Sally rolled her eyes. “Come on. I’ll take off your fur.”
He sat down and let her take off the eyebrows and then the beard. He moaned in ecstasy as he scratched his cheeks and chin. “Ah, that feels so good.”
“I know. Dad used to complain about the makeup itching, too,” Sally said, smiling in sympathy. “I’ve got to get back out on the floor. After you change, feel free to go home or go get some supper. You don’t need to work the rest of the evening.”
She hurried back into the store without hearing an actual answer from Hunter. She had too much to deal with to concern herself with his decision.
When she turned around a few minutes later to discover Hunter helping a customer, she couldn’t hold back a smile. He’d done as he’d always done. Been there for her.
When nine o’clock came, Sally locked the front door so no one could come in and rushed the last few shoppers out the door.
“Thanks to all of you for your hard work today,” she said with a weary smile.
Mary, Susie and Ethel slipped out right away.
Hunter grabbed her arm. “We’ll clean up tomorrow. We’ve got dinner ordered at the Diamond Back. It’s supposed to be on the table by nine-fifteen. They’re open until ten tonight. So we need to hurry over there or our food will get cold.”
“But—but I could—”
“Nope. We’re off to the restaurant.”
Their brisk walk to the Diamond Back was actually invigorating. Sally didn’t have anything to fix for dinner anyway. She was looking forward to a good meal. And she was looking forward to spending the evening with Hunter.
Inside the restaurant, there were other diners. But on their table, dinner was already set out.
Sally laughed when she saw the enchiladas on her plate.
“How perfect! Thank you, Hunter.”
“I just wanted to be sure you had a good dinner. What did you eat last night?”
“Oatmeal. I was too tired to make much else.”
“Well, eat your dinner. I ordered dessert, also.”
“You did? I’m not sure—”
“Too late. It’s already ordered. Their coconut cream pie.”
“Oh, dear. Now I’ll have to go on a diet.”
When they’d finished their meal, Hunter paid for the dinner, refusing any argument by Sally. Then, with their coats and gloves on, he took her hand and walked her back to her house.
“That was a delightful meal, Hunter. I was too tired to cook, so it was perfect. I had a really good time tonight,” Sally said, looking fondly at Hunter and enjoying the feeling of him holding her hand.
“I’m glad. Now, I think I should tell you that when we get to your house I’m going to kiss you good night. I’m not coming in and I’m not going to kiss you more than once. That’s too dangerous. Okay?”
Sally was silent for a moment before she answered, taking in Hunter’s words. “Okay.” It was definitely too dangerous for him to kiss her more than once. With the knowledge that their time together was limited to one kiss outside her house, she slid her arms around his neck and reciprocated his kiss.
“Man, I wish I hadn’t promised all those things,” he said with a sigh after he’d kissed her. “Okay, go in and lock your door. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She did as he told her to do, leaning against the door once she’d locked it, knowing he was walking back to the bed-and-breakfast. Alone.
Suddenly she realized he’d said he’d see her tomorrow. She hadn’t planned on going in to the store tomorrow, but maybe she could change her plans. For Hunter.
Sally didn’t set the alarm the next morning. She was going to sleep until she woke, and she didn’t care if that meant sleeping until noon.
When the phone rang, waking her up, the first thing she did was look at her watch. It was eight o’clock! It could only be one person calling at this time—Hunter. She couldn’t believe he’d call so early.
And that’s exactly what she said when she answered the phone.
The silence her comment made alerted her to a mistake. “I’m sorry. I thought this was—I beg your pardon. Who is this, please?”
“Good morning, Miss Rogers. It’s Wilbur Hunt, here. Where’s my grandson?”
Sally sat upright in her bed. “Good morning, Mr Hunt. Erm, I assume he’s at the bed-and-breakfast where he’s staying. Have you tried calling that number?”
“Bed-and-breakfast? No! This is the only number he gave me.”
“Just one moment, let me get the number for you.” Sally got out of bed and found the small phone book for the Bailey area. Then she picked up the receiver again. “Mr Hunt, the number is 555-4703.”
“Thank you. I’m planning on my grandson coming home today, Miss Rogers. That won’t be a problem for you, will it?”
Sally recognized the answer he was wanting. She’d known it would come. But she didn’t want Hunter to go. “No, Mr Hunt, that won’t be a problem at all. If that’s what Hunter wants to do.”
“Of course it’s what he wants. Boy’s been gone too long already! I need him here.”
“Yes, I’m sure you do.”
“I’ll call him.”
“Okay. Goodbye, Mr Hunt.”
Sally fell back among her pillows, trying to stem the tears that filled her eyes. She’d known Hunter would be leaving, so why was she being so silly? Because she’d wanted him to stay so badly.
She sniffed several times and gradually closed her eyes again. Yesterday had taken a lot of energy. She needed more sleep.
When she woke up again, it was almost eleven. Her first thought was that Hunter would be already gone. He hadn’t even called to say goodbye.
She climbed out of bed, still feeling tired. It was almost tempting not to get dressed, but she knew she’d be embarrassed if anyone stopped by and found her in her nightgown.
