up in the story.”

  Normally she would tell him to take the book with him, but it was one her dad had chosen himself. She didn’t want to give up anything of her dad’s just yet. “Yes, I guess so, if you don’t mind reading it here. I’d like to keep track of Dad’s things.”

  “Yeah, I thought you might feel that way.”

  “I’ll get the book down for you. Take off your coat and get comfortable.”

  “Thanks, Sally. I’ll try to stay out of your way.”

  She didn’t say anything, but Hunter Bedford would stand out wherever he found himself. In her house, lonely as it was, she certainly couldn’t ignore him. After he settled in a chair with the book, she knelt down and started a fire in the fireplace.

  As the fire caught hold, Hunter looked up. “Nice, thanks, Sally.”

  She nodded and then returned to the kitchen. She’d gone from sewing to mixing up some dough to make gingerbread men that she served to kids when they came in the store.

  There was only one week left until the Christmas Festival. Penny would be sending the Christmas tree soon and she and Hunter would decorate it on Thursday and Friday. Sally had arranged for Mary’s teenage daughter to come and help in the store next week until Christmas Eve, when they would close at four.