She heard the sound of male voices and then the sight of Quentin came into view when he reached out a hand to knock. Caitlin felt herself suck in air. That man did something to her, but he was completely not her type. Besides, he was so infuriating half the time.
Silently, she watched him and Wade discuss the repairs to her wall. It didn’t take long before he’d shoved the insulation back in and taped it up.
“We’ll fix the electric lines on Monday,” he told Wade. “All the other lights and electric outlets are working, but now there won’t be cold air coming into this room over the weekend. But just in case, make sure your electric blanket is working.”
He gave her a wink and Caitlin felt like he was being patronizing. She returned to the kitchen where she found fixings for dinner for her new little family of Wade and Rayna. She’d become a combination of relative, midwife, housekeeper, and cook.
But she actually didn’t mind. It was nice to have other people in the house, although it didn’t make her want to move back in with her parents. Not at twenty-seven years old.
The next ten days passed quicker than Caitlin expected. The newlyweds checked out Monday morning, paid their bill in cash, and Mrs. Davies did the grocery shopping and heavy cleaning, washing floors and scrubbing bathrooms.
Caitlin dusted the public rooms downstairs and brought up paperwork and bills for Rayna to attend to from her bed. The rest of the time the two of them spent going over labor and delivery plans, as well as watching labor videos about what to expect, breathing exercises, decisions to be made about natural birth or the use of an epidural.
Their new guests checked in and breakfast became much more lively with a couple of teens wolfing down food like it was going out of style.
Caitlin stayed out of Quentin’s way as much as she could. The man was busy, but when he came in to do a better patch job on her bedroom wall, she’d catch him watching her as she went in and out with laundry or poring over her medical books.
Often, he gave her a puzzled look. “I can’t figure you out, Just Caitlin Webster,” he finally said one afternoon.
She forced herself not to smile at the name he gave her. She wanted to remain annoyed, but when he wasn’t running her down with his truck, or breaking down her wall, he was actually very nice. His voice was even better. Deep with a melodic timbre that sent a quiver up her spine.
Caitlin wished she could shut off her senses to him. She wanted to stop thinking about running her hands through that thick, auburn hair. Or run her finger over his lips and that tiny indentation next to his mouth.
“I’m not that complicated,” she said now, her eyes skittering away from his.
“All work and no play makes life a bit dull.”
“I love my work,” she said simply, lifting her shoulders in a small shrug.
“So do I, but it doesn’t mean I want to do it twenty-four-seven.” He paused. “I happened to see the invitation card on your dresser for the sledding party the Holbrook’s are putting on. You going?”
“Haven’t decided yet.”
Quentin just nodded and went back to taping the crack in the wall, mudding it over so it could dry and then he could texture in a couple of days and repaint.
Why didn’t she tell him she was going? Caitlin had no idea. Quentin made her cautious. Self-preservation? Fear? The Curse?
She almost laughed at that. Quentin looked over at her and Caitlin let out a cough to cover up her snort, moving her books to the parlor to sit in the sun under the south window.
Caitlin had been in Snow Valley more than two weeks when the sledding day arrived. She and Rayna and Mrs. Davies had a routine going now. They weren’t bumping into each other all the time and Caitlin wasn’t second-guessing herself with running the B&B or Rayna’s occasional contractions.
She also tried not to stare at her Fortune Teller List more than every few days, keeping it tucked away in her drawer so Quentin didn’t accidentally see it and think she was completely psychotic.
But why do I care? Caitlin rolled her eyes at herself.
“I wish I was going,” Rayna said when Caitlin came upstairs to say goodbye late Friday afternoon. “I love the snow. You’ll have a great time. Bring me some cookies or a scone.”
“Absolutely.”
“Now turn around,” Rayna ordered.
“What are you talking about?” Caitlin laughed, turning as Rayna held up a finger in a spinning motion.
“You’re wearing your cutest jeans and sweater. Good. That hunter green color suits your green eyes perfectly. You’ll have all the single guys drooling over you and wanting to have a snowball fight with you as their partner.”