She dressed and went down to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. While it was perking, she mixed up hot cakes. They seemed to fit her mood. Just as the griddle heated up, the doorbell rang.
Setting aside the bowl of batter and turning off the fire under the griddle, she hurried to the front door, swinging it open.
Hunter stood there, a smile on his face.
Sally drew up, trying to keep the tears at bay. “Hello. Did you stop by to say goodbye? You didn’t need to do that.”
He frowned. “Goodbye? What are you talking about?”
“Didn’t your grandfather call you?’
“Sure. But how did you know?”
“You gave him my number.”
“Yeah, for emergencies. I also gave him the number at the bed-and-breakfast. Did he call you here?”
“Yes, at eight o’clock this morning.”
“I’m sorry about that, Sally, I had no idea. Aren’t you going to ask me in?”
Sally drew a deep breath and then stepped back. She could let him come in for a few minutes to tell her goodbye. Why should she freeze to death standing in the open door?
“Mmm, I smell coffee,” Hunter said rubbing his hands together.
“Yes, would you like a cup?”
“Yeah, that would be great.” He followed her into the kitchen.
She poured him a cup of coffee and then stood there, waiting for him to announce his departure.
Instead he said, “Mind if I sit down?”
“Of course not.”
“Aren’t you going to have coffee?”
“Why don’t we just get this over with, Hunter?” she asked.
“Get what over with? Do you have someplace to go?”
“No, but I believe you do.”
“Not me.” He took a sip of his coffee.
“Your grandfather told me he wanted you to go home, so stop pretending! You’re here to say goodbye so let’s just get it over with.”
CHAPTER TEN
HUNTER was silent for a long time and frowned at Sally. “Do you think I’m a child, Sally? Jumping to obey when someone tells me to do something?”
Sally drew back. “Are you telling me that your grandfather is lying? He said he needed you.”
Hunter grinned. “Of course he needs me. He’s a control freak. He wants to know where everyone is at any minute. He can’t be sure what I’m doing here exactly, so he wants me back in town.”
“But he sounded very urgent. I expected you to stay until Christmas Eve, but if you want to go now, I can spare you.”
“Mmm, actually, I think I’d rather stay here. What’s in that bowl?” Hunter asked, pointing at the mixing bowl on the table.
“Pancake batter, you’re welcome to stay. But what about your grandfather. Surely he is all alone?” she pointed out.
“My grandfather has a housekeeper and an assistant who jumps any time he wants something. I think I’d like some pancakes.”
Sally, still distracted by what Hunter was saying, automatically turned on the burners under the griddle. “Where’s your mother?”
“I believe she’s skiing in Switzerland.”
Sally turned to stare at him. “Skiing?”
“Yeah, she likes the après-ski life.”
“Will she come back for Christmas?”
Hunter shrugged his shoulders. “Doesn’t matter. If she does, she and Granddad will argue nonstop. It’s not very pleasant. Is the griddle hot enough now?”
“Yes,” she said absentmindedly, scooping up the batter to put it on the grill. “Why do they argue?”
“Because she won’t do what he wants her to do.”
“What is that?”
“Take an interest in the business. He wants to make her president of his company, keep it in the family, but he doesn’t think she knows enough about the business. He’s right, of course.”
Sally turned the pancakes, golden-brown on one side. “But you’re learning the business. Isn’t that enough?”
“No. It’s not enough for Granddad. He feels Mother should be a good mother to me, and a good daughter to him, and nothing else.”
“What do you think?” she asked, frowning as she scooped up the finished pancakes and set them in front of him.
“I think I need some butter and syrup.”
“What?” she asked, startled by his request. Then she nodded. “Yes, of course.”
When she set those on the table, she turned to make her own pancakes. While they were cooking, she poured herself a cup of coffee. Then she took up her pancakes and joined him at the table.
“What I think is that she has the right to live her own life. But my mother is used to having the money she wants. She never turns down Granddad’s money, but she won’t work for it. That drives him crazy.”
“Aren’t you working for him?”
“I was.”
Her fork was halfway to her mouth when she realized what he’d said. She lowered the bite of pancakes back to her plate. “What are you saying, Hunter?”
“When I went back to Denver that first night, I told him I thought I’d found a place I wanted to be, at least for a while. And I gave him my resignation.”
“You resigned? But that means there was no reason for you to work at the store. You wouldn’t even let me pay you! I wouldn’t have accepted your help if I’d known you were doing it for free! That’s crazy!”
“No, I think it’s the sanest thing I’ve ever done. Now, I have an important question to ask you.”
Sally stared at him, wondering what could come out of his mouth next. “Yes?”
“Can you ice skate?”
Her eyes grew even wider and she continued to stare at him.
“Well?”
With a frown, she said, “Yes, I can ice skate.”
“Good. Finish your breakfast and we’ll go ice skating.”
After a moment of thinking, Sally smiled. She wasn’t going to win this battle with Hunter so she might as well enjoy his company whilst she still could. “All right, Hunter. I haven’t ice skated this winter. There was always too much going on. Ice skating sounds like a good idea.”
