“What do you think so far?” Ryan asked coming up alongside her and stopping. Her horse stopped automatically.
“It’s amazing.” She grinned as their eyes locked.
“It is, isn’t it? I have a surprise for you.”
“Really? What is it?”
“The kitchen packed us a lunch. To go.”
“A picnic?” She peeked over and saw the basket on the other side of his horse.
“Yeah.”
She wasn’t sure but she thought he blushed. It was probably just the cold. “Wonderful.”
“They said there are some falls up ahead that’s a good place to stop.”
“Okay.” Charlotte would have been happy whether they ate or not. But a picnic sounded unexpectedly romantic. She was content.
While they were stopped, she checked her cell phone. No messages. “How much further?”
“I have no idea.”
She laughed. It didn’t matter. They had the whole day ahead of them.
By the time they got to the falls an hour later, Charlotte was hungry. And cold.
Ryan dismounted, then helped Charlotte from her horse. He stood close and kept his hands around her waist as she slid from the horse. By the time her feet touched the ground, her arms were around his shoulders.
With the cold wind whipping around them, she didn’t move. He pulled her against him into a hug. A hug that lasted what must have been several minutes. She lay her cheek against his chest and he rested his chin on her head. She wondered if he could feel her rapid heart beat. Or maybe it was his heart that she was hearing.
“Hungry?” He asked, pulling back, and grinning at her.
“Always.”
Chapter 23
Ryan opened the picnic box to find a table cloth for the ground, two bottles of water, and sandwiches.
He had a feeling Skylar was responsible for this. She’d had a mischievous look in her eyes when she’d handed him the basket. “Take care with this one,” She’d said. He’d thought she meant the basket, but now that he thought back, he was pretty sure she meant Charlotte.
The falls were loud and it was cold. It was so cold, that they didn’t talk much while they ate.
“I’m wondering if maybe a picnic in the snow wasn’t such a good idea after all.”
She chuckled. “Maybe not. But it was still nice.”
Even as she said it, Ryan could see that she was visibly shivering. “We should get back and warm up.”
“Okay.” She said.
“We’ll have…” Ryan realized at the last minute what he was about to say and stopped himself.
“We’ll have what?”
“We’ll have to see about getting a tee-shirt from the gift shop.”
Charlotte looked him with a strange expression. He didn’t blame her. It was the first thing that popped into his head after he stopped himself.
He was about to say we’ll have something to tell our grandchildren.”
Chapter 24
They weren’t back at the lodge long before they heard some people talking about snowmobiles. And a tavern. Apparently there were pool tables at this tavern only a snowmobile ride away.
“Do you feel up to a game of pool?”
The thought of getting back out in the cold wouldn’t have been Charlotte’s first choice, but the thought of playing a game of pool brought a secret smile to her lips.
By the time they got to the tavern, Charlotte was freezing. The snowmobile ride had been fun for about ten minutes, then it had just been well… cold. And she wanted to be there already. At the moment, she was thankful she lived in Texas.
There were several other snowmobiles parked out front. Apparently this was the place to go when it snowed. And probably even when it didn’t.
She was impressed by Ryan. Not only could he fly a plane, he could drive a snowmobile, and knew horses. Probably just a few of his many talents.
They stepped inside and left their coats at the front. This was certainly a new concept. Charlotte usually kept her coat with her or left it in the car.
Just as the girl at the lodge had promised, there were two pool tables along with several dart boards along the wall. One pool table was already occupied by a group of people.
“Do you want a drink?” Ryan asked as they weaving their way to the other pool table.
“Just water.” Her morning experiment with champagne had been enough for one day.
“I’ll be right back.”
She watched him walk toward the bar to get a drink and her water. He was by far the most handsome man in the bar. He turned as he waited at the bar and smiled at her. Her heart did a little summersault. The most handsome guy in the bar was with her.
And he was not only handsome, he was a pilot.
She pulled her gaze away and choose a cue stick from the wall next to the pool table. When he came back, she was standing with the pool cue in one hand and her other hand against the pool table.
He grinned. “Here’s your water.” She took the bottle from him and noticed that he also was drinking water.
She watched as he arranged the balls in the triangle, putting the eight ball in the middle. Maybe he at least knows the rules. Why did guys always think they should be one to break?
“Wanna break?” He asked.
“Sure.” With surprise in her voice, she walked around the table and got into position. Charlotte wasn’t one of those dramatic players who took forever to line up their sights before hitting the balls. She just aimed and hit.
She hit the balls hard enough to send them all rolling. This part took more luck than skill. But her luck held. One solid ball went in the left pocket and one striped in the right.
“Solid.” She called. Intent on her next target, aimed and shot. She sank two more balls before she looked up to see Ryan staring at her.
She stood the pool cue next to her and shrugged. “You can have a turn if you like.”
“No. Don’t let me stop you.”
“I’ll let you have a turn.” She said, more to herself than to him.
She shot the cue ball toward one of his striped balls. It went straight to the pocket’s edge and stopped. She stood up and beamed at him. “Your turn.”
