“They were treating him terribly. It’s the best decision for Nolan. He’s just a kid,” Connor says.
“But they were playing well with him on the team. They had a chance to go to the playoffs,” another said.
Connor laughs. “I’m sorry, but the Knights are never going to the playoffs. They have terrible plays, and they need a new coach.”
It all sounded like gibberish to me. Despite dating a hockey player, I’d never developed any interest in the game. Not that Connor ever cared. He always patiently explained the game to me when I asked, even though I was sure my questions were repetitive.
Stop, stop, stop. This is a terrible way to stay single. Don’t give in!
“Did you take Midnight out for a ride this morning? Thought I saw you out there,” one of the men says.
“Yeah, he likes it when it’s quiet and there’s no one around,” Connor says.
I glance at him in question. I assume Midnight is a horse, a black horse given the name. I was racing against a black horse this morning.
“Have a good night, fellas. Don’t get into too much trouble,” Connor says to them. He places a hand on my back and gently urges me forward. I wave at the old men. Before I can tell him to do so, Connor drops his hand back to his side.
“Was it you this morning?” I ask. “You were riding the horse.”
My voice is accusatory.
Connor looks at me from the corner of his eye. “I was.”
I didn’t really need his confirmation because now that I think about it, it made sense it was Connor. I’ve always felt this intense connection to him, this pull deep inside me, like my molecules are calling out to him.
I breathe a sigh of relief when I see the Inn. Climbing up the steps, I push open the door and step into the warm lobby. Marion is behind the counter as always, humming along to the Christmas songs she’s playing on an old radio. She looks up when we walk in and smiles brightly.
“Connor! I was wondering what was keeping you so long.”
Is there someone he didn’t know in this town? I know they always show people in small towns as knowing all their neighbors, but I didn’t think that was actually true. Who has the time in this economy to know about their neighbors’ lives? But Silverpine might as well be out of a movie.
“There was an issue at Patty’s,” Connor says.
“I see you ran into one of our guests,” Marion says, looking at me. “Will I see you down here later with the rest of your family?”
“Later?” I question.
“We’re having movie night,” Marion explains. She motions behind her where the adjacent dining room has been turned into a mini theatre. All the couches and chairs have been moved to one side and lined in rows in front of a large TV.
“Every night in December, we watch Christmas movies. Connor sets it all up. I can’t do technology,” Marion adds. The latter part is obviously a lie because that morning she’d been texting on her phone faster than Sadie, and my sister is practically attached to her phone.
“That sounds fun,” I say. I can’t imagine anything worse than hanging out with a bunch of strangers. I love Christmas movies as much as the next girl, but this set up is my literal nightmare. “I should head back up to my family before they kill me for making them wait for dinner.”
I hold out my hand for Connor to give me the bag of food.
“I can help you carry it up, it’s heavy,” he says.
“I’m not made of glass.” I make a gimme gesture with my hand.
“But you’re just as delicate.”
“And just as sharp when broken.”
I raise an eyebrow. With a grin, he puts the handle of the bag in my hand, letting his fingers graze over my palm. I hold back the shiver which threatens to erupt all over my body. Closing my fist over the handle, I lower my arm.
Connor holds my gaze. “See you later, baby girl.”
I smile at him sweetly. “Maybe in your dreams, Connie.”