“Riiight. Not.”
“Don’t underestimate yourself.” Rayna said, then spoke more softly. “What Stefan did to you was his problem, not yours. The man has ego issues as high as the mountain out back. You’re not unattractive in the least, quite the opposite. And your figure looks ten times better than my current one.”
Caitlin shook her head, trying not to blush.
“Don’t think you’re cursed, either. The right man is out there. Don’t close yourself off to any possibility.”
“Cursed?” Caitlin echoed. “That’s a strange choice of words.”
“Oh, honey, us girls always think we’re cursed if we get into a failed relationship. When you don’t marry until you’re forty, you have more than your share. Your mother probably never told you that when I was seventeen I ran away with a boy to elope.”
Caitlin’s jaw dropped. “No, she did not.”
“That’s a story for another time,” Rayna said with a shake of her shoulders. “It’s water waaaay under the bridge, but I got the perfect man for me after another twenty years of looking.”
“Yep, he’s pretty perfect,” Caitlin agreed with a smile. “I’m glad Wade is home so I don’t have to feel guilty about leaving you tonight.”
“Did I hear my name?” Wade said, coming up the stairs and launching himself onto the king-sized bed.
“Alright, you two,” Caitlin said, laughing at his boyish actions. “Enjoy your evening. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Five minutes later, Caitlin was in her car, extra scarves, socks and heavy boots and hat. The sun would be going down in a couple of hours. Sledding first, then sleigh rides with lanterns seemed to be on docket.
She found the Holbrook Ranch fairly easily and the hill was actually the property of Kellen and Ivy Thomas who recently built their home there.
Families, kids, teens, and young adults were already on scene, ripping down the massively wide hill with store-bought sleds, homemade sleds and garbage can lids brought from home.
Squeals and screams and laughter filled the air. Many others, mostly the parents and other adults were watching. Cheering and clapping their offspring or grandchildren.
A couple of tables had been set up where a few women were filling Styrofoam cups with hot cocoa.
Caitlin wandered over, her feeling of being a total stranger coming over her stronger than ever. Maybe she should have stayed at home, curled up with a book by the fire.
“You must be Rayna’s cousin,” an older woman said, handing her a cup of hot chocolate. The cup warmed her hands even with gloves on.
Caitlin took a small sip. “I’m Caitlin Webster.”
“I’m Ilene. Everybody calls me Grandma Ilene but I’ll answer to just about anything, and this is Ivy, my granddaughter-in-law.”
“Pleased to meet you, Ivy. And you must be the owner of this beautiful new home.”
Ivy nodded, her face glowing with the cold, her eyes bright. “It’s great to meet you. How is Rayna? Everybody’s been worried about her.”
“She and the baby are well. Getting close now. Only five or six weeks until the due date.”
“That is close,” Grandma Ilene said. “She’ll be so glad to be up and running again. Good timing with spring and summer coming and the B&B getting busier.”
“How’s the house remodel?�
� Ivy asked next. “I understand Quentin Hudson is doing it? A nursery?”
Caitlin nodded. “Making good progress. Almost time for texturing and painting, then carpet.”
“How lovely,” said another female voice coming up behind them. “I just love babies.”
“This is Pastor John’s wife, Cora,” Grandma Ivy said, making the introductions. “Meet Caitlin Webster, Rayna’s cousin and midwife.”
“How exciting to have a midwife in our midst,” Cora said, shaking Caitlin’s hand. “Just like the olden days when we had babies at home. Well, I didn’t, but my grandmother certainly did!”
All the women laughed, a few younger mothers grabbing cookies for their younger children. A few teens filled up plates and then ran off to start a snowball fight.
“Something like that,” Caitlin agreed. “But Rayna will be going to the hospital. Even midwives deliver at hospitals. And it’s safer when you’re an older mother.”
“I agree,” Ivy said. “I’m too chicken to have a baby at home.”
“Take your time, sweetheart,” Cora said, the lines around her eyes crinkling. “Although Snow Valley has the potential for a lot of babies in the next few years.”