He closed his mouth and moved toward the table. “You set me up? How do you know I’m not a pool shark?”
“Surely you’re not talented at everything.”
His cocky grin was back. “You never know.” He tapped the cue ball sending his ball into the pocket.
He moved around the table mostly looking at her. Then, using a similar technique to what she used, he aimed and hit his mark. Another ball went into the pocket.
Then another. He stepped toward her. Locked his gaze onto hers. “Would you like a turn?”
With a small grin, she shook her head. “Go ahead. You’re not doing so bad.”
He chuckled. Sank one more ball, then missed the next.
“Why did you stop?” She asked.
“I missed.”
“You missed on purpose.” She accused as she walked past him.
He shrugged. “You’ll never know.” But she did know. She knew because it was an easy shot and he was wearing an innocent expression.
She took her turn and sank two more balls. She grinned at him. “Just remember. You asked for it.”
She focused her concentration back on the table. The last time she’d played pool had been with her dad, before he got sick. About four years, she calculated, maybe longer.
The memory brought a lump to her throat. She glanced at Ryan who grinned at her and she smiled back. She couldn’t help it. He had that effect on her.
Charlotte cleared the table, then with a satisfied expression, turned and looked at Ryan.
He was leaning against the wall watching her. “You didn’t even warn me.”
She shrugged. “I got lucky.”
“If you have that kind of luck, we need to bottle it up and sell it.”
She sighed. If only she had suc
h luck in other areas.
Chapter 25
Charlotte’s whole demeanor had changed when she’d picked up a pool cue. Maybe she hadn’t flown before or ridden a horse or even had champagne, but the girl had skills in other areas.
He’d never been impressed by a girl playing pool before. And this newly discovered talent made her even more attractive. He couldn’t help but wonder what other talents were hidden beneath her innocence.
As much as he enjoyed watching her move about the table, he didn’t think he could stand another round like this one. Besides, he wanted to hold onto the image of her being a pool shark a little longer.
Another group came into the tavern. It was starting to get crowded. And if guys saw her playing that way, they’d all want in on the game.
“Do you want to get some dinner?” He asked.
“Didn’t we just have lunch?”
“By the time we get back to the lodge and everything, it’ll be about time for dinner.”
“Okay.” She put her pool cue back on the wall rack.
Ryan liked that she was agreeable. And didn’t mind changing plans at the last minute. That flexibility was definitely important for a pilot’s companion.
He considered that thought as he retrieved their coats and helped her into hers. A pilot’s companion. Girlfriend. Wife.
He pushed the thought out of his head and they went back out into the cold and got on the snowmobile. She seemed more comfortable than she had on the ride out. Sitting behind him, she slipped her arms around his waist and leaned her cheek against her back.
The feel of her leaning against him, warmed him in spite of the cold air.
He needed to have a distraction and soon. They had another night in the same room and with his thoughts going where they were going, this was not a good thing.
Chapter 26
By the time they made it back to the lodge, Charlotte’s senses were filled with Ryan. He smelled like soap and woodsmoke. She felt safe behind him.
Safe and content. Not only was she attracted to him, she genuinely liked him. He was kind and thoughtful.
She’d never had a guy help her get into her coat. Such a little thing, but it showed her he was thinking about her and not just himself.
She opened her eyes when he turned off the motor. The sun was ducking behind the trees now leaving everything in a hazy glow.
He steadied her arm as she got off the snowmobile. “Not so bad, huh?” He asked.
“No bad at all. You’re a pretty good driver.”
He chuckled. “Good to know. Maybe you’ll come fly with me some time.”
She was on the ground now. Something in his words or maybe in the way he said them, made her stop and look up into his eyes. As they gazed at each other, she forgot that her fingers and toes were freezing. She forgot everything except the world in his blue eyes. The way he was looking at her – as though there was no one else in the world that mattered.
When he leaned toward her, her eyes fluttered closed.
He kissed her on the forehead. With his hands on her elbows, he kept his lips there - pressed against her forehead. She held onto his arms and leaned toward him. This. She sighed.
Then her teeth chattered and the mood was broken. “We should get inside before we freeze out here.” He took her hand and led her up along the path to the back deck of the lodge.
Once inside, they noticed a group of guests standing in the lobby, all wearing their heavy outdoor gear.
“How was your snowmobile ride?” A woman Charlotte recognized as one of the staff walked up to them. Her name tag identified her as Skylar. “Did you find the tavern?” She smiled brightly as she looked from Charlotte to Ryan.
“We did.” Ryan said. “Thank you for the recommendation.
“No problem. We’re getting ready to go out for s’mores.” She gestured toward the basket under her arm. “Would you like to join us?”
Ryan looked questioning at Charlotte. She shrugged. “Sure.”
“Are you sure? It’s cold.”
“Brayden is out back building a huge warm fire.” Skylar said, still smiling.
“We’re already dressed.” Ryan rubbed his hands together and began putting his gloves back on.