“I asked the lady who runs the bed-and-breakfast. She told me her kids were going skating this afternoon. When I asked her where they skated, she told me about a pond nearby that the locals used.”
“Yes, the Browns’ pond. They have always invited the town to join them.”
“Good. I’m glad you know the place, because I didn’t understand the directions she gave me.” He took another bite of the pancakes. “These are really good, by the way.”
“Thank you.”
Suddenly her heart felt decidedly light. “You do know how to ice skate, too, don’t you, Hunter?”
“Yeah, but it’s been a while. You may have to hold me up for a little while.”
She chuckled. “It might be good to see you do something less than expertly. I haven’t, yet.”
“Aw, shucks, lady, you flatter me.”
“No, I don’t.”
“How about another round of pancakes?”
“You’re still hungry?”
“I’m a growing boy.”
With a shake of her head, she returned to the stove and put on two more pancakes. When they were done, she set them in front of Hunter. “Now, I’m going up to get dressed for an ice skating trip. I’ll be down in a minute.”
Hunter watched her go, glad to see excitement in her walk. He’d been worried about her last night. She’d been so very tired. If he’d known his grandfather had called her because he’d thought his grandson was sleeping with her, he’d have been a lot ruder to him this morning.
He was tempted to pick up the phone and call his grandfather at once. But he wasn’t going to do that. He was going to take Sally ice skating because she needed to do something fun and unrelated to business. That was more important than chewing out the old man today.
Especially since he had a shock coming for him in a few days, if things went well.
He heard Sally coming down the stairs as he rinsed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. He’d already put away the butter and syrup.
She walked into the kitchen and looked around her in surprise. “You cleaned the kitchen?”
“Only fair, since I ate breakfast here.”
“I like the way you think!”
“Thank you, ma’am. Ready to go skating?”
“Yes, I am.”
A few minutes later, they parked close to the pond where a number of people were skating. A barrel beside the pond had a fire going in it so the skaters could warm up every round or two.
Hunter got their skates and Sally jumped out of the car, eager to get started. There was a bench near the fire for putting on their skates and a wooden shelf to store their shoes while they were skating.
Sally watched how quickly Hunter laced up his skates. “You do that awfully well. Are you sure you can’t skate much?”
“I didn’t say I couldn’t skate. I just said I was a little rusty. I haven’t skated since college, I guess. And that’s been about eight years.”
“Okay,” Sally said slowly. “Are you ready?”
“Sure.” He reached out for her hand.
Sally let him take her hand, clad in wool gloves, and he led her to the edge of the pond. They stepped out on the ice and began to glide. He reached for her other hand and they skated along, their arms linked.
“You faker! You can skate well!”
“Nothing fancy, just straight skating.”
“And here I thought you’d be falling all over me, pulling me down. You skate much better than me.”
“No, I don’t. And it won’t be long before you have to hold me up. I’ll tire easily.”
“Sore ankles?”
“Yeah. Hey, let’s skate over here,” he suggested, following the curve of the pond.
They almost bumped into another couple. Sally introduced Hunter to Chris and Linda Barton. She’d gone to high school with both of them. Chris and Linda had gone steady in high school, but then Chris had gone away to school and they’d broken up. When Chris had returned to the family ranch after college
, they’d reconnected and married almost at once. Sally was delighted to see them both now.
Skating as a foursome so they could chat while they skated, they made several rounds of the pond before they stopped at the barrel to warm up.
Hunter and Chris were deep in conversation when Linda whispered something to Sally, who immediately congratulated her friend. Hunter noticed what was going on, but he said nothing.
Later when the two of them were skating alone again, he asked Sally what Linda had told her.
“She told me she’s pregnant! They’d been wanting a child for several years. I’m very pleased for them,” Sally said, smiling.
“That’s great. Good for them. I liked Chris a lot. He seems like a great guy.”
“He is. He’s managing his dad’s ranch right now, since he had a heart attack last year.”
“That must put a lot of stress on Chris.”
“Maybe, but he wanted to run the operation. His sister has no interest in it, though she wants the money from it, kind of like your mother I suppose.”
“Ah. Well, that happens. But I’m glad Chris is happy with everything.”
“Yes, he and Linda have their own house on the ranch.”
“That will make having a baby easier.”
“I guess, if it’s ever easier.”
“It’s easy for a man to say that, honey. They don’t ever get pregnant.”
She gave him an exasperated look. “I did know that, Hunter!”
“I kind of figured you did,” he confessed with a grin. Then he circled her and made her spin. When she came out of the spin, she found herself in his arms.
“That was not straight skating!”
“I’m remembering a little more.”
For an hour they skated around the pond, meeting and talking to people. While Sally elected to warm by the barrel, he ran races with some of the teenage boys. Sally laughed, watching him act like a teenager himself.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such a relaxing time. Definitely not since her parents died. And she hadn’t expected it. But she’d desperately needed it. How had Hunter known?
When he led her out for another couple of rounds of the pond, she said, “Hunter, I didn’t realize I needed to relax so badly, but I want to thank you. This has been a wonderful afternoon.”
Snowbound with Mr. Right Page 11