“Why is that?”
Cora leaned in. “There are a lot of newlyweds in town, plus two more weddings in February and March. Let’s see, there’s Kevin and Molly Snow who were married about six months ago.”
“Chet and Mercedes Bauer got married at Christmas time,” Ivy added. “It was a beautiful wedding and their pictures are stunning with a snowy backdrop.”
“Don’t forget Amy and Jake’s wedding on March third,” Grandma Ilene added. “I must get to my gift shopping soon. There’s someone else in March and now I can’t remember. Adam and Destiny?”
“No, Grandma, Adam and Destiny are getting married right on Valentine’s Day in a couple of weeks. At the Moon Ranch.”
“That’s right. Oh, my, so many weddings you’d think it was June instead of January.” The older woman gave a wink and all Caitlin could think of was her own permanently canceled wedding. Her smile felt plastered on as she tried not to let her emotions show.
“Here’s my aunt,” Ivy said, gesturing at a woman coming toward the refreshment tables with a plate of cookies. “Tillie Cooper, meet Caitlin Webster. She’s at the B&B with Rayna.”
“Pleased to meet you. I hope you’re enjoying our wintry little town.”
Caitlin nodded. “Very much, thank you. Does everybody really know everybody else? It seems so odd to me, but very nice, too.”
“It is odd—and very nice,” Tillie agreed. “You should try a run down the hill before it gets dark though.”
“Will it burn off a few calories?” Caitlin asked with a laugh. “I confess that I’ve never lived in snow, or gone sledding—but I’ve eaten too many cookies.”
“You’ll scream your head off, especially if you get a slick, balanced sled,” Ivy said. “One of the kids will let you borrow theirs, I’m sure.”
“No need to borrow a sled,” a deep male voice said behind Caitlin. “I have one right here that needs a rider.”
Chapter 12
“How lovely to see you, Quentin,” Grandma Ilene said, parting the sea of women to make room for him and giving him a peck on the cheek. “Please take Caitlin with you and show her the ropes.”
Quentin’s eyes rose to Caitlin’s. His hesitation lasted a fraction of a second, but only Caitlin noticed. The other ladies were busy handing out scones and cookies and more cocoa to a fresh group of hungry teens. The air grew louder with voices and shouts as more townsfolk arrived.
“Mr. Hudson,” Caitlin said quietly.
“I’ll bet you two are getting to know each other quite well with the nursery addition going on every day,” Cora, the pastor’s wife said.
“That’s true,” Quentin said, not missing a beat. He held out his arm for Caitlin to take. “I’ll show you how to steer.”
Caitlin bit at her cold lips, self-conscious. “I can walk on my own.”
“You’d better hang on to him while you have the chance,” Tillie interjected. “Those boots look slippery and a bit bulky for trudging through the deep snow on the hill.”
Grandma Ilene added, “You’ll find yourself up to your waist if you don’t watch your step.”
Caitlin’s face burned. “I suppose I’m not very savvy when it comes to snow boot shopping.”
“Next time, take me,” Quentin offered. “I’ll help you.”
It would have been rude to protest in front of the other women so Caitlin took his arm and they walked toward the hill without speaking. She could feel the warmth of his body radiating against her.
“Oh, look, George and Kellen are hitching up two sleighs for rides.”
Caitlin watched two chestnut horses being led to the top of the hill. “Beautiful horses,” she murmured. “I did get to go riding a few times while growing up. At my uncle’s property in the East Bay Area where he had a few acres.”
Quentin sent her a sly grin. “So you’re not a complete small town newbie.”
“Not totally,” Caitlin said drily, looking up at him through messy bangs while she pulled her knit cap down lower over her freezing ears.
They trudged up to the top of the hill, Quentin dragging his sled. He whistled to Kellen. “Save us a ride.”
Kellen nodded, waving a big gloved hand.
“Us?” Caitlin echoed.
“Why not us?” he gazed at her straight on, almost daring her to say something negative.
“I’m not worried,” she said flippantly.