Charlotte leaned and whispered so only he could hear. “I need a restroom break.”
He nodded. “We’ll catch up.” He told Skylar.
Charlotte darted off to the restroom. She was still a little unbalanced from Ryan’s kiss on the forehead and the way he had held her hand coming into the lodge. She’d never expected to spend the day with him. But they’d gone horseback riding, snowmobile riding, and she’d kicked his tail at pool. And now they were going outside to make s’mores by a bonfire. For just a little while, she’d bee able to forget out some of the stresses of real life.
A few minutes later, she rejoined him in the lobby.
“Ready?”
“Yes.” She stuck her hands in her pockets as they walked toward the door.
The fire was easy enough to find. Brayden already had it blazing. Someone had pulled some stumps around for seating. Some guest had already found their seats and were waiting for Skylar to pull the graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars out of her basket.
Ryan and Charlotte found a place in front of the fire to warm up before sitting.
Skylar set up the food and laid the branches next to it. “Okay everyone.” She announced. “Come get your marshmallows and get started on the yumminess.”
Charlotte smiled. Skylar definitely had the right bubbly personality to do this. She and Ryan hung back and went last. There were three other couples, two teens, and three children. Ryan put enough food on a plate for both of them and grabbed two of the branches. “Have you ever done this?” He asked.
“Of course.” She slid her marshmallow onto the tip of the branch. “Who hasn’t?”
“I just thought I’d better ask. Just to see if you’re a ninja s’more maker or a novice.”
She glanced at him as she put her marshmallow in the flames. “Neither. Just a regular girl.”
“I think there’s anything regular about you.”
She scrunched her nose. But didn’t answer.
“Here hold mine for a sec.” He got their graham crackers and Hershey’s chocolate squares ready while she held the sticks in the fire.
“I think they’re ready.” She said.
“Yeah? They are looking a little black around the edges.”
“Do you think they’re ready?” Charlotte asked the teenage girl standing next to her.
The girl nodded. “Definitely. They look perfect. Charred on the outside and gooey on the inside.”
Ryan leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Ninja.”
“Ha.” She held the sticks while he pulled the gooey marshmallows off and put them on the graham crackers.
“Here you go. Perfection.” He handed her the s’more.
She nibbled a bite of marshmallow and leaned toward him. “I think we’re the s’more ninja team.”
He grinned. “I think you’re right. Between the two of us, there’s nothing we can’t do.”
The middle-aged woman to his right laughed. “How long have you two been together?”
Ryan glanced at Charlotte. She hoped the heat from the fire masked the heat she felt on her cheeks.
“Not very long.”
The woman nudged her husband. “Bobby and I have been together for thirty years this May. Our first day was at a campfire just like this.” She sighed. “There’s nothing more romantic than an evening by the fire.”
Charlotte’s cheeks were definitely on fire now. Was this a date? If so, just like the older woman, it was her first day with Ryan. She glanced at the teen on her left. Would she be saying the same exact words to someone her age one day?
The whole idea was unsettling. Mostly because she liked the idea. She was flooded by warm feelings.
Skylar walked by. “There are places to sit over there, you guys.
”
“Come on.” Ryan picked up the branches and led the way to an empty log stool. It was a little off to itself, but still close enough to have warmth from the fire.
“You can sit.” She said. “I’m good.”
He put the plate of s’mores on the ground and sat, then took her hand and pulled her into his lap. She giggled. But he wrapped his arms around her and tucked her head beneath his chin. “We should eat these marshmallows.” He reached down and picked up the plate.
Charlotte took her marshmallow sandwich and took a bite. So many years since she’d made s’mores by the fire.
So many years since she’d sat in a guy’s lap.
Never like this.
He playfully bounced on knee and her hand jerked swiping her marshmallows onto her chin. She groaned and swiped at her face.
He chuckled and wiped the marshmallow from her chin. Snuggled against him, she looked into his eyes. He sucked the marshmallow from his thumb. She swallowed thickly as she imagined those lips on hers.
Instead, he kissed her cheek and held her close.
In that moment, Charlotte was content. She couldn’t think of anywhere she would rather be than here in Ryan’s arms in front of a fire in Colorado.
But tomorrow they had to return to Dallas.
The thought dampened her good mood and she sighed.
“What troubles you?” He asked.
“It’s nothing.” But in truth it was everything. While she was here sitting in Ryan’s lap enjoying the warmth of the fire, her sister’s life hung in the balance as she waited for a kidney donor.
Charlotte hated the guilt that came with thinking about her sister’s illness. She knew it wasn’t right to put her own life on hold. But it was so hard not to. Her justification was that Noah was paying her to be here this very moment. Money she could put toward her sister’s health care.
She didn’t want to put all this on Ryan. She wouldn’t. They were just now getting to know each other. She couldn’t tell him about her problems. She wouldn’t. It would mute the magic that she was feeling.
Just Pretend (Cupid's Kiss Book 6) Page 5