“I never said you were. Now sit down on the sled. Here’s a rope to steer, but be warned, it doesn’t do much. If you need to, just drag your feet and you’ll stop.”
Caitlin clambered onto the sled, nerves shooting up her throat. What if she tumbled off into a snow drift and looked like a total fool?
“Everyone else falls and goes head first into the snow,” Quentin said, as if reading her mind once more. “Don’t worry about what you look like. The point is to scream and have fun.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
His expression was amused. “The look on your face.”
Before Caitlin could say another word, Quentin shoved the sled off the crest of the hill. The next instant, she was flying. Literally. Bumping over small rocks, feeling air underneath her, and then bumping down to the snow again.
At one point she started to sink in powder and leaned forward to keep her momentum.
People all around her were screaming with thrills as they flew by. Then Caitlin realized she was the one screaming—with excitement and a touch of primal fear. Of being out of control. Sledding was more thrilling than she thought, even though her heart was in her throat.
When she reached the bottom of the hill, Quentin waved down at her. He cupped his hands around his mouth. “Bring it on up.”
Puffing her way up the steep incline, Caitlin dragged the heavy sled back. “Now my turn. Behind you. You ready?”
She widened her eyes. “What will happen with both of us on it?”
He gave her a mischievous look. “We might go even faster.”
“Alright, I’m game. You’re not going to get the chance to call me a scaredy-cat when we get back home.”
“Deal.”
The second time was even more frightening. With the weight of both of them and the sleek design of Quentin’s sled, wind whistled in Caitlin’s ears. She couldn’t feel her nose any longer. She was in front, his arms wrapped around hers, his legs on either side of hers, but that just made it even more terrifying. Because she couldn’t stick her feet into the snow and stop them from careening out of control.
Near the end, another sled veered into them. Quentin tried to adjust their trajectory, but the sleds sideswiped and Caitlin found herself face down in the snow before she could catch her next breath.
She let out a small shriek, but tried to keep her cool. Her face was frozen. “I can�
�t feel anything. Do I still have a nose?”
“It’s a weird sensation, huh?” He bent down, brushing snow off her cheeks and then her nose, his eyes riveted to hers.
Caitlin tried to swallow while Quentin next brushed the snow off her coat and legs and arms and shoulders. She tried not to act awkward, but it was difficult when he was so close, so personal, despite all the layers of clothing between them.
“You’re a champ, Just Caitlin.”
She growled in her throat, but he was pressing a fresh cup of hot chocolate in her hands to warm up. The steam was heavenly on her freezing face.
Quentin held up a brown paper sack.
“Booze?” Caitlin questioned, lifting an eyebrow, trying to give him a hard time, but not quite succeeding at teasing.
“I don’t drink,” he said matter-of-factly. “But this bag holds the golden ticket to a sleigh ride. Hot scones while we sit back and relax in our own personal sleigh ride. Come on, we’re up next.”
Dusk was settling and some of the dads were lighting bonfires to stand around while folks chatted and ate. Below the hill, through patches of dark, shadowy trees, Caitlin could see the town of Snow Valley in the distance. Its lights were glittering and welcoming.
Quentin helped her into the narrow sleigh and then climbed in next to her, his body pressed tight against hers. Lightly, he slapped the reins and they were off before she could speak again.
The horses’ bells jangled. It felt like Christmas. A white Christmas she’d never had in her life.
To make the ride a bit more comfortable, Quentin put his arm around Caitlin, pulling her closer than he actually needed to. There were still at least two inches on her right side, but she didn’t point that out. His closeness was intimate and warm. But having him close took away the shivers and the melted snow that had slipped underneath her scarf.
He handed her a warm scone and she ate the buttery goodness, suddenly starving. They didn’t talk much, just enjoyed the night as it fell over the valley.
“Look at that,” he pointed on their return trip back to the Thomas house.
A silver of moon rose on the horizon, just above the dark trees. “It’s breath-taking,” Caitlin said.
Winter in Snow Valley (Snow Valley Romance) Page 17
